CLA Scholars Day
Join us for CLA's Scholars Week sessions on March 22, 2023! Most presentations take place in the Honors College Simmons Amphitheater (HONR 106). Please note the 3:30 PM Creative Performance/Dance: Tethered Synergies will be in the MTSU Dance Program's Studio B in Murphy Center (room location--Murphy Center (MC) G040B).
Schedule
Welcome
9:00 AM – Individual Research Presentations
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9:00
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In Sisterhood |
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9:30 |
What to Do About Genital Preference |
10:00 AM – Creative Performance: Embodying text: an exploration of choreography
This will be a research presentation centered around embodying text. As dancers, we constantly find inspiration from various mediums.Each dance student will speak about their choreographic process for the work they are about to present.
Organizer: Aaron Allen, Jr., Theatre and Dance
Student Dancers: Bryleigh Willett, Lily Owens, and Grace Holland
11:00 AM – Individual Research Presentations
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11:00 |
The Rhetoric of Division: The Internet Research Agency and the Narrative Paradigm
of 9/11 |
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11:20 |
Don’t Sweat It: An Exploration of Effective Heat Risk Communication to Youth |
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11:40 |
Tell the Bees: An Artist Residency and Exhibition with the Tallgrass Prairie Center |
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12:00 |
The Regressive Revolution |
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12:20 |
Exploring Musicianship through Mahler's Fifth Symphony |
1:00 PM – A Creative Writing Reading: Student Writers Representing MTSU at the 2023 Southern Literary Festival
Creative writers across genres—poetry, fiction, formal essay, creative nonfiction, and playwriting—have been chosen to represent MTSU at the 2023 Southern Literary Festival. The winning writers will read from their chosen works and share the creative diversity and artistry they have accomplished through their readings, studies, and compelling writings. Each writer’s reading will highlight the unique styles, perspectives, and voices that are a hallmark of creative writing at MTSU—and creative writing that is speaking to audiences beyond MTSU.
Organizers: Dr. Fred Arroyo and Dr. Jennifer Kates, English
Student Presenters:
Ashley Barrientos “Hair”
Teela Kelley “Dawn”
Jackie Reilly “Deliverance”
Keaston Sigler “Something Close to Fine”
Isabella Terry “Of Mice, Men, and High School Gym”
2:20 PM – Research Panel: Cults and New Religious Movements in the United States
This panel examines five controversial examples of religion in the United States. In doing so, the panelists highlight the elements of each religion which made the group controversial as well as what attracted members to the group. Each brief discussion ends with an argument why it is important to learn about these marginalized or alternative religious expressions.
Organizer: Dr. Jenna Gray-Hildenbrand, Philosophy & Religious Studies
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Voodoo: Separating Fact from Fiction |
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A Condensed History of the Movement of Spiritual Inner Awareness |
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Cults for Kids |
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The Cult of the Nation of Yahweh: The Past Controversy & Who They Are Now |
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Aching for Armageddon |
3:30 PM – Creative Performance/Dance: Tethered Synergies
LOCATION: Murphy Center (MC) G040B, MTSU Dance Program's Studio B
Tethered Synergies is a contemporary ballet piece designed to map the movement exploration in qualitative contrasts of symmetry, balance, and gravitational play.
Organizer and Choreographer: Jade Treadwell, Theatre and Dance
Student Dancers: Bryleigh Anders, Tori Bascou, Catherine Bright, Joy Echols, Brooke Harman, Mikayla Hurst, Rachel Osucha, Lily Owens, Julianna Pinson, Ally Ruble, Shelby Williams
Music: Doubler Stones by Craven Faults
Lighting Design: Susie Monk
Costume Design: Trish Clark
3:40 PM – Creative Performance/Play: “Overlooked No More”: Staged Readings of Excerpts of Plays Inspired by New York Times Obituaries of the Previously Forgotten
Organizer: Dr. Claudia Barnett, English
Cast and Creative List
(not listed in presentation order)
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Voodoo: River of Death |
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An Island of Our Own |
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Sentimental |
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Felicity Ann |
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“Le Nom” |
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Sapphic |
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A Clearer Image |
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The Illustrious Dame |
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So You Want to Attend a Séance |
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As If You and I Are the Same |
4:30 PM Annual MTSU Speech Contest
Located in BAS S102 (State Farm Room)
Presented by the Department of Communication Studies
Faculty Coordinator: Natonya Listach, Communication Studies
Abstracts
Max Thomas
In Sisterhood
Research and Analysis of Lesbian History as it connects to the History of Feminism,
as well as the history of Lesbian Feminism and the strengths and limits of this unique
perspective. This paper aims to explore briefly lesbian history, feminist history,
and lesbian feminist history, while also providing analysis of the strengths and weaknesses
of the ideology. Additionally, there will be discussion of later movements such as
Queer Theory and Transfeminism and how they relate to ideas over the course of larger
lesbian feminist history.
