Texas A&M International University: Research Information Online (RIO)
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Political Rhetoric and Latino Public Opinion: A Study of Abortion in the U.S.
Full text linkThis thesis studies political rhetoric and Latino public opinion on abortion in the United States. Mainly, this thesis asks: Is political rhetoric on abortion shaping the Latino vote? This thesis conducted a content analysis of political rhetoric through speeches, interviews, debates, political advertisements, and social media accounts from Democratic and Republican gubernatorial candidates. The gubernatorial races studied in this thesis are those from California and Texas from 2010 to 2022. In the content analysis, this research accounted for words and phrases that referenced abortion and the type of arguments (reproductive rights-based and moral-based arguments) made in those references. Then, this study compared political rhetoric with the relative Democratic lean of the Latino vote. This thesis expected the relative Democratic lean of the Latino vote to decrease as the Republican Party increased its abortion references (H1) and moral-based arguments on abortion (H2). Ultimately, this study found support for H1 in only Texas while finding support for H2 in Texas and California. However, this study found that Texas Democrats politicized the issue more than their Republican counterparts. In other words, Republicans did not prioritize abortion as much as Democrats, and yet, the relative Democratic lean of the Latino vote has still decreased or, rather, has become less Democratic since 2010
LOBBYING – A FINANCIAL PERSPECTIVE
Full text linkU.S. based bank holding companies (BHCs) exert influence at every step in the legislative process where financial regulatory reforms are enacted into law, such as the Dodd-Frank Act, to promulgation of regulations. In Chapter II, we maintain that BHCs, upon facing salient regulation, lobby regulators to have their opinions heard with the goal of favorable regulatory change and to increase non-traditional revenues. We undertook a novel collection of political and financial data from 2003 to 2018, matching 180 pairs of parsed proposed and final regulations. BHCs that participated in commenting on proposed rules are highly successful at having their views noted in the final regulation, and other forms of lobbying increased this success. We fill an instrumental gap in financial literature, as we confirm that BHCs may well lobby regulators to preserve gains in all important, yet risky revenues.
In Chapter III, we ask how these non-traditional revenues and separately, systemic risk, impact BHC value and share price volatility. Surprisingly few scholars have explored the effect of revenues or systemic risk upon BHC value. An increase in the use of aggregate non-tradtional revenues or an increase of systemic risk, using Marginal Expected Shortfall, led to a decline in value of the BHC. It further led to a sharp increase share price volatility, illustrating a process of negative feedback loops.
Lastly, in Chapter IV, it is demonstrated that the U.S. Congress struggles in lifting the statutory debt limit in a timely manner, while tied to appropriations legislation. We maintain that Google Trends Economic Policy Uncertainty (EPU) and Interest Group Competition/conflict take a toll on U.S. Treasury Bill Yield Spread during contentious debt ceiling crises. We did so by employing auto-regressive distributed lag model on a novel collection of financial and political time series data from 2010 to 2016, at daily intervals. Our EPU proxy and Interest iv Group Competition/Conflict led to a decrease in Treasury Yield Spreads and increased excess borrowing costs owed by the U.S. Treasury, due in part to the default premium. By examining all three chapters, we touch on the good, the bad, and the ugly of lobbying and political influence in finance
HABITAT EFFECTS ON SCORPION DENSITIES AND MICROHABITAT USE BY CENTRUROIDES VITTATUS AND VAEJOVIS WAUERI IN SOUTH TEXAS
Full text linkCo-existence between Centruroides vittatus and Vaejovis waueri is influenced by environmental factors that shape their habitats. Differences in surface activity frequency between the two species suggest differential microhabitat use. The observed frequency of scorpions using microhabitats in the Martinez Ranch and La Union Ranch were not significantly different from the expected frequencies. Frequency of scorpions observed using microhabitats in La Union South was significantly different from the expected frequency (P\u3c0.001). Microhabitat use of catclaw was lower than expected and higher than expected for other vegetation. Conditional comparisons of microhabitats were significantly different among habitats (P\u3c0.001), size classes were significantly different among microhabitats (P\u3c0.001), and size classes were significantly different among habitats (P\u3c0.01). Microhabitat use by scorpions on the ground was higher among all habitats. Scorpion use of ground and grass were different among size classes. Size class I-II scorpions had a higher frequency than size class III. Scorpion density for C. vittatus was significantly different among habitats (P\u3c0.0001) and scorpion density for V. waueri was significantly different among habitats (P\u3c0.0001). Centruroides vittatus was significantly higher in the Martinez Ranch and in La Union South. Vaejovis waueri was significantly higher in La iv Union South. Associations between plant densities and scorpion size classes were tested. Plant densities had a significant association with C. vittatus size classes I and II in the Martinez Ranch. Association between plants had a significant correlation with C. vittatus size classes I and IV in La Union Ranch. Association between plants had a significant correlation with V. waueri’s total density. These associations may suggest plant densities may have a synergistic effect on scorpion densities. Soil type composition for the different habitats was hypothesized to influence scorpion densities. Maps for each site were created to show soil type compositions. Soil type findings suggest that La Union South had the soil types with the lowest soil strength. Vaejovis waueri was shown to have a higher density in La Union South where soils are sandier. Results indicate that co-existence between C. vittatus and V. waueri is possible because competition is low through minimal overlap in microhabitat use and intraguild predation avoidance
I AM NOT AN ANGEL : CONTESTED IDENTITY IN CHARLOTTE BRONTE\u27S JANE EYRE
