LIT 2000: Introduction to Literature

This is the Fall 2017 full course syllabus for LIT 2000: Introduction to Literature to be taught at Florida SouthWestern State College

Review of Locating London's Past and London Lives 1690 to 1800: Crime, Poverty and Social Policy in the Metropolis

Review of Locating London's Past and London Lives 1690 to 1800: Crime, Poverty and Social Policy in the Metropoli

Master of Science

thesisThe mudstone-dominated Early Cretaceous Agrio Formation is the youngest marine source rock interval of the hydrocarbon prolific Neuquén Basin, Argentina, yet its unconventional hydrocarbon potential remains relatively understudied. A northern section of the entire Agrio Formation and a southern composite section of the lower Pilmatué and middle Avilé Members, totaling ∼1,200 m of outcrop, were measured. From these measured sections, programmed pyrolysis, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and thin section analyses were conducted on subsets of 441 samples and a high-resolution facies scheme and depositional model were established. The facies scheme and depositional model indicate distinctly more dynamic sedimentation in the substorm wave base, basinal to outer ramp portion, of this homoclinal ramp than previously described. Characterization of such heterogeneity allows for recognition of stratigraphic packaging and correlative relationships with established updip stratigraphy. Utilizing TOC, S2, and HI value cutoffs, this study identifies discrete stratigraphic packages totaling ~140 m thick within the upper Agua de la Mula and lower Pilmatué Members with the highest source rock potential. Based on regional correlation, source intervals within the Pilmatué Member lie within Retrogradational to Aggradational Parasequence Sets. This study provides a novel integration of macro and microfacies analysis, stratigraphy, and a geochemical analysis to define a new offshore depositional model and source potential of the Agrio Formation. The model presented here provides an analog for carbonate-dominated mudstone successions of interest as unconventional reservoirs worldwide

Experimenting with Cavendish: The Heuretics of Social Literacy in the Writing of the Thrice Noble Princess, Margaret Cavendish, Duchess of Newcastle

This dissertation takes a heuretic approach to the study of Margaret Cavendish, Duchess of Newcastle (1623-1673), focusing on her dramatic anthology Plays, Never before Printed (1668). This dissertation argues that the textual practices of Margaret Cavendish can act as performative displays of complex social thought. Cavendish constructs intellectual, textual, and cultural networks as a mode of engaging and participating in social critiques and conversations. Through this process, Cavendish creates a network of literacy practices in her use of dialogue and imagined debates. By using fancy, imagined conversations, literary constructs, and judicial fora as experimental spaces, Cavendish experiments with language and teaches her readers how to interpret her work and how to understand the world through her characters. Following a social sciences approach focused on gender theory, this dissertation demonstrates that Cavendish stages and executes literacy work that is social and gendered. Cavendish practices and imagines social relationships between friends and communities filtered through gendered relationships and representations while reaching beyond the actions of the players, where the text implicitly speaks to or positions her future readers to engage in the process of learning. Further, this dissertation produces alternative methodological practices influenced by digital and rhetorical frameworks, resulting in the creation of a digital project based on the study of Margaret Cavendish entitled The Digital Cavendish Project. This project argues for hybrid methodological and technical frameworks to challenge the limited infrastructures available to scholars and readers of Cavendish's works, including an XML transcription of The Convent of Pleasure as one method of providing access to Cavendish’s text for digital textual analysis

Intensive Archaeological Survey of the Proposed SAWS NWC Bulverde/1604 Sewer Extension Project, San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas

