No Angel: An Analysis of Media Coverage of Nadja Benaissa in the U.K., U.S. and Germany

The media’s portrayal of HIV has taken a number of different forms since the disease was first discovered over three decades ago. HIV has been portrayed as an epidemic and a disease affecting homosexuals and immigrants. Its transmission has also been portrayed as a criminal offense. In August 2010, the German singer Nadja Benaissa was arrested for passing on HIV to a former partner and exposing two other men. Media constructions of this story draw upon HIV stereotypes because of her drug-using past, her immigrant status and her criminal actions. This media study points to a new discourse centered on the shared responsibility of safe sex. While Benaissa was mostly blamed for transmission, the media at times suggested that safe sex concerning HIV was not entirely dependent upon HIV-positive individuals

“A Freedom Rider Before Freedom Rides:” Jackie Robinson Beyond Baseball

This paper seeks to evaluate the historical discourse surrounding the narrative of Jackie Robinson. Famed for being the first African American player to break the long withstanding color barrier in professional sports, a vast majority of discussion surrounding his story has centered solely on his athletic prowess and triumphs. However, as this paper will explore, Jackie Robinson’s contributions to the wider framework of racial equality and civil rights within America extend far beyond the baseball diamond. Evaluating both his laurels as an activist and socio-political figure as well as how these merits have been depicted, or neglected, in media representations of his life, this paper identifies the very important, yet often overlooked, aspects of Robinson’s life and accomplishments beyond baseball

Denmark and Sweden: The Collision Between Welfare State Politics and Immigration

The Scandinavian welfare states of Denmark and Sweden have famously similar socio-political and cultural systems, ones which have advanced the common perception of these nations as united in a common humanitarian and progressive global position. However there exists a significant divergence within either nation’s approach to immigration, asylum and integration policy, one indicative of the deeply ingrained deviations in popular understandings of national belonging and perspectives on greater European and global integration. By contextualizing the historical progressions of either nation and juxtaposing their individual responses to both the 2015 European refugee crisis and the contemporary Ukrainian conflict and resulting refugee crisis, it becomes apparent that these often-merged nations operate within starkly different realms of migration policy. This trend is emblematic of a more isolationist and nativist approach generally adopted in Denmark versus the more liberal and multilateral approach popularized in Sweden

A Comparison of Seasonal Reproductive Pattern in Two Sympatric Darters of the \u3ci\u3eSimoperca\u3c/i\u3e Clade, \u3ci\u3eEtheostoma duryi\u3c/i\u3e and \u3ci\u3eEtheostoma simoterum\u3c/i\u3e

We present results from an examination of the seasonal reproductive patterns of two closely related sympatric darter species of the Simoperca clade, Etheostoma duryi and Etheostoma simoterum. Most members of the genus Etheostoma exhibit striking sexual dimorphism, making reproductive strategy a logical point of study. Monthly collections of specimens over a one-year period were performed at a single site on the Flint River near Huntsville, Alabama. Standard length and gross somatic mass were measured for all individuals. Sex ratio was examined for possible skew. Measures of reproductive effort were monthly means of gonadosomatic index of both sexes, total oocyte count, oocyte size at different development stages, and clutch size. Reproductive season for both species was February through May. Etheostoma duryi was found to be slightly larger in SL and mass, and to produce more oocytes, larger clutch size, and smaller oocytes earlier in the breeding season. Both species displayed strong female skew, especially Etheostoma simoterum

Between the Covers

The invitation to the show depicts me dreaming, in between two down comforters. I am between the covers. Essentially the exhibition is me. The books I have made. The paper I created. The memories I have collected and preserved. My ideas about male and female issues as well as my view on the idea of high art verses craft. The photographic images touch a variety of subjects from architectural and iconic forms, to food, to human collages resembling landscape views, to items that form a visual diary from my past. Most of the works are in a book format with some books extended into larger installation pieces as the interiors of these books are duplicated on single sheets and shown in grid form from behind the displayed book. Some images within the books are blurred and deconstructed in order to reference memory, as we all remember bits and pieces of an actual situation. The overall thematic core of this exhibition is about nostalgic memories represented in the way we construct our own memories and store them or confine them from changing by placing them in a book. It is also about giving: giving a person a new perspective or view; giving away my perspective; giving away a book that can be taken back with one to become a personal part of their life. The art I sought out were the traditional and contemporary Korean arts and crafts, concentrating on painting and bookmaking. My own creative work consists of photographic art pieces (collages, paintings and books) is concerned with women's issues, identity or mistaken identity, and 33 cultural pluralism. Fortunately, the year I was there was the year of the book. Several exhibitions glorified the beauty and tradition of books. At the National Museum there was a retrospective on the books made within Korea at Buddhist monasteries that exemplified the high craftsmanship and honor books play within Korean culture. I was given a new understanding to the meaning of art through these exhibitions. Seeing these century old books gave me a different insight into producing books as works of art. With this education and with the ability to view, first hand, museums and galleries, as well as the land and people, I was able to continue my art making practice with greater authority. &nbsp;</p

