Education and Democracy; Can Education Foster Greater Democracy for Africa?

The purpose of this thesis is to investigate the relationship between education and democracy. It argues that in order for education to have a meaningful impact on prospects for a sustainable democracy, educational systems must support democratic principles and ideals. The main focus of this study is Africa. In order to assess this hypothesis, the study uses a case study approach examining the education models of three Africa countries: Botswana, Ghana, and Uganda- to determine whether education has played a role in fostering democratic values in society. These three countries were chosen because each offers a variation on Africa\u27s political development; Botswana has maintained its democracy since independence; Ghana has reverted to democracy after oscillations of civilian and military rule; and, Uganda has adopted formal democratization after 30 years of autocratic rule and civil war. Ever since the nationalist movements of the 1950s and 1960s, education has played an integral role in the development policies of many African countries. In recent decades, due in part to various constitutional reforms directed towards a revival of democracy, governments have implemented universal education programs and committed extensive budgets to educational development. Moreover, there has been special emphasis on promoting civic education as a means of improving democratic citizenship. The study finds that in Botswana, education has supported a fairly robust democracy but much remains to be done with respect to democratic rights. In Ghana, the education system is based on a model of inclusiveness but there remains rural to urban and gender disparity. Finally, in Uganda, the education system has helped to maintain stability but not democratic legitimacy. This study concludes that while African education models have to a certain degree promoted democratic ideals, it is not clear that they have yet been sufficient for fostering democratic values and behaviors

Conspiracy Allegations in the Stock Loan Market: Why Plaintiffs Should be Seeking a Remedy in Congress and Not in Court

This Article first provides a comprehensive analysis of conspiracy allegations in over-the-counter markets, focusing on the stock loan market as an exemplar. Multiple conspiracy claims, implicating antitrust law, have been brought regarding over the counter markets since the financial crisis of 2008. The biggest banks in the country have been the center of novel complaints, new regulations, and innovative legislation in the recent years. But, despite regulation and legislation, Sherman Act litigation alleging conspiracy has endured as plaintiffs claim that big banks are conspiring to fix markets when, in fact, they are exercising economies of scale to provide unique, tailored products to sophisticated consumers who seek an edge in the market. This Article uses Iowa Public Employees\u27 Retirement System v. Bank of America, a recently filed complaint in the Southern District of New York, as an analytical tool to demonstrate why arguments regarding antitrust conspiracy in unique, large-scale financial transactions fail to make plausible antitrust claims and, instead, are the by-products of market conditions and sophisticated bargaining. This Article ultimately concludes that the plaintiffs alleging conspiracy in the stock lending market and over-the-counter markets, in general, do not have a judicial remedy available to them. Instead, as sophisticated, large clients, their remedy is legislative and regulatory (assuming that a remedy is warranted)

The Relationship Between Rumination and Self-Concept Clarity

The quest for self-clarity, coherence, and consistency is thought by some to be a frequent motivating factor. Historically, self-focused thought and self-monitoring have been seen as means of increasing self-clarity. However, cross-sectional research has found a negative correlation between one specific type of self-focused thought, rumination, and self-concept clarity. The purpose of the following two research papers was to further examine the relationship between these two variables. The first paper consisted of a laboratory experiment in which rumination was induced and its effects on self-concept clarity were measured. The second paper consisted of an experience sampling study in which the relationship between rumination and self-concept clarity (SCC) was observed over time. Granger Causality Analysis was then used to infer temporal precedence of the variables. Together, these two experiments provide information on both the causal relationship between the variables as well as their naturalistic progression. The results have implications for the study of self-clarity as well as for the clinical treatment of rumination

Literacy-Based Action Research: Strategies for Improving Student Achievement

Poster presentation at National Youth-at-Risk Conference Relevance Three teachers completing their Reading Specialist M.Ed. degree developed an action research plan centered around literacy instruction throughout the course of the semester. Students analyzed the validity, reliability, and personal bias inherent in their action research study; developed a literature review on a research topic; implemented a plan for conducting action research; and applied evaluation criteria to their own project. Presenters will explain insights that they have gained from the action research process that will influence their pedagogy and instructional practices moving forward. The first portion of the presentation highlights the findings of an action research study conducted with three 7th grade middle school student who were attending a summer school program. This study provides strategies to motivate struggling readers to increase their vocabulary development, facilitating their comprehension skills. The second action research study evaluated if inclusion of technology will allow students to master sufficient reading standards to allow them to be promoted to the next grade. The third section of the presentation centers on early intervention strategies to assist students in developing metacognitive habits that will enhance academic achievement. In addition, the study promotes student self-efficacy and self-esteem. Brief Program Description The presentation will highlight literacy-based action research projects by three Reading Specialist M.Ed. graduate students. The topics of enhancing struggling readers’ vocabulary development using technology; effects of technology during summer school on student promotion; as well as infusion of dialogue and metacognitive strategies to promote self-efficacy and early reading success were explored. Tools for attendees to implement the process of action research in their own classroom will be outlined. Summary The presentation will begin with a discussion of the nature of action research. Participants will identify goals and rationale for action research and discuss the potential impact of action research on their teaching practice. In addition, development of an action research plan (area of focus statement, variables, research questions, intervention/ innovation, timeline, data collection ideas) will be facilitated. The presentation will proceed to three vignettes that showcase action research in practice by three Reading Specialist M.Ed. graduate students. 1. Many students throughout a school year receive disciplinary actions for inappropriate cellphone use during school hours. These students are sometimes discipline for disrupting the learning environment. It is time to turn the “disruptions” into “discoveries.” The interventions used in this study will be shared with any and all stakeholders involved in the education of our students. 2. As teachers and parents, we spend lots of time and money looking for ways for our students to master standards ones they missed the first time around. As the world becomes more and more technology prevalent in schools, home and in our lives, what is its role in promoting academic achievement and student success? 3. Metacognition is a powerful tool that is often overlooked. This study focused on the effect of implementing metacognitive reflection activities and conversation on student self-efficacy and reading achievement. In a short presentation, the interventions used in this study will be shared with educators in hopes of propelling the teaching of metacognitive strategies. Viewers will be asked to participate in a self-evaluation questionnaire and reflective journal opportunity before and following the session. They will also be involved in an ongoing discussion throughout the session just as the participants in the study were. Evidence Action research is based on a process that involves the following process (Mills, 2014)- 1. Write an area-of- focus statement. 2. Define the variables. 3. Develop research questions. 4. Describe the intervention or innovation. 5. Describe the membership of the action research group. 6. Describe negotiations that need to be undertaken. 7. Develop a timeline. 8. Develop a statement of resources. 9. Develop data collection ideas. The proposal is informed by research that showcases the following: (1)Students’ presentations showed evidence of students’ new knowledge and understanding of unfamiliar vocabulary terms at the end of a four-week period. (2) Technology such as Moby Max facilitates students\u27 mastery of new reading standards towards promotion goals. (3)Student-teacher discussion during reflective activities shows evidence of students actively monitoring their understanding during the learning process. It has been proven in multiple formats that metacognition has a positive impact on student learning

