Debunking Muslim Stereotypes: Learning Religious Tolerance and Acceptance through Geographic Fieldwork

According to the SAGE Handbook of Fieldwork, “fieldwork” refers to primary research that occurs “in the field,” the “field” being a setting that is outside the controlled settings of the library or laboratory (McCall 2006, 2). As a human geographer, my fieldwork involves participant-observation within the ethnographic tradition that requires the insertion of me (the researcher) into the subject matter of my work – the lives and experiences of Algerian immigrants and their descendants living in Paris, France. As a Western scholar doing research on a postcolonial population embedded within their former colonizer’s social systems, it is important for me to pay special attention to the historic role of geographers (and anthropologists) in the colonial project and respect the differential power relationships inherent in my work (e.g., Skelton 2001; Campbell et al. 2006). These challenges (among others) set fieldwork within a fundamentally political context and draw attention to the role of “human relationships in the field and the “humanness” of researchers” (Campbell et al. 2006, 98). Indeed, “being human” in the field has an impact on relationships with research subjects and influences the research process. To “be human” involves being fallible and requires a sensitivity and willingness for humility in reacting to experiences and information collected in the field

How to Design and Implement a Maker Space in the K-3 Classroom

A maker space is an area designated to be used by participants to make a product through a hands-on experience. While the term maker space is relatively new to education, ‘making’ is embedded into human history. The research on these spaces relies on the importance of the maker space for a student\u27s social-emotional well-being. Creative hands-on work specifically for children from low-income backgrounds supports the student in their primary years. At the same time, there needs to be more evidence in the research that proves how effective these spaces are in supporting students\u27 academics. The topics explored in the literature review focus on history, equity and opportunity, social-emotional impacts, and the specifics of designing and implementing a maker space in the classroom. This research supports the website created for this capstone project and answers the question: how to design and implement a maker space in the k-3 classroom. This website aims to be a resource for educators who want to implement and maintain a maker space in their classrooms, share lessons, and collect donated maker materials for local educators

Of Revolution or Postcoloniality? Identity Practices of Algerian Immigrants and Their Descendants in France

Using qualitative research techniques, this article demonstrates how colonial memory and postcolonial dynamics permeate the everyday lives and encounters of Algerian-origin people in France and inform the ways they conceive of, and experience, social membership and belonging. This work investigates what it means to be a racialized minority in a postcolonial context and to learn and experience the boundaries of ‘Frenchness’ and ‘Algerianness.’ It is based on the narratives of Algerian immigrants who have migrated to Paris, France and their French-born children. The empirical evidence highlights how Algerian immigrants and their descendants encounter and structure their interactions with French society. This work explores how individuals draw upon historical and present-day experiences to articulate their sense of membership and belonging. Ultimately, this work situates the idea of immigrant integration in a broader historical and geographical context, examining how ‘belonging’ becomes a matter of contention in receiving contexts marked by post-colonial anxiet

Addressing Students’ Mental Health Needs in Faculty-Led Study Abroad Courses

The increased enrollment of students with mental health needs in U.S. higher education, paired with increasing emphasis on study abroad participation has led campus mental health professionals to consider how their services might extend to serve students with mental health needs who are studying abroad. When it comes to faculty led courses, instructors can play a key role in providing on-the-ground support for students experiencing mental health challenges. The findings from this study provide key insights that college mental health professionals can use to better understand and support these instructors as they serve on the front lines of addressing students’ mental health needs while they are away from campus. In particular, our findings point to key ways that college mental health professionals can partner with education abroad offices to provide effective pre-departure training and in-country support for faculty instructors

A MODEL TO EXPLAIN PARTICIPATION IN NEW YORK'S AGRICULTURAL DISTRICTS AND USE-VALUE ASSESSMENT PROGRAMS

Logit regression models are estimated to identify factors affecting decisions to enroll farmland in New York's agricultural districts program and participate in the use-value assessment program. The results suggest that the districts law is consistent with preserving the best farmland at the rural-urban fringe and that the decision to enroll in agricultural districts affects in a recursive fashion the decision to participate in the use-value assessment program. Short-term monetary gains are the overriding considerations in applying for use-value exemptions. This may lead to additional erosion of the tax base via tax preferences for agricultural land.Land Economics/Use,

Methods for constructing 3D geological and geophysical models of flood basalt provinces

In this thesis, realistic 3D geological models of flood basalt provinces are constructed. These models are based on outcrop observations and remote sensing data from the North Atlantic Igneous Province, collected by a variety of methods including terrestrial laser scanning. Geophysical data are added to the models to make them suitable for generating synthetic seismic data. Flood basalt provinces contain a number of different volcanic facies, distinguished by their outcrop appearance and physical properties. These include tabular-classic and compound-braided lava flows, intrusions and hyaloclastites. 3D models are constructed for tabular-classic lava flows based on satellite data from Iceland and laser scanning data from a variety of locations. Models for compound-braided lava flows are based on terrestrial laser scanning data and field observations from the Faroe Islands and the Isle of Skye. An additional finding of this work is that volcanic facies can be differentiated in wireline log data from boreholes. Facies show characteristic velocity distributions which can be linked to onshore observations and used to understand volcanic facies in offshore boreholes. Data from boreholes on the Faroe Islands are used to add seismic velocities to the 3D geological models above. This thesis also develops methods and workflows for constructing 3D geological models of flood basalt lava flows. The collection of digital 3D data using terrestrial laser scanning is evaluated, and data processing workflows are developed