Full text linkThis thesis explores identity in Charlotte Brontë’s magnum opus, Jane Eyre (1847). Using specific moments in the main character’s life, this thesis will examine the importance of selfdefining truths and identity during a deeply restrictive time. This thesis will also incorporate Helene Cixous’ essay “The Laugh of the Medusa” (1975) to better understand the importance of Brontë writing a female character who avowed her own identity and challenged anyone who imposed their own perception on to her character. This thesis aims to delineate the ways Jane challenges those around her, and even the reader, as she remains loyal to her truth
Investigating How Generation 1.5 Students Notice and Understand Direct Written Corrective Feedback (WCF)
Full text linkThe following research focuses on an underrepresented and understudied population in academia, Generation 1.5. Generation 1.5 encompasses a group of individuals who neither fit the categories of first-generation nor second-generation students and often feel caught between two cultures, the American culture and their family’s native culture (Serventy and Allen 1; Goldschmidt and Miller 11). These individuals are neither fully proficient in their L1 or L2 and consequently, share characteristics of L1 and traditional L2 writers (Singhal 2; Ferris 311). This research study examines how university Generation 1.5 students notice and understand direct Written Corrective Feedback (WCF) on treatable and untreatable errors as measured per their responses in Reflection Essays. The researcher of the present study found that Generation 1.5 students struggled to demonstrate noticing and understanding of treatable and untreatable writing errors despite receiving direct WCF. The researcher of the present study hypothesizes that this occurrence can be linked to their lower proficiency in reading and Academic English. However, the students were more likely to demonstrate noticing and understanding of untreatable writing errors rather than treatable writing errors. The researcher of the present study theorizes that the students\u27 lack of noticing and understanding of treatable writing errors can be attributed to their lack of formal grammar training due to not being placed in specialized ESL classes in their K-12 education. Based on the findings, the researcher suggests that writing instructors that serve this population should consider administering their feedback by means of audio rather than writing due to their higher proficiency in listening. Lastly, the researcher of the present study adamantly argues for a more inclusive definition of Generation 1.5 as some of the most commonly accepted definitions place a criterion based on birthplace. Leaving provisions pertaining to birthplace would be detrimental as it would exclude individuals such as the ones represented in this study even though they demonstrate key characteristics of Generation 1.5 students such as being ear learners. Overall, the researcher of the present study argues for more research to be conducted pertaining to Generation 1.5 and the processing of WCF
UTILIZING MACHINE LEARNING TECHNIQUES TO PREDICT CREDIT CARD PAYMENT DEFAULTS
Full text linkThe question of accurately predicting credit card defaulters has been explored in numerous studies in the past. In these studies, the researchers utilized various machine learning theories and techniques to make the determination the extent of defaults. Unfortunately, some constraints were encountered, and the limitations that existed from the previous works have been discussed. This project attempted to address these issues with special attention given to more recently available data. Specifically, in this project, we looked at data provided by one Kaggle user, which utilized the data from the American Express credit card competition, which ranges from late March 2018 to late October 2019, approximately 18 months. The extent of credit card defaulters was looked into using the data and used a machine learning technique, called Extremely Randomized Trees. Furthermore, a balancing technique, called Synthetic Minority Oversampling Technique, also known as SMOTE, was used to ensure the classes that were explored and balanced. Finally, the findings from the current research were compared with that of previous findings. The outcome of this project was understanding and analyzing previous research utilizing the updated available data to predict credit card payment defaults more accurately
When the Spring Flowers Bloom : Dorothy Fuldheim, The Kent State Killings, and Vietnam War Foreign Policy
Full text linkDorothy Fuldheim is a significant figure in American history. A local legend of news broadcasting in Cleveland, Ohio, Fuldheim wrote and broadcasted exceptional commentaries that demanded the attention of her audience. Her evolving style caught the attention of many across the United States, eventually making her a nationally recognized journalist. Little scholarship has been written on Fuldheim and her contributions to the fields of history, allowing this thesis to lead the way in analyzing her life and work. The primary purpose of this thesis is to use Dorothy Fuldheim as a window to contextualize the events at Kent State University and United States foreign policy related to the Vietnam War while prioritizing Fuldheim as a multifaceted individual that defies simple classification. Breaking through the gender barriers of the time, Fuldheim’s thought-provoking and controversial approach to her craft paved the way for other women in journalism to lead successful careers. Overall, this thesis seeks to establish a connection between Fuldheim’s contributions as a female American news media icon and her writings to the field of history
El nuevo cuento latinoamericano: el ‘terror aparente y externo’ versus el ‘terror real e interno’ en Pelea de gallos y Grita de María Fernanda Ampuero, y Las voladoras de Mónica Ojeda
Full text linkThis thesis focusses on the new Latin-American short story; the ‘obvious and external horror’ vs. the ‘real and internal horror’ found in the works of Maria Fernanda Ampuero: Pelea de gallos (2018) and Grita (2020) as well as in Monica Ojeda’s Las voladoras (2020). The analysis encompasses situations that different protagonists experience in each short story to illustrate the message that the Ecuadorian writers intend to address the reader. Ampuero and Ojeda use their platform to expose the injustice that women and minors endure through their Latin American narratives. In the short stories that belong to the horror and the fantastic literary genres, the authors reveal themes such as gender violence, abuse towards minors, inequality and the failure of institutions such as the State, the Church and the Family to protect their citizens.
