2013 (Volume 1), McNair Research Journal
Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14220/40
Browse
Recent Submissions
Item Open Access Front Matter(2013)The front matter for Volume 1, the 2013 edition, of the McNair Research Journal includes the following sections: Welcome (by Dr. John Stewart), History of Montevallo, Table of Contents, and Acknowledgements. It also provides information about TRIO, Dr. Ronald E. McNair, and UM's McNair Scholar Program.Publication Open Access The Rhetoric of Ekphrasis and Performed Orality in Vergil’s Aeneid(McNair Research Journal, University of Montevallo, 2013) Headley, Brittany; Batkie, StephanieThe complex relationship between written and oral texts has been simplified and broken into two distinct stages in the evolution of language. While there are considerable differences in the construction and narrative technique of oral and written texts, it must be understood that they also have significant impact on each other. Written texts are a logical evolution following and flowing from oral tradition; the impact orality has on the construction and understanding of written work cannot be overstated. Considering oral texts that were created or transcribed after the advent of literacy also presents a different understanding of how orality works and is used. Despite being constructed as a written text, Vergil’s Aeneid is built around oral tradition, evidenced by the rhetorical techniques used within the text. In particular, ekphrasis—visual representation within a literary work as a method of storytelling—is a strategy that he uses in contrast to several oral narratives within the epic. Throughout the piece, Vergil parallels his role as an author within the text; the characters interact through oral performance, ekphrasis and emotional responses to petition. By re-creating the orator to audience relationship within the text, he deconstructs and employs concepts of both orality and textuality as complementary methods instead of irreconcilable processes.Publication Open Access “Unconventional Wisdom”: Julia Tutwiler’s Writings on Women’s Education(McNair Research Journal, University of Montevallo, 2013) Hightower, Christopher; Truss, RuthPublication Open Access Wait, I’m Blonde so I Have to Bottom?—Physical Representations of the Gender Binary in Yaoi Manga(McNair Research Journal, University of Montevallo, 2013) Hodgens, Lindsay; Mahaffey, PaulMany people are surprised to find that yaoi manga—a genre of Japanese comics about male-male romantic relationships—is overwhelmingly produced and consumed by women. But according to scholars such as Marni Stanley and Mark McHarry, you shouldn’t be. These scholars argue that the genre gives its audience the ability to escape heteronormative female sexuality, and thereby “[dispensing] with gender difference,” by featuring characters whose bodies “move fluidly past constructions of identity, gender, and sex” (Stanley 104; McHarry 184). I argue, however, that the presence of physical cues both on cover art and in-text prevents a departure from heteronormativity. By examining Shungiku Nakamura’s massively popular series Junjo Romantica on the physical information presented on its volumes’ cover art and analyzing instances of static and agentic gender identification throughout its volumes, I have found that there are ample visual cues that tether both of the series’ main characters to either a masculine or a feminine gender role. Examples of these visual clues include blushing, trembling, and other signs of vulnerability. Furthermore, the assignment of gender roles is typically connected to characters’ desired sexual roles, which is problematic, as it links gendered personality traits to a gender-dictated sexual experience. When considered alongside several other popular manga series and acknowledgement of this trend in scholarship, yaoi manga begins to look less satisfying as a liberatory text.Publication Open Access Cash Ain’t a Problem, I Know Where It Goes: “Low” by Flo Rida and the Economic Crisis of 2008(McNair Research Journal, University of Montevallo, 2013) Hurley, Kayle; Sargent, JosephExisting research on music listening preferences suggests that when economic conditions are poor, listeners prefer music that is slower and more serious. Terry Pettijohn has applied the Environmental Security Hypothesis to the success of music during varying economic conditions. This hypothesis suggests that when economic conditions are threatening, people prefer features which are comforting and mature; when this hypothesis is applied to music, Pettijohn concludes that music which is slower and more meaningful is preferred during times of economic uncertainty. However, in the economic crisis of 2008, the faster and more lighthearted song “Low” by Flo Rida rose to the top of the Billboard music chart. The current research examines the success of this song in the light of existing theories on listener preferences and investigates which type of music is generally preferred during hard economic times. Through a survey, this research assessed whether participants believe music that distracts from hard economic times or music that represents hard economic times is more successful. It compared