Volume 1, Issue 1—Fall 2024
This Fall Semester 2024 issue contains analyses of California's Sightseeing, George R.R. Martin's Fire & Blood, The Hunger Games, How to Train Your Dragon, Travel Nursing, Bluey, the Bible, Animal Crossing: New Horizons, LIV Golf, Conservationism in the Midwest US, Coraline, Alex G, Star Wars fandom, Super Smash Bros, Eyes Wide Shut, Formula 1, Red Dead Redemption 2, and true-crime podcasts.
Articles
Abstract
Absract: Sightseeing around California has shown me the beauty of our planet. Sightseeing, or the activity of visiting interesting places or buildings as a tourist is a prominent hobby of mine and many other people around the world. Sightseeing in California is a complex and often overlooked part of the state and I seek to explore it in more depth. To understand sightseeing in California, you need to understand its origins. Stacey L. Camp, a professor of anthropology looked into the beginning of the California’s settlement by Americans (mid 1800s to early 1900s) and described the shift of settlers allowing technology to help settle the lands, to later despising technology for destroying parts of California’s original landscape, a phenomenon she described as “imperialist nostalgia”. Describing a later period of time, Susan G. Davis, a professor of sociology, credits the post-World War II tourism boom that led to the “mass commercialization” of tourist hotspots in California on a few key ideas: the rising middle class, easy money borrowing environment, and the influence of shopping mall architects. Through Stacey L. Camp’s and Susan G. Davis’s work, I aim to explore how power amplified through expansionism and money contributed to the current scene in California’s sightseeing world.
Abstract
Absract: George R.R. Martin’s Fire & Blood holds a significant place in my heart and has changed my reading perspective forever. The book's unique structure, written as a fictional history, showcases the unlimited creativity of the author and has inspired my writing with a similar creative approach. From King Aegon the Conqueror to King Maegor the Cruel, to King Jaehaerys the Old King, and finally to Queen Daenerys Targaryen, the Mother of Dragons, in A Song of Ice and Fire these characters embody the true essence of storytelling that captivates and immerses the readers in a world of twisted plots, themes, and emotions.
The Hunger Games: Racial Stereotypes and Politics in Panem
Danielle Montes
Abstract
Absract: In this cultural analysis of The Hunger Games, which are films about a game organized by the cruel rich capitol of Panem, where life or death is the challenge. I will agree with articles which contain the political side of The Hunger Games and compare it to our real world. I will also take Chidera Enyinna-Okeigbo and Sarah Pike's article which states that The Hunger Games films have racial stereotypes and reflect discrimination and use Toliver’s article as an argument against that because he states that The Hunger Games defies those stereotypes, and I second that. Since I was young, I always found The Hunger Games movies to be intriguing and noncontroversial in every way. But after reading further articles on The Hunger Games and seeing authors such as Dreyer, D.R., who compares the capital of The Hunger Games, Panem, to international relations and justice regarding war, it makes sense and gives you things to question and ponder on as you watch or think about The Hunger Games. The Hunger Games is a great cinematic film that not only thrills and excites viewers but can also teach us a lot of what is in The Hunger Games reflects on the real world and how we can learn from it. Rather than looking at these films as problematic, I see them as more educational. Whether it comes to violence, war, race, or the political system, The Hunger Games has a little bit of everything. This is my definition for the well-known series The Hunger Games. More specifically, the highly awarded films, as there are a series of books as well.
A Tale of Two Dragons: Exploring Disability and Gender in How to Train Your Dragon
Charlotte Lodermeier
Abstract
Absract: In the captivating world of How to Train Your Dragon, a tale of Vikings, dragons, and unlikely friendships. Movies directed by Dean DeBlois and Chris Sanders, the remarkable cast including Jay Baruchel, America Ferrera, and Gerard Butler brings captivating battles and heartwarming alliances that explore important themes such as feminism, ableism, and societal acceptance. While the spotlight primarily follows Hiccup and his fellow dragon riders, I argue that the character of Gothi, the village elder, is often overlooked yet serves as a powerful advocate for these pressing social issues. Leigha McReynolds argues that her role is an inclusive representation of those with disabilities. As someone who has grown up with a disability, I find comfort and acceptance in the dragon-filled archipelago, which allows me to appreciate the subtle nuances of Gothi's role and the broader implications of the series’ message.
