Common Beasts: A Collection & Other Poems

Common Beasts: A Collection & Other Poems consists of a three part diachronic sequence of poems, tracing the history of a small stone. The stone is first discovered by a teenage girl in the aftermath of her mother\u27s burning at the stake for witchcraft; she believes it to be her dead mother\u27s eye, which carries protective power. In the second section of the collection, the stone has been procured by a white male poetry professor who uses the stone as a crutch to support his fragile sense of self; a young female student of his comes to live with him, and eventually steals the eye. The third section of the collection takes place in a future matriarchal cultural, where the stone is called a tooth. The collection plays with notions of power and place, attempting to prompt questions about the generative power and pitfalls of misunderstandings, laid bare by our attempts at genuine connection

Revising the Gerotranscendence Scale for use with older adults in the southern United States and establishing properties of the Reised Gerotranscendence Scale

Healthcare providers have long recognized that people change over the course of their lives. Early developmental theorists focused on changes across childhood. More recently, theorists and providers of elder care have attempted to define how older adults mature. Lars Tornstam, professor of sociology at Uppsala University in Sweden, developed the Theory of Gerotranscendence, which posits that the developmental tasks for older adults include gaining perspective on past life events, attaining wisdom, and preparing for death. The Theory of Gerotranscendence may lead to a more balanced understanding of how older adults continue to mature at the end of life. Tornstam also developed the Gerotranscendence Scale (GS) for use in Sweden and Denmark. A culturally appropriate and psychometrically sound tool is needed to explore gerotranscendence in the southern United States. The purpose of this study was to revise the GS for use with older adults in the southern United States. Tornstam's Theory of Gerotranscendence and Measurement Theory were used to guide the study. This triangulated mixed-methods methodological study was conducted in two phases. The purpose of Phase I was to ascertain if items on the GS were understandable to older adults in the southern United States and to reword the items as necessary. Two focus groups of older adults (n=17) were convened to review the items. Group consensus was used to revise the scale. Both scoring and wording were changed in the resulting revised scale (GS-R). The purpose of Phase II was to examine selected psychometric properties of the GS-R. An expert panel reviewed the GS-R for content validity. The GS-R was administered to 124 older adults, along with the Life Satisfaction Inventory in Aging (LSI-A), the Purpose in Life Test (PILT) and Successful Aging Inventory (SAI). Two weeks later the GS-R was re-administered to 90 of the respondents. The GS-R was found to have adequate test-retest reliability (r = .53, p (CVI = 0.86). Tests of hypotheses provided preliminary support of construct validity. However, several items on the GS-R were found to be problematic and reliability for some subscales was low. Results suggest that gerotranscendence may be a measurable construct in southern older adults, but the scale needs further revision. Results also raise the question about use of reverse scored items with this population

Depression: Assessment of Factors

Depression received much attention in the professional literature as a stimulus both for experimental as well as applied research. It continued to be the subject of much controversy in respect to its definition, identification, and classification. Attempts were made to objectify the assessment of depression using self-report scales to tap various aspects though to be related to its etiology as well as its symptomology. Two of the most popular and reportedly well-validated self-report scales identified in the literature for determining and quantifying depressive symptoms were the Beck Depression Inventory (Beck) and the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale (Zung).The present study was designed to determine if there were factors in common between the Beck and the Zung scales and, in addition, to test whether these factors would differentiate subjects by sex class membership, diagnostic category, and by some linear combination of biographical or life-history information. The major purpose was the identification of outstanding charactersitics of depression predicted from biographical data and the determination of the relationship of these data to self-rating psychometric measures of depression. This study makes it clear that the Beck and Zung scales are measuring different aspects of depression and thus are likely based on separate constructs. The need of developing a depression index based on separate factor scores is highlighted. Also, a multimodal approach to assessment in general is indicated. Studies relating biographical information to factors of depression are suggested. This study makes several inroads, generating descriptive factors and significant biographical or life history correlates. These findings could be expanded and further research could lead to the development of assessment tools useful in the identification of patients with distinct depressive syndromes, as well as at-risk subject groups, in order to implement both primary and secondary prevention

Ancient blood, modern vengeance: the impact of traditional culture and blood feud on violence in Chechnya

This paper examines the impact of traditional Chechen culture, especially the continued practice of blood feuds, on violence in the republic. First, an in depth discussion of clannish society is used to show how and why such traditional characteristics and ancient customs have been allowed to thrive among the Chechen people, especially those living in the highlands. The focus then turns to the strong concept of honor that flourishes in Chechen society as the main motivator of blood feuds. The more detailed discussion of blood feud itself and its ancient and modern practice show the potential for and realization of widespread violence in Chechnya. The Chechens are a people with deep historical roots and a strong collective memory. The events of the past, especially conflict with Russia, greatly influence the events of the present and future. The modern Chechen identity is a unique mentality, which combines role of teip and its strong influence on society with the rise of nationalism, and later Islamic nationalism. The recent wars in Chechnya have also had a defining characteristic on the Chechen people and their psyche. When this kind of crisis is combined with the traditional Chechen culture and a propensity for violence, the outcome can be devastating, especially when violence is radicalized and..

Title on signature sheet: Relationship between 21st century literacy and technology : a comparison of perspectives

This study analyzed three different groups’ perceptions of 21st Century literacy and technology. The three groups were juniors and seniors at two large urban high schools, juniors and seniors in teacher education programs from four mid-west post-secondary schools, and the four deans of education at four post-secondary schools. A mixed methods research design was used including a survey of student groups and interviews of all four deans and representatives of each of the schools. Findings included differences in perceptions of each of the groups as well as differences in access and use of technology. The implications for teacher education and future research in the area of 21st Century literacy are included.Thesis (D. Ed.)Department of Educational Leadershi

Ancient blood, modern vengeance: the impact of traditional culture and blood feud on violence in Chechnya

This paper examines the impact of traditional Chechen culture, especially the continued practice of blood feuds, on violence in the republic. First, an in depth discussion of clannish society is used to show how and why such traditional characteristics and ancient customs have been allowed to thrive among the Chechen people, especially those living in the highlands. The focus then turns to the strong concept of honor that flourishes in Chechen society as the main motivator of blood feuds. The more detailed discussion of blood feud itself and its ancient and modern practice show the potential for and realization of widespread violence in Chechnya. The Chechens are a people with deep historical roots and a strong collective memory. The events of the past, especially conflict with Russia, greatly influence the events of the present and future. The modern Chechen identity is a unique mentality, which combines role of teip and its strong influence on society with the rise of nationalism, and later Islamic nationalism. The recent wars in Chechnya have also had a defining characteristic on the Chechen people and their psyche. When this kind of crisis is combined with the traditional Chechen culture and a propensity for violence, the outcome can be devastating, especially when violence is radicalized and..