On behalf of Oden Hughes, Pape-Dawson conducted an intensive archaeological survey of the proposed NWC Bulverde/1604 Sewer Extension Project in San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas. The project proposed to begin on the southwest side of Classen Road approximately 0.2 kilometers (km) (0.13 mile [mi]) east of its northern intersection with Bulverde Road. The proposed line would parallel Elm Waterhole Creek to the west and south approximately 0.8 km (0.5 mi). At this point, the line would cross Autry Pond Road in a southwestern direction eventually paralleling Bulverde Road to the intersection of Redland Road for a total length of approximately 0.4 km (0.25 mi). This project would entail the installation of 1.2 km (0.75 mi) of new sewer line within a 5-meter (m) (16-foot [ft])-wide permanent easement and an adjacent 8-m (25-ft)-wide temporary easement along whichever side was available. The Area of Potential Effects (APE) for the proposed project was defined as a 30 m (100 ft) buffer centered on the proposed SAWS centerline totaling 3.7 hectares (ha) (9.18 acres). The depth of vertical impacts was not yet been determined, but utility installations typically require 1.8 to 2.4 m (6 to 8 ft). Notably, the sewer alignment was changed after completion of this archaeological survey and installation will no longer take place in this APE. The survey for the new alignment was completed under Texas Antiquities Permit #8870. Although Oden Hughes would construct the new sewer line, San Antonio Water Systems (SAWS) would be the grantee of the easement after construction. For this reason, compliance with the Antiquities Code of Texas (ACT) was required. In addition, this project would require a Nationwide Permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). Thus, compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) (Title 36 Code of Federal Regulations Part 800.4 [36 CFR 800.4]) was required. In addition, the project was located within the San Antonio city limits, which necessitated compliance with the Historic Preservation and Urban Design Section of the City of San Antonio (COSA) Unified Development Code (UDC). Pape-Dawson conducted the intensive archaeological survey on September 20, 2017. The entirety of the APE was subject to visual inspection supplemented by judgmentally placed shovel tests in order to evaluate the potential for buried cultural resources. This work was conducted under Antiquities Permit No. 8161 with Virginia Moore, M.A.G. serving as Principal Investigator. A total of 16 shovel tests was excavated within the APE, all of which were negative for archaeological material. During this survey, one previously recorded site (41BX1786) was revisited within the limits of the APE. However, no cultural deposits associated with the site were encountered. Given the absence of artifacts observed during the current survey, Pape-Dawson recommends that 41BX1786 is ineligible within ROW for State Antiquities Landmark (SAL) and National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) designation. No archaeological resources were located or recorded during this survey. As no properties were identified that meet the criteria for listing in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) according to 36 CFR 60.4, or for designation as a State Antiquities Landmark (SAL) according to 13 Texas Administrative Code 26.12 (13 TAC 26.12), Pape-Dawson recommends that no further archaeological work is necessary for the proposed undertaking as presently designed. However, if undiscovered cultural material is encountered iii during construction, it is recommended that all work in the vicinity should cease and the THC and COSA archaeologists be contacted to ensure compliance with the NHPA, ACT, and UDC. No artifacts were collected, but all project records and photographs will be curated at the Center for Archaeological Research (CAR) at the University of Texas at San Antonio

INCREASING AFRICAN AMERICAN ADVANCED STEM PROFESSIONALS: A CASE STUDY OF TWO PREDOMINANTLY WHITE FLAGSHIP UNIVERSITIES IN THE SOUTH

This qualitative multiple-case study explores how two select predominantly white institutions (PWIs) have learned to be successful in advancing undergraduate African-American students to advanced degrees in the life sciences. This study utilized an integrated theoretical framework developed from Birnbaum’s (1988) cybernetic loop of institutional interaction and Marsick and Watkins’s (2003) seven constructs of organizational learning. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with nine participants and informed by data from institutional profiles. These interviews produced six themes and four sub-themes that informed the following research question: How have interventions that influence African-American students to doctoral degrees in Life Sciences shaped select Predominantly White Institutions as learning organizations? Findings from this study revealed that the two PWIs behaved somewhat like a learning organization as characterized by Marsick and Watkins, but with some meaningful additions. Major thematic findings are as follows: (1) Attitudes towards diversity in science fields are shaped by assumptions, personal comfort in talking about diversity, traditions, norms, and biases, as well as by population mirroring in science fields; (2) Learning about issues affecting URM students and faculty success in science fields is facilitated by data and training from inter/intra-institutional processes, as well as by exchanging best practices in an inclusive way; (3) Learning to increase representation is science fields requires ways to collect, measure, and share information in order to present assumptions and challenge conclusions; (4) Learning to increase representation is science fields requires trust and support for faculty and students to operate in an environment where opinions are valued, concerns have responses, and advocacy increases morale; (5) Substantially improving underrepresentation in science areas is brought to fruition with a collective and unified focus on outcomes and accountability; and (6) Increasing minority representation in science areas requires external funding for activities that specifically focus on URMs. The implications for theory and practice inferred from the findings include a new model for how certain higher education institutions operate as learning organizations and the processes and systems by which these select PWIs might evolve their campuses to be among the most successful in advancing African-American students to completing doctoral degrees in life science areas

A Comparison of Methods for Portraying School Demography Using Census Data

Several ways of indexing the demography of a school from Canadian census data were devised and compared. In one comparison, statistics based on the complete catchment area of a school were set against statistics specific to the neighborhoods inhabited by the students actually attending the school. In a second comparison, catchment-area statistics, which were based on the total population in the area, were compared with statistics based on the subpopulation of mothers of school-aged children residing in the area. The results indicate that the methods are not interchangeable, although the degree of discrepancy observed between methods varied with the demographic variable considered. The demography-indexing methods were also compared for degree of correlation with student achievement in language or mathematics. The demographic indicators obtained using the enrollment method were found to correlate a little more strongly with achievement than the indicators obtained using the catchment area method. All results are merely suggestive, however, pending further study.On a conçu et comparé plusieurs façons d'indexer la démographie d'une école à partir des résultats du recensement canadien. Dans une comparaison, les statistiques basées sur toute l'aire de recrutement d'une école ont été juxtaposées à des statistiques spécifiques aux quartiers où vivaient les élèves qui fréquentaient l'école. Une deuxième étude a comparé des statistiques basées sur la totalité de la population de l'aire de recrutement et des statistiques basées sur une sous-population de mères d'enfants d'âge scolaire vivant dans l'aire. Les résultats nous indiquent que les deux méthodes ne sont pas interchangeables, bien que le degré de divergence que l'on observe entre les méthodes varie selon la variable démographique à l'étude. Les méthodes basées sur l'indexation démographique ont également été comparées quant à leur corrélation avec la performance langagière et en mathématiques des étudiants. Cette performance entrait dans une corrélation plus élevée avec les indices démographiques découlant de la méthode basée sur l'inscription à l'école qu'avec ceux découlant de la méthode basées sur l'aire de recrutement. Cependant, jusqu'à ce que la recherche soit poursuivie, tous les résultats sont à titre indicatif

