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CNU Cupola 2007 |
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"Research is the essential element of the scholar's craft. It is the means by which scholars pay forward into the fund of human knowledge the debt owed to their predecessors.
At its best, research honors the past while enriching the future."
Dr. Richard M. Summerville
CNU Provost 1982-1995, 2001-2007 |
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| Thomas Barton |
| To Be or Not To Be: Suicide and Heroism in Sophocles' Ajax |
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The Ajax, a Greek tragedy written by Sophocles during the fifth century B.C., deals with the Homeric hero Ajax whose betrayal, at the hands of his fellow Greeks, drives him to an anger of epic proportions. Realizing the conflict between his own identity and the changing world around him, Ajax is ultimately confronted with two choices: he could change with the world around him, but by doing so he would sacrifice his own heroic identity, the very thing that makes him Ajax; or he could end his own life thus preserving his self identity as an honorable hero. Although many scholars argue that Ajax’s suicide was neither noble nor heroic, I contend that suicide was indeed both of these. A copious amount of critical analysis for this issue, from both sides, derives from a single speech delivered by Ajax himself in the center of the play. Much of the evidence that supports my argument will be found in this very speech. In addition to Ajax’s speech, two themes, specifically time and change, serve as evidence that further exhibit the nobility and heroism found in Ajax’ decision to end his own life. |
| Ela-Sita Carpenter |
| The Status of Rafinesque's Big-Eared Bat (Corynorhinus Rafinesquii ) Roosts in Southern Virginia |
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Little is known about the roosting ecology of Rafinesque's big-eared bat (Corynorhinus rafinesquii) in Virginia, the northern boundary of its range. As part of a study to quantify roosting and habitat associations of this species, we conducted roost surveys throughout southeastern Virginia. These surveys included structures identified by the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries as C. rafinesquii roosts in 2001. Because all structures of interest were on private land, we contacted landowners to obtain permission to visit the sites. After obtaining permission, we visited thirteen sites to evaluate current use. In addition to surveying sites for use and quantifying occupancy, we installed dataloggers throughout several structures to evaluate climatic associations of roosting bats. We discovered that several structures documented as roosts in 2001 have collapsed and are no longer available to bats; however, five previously undocumented roosts were discovered. Additionally, we found three solitary hibernating C. rafinesquii in a variety of structures. We believe these represent the first documented hibernacula for this species in Virginia. The degree to which many of the roosts have either been destroyed, made inaccessible, or degraded makes it clear that these buildings that C. rafinesquii currently inhabit need to be protected and regularly surveyed in order to better conserve the populations. |
| Chris Glover |
| Brazilian Abolition and Aftermath |
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The abolition of slavery in Brazil was a complex process that was influenced by many factors. Though it may seem simple and concise on the surface, there exists much debate over why abolition occurred and what its effects were on Brazilian society. This being said, the purpose of this paper is to explain why slavery persisted so long in Brazil and what exactly caused its downfall. It also seeks to explain the extent to which abolition aided the downfall of the monarchy in Brazil and answer whether or not this downfall was inevitable. Historians credit various factors with the demise of slavery, but I believe that all of these factors worked together simultaneously to end the institution. I believe that there is no single explanation for abolition, but rather multiple explanations that all have validity and play off one another. Outside influences from around the world, economic and demographic changes, governmental policies and influence, abolitionists, and slavery as an institution itself all combined to create an environment which enabled emancipation of the slaves. Furthermore, I came to the conclusion that the monarchy in Brazil would have been overthrown with or without abolition, though I believe abolition sped up that process. Abolition had serious consequences and directly affected the establishment of a republic, but this establishment was more of a “final straw” that resulted from years of problems. The Golden Law of 1888 represented this “straw” as slavery ended and the monarchy was inevitably overthrown. |
| Sarah Janeski |
| Themes of Feminism in Constance Fenimore Woolson’s “Miss Grief” |
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Constance Fenimore Woolson is a writer who is just beginning to regain recognition for her talents. At present she is better known for her possible romance with Henry James than for her many contributions to the literary society of the nineteenth century and the realist movement. However, Woolson was a very important feminist writer having pushed through the barriers of sexism in the 19th century to become a celebrated author in her own time. In her writing, she embraces the realist movement, stripping society of its power and pretension and dissecting it in the most candid of language. In her short story, “Miss Grief,” Woolson points out the pitfalls of being a woman in a man’s world. |
| Jennifer Vencill |
| A Comprehensive Measure of STD Knowledge: Scale Development and Psychometric |
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Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) represent some of the most dangerous and communicable infections in the world. However, few scales currently exist that assess knowledge regarding STDs. Furthermore the scope, reliability, and validity of these few available STD knowledge scales are questionable at best. The 70-item STD Knowledge Scale provides an inclusive and reliable measure regarding knowledge about nine of the most contagious, prevalent, and dangerous STDs. Preliminary analyses reveal that the scale has high internal consistency and supports the development of a short version of the STD Knowledge Scale. Future research must examine the validity of the scale. Implications of the STD Knowledge Scale on both research and practice are discussed further. |
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