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It's not cross-dressing if that's who you are: A look into queer love in Twelfth night or What you will
No full textBased on studying the source material used to inspire Twelfth Night, the textual dissection of the character's interactions, and the literary devices used by Shakespeare, there is evidence to support an alternative queer reading by moving the queer focus from the often over-analyzed cisgender coupling of Antonio and Sebastian to focusing on Orsino and Cesario/Viola's love story. There is clear evidence to support an interpretation of gay and transgender identities finding love and by interpreting the play as such there is a way to view this work as an original source of a "queer happy ending," one where the characters cleverly solve their problems by finding ways to be themselves while a part of their societal system. This is Shakespearean in purpose and offers a chance for a piece of literary history to push back against the dominant narrative of the "tragic queer experience." Thus, creating further interest in expanding queer readings of his work centered around the perspective of marginalized identities and experiences
Perceptions and changes in belonging among Latinx students at an HSI
No full textThis study explored how Latinx students at a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) perceive and experience belonging in their daily campus lives. Using a two-week video diary method and reflective thematic analysis, alongside descriptive survey data, the study examined how everyday moments influence students' sense of connection or disconnection. Findings showed that while some students described increased confidence and support through peer and faculty interactions, others reported uncertainty and isolation tied to lack of representation, family obligations, and fears about immigration status. Quantitative data revealed a rise in perceived academic confidence and social acceptance, alongside mixed shifts in feelings of fit and visibility. These insights suggest that belonging is not static, but shaped by daily interactions, external pressures, and institutional environments. The study offers a more personal lens on belonging and highlights the need for support systems that recognize the complex realities Latinx students navigate at HSIs
"It Is But Bene-Straw and Greet Forage": The Necrophilic Fantasies of Masculine Narrative Subjectivity and Avenues of Ecofeminine Resistance in Chaucer's the Merchant's Tale and the Squire's Tale
No full textThis thesis interrogates the construction of the ecofeminine in Geoffrey Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales, specifically the Merchant's Tale and the Squire's Tale. Employing ecofeministtheory—particularly Eleanor Johnson, Carissa Harris, Stacy Alaimo, and Susan Griffin—this study makes the claim that despite its satirizing of cultural structures and beliefs, the Talesperpetuate a necrophilic patriarchal narrative in regards to the ecofeminine Other. Through the linguistic choices and narrative structures, women are consistently equated to the naturalenvironment. This ecofeminine collective is presented as passive, insubstantial, and morally questionable. Chaucer's ecofeminine characters are therefore forced into a narrative position of insentience and expendability; the ecofeminine becomes "waste" according to Johnson's theoretical framework.Chapter I examines the character of May in the Merchant's Tale, particularly how she is narratively transformed into ecology through metaphors that confine her to images of youth,"fresshe"-ness, and her husband's walled garden. Chapter II dissects the narrative structure, imagery, language, and symbols of the Squire's Tale, in which Canacee and the falcon becomemirrored images of one another through the shared experience of ecofeminine oppression and the blood the falcon sheds becomes an ecological, theological, and gendered signifier.However, as Chapter III considers and explores through examples from the two tales, this thesis resists a reading which places ecofeminine victimization and agency within a binary. There exist many moments of ecofeminine protest within these tales: May's artful trickery, Canacee's empathy, and the falcon's powerful voice. Such moments complicate the masculinesubjectivity of the narratives and reaffirm the ecofeminine as an active, critical, and sovereign force. At the heart of this study lies a belief that while the Tales perpetuate the necrophilicdesires of culturally-constructed masculinity, they also expose the instability of such structures and offer space for an ecofeminist reclamation. Though often suppressed and silenced by narrative, the ecofeminine continues to speak, bleed, and fight
Banda Sinaloense: Roots, Rhythm, Rise
No full textThis study effort aims to investigate Banda Sinaloense's historical development and journey from provincial music to international prominence. The study will examine the historical context of the genre, its origin, and the sociocultural factors that influenced its sound and appeal (Mazatlan Historic Center, 2023). Additionally, it will examine how Banda evolved from a regional form of entertainment to a global music movement, emphasizing the contributions made by advances in technology, the emergence of digital streaming, and partnerships with foreign musicians (Post, 2023)
The Impact of United States v. Leon (1984)
No full textThis research dives into understanding how the Supreme Court's decision in United States v. Leon (1984) has affected judicial decisions, later jurisprudence, and policing methods. The Leon decision grants prosecutors the use of evidence obtained through a subsequently deficient search warrant, provided the officers relied on the "good faith" of the warrant at the time of the search. The decision's impact will be researched through a qualitative-analytical scope, accumulating jurisprudence, differing appellate court splits, and policing methods. Preliminary findings have shown an increase in circuit court splits when handling the Leon ruling, uncertain decisions when courts have faced wiretap legislation, and the limited capabilities of defense attorneys to properly advocate for their clients. The impact of these findings will provide a clear path to understanding one's constitutional rights, how the judicial system views unconstitutional acts, and the extent of permissible police misconduct
Experiences in Menstruation Among Transgender and Gender-Fluid People of Color (Poc)
