We begin in wonder...
Saturday, April 20, 2024
Session One, 9:30-10:30am
Decolonizing the Mind through the Arts with Professor Nancy Snider
MGC 200
Decolonizing DC Streets
Shariyah Etienne, Charlotte DeRosa, Lowe Turner, Olivia Wood, Ava Braiter, Lucy Cheong
This project aims to investigate the relationship between the societal acceptance of murals over graffiti and the ongoing gentrification of historically Black neighborhoods in Washington, DC through the lens of what is considered socially acceptable artistic expression.
There are murals in DC commissioned by the city to celebrate the history of various communities. While these murals are intended to preserve history, they can also contribute to its erasure by being present in areas where the images do not reflect the race of the majority of the community. For example, the Shaw neighborhood has been negatively affected by gentrification, despite being a former cultural hub, and we show how the street art found there has been used as a tool for gentrification.
The project employs observational field research, which was conducted by documenting murals and graffiti and comparing them to past Google Earth images. The study also analyzed MuralsDC’s role in the street art cycle and gentrification.
We believe that graffiti can contribute to the conversation around gentrification in neighborhoods and be used to promote the authentic expression of visual street art. Furthermore, we argue that graffiti should be recognized as valuable, as opposed to murals that contribute to gentrification. Our ultimate goal is to decolonize art.
Spoken Word and Youth Empowerment
Andrew Ferreira & Andrew Qvotrup
Our project contextualizes the world of spoken word poetry by introducing the rich history shaped by different cultures and artistic movements over centuries. Research centered on Words, Beats & Life and Busboys and Poets in Washington, DC, two organizations dedicated to promoting this vital art form among youth to preserve the history of the spoken word. Within these organizations, spoken word poetry has emerged as a significant medium of expression for young people in Washington, DC.
The socialization of young people through education is critical to fostering a generation of changemakers willing to listen, understand, and work together to bring about positive social change. We show how recognizing and embracing the cultural and experiential differences among young people through exposure to spoken word can create a more inclusive and cooperative society.
Dance and Decolonization
Anna Palumbo, Alyson Atkinson, Claudia Olivero-Gomez, Angelica Cruz, Christine Mia Holiday
Our purpose is to broaden the perspective of dance beyond the limited scope of Western ideas through exposing biases and prejudices that have historically restricted the diversity of people who can participate in this art form. We critique how ballet has been considered the pinnacle of dance throughout history by the elite and how dance styles that deviate from this norm have been viewed as “alien”, “foreign”, or “lesser”.
Our project is committed to dismantling these stereotypical narratives and expectations surrounding dance, particularly the traditional notions of what dance and dancing bodies should look like. We have done this by amplifying the voices of dancers who have moved beyond the colonial impositions of dance and embraced more inclusive and diverse forms of expression. We interviewed Dr. Omi Davis Smith, who provided invaluable insights into how negative stereotypes in dance are perpetuated and how the dance world is evolving to become more accepting and inclusive. This project shows that many organizations and individuals are seeking a way to decolonize art.
Social Change and DC Music
Gina De Jesus, Derrick Barners, Christina Trinh, Carter Kim
This project examines aspects of the music scene in Washington, DC, and how local musicians use their voices to promote social change and help decolonize the city. We investigated how music can influence social change and bring people together to promote social justice. The project explores Go-go music (a DC genre that has strong ties to Black culture), Jazz (which represents the Afro-Cuban origins of the city), and the power of local music venues in highlighting artists and their messages. We used ethnographic methods to investigate the sound of music in D.C. that fosters social change and aids in decolonizing efforts. Our purpose is to raise awareness of the role music has in shaping society and promoting social change. By shining a light on the work of local musicians and their messages, we hope to inspire others and create a more equitable and just society.
Understanding Quality of Life with Professor Cathy Schaeff
MGC 247
Accessibility at AU: How are Students with Accessibility Needs Faring on Our Campus?
Tara Parsa, Meg Norten, and Amanda Parks
There are 15 buildings that are either completely or partially inaccessible at American University. This initial discovery prompted our team to investigate how one’s ability to move around campus contributes to their overall Quality of Life as an undergraduate student at American University. After creating and disseminating a survey questionnaire and conducting interviews to contextualize our results, we found, based on several factors —evacuation barriers, everyday mobility challenges, and overall positive Quality of Life rankings—that there were noticeable differences for students with and without certain physical disabilities. We will discuss these findings and hope our results inspire further investigation into how campus infrastructure and initiatives impact students’ mobility and college experiences.