Town of Avon: A Case Study in Pavement Preservation

In this session presenters will discuss how the town of Avon has implemented and managed their pavement preservation program. This proactive program which began in the late 1990’s, resulted in good roads, a good overall network rating and an overall reduction in construction costs. Presenters will discuss the assessment of the road network, selection of treatments, and candidate selection. Representatives from the agency, contractor, and engineering firm will be on hand to discuss ideas and answer questions

Settlement and Growth of quagga mussels (Dreissenia rostriformis bugensis Andrusov, 1897) in Lake Mead, Nevada-Arizona, USA

Settlement and growth of quagga mussels Dreissena rostriformis bugensis were monitored in Lake Mead, NV, USA, where the first dreissenid occurrence was confirmed in the western United States. To measure the settlement rate of these invasive mussels, seven acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) pipes were attached to a line in shallow water (7.7 m below the surface) since November 23, 2007; eight ABS pipes were placed on another line in deep water (13.4 m below the surface) since January 3, 2008. Quagga mussels were sampled from these pipes on March 19, May 21, July 9, October 20, and December 19, 2008. Active settlement of veligers was recorded in all sampling events. The settlement rates of quagga mussels did not differ among the two lines and the highest settlement rate was found from October 20 to December 19. Three methods were used to estimate the growth of quagga mussels in Lake Mead: caged mussels, size distribution analyses on both natural populations and mussels attached to ABS pipes. Caged mussels were held in Las Vegas Boat Harbor from July 31, 2007 to March 19, 2008, where smaller mussels grew faster than larger ones. Size distribution data on two natural populations of quagga mussels collected from Sentinel Island and Indian Canyon in 2007 also showed that the growth rates decreased significantly as mussel size increased. Shell length data of cohorts collected from the ABS pipes were also used to estimate the growth of quagga mussels. The growth patterns of quagga mussels from the two lines were quite similar with the lowest growth rates detected from late summer to early autumn. The information on settlement and growth of quagga mussels from this study can help understand their population dynamics in the western United States

The H-alpha Luminosity Function and Star Formation Rate Volume Density at z=0.8 from the NEWFIRM H-alpha Survey

[Abridged] We present new measurements of the H-alpha luminosity function (LF) and SFR volume density for galaxies at z~0.8. Our analysis is based on 1.18$\mu$m narrowband data from the NEWFIRM H-alpha Survey, a comprehensive program designed to capture deep samples of intermediate redshift emission-line galaxies using narrowband imaging in the near-infrared. The combination of depth ($\approx1.9\times10^{-17}$ erg s$^{-1}$ cm$^{-2}$ in H-alpha at 3$\sigma$) and areal coverage (0.82 deg$^2$) complements other recent H-alpha studies at similar redshifts, and enables us to minimize the impact of cosmic variance and place robust constraints on the shape of the LF. The present sample contains 818 NB118 excess objects, 394 of which are selected as H-alpha emitters. Optical spectroscopy has been obtained for 62% of the NB118 excess objects. Empirical optical broadband color classification is used to sort the remainder of the sample. A comparison of the LFs constructed for the four individual fields reveals significant cosmic variance, emphasizing that multiple, widely separated observations are required. The dust-corrected LF is well-described by a Schechter function with L*=10^{43.00\pm0.52} ergs s^{-1}, \phi*=10^{-3.20\pm0.54} Mpc^{-3}, and \alpha=-1.6\pm0.19. We compare our H-alpha LF and SFR density to those at z<1, and find a rise in the SFR density \propto(1+z)^{3.4}, which we attribute to significant L* evolution. Our H-alpha SFR density of 10^{-1.00\pm0.18} M_sun yr^{-1} Mpc^{-3} is consistent with UV and [O II] measurements at z~1. We discuss how these results compare to other H-alpha surveys at z~0.8, and find that the different methods used to determine survey completeness can lead to inconsistent results. This suggests that future surveys probing fainter luminosities are needed, and more rigorous methods of estimating the completeness should be adopted as standard procedure.Comment: 19 pages (emulate-ApJ format), 16 figures, 5 tables, published in ApJ. Modified to match ApJ versio