the US economy contraction cycles chart provided by the National Bureau of Economic Research to the Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits 1955-2009 to determine which songs were number one singles in years of economic recession. The number one singles from each recession period were analyzed to determine approximate beats per minute and the seriousness of lyrical content. Results of these comparisons and a survey of 95 participants show that in periods of economic recession songs which are faster and more distracting are preferred.Publication Open Access The Revolution Televised: An Exploration of Stereotypes on Reality Television(McNair Research Journal, University of Montevallo, 2013) Jackson, Breona; Kelley, AnthonyThis study explores stereotypes and stereotype threats presented in the reality show: The Real Housewives of Atlanta. The analysis focuses on analyzing three modes of black womanhood as articulated in literary and historical texts, namely those of the Jezebel, Mammy, and Sapphire. The researcher identifies how modern modes of black womanhood are an amalgamation of the three historical stereotypes of black womanhood just mentioned. These modern black female stereotypes, stereotypes – “The Bad Bitch,” “Bitch,” and “The Mammy” – are historically marked by their historical antecedents: the Jezebel, the Mammy, and the Sapphire, respectively. These modifications are prominent in the reality show mentioned above. Characterization and actual aired television time are essential to understanding how perpetuations of the modes are successful in ratings with young black females. In order to analyze both historical and modern connotations of black female stereotypes, the researcher records and documents specific scenarios that emphasize those stereotypes particularly in The Real Housewives of Atlanta. Well-documented examples of black female stereotypes are provided and are effectively defined by other scholarly research.Publication Open Access College Students’ Stories of Bullying Experiences(McNair Research Journal, University of Montevallo, 2013) Lejuene, Megan; Duke, JeannieBullying is complex and involves many factors. There is no single reason why a bully selects one or more victims: however individuals who are struggling to socially “fit in” and who appear awkward in various social settings are much more vulnerable to the bully (Adams, Lawrence, 2011). Interest in the topic of bullying in American schools has increased dramatically in the past few years, perhaps due to the converging findings of recent studies of school killings in the United States (Chapell et al., 2004). Research suggests students bullied in high school have a higher probability of experiencing bullying in college and in the workplace. Although K – 12 bullying has been extensively studied, research on college bullying is limited. Students are not only being bullied by peers, but in some cases, by instructors. In the present study, five college students, four undergraduate students and one graduate student, from a small liberal arts college in the south participated in a qualitative, open-ended interview. Students were asked about high school and college level bullying experiences. Results show that bullying by peers and instructors occur in college. Implications for prevention of college bullying are also discussed in further detail.Publication Open Access Divorced Parents’ and the Affect Divorce has on College Students’ Intimate Relationships(McNair Research Journal, University of Montevallo, 2013) Miller, Britney; Ratchford, DonaldThe percentage of parental divorce has increased significantly in today’s society. This has spurred researchers to explore why this has become so common (Ottaway, 2010). When parents contemplate divorce, sometimes they do not think about how it may impact their children long- term or what bearing it may have on their children’s intimate relationships. It is proposed by Bowles (2005) that in future generations, the intimate relationships of children of divorce will be impacted. A convenience sample of students from a small liberal arts university in the south participated in this study. The participants completed a questionnaire, which included the Miller Social Intimacy Scale (MSIS) and demographic information. Participants provided their age at time of their parents’ divorce, gender, with whom they resided after divorce, relationship status, etc., as specified on the questionnaire. The researcher hypothesized that there was a significant difference in the affect that parental divorce has on college students’ intimate relationships depending on the participant’s age at time of divorce; gender; whether the person resided with mother or father; and whether the participant was dating or was marriage. The researcher measured the relationship between those four hypotheses by using four different two-tailed t-test. The sample size was small but results suggest that there is a significant difference in the intimacy levels of students from divorce as it relates to gender and residence.Publication Open Access Social Media’s Influence on the Motivations of College Students to Volunteer(McNair Research Journal, University of Montevallo, 