JBC Commons (New College of Florida)
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WHAT IT TAKES TO GROW A MICRO FOREST AT NEW COLLEGE OF FLORIDA
No full textThis thesis introduces a concept of forestry that is rooted in the context of climate change and the solutions that exist at the urban level. The integration of urban forests designed to mitigate temperatures and sequester atmospheric carbon is a practical solution to problems caused by increasing urbanization. In this thesis, I detail the process for establishing a micro forest that has been planted at New College of Florida and the benefits of utilizing the micro forest planting method. Located in Southwest Florida near Sarasota Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, the New College Micro Forest will serve as a small-scale model for urban forestry at the college level. The creation of the micro forest will serve as a starting point from which statistical data and predictive models can be derived from future students, and the collected data will serve as a report of the area’s growth and performance. “As our world becomes more and more urbanized, the urban forest will increasingly become an important reserve of biodiversity. We need to recognize the potential of urban areas to contain important amounts of biodiversity and work to promote that diversity” (Alvey, 2006)
UNPAID LABOR, SOCIAL REPRODUCTION THEORY, AND TRANSGENDER COMMUNITIES OF CARE: A TRANSGENDER SOCIAL REPRODUCTION FRAMEWORK
No full textMarxist analysis has been frequently dismissed as a class reductionist framework which omits important considerations of many unique, interconnected oppressions within its theoretical vision of building a more equitable future. On the contrary, this thesis builds upon Marx’s foundational critique of capitalism to show how an intersectional feminist approach can be derived from his theories of alienation, expropriation, and emancipation. In doing so, I draw upon social reproduction theory and feminist movements to show how capitalist society shapes the oppressions and depends upon unpaid reproductive labor processes which occur within it in a contradictory, crisis-invoking manner. As a result, I refute Catharine MacKinnon’s radical feminism which asserts a singularized ‘totality’ of oppression surrounding women’s domination and ‘victimhood’, arguing instead for a widened conceptualization centering the influence of capital and possibility for a shared resistance. From this widened scope, I then bring into perspective the care labor necessary for the survival of transgender individuals under a hierarchical gendered division of labor, which also holds emancipatory potential. Thus, while increasing transgender visibility has been perceived as a threat to such a division, leading to instances of transphobic violence, I suggest that transgender care labor demands recognition and compensation – a claim which ought to be further argued in future work
HOMAGE TO THE DUNGEON: AN ATTEMPTED HOMAGE TO GEORGE ORWELL’S HOMAGE TO CATALONIA AND THE SPANISH CIVIL WAR, USING TWINE INTERACTIVE MEDIA
No full textHomage to the Dungeon is an attempted syncretism of my experiences at New College of Florida-of historical reading and research, of learning syntax and formatting, of discussion and discourse, within the format of the Digital Humanities, along with my general experiences that have touched me as a person-learning of the Spanish Civil War, a desire to create art and a story, alongside my general hobbies. In this twine based choose-your-own-adventure style experience, I attempt to provide an allegorical retelling of the May Days Events, from an excerpt of George Orwell\u27s Homage to Catalonia, similar to Orwell\u27s own allegorical telling of the Russian Revolution and the rise of Stalin in Animal Farm. I would like to bring both the Spanish Civil War and Orwell\u27s experience in it to the attention of more people-to push for discussion and discourse upon the subject, which would be appropriate as we gradually approach the centennial since Orwell went to Spain. You can access the file at: https://lordplasmaiii.github.io/Capstone_Homage_To_Homage_To_Catalonia/Homage_t o_the_Dungeon_Dra.htm
FLESH DOLL Exploring Sex Dolls and Objectification Of The Female Body
No full textAs a woman, I am acutely aware of the historical and societal preconceptions that have shaped the way women experience their own sexuality. Through my art, I seek to challenge these expectations and reclaim agency over my own sexual narrative. Using sculpture, videography, and installation, I explore the physical and cultural dimensions of the female body. This is done in part by juxtaposing live, naked models with inanimate objects and materials traditionally associated with femininity and sexuality, whether busts, fabric, or blow-up dolls. Through these combinations, I aim to question and subvert conventional notions of what it means to be a desirable woman. By prioritizing the female gaze in my art, I disrupt the traditional power dynamic between male artists and their female muse
AN EYE IS A WINDOW INTO THE SOUL: AN EYE TRACKING STUDY EXPLORING THE IN-GROUP EMPATHY HYPOTHESIS