Olmstead Mandated Statewide Implementation of Assertive Community Treatment: Precipitating Factors and Participant Experiences

Evidence-based practices for individuals with serious mental illness have not been widely implemented in United States public mental health systems. Mental health advocates have used the Supreme Court’s Olmstead decision to force states with underfunded community mental health services to develop more robust treatment systems. Using a case study, this article-based dissertation examines the process of mandated widespread implementation of Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) in Kentucky through the experiences of individuals involved in ACT creation and documents related to implementation and the state mental health system. Study 1 identifies precipitating factors to the Kentucky Olmstead settlement agreement that contributed to a lack of research-informed practices for individuals with serious mental illness. Study 2 examines how ACT knowledge was communicated by exploring the learning experiences of individuals involved in implementation. Study 3 investigates the impact of requiring program creation through a settlement agreement on individuals responsible for building these new practices. All 3 studies used qualitative methods determine findings. Study 1 used a content analysis of publicly available documents related to the Kentucky mental health system while Studies 2 and 3 relied on the thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews with individuals involved in ACT formation. Findings highlight the importance of governments prioritizing evidence-based practice for individuals with serious mental illness. The use of settlement agreements to force service provision may accomplish an important goal of providing needed services to a vulnerable population. However, rushed or poorly planned program creation strains systems of care and is detrimental to the wellbeing of individuals involved. By engaging in a thorough assessment of barriers prior to program creation, entities using settlement agreements can facilitate more effective implementation of evidence-based practice for individuals with serious mental illness

Children With Special Needs Oral Health Quality of Life Survey

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to asses the oral health quality of life of children with special health care needs. This study examined the effects of oral health conditions on general well-being and family life of these children. A secondary aim of the study was to investigate correlations between specific health care conditions, gender, and age of these children and their global ratings of oral health and well-being.Methods: This study was a cross-sectional design with subjects who are members of the Virginia Care Connection for Children program, based at Virginia Commonwealth University. The oral health quality of life was measured using a shortened version of the Parental Caregiver Perceptions Questionnaire (P-CPQ). The questionnaire includes measures of global ratings of oral health and well-being as well as effects of oral health on domains of oral symptoms, functional limitations, emotional well-being, and family well-being/parental distress. The parents/caregivers were asked to report on these domains as they related to their child\u27s oral health within the past 3 months. Additional survey items included questions regarding demographic factors of the child (age, sex, special health care conditions) and parent (i.e. mother, father, or other). Results: The survey was sent out to 429 individuals and 137 usable surveys were returned for a response rate of 32%. Special health care conditions of the children were categorized and reported as follows: 1) Neurodevelopmental/Genetic/Neuro-muscular disorders, N=69 (59.13%); 2) Respiratory disorders, N=12 (10.43%); 3) Cardiac disorders, N=5 (4.35%); 4) Craniofacial disorders, N=12 (10.43%); 5) Metabolic disorders, N=15 (13.04%); 6) Psychological disorders, N=3 (2.61%). In general, caregivers reported the children to have a fair to good oral health quality of life in each domain. It was determined that two of the domains, functional limitations and emotional well-being, were not correlated with the child\u27s oral health or well-being. However, the oral symptoms and family well-being/parental distress domains did have a positive correlation (p = 0.0340 and p = 0.0420, respectively). Conclusions: In a population of children with special health care needs it appears that oral symptoms and family well-being outweighed functional limitations and emotional well-being

Nord Stream 2: The Gas Curtain of Europe

The debate over the 1,200 kilometer Nord Stream 2 pipeline, capable of delivering 110 billion cubic meters of liquified natural gas (LNG) under the Baltic Sea directly from Russia to Germany, has received global attention since its declaration of intent in 2015. The Nord Stream 2 pipeline is not only significant for the contestation it has created within the European Union but for the divisions it has deepened in the U.S.-German transatlantic alliance. Specifically, many European countries, with an emphasis on Ukraine, and the United States view the pipeline as a Kremlin-instigated operation to exploit Europe’s vulnerability to energy demand to achieve its own strategic objective to weaken European energy security and undermine the western liberal order. Meanwhile, Germany views the pipeline as a pragmatic economic project to ensure a reliable energy supply, both for Germany and the European Union. As a test case to build a critique of interdependence theory, Nord Stream 2: The Gas Curtain of Europe, also makes up for the current lack of research and analysis on the development of Nord Stream 2 by providing qualitative explanations for how we debate Nord Stream 2, the geopolitical challenges posed by the pipeline, and finally, what the pipeline means for European energy security. This thesis states two conclusions. First, that the completion of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline was possible due to a history of interdependencies between Europe and Russia, specifically, Germany and Russia. Second, contrary to what interdependence theory suggests, due to the current environment in Europe and Germany’s response to Russia’s second invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, the interdependencies between Germany and Russia have disintegrated and the likelihood of regaining a stable relationship of interdependence is incumbent upon the future outcome of the situation in Europe and specifically, Ukraine