Rural School District Leadership and Governance: Eating Your Veggies to Stay on the Balcony

School board trustees and superintendents must navigate overlapping roles and intersectional identities when engaging in rural school district governance work. If these individuals are not clear about the scope of their role and do not have a common understanding about the importance of high expectations for all, lack of coherent governance can negatively impact their district. Recently, one school district in rural Idaho has experienced phenomenal success. The district is in a very different place than it was just a little over five years ago. In this article insights are shared about the governance practices of trustees and the superintendent that supported their improvement

Walking the Path of the Law: How Law Graduates Navigate Career Choices and Tolerate Jobs that Fail to Meet Expectations

If one talks to law students about the their career expectations, one is likely to hear a common story: when the student graduates, she plans to go into private practice, or possibly take a government job, or even less probably, take a public interest job. The students think their initial choices of legal jobs set them on a career trajectory that is fairly immutable. However, the students\u27 beliefs may not be based on actual information about how lawyers choose their career paths. This empirical study of 2800 lawyers who graduated from law school between 1970 and 1999 analyzes whether lawyers have standard career trajectories. The study considers whether gender or time of graduation affects career choices. The study also examines whether there are dominant reasons that lawyers give for changing jobs. Finally, the study considers whether lawyers are satisfied with their jobs by using a unique measure that gauges the level of congruency between lawyers\u27 hopes for the kind of job they have with their actual experiences of a job. Consistent with other empirical studies of lawyers\u27 career paths, this study finds that a large number of lawyers start their careers in private practice, and that most lawyers will change jobs a couple of times, with most staying within the same practice setting (i.e., moving from private firm to private firm.) However, this study challenges other well-held notions of career trajectories. Notably, this study does not find that women leave the law more than men, nor that women enter government or public interest work more than men. Further, the study documents that women and men both experience conflict between the demands of their jobs and their responsibilities outside work, and that both are equally concerned about that conflict. In other words, male lawyers say work-life balance is as concerning for them as it is for female lawyers. Finally, the study refutes the widely-held belief that lawyers do not like their jobs. The study provides law students and the profession with an important reminder that there is not a right career path, nor an immutable one, and that much of the practice of law is engaging and rewarding

Transition in Occupations of Refugees During Resettlement

Purpose: In 2016, there were 22.5 million refugees worldwide (UNHCR, 2017). California resettled just over 5,000 of those 85,000 (Igielnik & Krogstad, 2017). Limited research has been conducted in the United States (U.S.) focusing on the refugee experience; furthermore, there is a significant gap in research regarding the impact of the refugee experience on the occupations of refugees as they transition to living in the U.S. Smith (2012) explored the adaptation of cultural weaving among Karen refugees to maintain their previous occupations and the impact of daily weaving on their lives within Western culture; however, the study focused only on work occupations. This study sought to capture the experience of refugees and the impact of their transition on a broad array of occupations. Adding to occupational science literature regarding the occupational impact of the refugee experience, as well as aiding in addressing issues of occupational justice (Townsend, & Wilcock, 2004). Methods: This research was a qualitative-descriptive, phenomenological study. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews. Questions were guided by Person-Environment-Occupation model (Law, et al., 1996) and Transitions Theory (Blair, 2000), to address personal and cultural values, environments where occupations are performed, and occupational patterns to identify changes in meaningful occupations due to the refugee process. Participants have legal status as refugees, have been in the U.S. between one and five years, resettled in Northern California, are at least 18 years old and were not required to speak English. As this study aimed to capture a broad experience of transition and limit confounding factors influencing how the participant responded to changes in occupations, participants could be of any ethnicity, country of origin, or gender. Two participants were recruited through snowball sampling. Interviews were audio taped and transcribed. Interviews were coded using Thematic Analysis to generate common themes across cases (Braun & Clarke, 2006). Rigor was strengthened through member checks and peer review. Findings: Through analysis of the interviews, the researchers found five major themes: contextual barriers, internal factors, adaptation, belonging, and transition. The first four themes form a loop and influence each other both positively and negatively and, ultimately, affect engagement in occupations. Transition is the theme that envelops and influences the whole. Using these five themes, the researchers developed the Transition-related Effects on Refugee Occupations (TERO) Model. Key findings include that refugees may experience more meaning and role change/loss in their occupations, rather than adoption of new occupations. Additionally, the researchers found social network to be important for positive occupational engagement throughout country transition. Implications: As occupational therapists, the tendency towards working with refugee populations may be to focus on their transitions to new occupations. However, data from this study indicates that it may be more pertinent to address role and meaning change/loss in current occupations