La presente tesis se enfocará en el nuevo cuento latinoamericano: el ‘terror aparente y externo’ versus el ‘terror real e interno’ que se encuentra en las obras de María Fernanda Ampuero: Pelea de gallos (2018) y Grita (2020), y Las voladoras (2020) de Mónica Ojeda. En los cuentos se analizará las situaciones que atraviesan las diferentes protagonistas que se encuentran en los relatos para demostrar los mensajes que las escritoras ecuatorianas quieren trasmitir al lector. Ojeda y Ampuero utilizan su plataforma para denunciar las injusticias que viven las mujeres y las menores a través de la narrativa latinoamericana. Exponen, a través de cuentos del género de terror y lo fantástico, temas sobre violencia de género, abuso a menores, la desigualdad y el fracaso de instituciones como el Estado, la Iglesia y la Familia para proteger a sus ciudadanos
Women in Politics: An Examination of Hispanic Undergraduate Students\u27 Perspectives and Attitudes
Full text linkThe lack of female representation in politics has long been established, as over the years there has been a rise in political participation that still fails to be representative of the general population. Women that seek positions in office often fail to garner the support that many male candidates quickly get, as women face gender stereotypes and sexism at almost every turn. Many studies have failed to look at how the Hispanic population evaluate women seeking political leadership and how engrained gender roles and stereotypes are when it comes to the evaluation of female and male candidates. This thesis examines not only the prevalence of gender stereotypes and roles that Hispanics within the border region might have, but also considers the importance that acculturation might have upon the evaluation of women candidates. The goal this thesis aims to accomplish is to test the prevalence of these variables and the effect these have upon evaluation of candidates based on gender and to compare the results to other studies that have used predominantly White populations in order to further examine whether a difference exists based on race/ethnicity. Data was gathered through the distribution of an online survey to undergraduate students at Texas A&M International University and the total sample size was 522 participants. The findings indicated that Hispanics within this sample had more egalitarian iv attitudes towards women seeking office, and in comparison, to other studies there were less gender stereotypes held about the competence that women office seekers had on different issues such as healthcare and education. Moreover, it was also seen how acculturation played a substantial role in whether individuals would vote for a male candidate or remain neutral. These findings serve to complement and further fill the contrasting literature gap that exists when it comes to Hispanic gender role attitudes and evaluation of women candidates, as scholars have failed to reach a consensus regarding how egalitarian Hispanics might be
Maternidades disidentes en La hija única (2020) de Guadalupe Nettel y La perra (2018) de Pilar Quintana: una mirada crítica hacia la maternidad como constructo social
No full textLa maternidad es un constructo social establecido por el sistema patriarcal que somete a las mujeres relegándolas al espacio doméstico. A través de la historia, esta construcción ha sido la encargada de darle a la mujer el reconocimiento y la identidad dentro de los márgenes sociales. Mi tesis consiste en enfatizar las secuelas que el constructo social ha dejado en las mujeres en la actualidad, aún cuando se cree que la mujer contemporánea ejerce su maternidad en completa libertad. La autora Guadalupe Nettel en La hija única (2020), ejemplifica a través de sus personajes, la estigmatización que enfrentan las mujeres que no desean ser madres, la violencia obstétrica y el arrepentimiento materno. Mientras que, Pilar Quintana en su obra La perra (2018), muestra una maternidad vivida desde otra escala social, con un enfoque en las afrocolombianas. Ambas novelas presentan una disidencia que nace a partir de un nido de palomas y la adopción de una perra, las cuales postulan una nueva forma de vivir y ejercer la maternidad