What Stressors are Keeping AU Students up at Night?
Andrew Obara, Charlie Murphy, Annette Lee, and Alex Dillon
Academic, financial, and social stress are prevalent types of stress in undergraduate college students. Through a pilot survey study, we investigated whether and to what degree academic, financial, or social stress affect the sleep quality of AU undergrads. Sleep quality is strongly reflective of individuals’ quality of life, hence our results provide some insight into what is influencing AU undergrads’ well-being. Our research objective was to investigate the relationship between sources of stress and sleep quality; we will discuss the observed corrections and their potential causal relationship.
Are we speaking freely? Assessing AU Students' Comfort Using their Right to Free Speech
Oscar Gillette, Emma Ionita, Sam Mitchneck, and Danae Williams
The AU upper administration recently changed policies for student protests on campus, presumably because of behaviors and activities happening in response to the Israeli-Hamas conflict/war. We were interested in exploring how undergraduate AU students defined free speech and how important it was to them. We hypothesized that students might be unlikely to utilize their right of freedom of speech due to fear of repercussions or judgment. After creating open-ended and pre-populated questions, we sent the link to our anonymous survey to AU undergraduate students asking them to participate. Although we had a low response rate, our preliminary results showed a correlation between certain participant demographics and comfort expressing political beliefs. Freedom to express our beliefs without fear is an important aspect of quality of life. The objective of our research was to assess the current “climate” for freedom of speech on campus to determine whether students need encouragement to express their beliefs. We hypothesized that students might be less inclined to utilize their right of freedom of speech and express their political beliefs without fear of repercussion or judgment.
Assessing Wellbeing Through Sleep Trends: Diet, Exercise, Routine
Ronald Taylor, Caroline Smith, and Lily Witczak
The aim of this project is to systematically examine the interplay between an Undergraduate Student’s quality of sleep and their quality of life or general wellbeing. It examines trends between diet, exercise, and sleep aids/cessations to assess sleep quality, and, in turn, uses sleep quality to assess quality of life. As this is an entry-level research experience class, the results of the study are likely to be relatively insignificant, but may perhaps be interesting, nonetheless. Through a survey which was sent out to students in ask of participants, the respondents informed us of their general sleep habits and any significant variation among those habits. In order to get a baseline trend as to how sleep quality and length of sleep differ among students of various academic years, questions pertaining to time of falling asleep, general time of waking up, as well as differences within a weekend versus weekday schedule were asked. The use of analytical statistical software as well as charts and graphs helped in terms of interpretation of data from respondents and enabled us to start to evaluate possible outcomes.
Human Rights: Conflict and Consequences with Professor Shawn Bates
MGC 245
Mining and Human Rights Abuses in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)
Andrea Frankel, Cara Halford, Julianna Appleton, & Krithika Sambamurthy
Our project focuses on the demand for minerals in the DRC and how these demands fuel human rights abuses. Through our podcast, we analyzed four key aspects of this issue to answer the question: does the international demand for minerals exacerbate human rights abuses in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. These key aspects include examining the history of colonization, the impact of mining on residents of the country, current legislation & legal initiatives, and how we can improve mining conditions for a better future. Each episode of out podcast delves into academic research, current and past statistics, and our own observations to help answer our research question.
Russia’s LGBTQ Crisis: Pre- and Post-Leaving the European Convention on Human Rights
Lauren Schnizlein, Joshua Rut, Skylar Bratton, Charles Herman
Since Putin took office in 2000, traditional values have been prioritized and pushed by the Russian government as a part of their agenda. This social change has drastically impacted the lives of many people in Russia. In recent years, LGBTQ+ citizens have been targets of the Russian government’s move toward ‘traditional’ values. Since leaving the European Convention in September 2022, Russia has more freedom to roll back and overturn legislation which protects its LGBTQ+ citizens. In this project, we explore how Russia’s legal system has changed regarding the rights and protections of LGBTQ+ Russians in recent years, especially following Russia’s exit from the European Convention. In addition, we analyze how these policies and legislation affect Russian society and how they are practically implemented.