Literacy-Based Action Research: Strategies for Improving Student Achievement

The presentation will highlight literacy-based action research projects by three Reading Specialist M.Ed. graduate students. The topics of enhancing struggling readers’ vocabulary development using technology; effects of technology during summer school on student promotion; as well as infusion of dialogue and metacognitive strategies to promote self-efficacy and early reading success were explored. Tools for attendees to implement the process of action research in their own classroom will be outlined

Examining the Association Between Massage Parlors and Neighborhood Crime

Although massage parlors have been associated with illicit activities including prostitution, less is known about their association with neighborhood crime. Employing the Computer Automated Dispatch/Record Management System (CAD/RMS), online user review, licensing, Census, and zoning data, we examine the impact of massage parlors on crime in their surrounding neighborhoods. Using spatial autoregressive models, our results indicate the total number of massage parlors was associated with increased social disorder. The presence of illicit massage parlors in adjacent neighborhoods was associated with crime and physical disorder in the focal neighborhoods. This study has consequences for how police address crime associated with massage parlors. Specifically, the use of online user review forums could be an effective way to identify illicit massage parlors. Recommendations for policing and code enforcement are discussed

Apatite - Cholesterol Agglomerates in Human Atherosclerotic Lesions

The purpose of this study was to examine the ultrastructural relationships of cholesterol crystals and apatite deposits in human atherosclerotic lesions. Segments of human aortic atherosclerotic lesions were obtained at autopsy , fixed in glutaraldehyde and dehydrated without using any organic solvents. The aortic segments were coated with carbon and subjected to various scanning electron microscope analyses. These included secondary electron imaging, back scattering of primary electrons, energy dispersive X-ray analysis of selected spots followed by area mapping of calcium and phosphorus , and cathodoluminescence. The information gathered from scanning of selected areas in the lesions by all the techniques showed that cholesterol crystals and apatite deposits are close to each other, within 10 μm distance or less. Cholesterol crystals are often surrounded by or adjacent to apatite. The results indicate that cholesterol and apatite crystals form closely linked agglomerates in human atherosclerotic lesions. Further studies are needed to determine whether precipitation of calcium and cholesterol are somehow linked during atherosclerotic lesion development

Sub-micrometer epitaxial Josephson junctions for quantum circuits

We present a fabrication scheme and testing results for epitaxial sub-micrometer Josephson junctions. The junctions are made using a high-temperature (1170 K) "via process" yielding junctions as small as 0.8 mu m in diameter by use of optical lithography. Sapphire (Al2O3) tunnel-barriers are grown on an epitaxial Re/Ti multilayer base-electrode. We have fabricated devices with both Re and Al top electrodes. While room-temperature (295 K) resistance versus area data are favorable for both types of top electrodes, the low-temperature (50 mK) data show that junctions with the Al top electrode have a much higher subgap resistance. The microwave loss properties of the junctions have been measured by use of superconducting Josephson junction qubits. The results show that high subgap resistance correlates to improved qubit performance

The Grizzly, February 14, 2008

Writer\u27s Strike May See a Silver Lining • Ellison Unveils Art Exhibit in Berman • Relief for Students? College Endowments Skyrocket • Ursinus Designs New Certificate for International Studies • Is Everybody Really Doing It? The Indictment of the Greek Community at Ursinus College Surprises Many • Ursinus Community Shares its Dirty Little Secrets • Focus the Nation and Environmentalism: No Longer Just for Hippies • UC Study Abroad Helpful Hints • Opinions: Lessons from Super Tuesday; Does The Times Need Bill Kristol?; Lessons from the Hormuz Strait • Ursinus Wrestlers Clinch Dual Meet • UC Indoor Track Teams Make Big Moves, Heat Up Competitionhttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1755/thumbnail.jp