Travel Nursing: Caring Across Locations
Amaya Graham
Abstract
Absract: My dream of becoming a travel nurse began when my mom would come home and tell me all these wonderful stories that occur in the ER. I also traveled a lot when I was younger, so I asked my mom if there is a job out there that involves traveling. She introduced travel nursing to me and that is where the idea started. The authors Jeremy Bilsky and Derek Carpenter dived into the role of travel nurses. Travel nurses work for staffing agencies that assign them to either hospitals with critically low staff, very critical condition patients, or a hospital with both to help provide essential care. Most of these hospitals require the nurses to travel by airplane to their locations. Bilsky explains the responsibilities of being a travel nurse, the benefits that come with the career, and the true motivation to pursue this career. To add on, it expresses the challenges these travel nurses endure, some being tax laws, and job security. Authors Jeremy Bilsky and Derek Carpenter discuss these issues in their articles. Even though the obstacles are quite big, Bilsky and Carpenter remind the readers of the high value travel nurses have, and how travel nurses under- stand the financial burden they bring upon their hospital. The authors also delve into resources that can help travel nurses on a more personal level, like mental health programs, better communica- tion, and simple support from permanent staff. This would solidify the nurses to continue their essential role in the healthcare system. Although there are various challenges, travel nurses play a very crucial role in healthcare, when supported by resources and programs it can help patient care quality and the overall health of the nurses.
Abstract
Absract: Bluey is a popular television show on Disney+, featuring a family of talking, walking dogs who navigate everyday life with a genuine Australian cultural backdrop. Each episode brings a mix of humor and heartfelt life lessons. Bluey holds a special place in my heart for many reasons: it’s creative and immersive play, its humor, and the close-knit family atmosphere it depicts. However, this show is often dismissed as a shallow children’s program, with some critics even labeling it unrealistic or toxic. Drawing on analysis from works like Dynel and Ross’s paper and Anna Potter’s research, I argue that Bluey has significant educational and developmental value in the media industry. It offers enriching, worthwhile viewing, for anyone who appreciates wholesome family-oriented content with unique and genuine humor. I believe that although some, like Julia Glassman, say Bluey is an unrealistic standard creating a toxic atmosphere, I disagree and argue that through watching the show itself and reading other sources, that this simplified perspective can blind you. To look at it complexly you must take into mind the emphasis through repetition the show puts on imperfection and the value the show places on learning from that.
Abstract
Absract: In this personal reflection and analysis, I will not only explore popular conversations surrounding Christianity and the Bible but complicate your knowledge regarding the eminence of the Holy Scriptures. The Bible not only reveals the truth about the problem of evil but the reality of man’s utter reliance upon the perfectly righteous God. Nonetheless, what subsists the “proper” in the interpretive process of the Bible is controversial, often succeeding in disclosing the fallibility and inconsistency of human nature—a topic to which authors Marius Nel and Pieter G.R. de Villiers contribute their respective views. As we will see from the deduction Nel drew from his comparison of John Calvin’s and Pentecostals respective view on the role of the Holy Spirit in the spiritual interpretation of the Bible, the Holy Spirit plays an indisputable part in discerning the spiritual nature of the Bible, being especially involved in the conversion and thus illumination of the individual, who must humbly confess dependence upon the Spirit. Subsequently, De Villiers’ assertion that the historical context and theological nature of the scriptures should be compatible with one another amid the process of biblical interpretation further elaborated the complexity of proper hermeneutics as well. However, while both authors deduced that the Bible must be examine through spiritual lenses in accordance with its undeniable spiritual aspect, neither author was especially thorough in evaluating their respective studies on hermeneutics in light of scripture. Indeed, just as our salvation is not reliant upon our own merit or achievement, or even our own choosing, but upon God’s divine interjection in the otherwise incorrigible trajectory of our lives, so is our rightful interpretation of His Word contingent upon our submission to His imperative guidance. Humanity’s predilections, interpretations, and experiences are not the means by which the truth of Scripture is to be validated; rather, the truth of scripture is the standard to which all things are to be held against.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons: Learning and Psychology
Rachel Jamero
Abstract
Absract: As a young teenager thrown into the chaos of high school and uncontrolled viruses, the video game Animal Crossing became my escape into digital naturistic environments that en- riched my quarantined life. It was more than just a game – it was an escape. A place where I could slow down, create, and explore a virtual world that felt like a second home. This simulated envi- ronment developed and published by Nintendo offered a limitless world of possibilities void of deadlines or responsibilities. Whether it's planting trees, fishing, decorating your home, or simply chatting with animal neighbors, the game invites you to live at your own pace, interacting with the world in your own personalized way. From a player's perspective, its inclusiveness and open-ended gameplay quickly became something I could admire and escape to when life became hard. This paper will write about my personal experiences with the game, analysis, and controversies in- volved with the game's history upon its initial release. I will be focusing on the psychoanalytic aspect of the advantaged and disadvantageous psychological tendencies produced from the game's influences and how it performs as both a weapon and didactic tool to young audiences and target audiences in general. I will be researching academic research conducted by researchers Beatriz Villarejo-Carballido, Manh-Toan Ho, and authors like Henry Cavil in regards to delving into its controversial reputation. I will argue that although Animal Crossing has had a positive impact on my life, it is important to be aware of its negative aspects that may cause psychological harm to some players.