Elle Robinson
What to Do About Genital Preference
In 'The Right to Sex: Feminism in the Twenty-First Century', Amia Srinivasan calls
for an examination of the political formation of sexual desire, but warns against
engaging in “authoritarian moralizing” regarding problematic desire. “Genital preference”
is often invoked to explain and excuse the failure to find transgender individuals
sexually desirable. Here, the phenomenon of “genital preference” is subjected to the
examination for which Srinivasan calls, its source identified in the association between
genitals and gender, and suggestions made for a political program to address it without
engaging in inappropriate moralizing.
Graham Christophel
The Rhetoric of Division: The Internet Research Agency and the Narrative Paradigm
of 9/11
During the 2016 US presidential election, the Internet Research Agency (IRA), a Russian
company linked to the Kremlin executed a coordinated campaign of fake social media
accounts, designed to polarize the United States population. They accomplished this
by assuming the role of concerned citizens on social media and manufacturing posts
on a variety of issues ranging from gun control to restricting immigration into the
United States, all of which were rhetorically designed to create a culture of fear,
division, and debate. This paper critically analyzes one of these IRA user-created
posts provided to the House Intelligence Committee in 2017 as part of their investigation
into the matter and seeks to answer the question: How did these posts actually find
themselves at the core of a rift making its way through American society, and not
written off as fridge racism?
Sophia Roberts and Marissa Pickett
Don’t Sweat It: An Exploration of Effective Heat Risk Communication to Youth
Extreme heat is the deadliest meteorological hazard and heat events are increasing
in intensity and frequency. Heat hazards are often overlooked by the public, making
heat risk communication (HRC) even more important. Currently, HRC products rarely
target teens, an underserved population that have unique heat exposure patterns. This
project aims to determine the effectiveness of current HRC products and how these
can be improved. As part of our summer 2022 Urban Heat Youth Fellows (UHYF) program,
we collected qualitative survey data on HRC products and teen-created and distributed
HRC products from youth living in urban Nashville, Tennessee, (n = 11). We also collected
HRC products used within the last 5 years from federal agencies. We use thematic and
hierarchical coding to analyze the UHYF sourced data to determine teens’ preferences
in distribution platforms, factors (e.g., visuals, statistics), and topics that teens
feel are most important. We use content-analysis to determine common themes in communication
products from federal agencies and compare these data with teen preferences. The results
provide recommendations for more effective teen-targeted HRC to reduce exposure and
heat-related illnesses while reaching larger audiences.
Erin Anfinson
Tell the Bees: An Artist Residency and Exhibition with the Tallgrass Prairie Center
My recent body of artistic work was created from a 2021 artist residency at the Tallgrass
Prairie Center, in Cedar Falls, Iowa. While there, I visited prairie restoration sites
and Victorian-era township cemeteries where some of the few remaining original prairie
remnants remain. As an Iowan, I was already aware of the astonishing speed at which
the tallgrass prairie system diminished. I worked through a lens of ecological grief
and anxiety about the loss of the prairie ecosystem, the challenges of contemporary
restoration efforts, and the consequences of using neonicotinoid pesticides that contaminate
the soil, water, and contribute to pollinator decline. The photos, videos, plant specimens,
soil samples, and prairie ash I collected during the residency were used to create
a new body of creative work that was exhibited in a solo exhibition called, Tell the
Bees, at the Waterloo Center for the Arts in Waterloo, Iowa. http://www.erinanfinson.com/tell-the-bees-2022.html
Reyn Haun
The Regressive Revolution
In 2022, crops and cropland suffered from the effects of climate change in a serious
way. These threats show the weaknesses of traditional agriculture and cause food insecurity
in often already underserved communities. A regression from globalism in food production
back to local production and distribution systems along with revolutionary agricultural
practices will solve the issues of food insecurity and address climate change in unique
and effective ways. Urban Vertical farms and Edible Cities are the products of this
Regressive Revolution. The former will present revolutionary technology that provides
nutritious, better tasting food to the surrounding community, helping to revitalize
underserved communities. The latter is the result of a revolution in how we think
about open spaces in our cities as well as revolution in how we think about access
to food and will end food insecurity in the cities that join the Edible Cities network.
Connor Prim
Exploring Musicianship through Mahler's Fifth Symphony
Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No. 5 represents one of the pinnacle orchestral works of
the Romantic Era. In addition to its physically and emotionally demanding passages,
it exquisitely expresses the beauty, heartache, and pain Mahler experienced throughout
his life. Therefore, when performing his music, musicians must be careful to understand
the grief that was Mahler’s muse and the solace he found in music. This thesis project
aims to aid trumpet players in their understanding of the piece and its composer and
assist in developing the technical and musical abilities necessary to perform this
magnificent work.
