The Opaque Operations of 21st Century Populism

In my capstone, I claim that the populism of the 21st century should be considered a political style as elucidated by Benjamin Moffitt. But Moffitis’s understanding of political style does not adequately address how populism morphs through new technological systems, such as algorithms, filter bubbles, echo chambers in our internet devices. This theoretical framework takes necessary elements from past theories and stresses the performance that is vital to populism in our modern media ecosystem. The charismatic leader is no longer necessary, but the opaque operations ( i.e algorithms, filter bubbles,echo chambers) allow populism to be almost self replicating. These “populist actors” can now reach their “people’”in ways we have not seen up to this point, reaffirming their political beliefs with communities of like-minded individuals. Populism as a political style is applicable to our technological conditions that are now in and are necessary component to contemporary populism

PERCEPTIONS OF RURAL MIDDLE SCHOOL BAND DIRECTORS REGARDING STUDENT RECRUITMENT STRATEGIES: AN INSTRUMENTAL MULTIPLE CASE STUDY

The purpose of this instrumental multiple case study was to learn about middle school band directors’ perceptions of successful recruitment strategies. Specific areas of focus included insight on why middle school children choose band, successful recruitment activities/events, involvement of directors in the recruitment process, and advice for support in situations where an individual may be the only band director in the district. Six participants, two from Kentucky, two from West Virginia, and two from Virginia, were selected using purposive sampling criterion. Criterion for selecting participants at the time of the study were: (a) they were middle school band directors, (b) had taught at least three years, (c) taught in a rural county school system in Kentucky, West Virginia, or Virginia, and (d) were willing to participate fully in this study. The interviews occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic resulting in conversations pertaining to recruiting for middle school band when school is not in session. Data included six semi-structured interviews, a researcher journal, and documents, such as: recruitment brochures, flyers, notes and handouts sent home to families, and written documents from the teacher explaining their recruitment strategies and success rates. Data collected were organized and coded using MAXQDA (VERBI Software, 2019) software. Data were coded initially into categories by research question then further by broader theme. Five primary themes emerged: (1) factors that influence recruitment, (2) recruitment events, (3) documentation and communication, (4) sources of support, and (5) COVID-19. This study should be used to assist educators teaching in a rural community. Educators can and should use this document as a resource to grow their respective program and share the joy of making music with others. Directors may take the ideas presented here and adapt them to fit the individual needs of their programs

The impact of dual language programs in Elementary Schools

The presence of dual language programs in Elementary schools is becoming increasingly popular across the United States. The purpose of this project was to evaluate the intent of such programs, the successful implementation of the programs, and the outcomes these programs produce. This was done through a literature review and research. The research was done on the current Dual Language Program that has been implemented in the Harrisonburg City Public schools. This study found that typically these programs are implemented to support populations of students in schools who are English language learners. In order to implement such a program there needs to be buy in from the school administration, staff, and the community at large. These programs have seen high academic results, often on par with or above those of students in a traditional classroom. Thus they have a positive impact on the community, the school, the English language learners, and the students in the program that speak English who are learning the target language

Activating the Patient: A Nurse Led Coaching Intervention to Engage Health Information Seeking Behaviors Using the IDEAL Discharge Framework and Get Well Network