Abstract
Absract: Greg Norman, as CEO of LIV Golf, spearheaded the league’s disruptive approach, attracting top players with massive contracts for huge amounts of money and challenging the PGA Tour's dominance. The recent news that has become a story in the media is that he is being replaced as CEO. LIV are looking to move away from Norman and in a new direction. I think this is a good move for LIV. LIV already holds the villain role in professional golf, being seen as the tour stealing players from the PGA through excessive contracts. Greg Norman only elevates this idea, it has always been thought that he felt animosity towards the PGA tour. Due to his successful yet disappointing career. Often falling short at the big tournaments including his famous 6 shot lead at the Masters which he choked. This change in CEO could begin a fresh start and reputation for LIV trying to get away from being the villain tour. As of today, (3 hours ago) Norman claims “he’s not going anywhere” claiming his contract runs until August 2025 and he will continue as CEO. The news over the past few weeks claiming that he was being edged out marks another misleading report over LIV. The uncertainty around LIV and their actions seem to be becoming a bit of a commonality. With the PGA deal “still being in the works” over a year after their agreement.
Abstract
Absract: The Midwestern Forests are screaming for help whilst standing amid a live brass band. The need for stronger conservation programs is seemingly obvious, yet there is little attention. Invasive plants, farmers remaining ignorant to avoid responsibility, large swaths of land not being set ablaze, and too much life appearing, the Midwest has many issues to face. Highly credited sources have been simplified to explain the issues deeper. The pages of Lee E. Frelich, et al, “Fire in the Upper Midwestern Oak Forest Ecosystems: an Oak Forest Restoration and Management Handbook” depicts the need for harsh treatments in nature. Douglas A Bear, et al, conduct an in- depth study on the effect of manure on sensitive semi-aquatic zones. The need for attention is great and the reasons for spreading it become more important daily. In an attempt to better the common knowledge on the aspects and issues of Midwestern conservationism as a whole, this essay will explain and extrapolate on the aspects of conservationism in the Midwest possibly unknown to the common man.
Coraline: A Journey from Childhood to Adulthood
Giselle Antoine
Abstract
Absract: In this essay, I will discuss the complex themes of reality, identity, and self-discovery in Henry Selick's 2009 film Coraline, adapted from Neil Gaiman's 2002 children’s novel Coraline. Through Coraline’s journey into an alternate world carefully crafted to mirror her desires, this essay takes a closer look at the protagonist's relationship with her parents, the importance of questioning reality, and the challenges of finding oneself in the world. My analysis of the film draws on critical perspectives, including feminist critiques of the film’s adaptation choices and Gothic themes, to assess how Coraline’s character development embodies a transition from dependence to self-discovery. While critics of Henry Selick’s film adaptation of Coraline reduce the film’s main character—Coraline—to a dependent young girl that whines, I argue that Staci Conner’s analysis of self-identity in Neil Gaiman’s Coraline applies to my topic of the film adaptation. Although Conner only analyzes the novel, many of the scenes pulled from the book are directly translated into the film.
David Garcia
Abstract
Absract: The first time I listened to an Alex G song I was on TikTok, but it was a unique music style that I quickly fell in love with. Most of his music tends to be about a symbolic person who may or may not have been real in Alexander's life. No matter what the case, his songs characterize these people in such a way that you can see the impact they had on his life.
Abstract
Absract: Most Star Wars viewers start at an early age by swinging around imaginary lightsabers with hours of yelling WOOSH, SHBING, and BZZZ as they clash. This, of course, had to be followed by throwing their friends back with the force, it was the best part! After this comes the bed sheets, the lunchboxes, and now the incredible Legos! But where did this version of the fan base we all grew up with go? Authors such as William & McCulloch Richard make a significant point that people are mad about new characters and their racial stance in what the writers characterize as a “new culture war.” Please help me to find some sort of importance Star Wars has in this fight. Also, nowadays it seems as if all that people are concerned about is how well the story tracks to that one specific comic book released years ago that has something, or anything to do with the newest franchise release that a staggering 1% of people read. Then, when 1% of people hop online, the fanbase has their back, including sources from the University of Sunderland, UK. The best example of this is The Acolyte, where fans were disappointed by the writing so much that it will never be seen again. There goes our shot at more beloved Wookies, more scenes of Darth Plagueis, and above all insane action shots where Jedi deflect multiple incoming lightsabers and push back Sith all in the same force blow. All I know is if you told this to any fan growing up with the franchise, they would jump out of their socks and beg their parents to let them watch it. My question for the fans is, how hard is it to imagine us all back playing together in unity of loving the movies?