Safeguarding Sanctuary: Investigating Religious Persecution as Grounds for Asylum for Afghan Women
Belle Finegan, Rachel Hou, Rijuta Kalantre, Chloe Mazenko
Religious persecution against women in Afghanistan resulting in violations of their fundamental rights is a pervasive issue emphasizing the imperative for the international community to recognize and address these violations, and ensure that asylum policies and procedures are sensitive to women’s needs and experiences. Interested by this complex and relevant topic, we examined the interpretations of religious doctrines and the intersection of said religious law with human rights infringements, focusing on how interpretations of Islamic law are utilized to justify and enforce gender-based discrimination. These human rights violations contravene international laws and agreements, such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Geneva Refugee Convention. By systematically disregarding the rights enshrined in these documents, the Afghan state fails to fulfill its obligations to protect and uphold the rights of its female citizens. We have found that given the gravity of the human rights violations and the constant threat of religious persecution, Afghan women have legitimate grounds for seeking asylum in accordance with international refugee law. By taking an investigative look at established international agreements over time, as well as individual experiences of asylum seeking, this project aims to shed light on the comparison between international law and actual experience.
International Treatment and Rights of Prisoners: Officials vs. Civilians
Aidan Rundell, Sydney Sheinfeld, Thomas Campello, Xavier A. Rosales
Informed by a series of briefings and lectures lead by senior members at the International Criminal Court, International Court of Justice, and The Mechanism for the International Criminal Tribunals of Rwanda and Yugoslavia in The Hague, The Netherlands, the following study is a comparative analysis of the international standards for and treatment of state and civilian prisoners. Questions considered include (i) how do state prison systems in different countries compare; (ii) how does prisoner treatment differ from one country to the next; (iii) what “rights” do prisoners have, what “rights” were revoked by the state upon incarceration; (iv) what are the standards for deciphering, evaluating, and sentencing crime; and (v) with the International Criminal Court as the internationally recognized standard, how does the treatment and sentencing of high ranking officials (ie. former presidents, diplomats, and military generals) contrast that of civilians. Considering the UDHR and the international court system’s standard of practices and procedures as the recognized and universally accepted standard, case studies used in compiling this report spotlight the extent to which prisoner rights and treatment remain unstandardized and subject to the interests of the governing parties in power.
How do grassroots movements and feminist activism contribute to challenging women’s rights violations and combating gendered violence in the Middle East and Latin America (Iran/Mexico)?
Damián Lem Gonzalez and Maryam Bint-Khaliaf
With a focus on Iran and Mexico, the research question investigates the ways in which feminist activism and grassroots movements support the fight against gendered violence and women’s rights abuses in the Middle East and Latin America. It aims to comprehend how common people may support social change and address the structural injustices that women must contend with. The research aims to highlight the agency of women in driving transformative action and raising awareness about gender-based violence and discrimination by examining the tactics used by feminist activists and grassroots movements within the distinct socio-political and cultural contexts of these regions. This investigation is essential for supporting the work of activists and organizations promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment around the world, as well as for guiding policy actions.
Session Two, 10:45-11:45am
Popular Culture and Politics with Professor Patrick Thaddeus Jackson
MGC 200
The Impact of the Mango Industry on Indonesia’s Geopolitical Landscape
Emerson Katz
From farm to table, the journey of food often fades from view, leaving consumers unaware of the intricate processes and motivations behind the products they enjoy in their homes. It’s easy to overlook the labor and technology that drive agricultural production and distribution, relegating these vital components to the background of daily life. Delving deeply into the multifaceted journey of mango cultivation within the framework of Indonesia’s national vision of “Wawasan Nusantara,” this presentation meticulously examines its socio-economic significance. It intricately navigates through challenges such as the prevalence of child labor in agricultural practices and identifies key opportunities for expanding mango exports. By shedding light on the complexities inherent in mango production, including issues like unethical workplaces and environmental sustainability, this research offers nuanced insights into the broader implications for Indonesia’s agricultural sector. Through a comprehensive analysis, it outlines potential pathways towards fostering sustainable growth and ensuring equitable development. Emphasizing the critical importance of ethical practices, this presentation serves as a compelling call to action for stakeholders to prioritize fair labor standards and implement responsible supply chain management strategies.
You Can Murder a Liberator, but You Can’t Murder Liberation: The Changing Perception of the Black Panther Party
Maya Hastings, Vaughan Noble, Kate Spaulding, Ronan Tanona
Due to the success of the 2021 film Judas and the Black Messiah, there has been an observable cultural shift in how the public perceives the Black Panther Party for Self-Defense. From being seen as a source of laughs or a tool for surface-level resistance, the Black Panthers have been assigned many identities throughout the years. When examining media throughout the decades in which the Black Panthers are presented in a myriad of ways, there is a stark contrast in how the Panthers are represented in those films in comparison with Judas and the Black Messiah. With this in mind, this video essay examines two movies from the 1990s, Forrest Gump and Panther, and one from the 2010s, Seberg, to compare and contrast the portrayals of the Panthers to Judas and the Black Messiah. Through the media, this project addresses the various racist and outdated perceptions of the Black Panther Party such as the view of the party being a militant street gang and the idea of a white savior complex.
