Locating The Archangel Saint Michael in Michelangelo Buonarroti’s The Creation Of Adam

This thesis asserts that Michelangelo\u27s The Creation of Adam contains an unrecognized interpretation of the Archangel Saint Michael, thereby enriching Leo Steinberg\u27s foundational analysis of the fresco\u27s theological intricacies. Building on Steinberg\u27s identification of the glider figure as a possible visual allusion to Michael, this study contends that Michelangelo intentionally integrated the archangel to symbolize themes of divine protection, judgment, and cosmic justice. Employing a multidisciplinary approach, the thesis draws from a range of biblical and apocryphal texts, including Revelation and The Assumptions of Moses, to illustrate that Saint Michael\u27s traditional roles, as the protector of paradise, defender of the faithful, and adversary of Satan, are visually encoded within the fresco. Additionally, the argument is supported by a comparative iconographic analysis of contemporary and earlier representations of Saint Michael, revealing that Michelangelo adapted recognizable visual motifs, such as youthfulness, curled golden hair, and a martial stance, to characterize the glider figure. The thesis further delves into Michelangelo\u27s evolving spiritual perspective through a theological examination of The Last Judgment, illustrating how the artist\u27s depiction of Michael transitions from that of a guardian to a judge. This shift reflects a broader personal and cultural contemplation of mortality and salvation. By identifying the glider as Saint Michael, this study reframes The Creation of Adam as a narrative encompassing both divine creation and visual theology, addressing humanity\u27s fall and redemption. In doing so, it adds a new dimension to our comprehension of Michelangelo\u27s spiritual vision and the overarching narrative of the Sistine Chapel Ceiling

Interteach: The Effects of Active Engagement Compared to Passive Lectures

Previous research has indicated how Boyce and Hineline’s (2002) interteaching technique is an effective teaching approach compared to traditional methods. Although researchers have examined the efficacy of various components within interteaching, few have altered the lecture component to increase active engagement. Saville et al., (2011) compared the effects of lectures (delayed, regular, and none), concluding no significant difference in performance between delayed and regular lectures within interteaching. Although delaying the lecture showed no difference in performance, the study concluded that removing the lecture component affected test scores. The current study was designed to evaluate the efficiency of the lecture component through modification by randomizing two teaching conditions within the lecture component. The present investigation assesses student performance through quiz scores by comparing active engagement to passive lectures between two graduate classes. The study revealed student performance at an equivalent level for passive and active lectures. Although active engagement produced higher average test scores for Group 1, there was an insignificant difference between the conditions on account of student performance

When Leaders Silence Employee: A Study of Toxic Leadership and Organizational Cynicism

Employee silence—the conscious decision of employees to remain silent when they have information and ideas to share that can improve work and companies (Brinsfield, 2013; Tangirala & Ramanujam, 2008; Van Dyne et al., 2003; Morrison & Milliken, 2000)—has aroused great interest as it is increasingly prevalent in modern companies and has enormous potential to harm organizations. Depending on their characteristics and behavior, leaders can soften or deepen employees’ decisions to remain silent. Studies considering the adverse effects of the dark side of leaders on subordinates have gained attention in recent years. However, the impact of toxic leaders—leaders who intentionally inflict intense and prolonged harm on their followers and organizations to benefit themselves—on employees is a fertile field of study. A quantitative national online survey was conducted with 290 employees from various organizations and industries to investigate the relationship between toxic leadership and employees’ decisions to remain silent, mediated by the level of organizational cynicism and moderated by the respondents’ gender. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis and structural equation modeling (SEM) were employed to analyze the data. The results showed that toxic leadership had a significant and positive relationship with employees’ decisions not to speak up, and that employees’ organizational cynicism partially explained this relationship. The results also showed that higher-level executives perceive their leaders to be more toxic than middle managerial levels and non-managerial employees. These results did not vary between male and female followers, indicating that the intensity of the relationship between toxic leadership and employee silence was the same across genders. The results reinforced the need for strategies that broaden leaders’ awareness of their impact on employees and support them in enhancing their leadership competencies. Organizations must be vigilant for signs of toxicity within their leadership teams through effective research or whistleblowing channels that enable employees to report inappropriate behavior by leaders