Background: Cardiovascular (CV) patients are often overwhelmed by the unexpected emergence of the health condition, volume of knowledge for self-care mastery and acceptance of the responsibility for self-care upon care transition to the home setting. Low health literacy levels have been linked to poor outcomes in CV patients, requiring investigation into appropriate methods for patient education. The Get Well Network (GWN), an interactive digital patient education care plan at UK HealthCare (UKHC), is underutilized in this patient population. Purpose: the purpose of this study is to assess the effect of a nurse-to-patient coaching intervention using the IDEAL discharge framework from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) on patient utilization of available education resources via GWN. Conceptual Framework: The health belief model and Orem’s self-care framework informed this study, asserting that an individual’s belief in the readiness and motivation to change self-care behaviors leads to positive change and engagement. A coaching intervention on outcomes-related information for patient success encourages patient activation to positive change. Methodology: In this quasi-experimental study, a sample (n=25) of the inpatient population of cardiovascular patients on four cardiovascular units (CVU) at a UKHC, an academic medical center, undergo the coaching intervention to investigate any influence on patient utilization of GWN. This sample is compared to a sample pre-intervention. Results: Data indicate the coaching intervention did not influence patient activation, health belief or self-care motivation through increased utilization of GWN. On receiving reminders for engagement with video content, the majority of patients chose to defer participation. However, engagement with medication review approached significance (p=0.054). Discussion: GWN was designed to engage patients in their own health care through personalized education but relies on activation and motivation of the patient. Patients acknowledge greater need for education and responsibility for self-care but lack understanding of engagement necessary before hospital discharge to manage knowledge and acquisition. Conclusion: GWN continues to be a valuable resource at UKHC, however further studies are needed to determine the most effective strategies to inspire patients and their caregivers to access the education resources provided

PAUL DOOLEY’S \u3cem\u3eMASKS AND MACHINES\u3c/em\u3e: A FORMAL ANALYSIS AND INSTRUCTIONAL GUIDE

Paul Dooley’s composition, Masks and Machines (2015), is a significant new work for wind ensemble and was the winner of the National Band Association’s William D. Revelli Memorial Band Composition Contest award and the American Bandmasters Association’s Sousa/ABA/Ostwald Composition Contest. Masks and Machines has received positive critical acclaim and numerous performances, including a performance at the 2015 Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago, Illinois by the North Texas Wind Ensemble under the direction of Eugene Corporon and a performance at the 2016 American Bandmasters Association Conference in Lexington, Kentucky by the United States Marine Corps Band under the direction of Jason K. Fettig. The purposes of this dissertation are 1) to place Masks and Machines in its historical perspective within the history of wind band compositions; 2) to provide an overview of the artistic styles that influenced the composer, such as Stravinsky’s Neoclassical works, Bauhaus Art, and Fortspinnung; 3) to elaborate on the musical traits and characteristics of Masks and Machines via formal analysis; and 4) to offer a guide to rehearsal and performance of the work. The Introduction discusses Masks and Machines in its historical context as a highly acclaimed wind ensemble composition within the canon of twentieth century wind band works. Chapter 1 includes a detailed biography of Paul Dooley. Chapter 2 discusses the visual art and musical influences on Paul Dooley and how these influences come to life in his wind band compositions. Chapter 3 is an analysis of Masks and Machines with thematic excerpts and discussions on form, instrumentation, orchestration, and compositional techniques. Chapter 4 provides a rehearsal and performance guide aimed to facilitate a successful performance of Masks and Machines. Chapter 5 includes a transcription of two interviews with the composer and focuses primarily on compositional influences, processes, and techniques regarding Masks and Machines and other wind band compositions by Dooley, such as Point Blank (2012), Meditation at Lagunitas (2014), and Mavericks (2016)

Victim Impact Statements in Capital Trials: A Selected Bibliography

This bibliography collects and organizes citations to dissertations, chapters in books, journal articles, legislative materials, books, and book reviews from 1980 forward that analyze the effect of victim impact statements in capital cases. The main purpose of the bibliography is to present citations to empirical studies and quantitative evaluations of victim impact statements in the United States and other countries. Because there are few reported empirical studies, the bibliography also contains references to articles that provide qualitative analyses of victim impact statements in criminal trials and of participatory rights of victims in the justice process in general

Emergent Literacy Activities in Preschool Years : The Effects of Explicit Instruction on Rhyming and Narrative Development

Reading, a vitally important skill, develops early in a young child’s life. Research suggests that strong phonological awareness and narrative skills predict reading success. Using children’s literature that emphasized either rhymes (one of the earliest phonological awareness skills to emerge) or narrative structure, this study examined the effect of explicit teaching of rhymes and narrative structure on young children’s improvement in the ability to recognize and generate rhyming words and on improvement in the sophistication of narrative retellings. The results of this study, as well as the implications these findings have for speech-language pathologists and the need for further research, are discussed