Super Smash Bros: The Gamification Effect
Alexis Gutierrez Robledo
Abstract
Absract: In this paper, I analyze the method the retro game Super Smash Bros could be used as a way to perceive real life problems in video games. A reason video games are so important to us is because it allows us to take a peek at ways we can solve a problem we may all encounter at some point in our life. A main aspect it would show us is the ability to learn by performing a task. This represents the idea that not everything could be learned by viewing a demonstration but could be learned by actually performing a task repeatedly. In Julien Codsi’s and Adrian Vetta’s, A Case Study in Learning in Metagames: Super Smash Bros Melee, we take a look into learning-by-doing. This concept is used by agents who seek to learn a specific set of instructions precisely with no mistakes in between. This concept helps us realize in order to perform something as we wish to, maybe we won’t be able to get it down the first few times, yet with practice, your performance will become closer to what you desire. Also, although many parents and broadcasters view gaming as a waste of time that could be used to do something productive, Rodrigo Smiderle argues that playing player vs. player games such as Smash helps younger people realize that there is always a motive for everything an individual does.
Abstract
Absract: In this essay, I will capture the artistic essence of Kubrick’s final and arguably most enigmatic film Eyes Wide Shut by connecting discussions revolving around it. The film reflects actual issues hidden beneath the surface of everyday life: from society’s inherent corrupt elite underworld, to our distraction by sensationalism, to the interaction between our very own social masks, identity, and desires. Psychoanalytic studies from academic authors Dijana Metlić and Joachim F. Danckwardt are used to draw further conclusions on Kubrick’s ultimate socio-political commentary on the state of being human. In this film, masks begin to symbolize an underlining dichotomy that disrupts inner harmony.
Abstract
Absract: The art of racing started with the pinnacle of motorsports, Formula One. Form ula One consists of a series of races in where the cars are being pushed to the limit. Breaking the rules and the limits creates different risks within the sport. To me that makes the sport so much better. In the world of Formula One these races are seen as mega events. These events have created different roles for both men and women. The roles both genders play have created a hegemonic model of male dominance. Formula One in the aspect of racing is a purely dominated by male racers. Women are typically found on the sidelines. In this article, I will analyze how women are testing the limit and breaking the barriers. These barriers are existing of women finding their way into the Formula One division of racing as well as creating a reputation for themselves that isn’t just a stereotypical belief or sexist generalization whether women should be a part of the sport. Both authors, Damion Sturm and Honorata Jakubowska, that I take from explain how the moral values and the political correctness of women having play a decorative role. Women play the decorative role of being the support of these macho men. Whether it is by being the wife or girlfriend of a driver, a grid girl, or being a part of the team these women are typically there just for support. I believe that even if it is an ongoing issue feminism in the world of Formula One is breaking the stereotypical mold of gender norms. In the spread of modern feminism, women who have partici- pated as grid girls have lost their jobs, while other women who participated as racers are being tested to race in their own division of F1 Academy.
Red Dead Redemption 2: Beyond a Western Front
Hannah Mills
Abstract
Absract: As a person who has played a multitude of video games throughout my youth, I can easily say that Red Dead Redemption 2 is my absolute favorite. With eight nominations and four awards won at The Game Awards in 2018, Red Dead Redemption 2 features a vast open world with beautiful graphics and a shockingly emotional storyline. This paper explores the game through a personal lens and contains an analysis of historical accuracies as well as the game’s controversial politics. I pull information from Hilary Jane Locke, Thomas Ashley Mackay and Katrina Marks who have opposing views pertaining to the game’s politics. I aim to show that this game isn’t just a Western styled shooter, but that it follows heavy themes of morality and shows history that is both educational and complex.
The Complexities of True Crime Podcasts
Ella Cooke
Abstract
Absract: The problem is that many people only think of True Crime podcasts as entertainment. True crime podcasts are not only serving as a form of entertainment but also a reliable resource that is helping countless people for the better and will continue to do so. With Boling’s article we learn the audience's reasons and reactions to what drives them to listen to True Crime podcasts and the communities that it creates. Many people will listen to True Crime podcast that discussed domestic violence as a way to feel seen and not alone while also working through traumas that they have experienced in the past. It allows people a safe and comforting space where they know they will not be judged. In the academic article written by Slakoff, we learn the different types of intimate partner violence that happens in everyday life. We are shown why it is so important to learn about the different types of IPV And the dangers that come with it. We can also see that it's not only women who experience IPV but men in minorities as well and no one is excluded from intimate pattern violence.