Transition in Occupations of Refugees During Resettlement

Background: Human displacement is a social problem that has occupational implications. There is a significant gap in the research focusing on the refugee experience and the impact of this experience on their occupations as they transition to living in the US. This study seeks to capture the experience of refugees and the impact of this transition to the US on a broad array of occupations. Method: This research is a qualitative study. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews with two participants who have legal status as refugees living in the US. Results: Thematic analysis generated three themes: (a) contextual barriers to occupation, (b) belonging, and (c) adaptation. Refugees experienced a variety of contextual barriers, both systemic and socio-cultural, that impacted their ability to engage in meaningful occupation leading to a lack of belonging. Refugees adapted to these barriers by adapting their occupations. In addition, the researchers found social networks to be important for positive occupational engagement throughout country transition. Conclusion: This research adds to occupational science literature regarding the occupational impact of the refugee experience, as well as supporting occupational therapists to address issues of occupational deprivation with refugee populations

Transition in Occupations of Refugees During Resettlement

Purpose: In 2016, there were 22.5 million refugees worldwide (UNHCR, 2017). California resettled just over 5,000 of those 85,000 (Igielnik & Krogstad, 2017). Limited research has been conducted in the United States (U.S.) focusing on the refugee experience; furthermore, there is a significant gap in research regarding the impact of the refugee experience on the occupations of refugees as they transition to living in the U.S. Smith (2012) explored the adaptation of cultural weaving among Karen refugees to maintain their previous occupations and the impact of daily weaving on their lives within Western culture; however, the study focused only on work occupations. This study sought to capture the experience of refugees and the impact of their transition on a broad array of occupations. Adding to occupational science literature regarding the occupational impact of the refugee experience, as well as aiding in addressing issues of occupational justice (Townsend, & Wilcock, 2004). Methods: This research was a qualitative-descriptive, phenomenological study. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews. Questions were guided by Person-Environment-Occupation model (Law, et al., 1996) and Transitions Theory (Blair, 2000), to address personal and cultural values, environments where occupations are performed, and occupational patterns to identify changes in meaningful occupations due to the refugee process. Participants have legal status as refugees, have been in the U.S. between one and five years, resettled in Northern California, are at least 18 years old and were not required to speak English. As this study aimed to capture a broad experience of transition and limit confounding factors influencing how the participant responded to changes in occupations, participants could be of any ethnicity, country of origin, or gender. Two participants were recruited through snowball sampling. Interviews were audio taped and transcribed. Interviews were coded using Thematic Analysis to generate common themes across cases (Braun & Clarke, 2006). Rigor was strengthened through member checks and peer review. Findings: Through analysis of the interviews, the researchers found five major themes: contextual barriers, internal factors, adaptation, belonging, and transition. The first four themes form a loop and influence each other both positively and negatively and, ultimately, affect engagement in occupations. Transition is the theme that envelops and influences the whole. Using these five themes, the researchers developed the Transition-related Effects on Refugee Occupations (TERO) Model. Key findings include that refugees may experience more meaning and role change/loss in their occupations, rather than adoption of new occupations. Additionally, the researchers found social network to be important for positive occupational engagement throughout country transition. Implications: As occupational therapists, the tendency towards working with refugee populations may be to focus on their transitions to new occupations. However, data from this study indicates that it may be more pertinent to address role and meaning change/loss in current occupations.https://scholar.dominican.edu/ug-student-posters/1082/thumbnail.jp