Considering Consent: A Philosophy of One Word\u27s Impact

When considering the topic of consent in reference to sexual relations, one might view the definition as straightforward. In this project, I demonstrate that no clear, singular definition of consent exists, but rather, focus on compiling differing definitions typically used. The main definitions focused on within the research are that of how the United States legal system defines consent, how higher education institutions define consent within their policies, and how our country defines consent culturally. Using the vast differences in the definitions as the prime example, I demonstrate that no clear, singular definition of consent exists; without a concise definition of the concept, consent cannot be used as a basis for understanding sexual relations. Thus, my argument holds that within sexual assault investigations on college campuses, consent cannot be used to make a decision as there is no clear definition of what it means to consent to a sexual relationship. After presenting this argument, I offer suggestions for how to address these issues on college campuses, focusing primarily on the understanding of consent that students have within college today

The Lantern, 2018-2019

The Treasure Buried in Ponce de Leon\u27s Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park • High Cards on the Low River • Sestina of a Vagina left in the microwave too long • Keeps on Tripping • The Auction • Nuclear Meltdown on Seedship C5B.6 • Cock Fight • An Interview with God • Minimum Wage • Star-Crossed Lovers • Romeo Echo Alpha • PM Entertainment, or Action Beats • The Gospel of Aggregates • Hel Hath no Fury • Crossing the Line • Mango de la hora • Stress Judgment • Perception (Part 2) • Rain Falling Up • Church: the Italian Market • Landscape with the Fall of Hillary • Forced to Ponder • Morally Upright • Adulthood • Migration in Tandem • Hospital Bed • To Autumn (After Keats) • Selected Tweets • Hidden Moments • Mysteries are Wrong • Jukebox Memory • Flames • A Simple Moment • The Farmhouse • Lord, Let Me Catch a Fish • Sun-Kissed • Five • The Thing • The Moons of Mars • You are Weak • You Kept Me Quiet • Offer Her a Seat • Sacraments • Cigar • The Lake George Mafia • Houses • Spun Out • To Romanticize the Restless • 12/25/17 • skylight • lanternflies • Goo Girls • Toi Le • Lovers, Thinkers, Rebels • home in paradise • Irreverence • The Fisherman • St Mary Episcopal Cathedral, Edinburgh • Mirror 2https://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/lantern/1187/thumbnail.jp

The Lantern, 2019-2020

Cochlea, Greek for Snail • That Light in the Sky • Overview Effect • The Running Man • Sunset • Rabbits • What Happened While You Were Drunk Last Saturday Night • 21st Century Frankenstein • Passing • I Saw the Veil • Star Crossed • Subtle Hints • Hungry • Basement High • The Night Who Lost Its Stars • Remnants • Nostalgia • I Want to Go to Bed • Wooden Car Blues • Silver Honey • The Breakup • Here\u27s to Losing You • Marfa • Cold Wind Blows • Last Week • 6/12/2019 • These Feather Earrings • Every Piece of White Trash Comes from Somewhere • Color Motion Blur • Song of the Kauai O\u27o • You/Me/Him • Girl in Three Parts • With Anxiety • Foreigner • Eating Your Own Field • Mary Cassatt Sits for a Self Portrait • Thanatourism • Lost in Transportation • Chicken Pot Pie Picture Show • Curses, Foiled Again • From Amelia Goldstein\u27s Movement in Your Words 2019 • At the Altar • More Than Words • Show Me Your Eyes • Ears • The Deflowering • Space • The Tea Bags • Make No Mistake • What Does He Do With the Body?: Four Possibilities • The Story of How I Died, or What the Witches Gave Me • Fortune-Teller • No Thanks • Winter Words • Fluorescent Adolescent • Etiquettical Triptych • Curls and Flower Petals • Being or Falling • Fond Memories • You • All to My City • The Shoreline • Tranquility • Eggs • Burnt • Anthony • Targets • Looking Up • Nebula • Eastern State • Beachhttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/lantern/1188/thumbnail.jp

To Whom Consent May Concern: Understanding Consent Legally, Institutionally, and Culturally

Consent might seem like a straightforward concept, but within this thesis I argue that sexual consent has varying definitions which impact how it is understood. I examine the United States legal system’s definition and how it defines consent by placing focus on the accused. In looking at this definition, I analyze its impact in court cases such as the Brock Turner trial, the Brett Kavanaugh hearings, as well as Harvey Weinstein’s trial. I examine higher education’s definitions of consent and the way Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Act impact those definitions. Socially, the way consent is understood is impacted by rape culture and victim-blaming culture, and I examine how those two ideas affect social conceptions of consent. These three structures have differing ideas of what consent means, but it is my belief that there needs to be a more concrete definition and understanding of consent. I argue we need to rehabilitate the very concept of consent in order to offer a better understanding of what sexual consent should look and sound like. This definition of consent would be one that would be affirmative, clear, continuous, ethical, and given, not just received. I explain each of these criteria and their potential effects. If consent is rehabilitated, and if consent is taught at a younger age, I believe there would be a positive change in consent culture as well as how society understands sexual assault