No full textMenstruation has been a recent topic studied predominantly among assigned females at birth (AFAB), especially those who identify as transgender men and non-binary. Most of this research has focused on the gender dysphoria individuals may feel if their menstruation status does not align with their gender identity. However, little research has been done on how menstruation experiences are among transgender women and gender-fluid individuals who do not identify as non-binary. In this study, we conducted an online quantitative survey to further explore the delicate relationship between menstruation and gender identity among POC participants. Researchers used three adapted scales to measure the effect of menstruation on gender dysphoria. While researchers received limited participation, valuable insights were gained regarding recruitment challenges with populations often considered difficult to reach. This project will expand into a mixed-method pilot study
Children's Books as an Anti-Racist Practice: Examining Content and Messaging
No full textYoung children are often underestimated on how much they understand and their awareness of the world around them. This includes the idea that young children are not ready to have conversations about race and racism. However, studies have found that the concept of race is understood as early as the toddler years. This present study examined the content and messaging in 20 children's books that discuss culture, language, skin color, and their connection to race. Codes were developed to find common themes and images across the books including acceptance, negative portrayals of race, feelings of connection with one's family and culture, children learning how to cope with racism, further learning, diverse characters and contexts, representations of unity, and non-verbal representation of emotions in reaction to racism. Additionally, five parent interviews were conducted. Parents read two books to their young children and indicated that these types of books were important for their children to read and would continue reading similar books to their children in the future. These findings help us to better understand how children's books can be used as an effective strategy to support children's understanding of race and racism
Transcriptional Changes in Response To Fire-Retardant Exposure in Oncorhynchus
No full textWildfires are increasing in frequency and intensity, leading to greater use of chemical fire retardants such as PHOS-CHEK. While these compounds are essential for fire suppression,their potential ecotoxicological effects on aquatic organisms remain unclear. This study examines the transcriptional response of Oncorhynchus mykiss (steelhead) brain tissue following pulsed exposure to PHOS-CHEK, using RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) to assess differential gene expression. A total of 12 brain samples were sequenced, with 11 passing quality control thresholds for analysis. Mapping rates averaged 78.12%, indicating high-quality sequencing data. Initialdifferential expression analysis using DESeq2, with an adjusted p-value threshold of <0.05, identified no significantly differentially expressed genes. However, an exploratory analysis using unadjusted p-values revealed 365 differentially expressed genes (Log2 fold change >0.5 or <-0.5, p < 0.05), with 169 downregulated and 196 upregulated. Among these, 15 genes exhibited over a 100% change in expression (Log2 fold change >1.0 or <-1.0). Functional annotation analysis via DAVID highlighted significant upregulation in aryl sulfotransferase activity (p = 0.00017) and catecholamine metabolic processes (p = 0.00035), implicating altered neurochemical signaling. However, KEGG pathway analysis did not identify significantly enriched pathways. Furthermore, Principal Component Analysis (PCA) demonstrated no clear clustering between control and exposed groups, suggesting that transcriptional effects may be subtle or variable. These findings suggest that while PHOS-CHEK exposure induces measurable transcriptional changes in O. mykiss brain tissue, the long-term biological significance remains uncertain.Further research is needed to evaluate potential physiological and behavioral consequences of fire-retardant exposure in aquatic ecosystems
No Good for Anybody? The San Francisco Bay Area's Socially Liberal Identity Through Public Discourse Over Alcatraz Island, 1934–1972
No full textSince the mid-20th century, the San Francisco Bay Area in Northern California has held a reputation as a region characterized by its progressive, liberal identity. Despite the importance of liberal values to the recent history of the Bay Area, a considerable gap in scholarly knowledge surrounds the process by which these values came to dominate the social and political landscape of the region up to the point when it would serve as the de facto national epicenter of leftist, counterculture thought by the mid-1960s and early-1970s. This thesis attempts to help fill that gap through its look at the evolution of the area's social identity through the lens of a local source of frequent, impassioned controversy: Alcatraz Island in San Francisco Bay. In voicing their opinions over such topics related to the federal penitentiary on the island as the necessity,efficiency, and ethicality of the prison, Bay Area residents have left historians with a clear understanding as to how the prevalent social values of the region came to change between 1934 and 1972, the span between the opening of United States Penitentiary Alcatraz and the island's ultimate inclusion into the National Park System, to reflect a predominant regional influence of socially liberal values
Hemp Entrepreneurs Study
No full textThe interdisciplinary Cal Poly Humboldt research team produced two research papers, presented their work at a relevant academic or hemp industry conference, and is now distributing this summary paper to key stakeholders, including farmers, businesses, and regulators. Each phase of the project proceeded on schedule: Quarter 1 focused on acquiring a list of hemp farm licenses, including past licensees, and gathering lists of other California hemp businesses. In Quarter 2, the team reviewed hemp-specific entrepreneurial literature, developed an empirical model of success, and revised the hemp survey instrument. Quarter 3 involved conducting focus groups, launching an online survey, and performing financial cost analyses. In Quarter 4, the team analyzed data, estimated the model, and documented findings. The final comprehensive report includes the research scope, preliminary and final findings, and recommendations and is available by request