2013) Mitchell, Mallory; Bunn, Michele D.This research examined the volunteer behaviors of college students by determining the underlying motivations to volunteer and the influence of social media on their desire to volunteer. Guided by a functional approach to motivation, the Volunteer Functions Inventory was used to assess college students’ motivations to participate in volunteer behaviors. Undergraduate students at a small liberal arts university in the southeast United States were surveyed to determine the influence of social media on the desire to volunteer. This research suggests social media’s influence can be a powerful volunteer recruitment and retention tool for nonprofit organizations.Publication Open Access Say What!? Gay and Lesbian Young Adults’ Understanding of Substance Abuse(McNair Research Journal, University of Montevallo, 2013) Odom, Andrew; Lowry, DeborahThe LGBT community continues to suffer from high rates of substance abuse (Skinner, 1994). However, previous research identifies gaps in existing knowledge of how men and women, specifically gay and lesbian young adults, understand their own substance use (Marshall, Friedman, Stall, & Thompson, 2009). This study utilizes an online survey website to query anonymously a sample of 18-29 year-old gay and lesbian adults. Participants were recruited by way of snowball sample, word of mouth, email, and verbal announcements to university student organizations. Eligible respondents were asked to complete a self-report questionnaire consisting of basic demographic questions and approximately twelve in-depth questions regarding their background, social conditions, substance use experiences, and views on their use. These responses were coded using NVivo software. The questionnaire data were analyzed for emergent commonalities and variances. The findings consist of core themes from the data regarding how gay and lesbian young adults understand their histories of substance use. This knowledge is crucial to addressing substance abuse in the LGBT community.Publication Open Access Student Burnout: The Pressures of Familial Obligation and Maladaptive Coping Mechanisms(McNair Research Journal, University of Montevallo, 2013) Pittman, Cherisse; Newell, JasonThe purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of familial obligation on burnout and also to investigate how burnout and familial obligation influence attitudes toward illicit prescription drug use. Familial obligation is defined as pressure by family members to attend college, obtain a higher education, pressure to get good grades, and stress by talking to family members about academic futures. One hundred fifty-four students from a small liberal arts university completed the following items: the Socio-Demographic form, the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Services Survey, Familial Obligation Scale, the Perceived Stress Scale, and the Drug Attitude Inventory (DAI 10). Results revealed that students who feel more pressure to do well in college and more pressure to attend college have an increased risk for burnout and also have more lenient attitudes toward the illicit use of prescription medication.Publication Open Access Potential Allelopathic Effects of Invasive Species Ligustrum sinense Lour. (Chinese Privet) and Triadica sebifera L. Small (Chinese Tallow Tree) on the Germination of Raphanus sativum L. (Radish) Seeds(McNair Research Journal, University of Montevallo, 2013) Willard, Andrea; Hardig, T.M.Publication Open Access The Significance of PKGIB in cGMP Induced Death of Breast Cancer Cells(McNair Research Journal, University of Montevallo, 2013) Windham, Perrin F.; Tinsley, Heather N.The cGMP signaling pathway has been shown to be effective in the induction of breast cancer cell death. The mechanism through which cGMP causes cell death remains unknown. However, activation of cGMP-dependent protein kinase (PKG) is thought to play an important role. The following experiments will study the importance of PKG for the anticancer activity of cGMP signaling in breast cancer cells. PKGI-specific siRNA will be used to knockdown the expression of the protein. We have confirmed that three days of treatment with siRNA in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells causes a significant decrease in the amount of PKGIβ, the most highly expressed form of this protein in these cells, as determined by a Western blot. Cells expressing PKGIβ and with knockdown of PKGIβ will be treated with sulindac sulfide, MY5445, and NOR- 3, compounds known to activate cGMP signaling in breast cancer cells. We will then measure the effects of knockdown on sensitivity of the cells to the anticancer activity of cGMP signaling activation. These studies will determine if PKG is necessary for mediating the death of breast cancer cells in response to cGMP signaling. Understanding how the cGMP/PKG signaling pathway results in breast cancer cell death could play a pivotal role in future drug discovery efforts by identifying novel drug targets.Item Open Access Back Matter(McNair Research Journal, University of Montevallo, 2013)The volume's back matter includes additional abstracts, accompanying research posters, and scholar's photos.