No full textPrejudice intervention focuses on decreasing prejudice and discrimination through means such as raising empathy and perspective taking. However, a person’s empathy may not extend to everyone. For example, the in-group empathy hypothesis states that individuals showcase more empathy toward members of their in-group than toward members of their out-group. In this study, I used eye tracking to explore how the in-group empathy hypothesis relates to participant behaviors when viewing racial microaggressions directed towards members of their racial in-groups and out-group. I operationalized various eye tracking metrics to measure allocation of attention and interest when participants watched clips with a target of their racial in-group compared to a member of their racial out-group. I hypothesized that greater means for each eye tracking metric would be positively correlated with trait empathy score, particularly among matching participant and target ethnic comparisons. With a sample size of n= 24, (9 identified as Asian American and 15 identified as a different ethnicity) results did not support the hypotheses. Given the small sample size, I could not draw adequate conclusive results. Nonetheless, this study created a strong foundation for further research about responses to microaggressions and the implications of empathy as an intervention targeting these interactions
ANIMAL BEHAVIOR EDUCATION AND ANTHROPOMORPHISM
No full textThis study aimed to address the effectiveness anthropomorphic language had on retention rates of animal behavior information. The intention of this research was to assess the anthropomorphic methods used in public zoos and aquariums to educate the public. Using a between-groups design, a total of 55 participants were randomly sorted into two groups. Both groups were instructed to read a short passage about the behavior of the American Horseshoe Crab and then answer questions to two separate surveys assessing retention and confidence respectively. Group A’s passage was written with subtle anthropomorphic language throughout while Group B’s passage was written plainly in a scientific format. Results of this study indicated marginal significance in the relationship between condition and retention with Group A scoring higher in retention than Group B. This suggests support for the continued use of anthropomorphic language used in zoos and aquariums to educate the public in order to increase conservation efforts. Finding the best methods to educate the public about animal behavior is highly important to encourage animal welfare concerns and wildlife conservation efforts
HOW EFFECTIVE ARE FLOWERPOT SNAKES WHEN IT COMES TO CONTROLLING TERMITE PEST POPULATIONS?
No full textFlowerpot snakes, Indotyphlops braminus, are a fossorial snake species that is found in many parts of the world. The snakes are known to prey on ants and termites. This experiment was designed to answer the question, are flowerpot snakes an effective form of pest control? Feeding behavior of flowerpot snakes was tested using termite workers in the conditions: substrate absent with lights off, substrate absent with lights on, substrate present with lights off, and substrate present with lights on to determine a maximum feeding rate. The flowerpot snakes ate an average of two termites per feeding event, ranging between 1.60 ± 0.24 and 4.33 ± 1.15 termites per feeding event which is minimal compared to the average minimum of 30 eggs laid by termites a day. Across the four conditions, the difference in feeding behavior was not statistically significant (p = 0.0554). The snakes were found to eat infrequently with a mean of 9.33 ± 2.73 days between feeding events. During testing, snakes spent a majority of their time exploring their environment, with a decrease in activity when lights were on. Snakes showed a habit for consuming only the insides of termites, alongside consuming termites whole or decapitating them. The difference in behavior seen between conditions could provide some insight into how the snakes act in captivity versus the wild. More research should be conducted to look into feeding preference between stages of termites, environments, and over a longer period of time
COVID-19 AND THE CARCERAL SYSTEM: AN EXAMINATION OF THE INCREASING STRUCTURAL INEQUITIES IN ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE IN SARASOTA AND MANATEE COUNTY JAILS
No full textThe purpose of this thesis is to examine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on access to healthcare in Southwest Florida jails. The ongoing public health crisis has underscored the importance of examining these constructions in a cautious yet expeditious manner. While a considerable amount of research seeks to understand COVID-19 within prisons, there is limited information that contextualizes the novel virus within jails. This thesis aims to augment existing literature by taking a closer look at public health and disease prevention in jails. This project draws on data accumulated from nine ethnographic interviews dated from December of 2021 through April of 2022. In addition, secondary research was used to conceptualize a supporting framework and supplement first-hand findings. When examining an event as sizeable as a global pandemic, qualitative research can shed light on lived experiences. The application of ethnographic strategies to obtain qualitative data is a well-established and effective approach for gaining insight on human research. Specifically, semi-structured interviews can help to illustrate the complex dynamic that exists within these institutions and extends outside their walls. The information collected regarding COVID-19 management within the criminal justice system was used to analyze health related matters within Southwest Florida jails