Hunter Hobbs
Voodoo: Separating Fact from Fiction
In this presentation I will discuss Voodoo/Voudou’s path to religious legitimacy and
the misunderstandings and misrepresentations it has faced along the way. Many are
drawn to Voodoo and its practices by the media’s portrayal of its “otherness.” This
separation of religion and religious legitimacy is the direct result of media’s constant
demonization of Voodoo through overt racism, themes of hyper-sexualization, and distortion
of truth. This issue is a central factor as to why this religion is so controversial,
and I believe it is important to understand the affect media’s dissemination of false
depictions has on religious legitimacy.
Jay Ker
A Condensed History of the Movement of Spiritual Inner Awareness
In this presentation I will discuss The Church of the Movement of Spiritual Inner
Awareness. People were attracted to them because, like New Thought, they had characteristics
that made them very easy to synthesize with standing beliefs. They were controversial
because of cult allegations, accusations of abuse, and potential financial impropriety.
It is important to know about them because they’re an excellent example of how different
religious movements borrow from one another.
Jonathan Klein
Cults for Kids
In this presentation I will discuss cults involving the internet children's game website
known as Roblox. People, mostly children, are attracted to them because they think
that they're interesting, unconventional, or because they are perceived as a bad thing.
They are controversial because they mimic real cults and can involve real children.
It is important to know about them because people should know what children could
interact with online.
Emily Lawrence
The Cult of the Nation of Yahweh: The Past Controversy & Who They Are Now
In this presentation I will discuss the Nation of Yahweh. Many people of color were
attracted to the Nation of Yahweh due to the rising racial tensions happening in the
south, specifically in Miami, Florida. This movement was so controversial because
of the extremely violent measures used to prove loyalty to the leader Yahweh ben Yahweh.
It is important to know about the events involving the Nation of Yahweh because it
is an important lesson on how good intentions can be twisted into something much darker.
Charles Rogers
Aching for Armageddon
I will be discussing the Israelite Church of God in Jesus Christ. People were and
are attracted to them because of the promise of belonging that they have for their
adherents. Not only do they belong because they are Israelites, but they will also
be comforted by the Comforter even after his death three years ago. They were controversial
because of the eschatological belief that Jesus will return and destroy and/or enslave
all white people. It is important to know about them because we should strive to understand
marginalized groups in the hopes that we can bring them into the fold of society rather
than further estrange them.
Molly Stegall
River of Death
Idris (Aloha) Wanderwell is not your typical 1920s woman; editing and acting in films
that involve traveling around the world and showcasing people who were not regularly
filmed. But her life and course toward fame takes a drastic turn when her husband
is murdered.
Christopher Moreland
An Island of Our Own
A disillusioned married couple plan to set sail across the Atlantic and flee from
their debts in England. This is based on the extraordinary life of Ann Davison.
Eva Csaki
Sentimental
Annie has fallen a long way from fame since her barrel ride down Niagara Falls. Blind
and forgotten, Annie makes a last ditch effort to regain the last remnants of her
famous stunt.
Michael Barham
Felicity Ann
Before parting on a major voyage across the Atlantic alone, sailor Ann Davison is
forced to rekindle a former friendship and look into the past. Before she can leave,
she must first reckon with the traumatic past that lays behind her.
Kaelan Mullins
“Le Nom”
Inspired by the New York Times’ “Overlooked No More” obituary of French photographer
Claude Cahun, a lovers’ spat unfolds into a crisis of identity.
Vanessa Jarman
Sapphic
Member of Parliament Maureen Colquhoun and her lover debate the future of their relationship
under the watchful and judging eyes of the British public.
Elise Sandlin
A Clearer Image
Photographer Frances B. Johnston sees her ex-lover Mattie Hewitt three years after
their separation. They bond over the celebration of the soon-to-be-ratified 19th Amendment
but fear true equality and freedom will never be reached. Will there ever be a day
two women can proudly hold hands as lovers, or is society forever stuck in its ways?
Kinsey Wilson
The Illustrious Dame
Inspired by The New York Times 'Overlooked' series: On the brink of Annie Edson Taylor's
dive off of the Niagara Falls, her sister arrives unexpectedly.
Caroline Bailey
So You Want to Attend a Séance
A young woman seeks help from a psychic medium to contact her deceased husband beyond
the grave; but this clever widow is not all she seems...
Emily Rink
As If You and I Are the Same
Inspired by The New York Times and the real life of Gertrude Beasley is the story
of two sisters, one plagued with the past and the other only looking toward the future.