Voulez-Vous Coucher Avec Moi: Sex and Autonomy in the Musical Moulin Rouge!
Elli Morgan Anderson
The 19th and 20th centuries were complex for women in France, marked by both oppression and resistance against societal norms. With male authority and privilege ingrained in its political, legal, and economic systems, female sexuality was viewed as passive, monogamous, and maternal. While many accepted this status quo of sex and autonomy, others fought for sexual freedom, notably by connecting political rights with sexuality, highlighting patriarchy’s influence on intimate behavior. The musical Moulin Rouge!, written by John Logan and initially performed on stage in 2018, exemplifies this give-and-take relationship between oppression and expression of female sexuality. Through an analysis of the 2019 Broadway script and various costumes from the musical, I will illustrate how the musical Moulin Rouge! portrays French societal views of female sexuality and autonomy during the 19th and 20th centuries, highlighting the struggles of women of the time.
Exodus Beyond Earth: Exploring Societal Portrayals of the Post-Anthropocene in WALL-E, Interstellar, and Avatar
Luke DiBonaventura, Ben Ackman, Will Baird
The science fiction films WALL-E, Interstellar, and Avatar (all released within 7 years of each other) share a notable similarity of depicting the human race in different stages of leaving Earth as a means of continuing their existence. These films all contain themes of humans looking beyond Earth as a means of confronting their present existential challenges. This project will examine these films through a comparative analysis in an attempt to observe their nuanced perspectives, opinions, and prescriptions for societal dynamics, automation, environmental degradation, scientific progress, and the quest for survival beyond Earth. The central question that binds each of these films is: how do science fiction creators envision the future of humanity in light of the existential problems it faces today?
Interpretive Analysis of Kendrick Lamar’s Album DAMN
Camelia Marini, Sophie Miller-Gorvine, Max Harris
In this interpretive exemplar analysis, we take a look at Kendrick Lamar’s Album, Damn, and answer the question: “How do the themes surrounding Kendrick Lamar’s Album DAMN demonstrate societal norms at the time?” In order to properly answer the question, we divide all 12 songs in the album into three different categories: arrogance, spirituality, and racism. We pick specific quotes from each song that we believe truly portrays each theme, and all songs are followed by a brief analysis. Leading to the conclusion that Lamar’s album depicts the struggles of African Americans, the self-centered and grandiose nature of society, reflects those who examine what they really believe in when confronted with hardship.
From Chivalry to Tinder: Evolution of Courtship in British Literature through Feminist Perspectives
Samantha Roncka, Sade Goodridge, Aylin Ozdemir
This research project examines courtship evolution in British literature, focusing on Jane Austen’s “Emma,” E.M. Forster’s “A Room with a View,” and Sally Rooney’s “Normal People,” contextualized with key historical British feminist events. “Emma” encapsulates Regency-era societal norms and gender roles, while “A Room with a View” navigates Edwardian-era constraints on female autonomy. “Normal People” offers a contemporary portrayal of relationships amidst shifting gender dynamics. By analyzing these novels against historical events like the suffragette movement and waves of feminism, the study illuminate’s literature’s role in reflecting and reshaping societal attitudes towards courtship, gender, and power across epochs. It delves into how these authors navigate and challenge societal norms, portraying characters who negotiate personal agency and societal expectations amidst changing feminist landscapes, thereby contributing to the broader discourse on gender dynamics in British literature.
From A to Z : An Analysis of American Society through its Biggest Icons
Zoe Gilson, Anna Prince
Zendaya and Audrey Hepburn are two of the most iconic figures in the realm of fashion and entertainment. Audrey Hepburn, characterized by her classic beauty and elegance embodies the chic sensibilities of the mid-20th century, and is most recognized by her roles in films such as “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” and “Roman Holiday.” Zendaya on the other hand is the epitome of modern youth. Her style is more boundary pushing, and reflects contemporary movements, while still having old school glamor. Known for her thought-provoking roles in “Euphoria,” and “Malcolm and Marie,” Zendaya represents a new age in society, which strays away from many traditional norms. Although it may seem like these two figures couldn’t be more different, they are perfect examples of American society within their eras. Today we look to analyze fashion as a product of its time, and figure out what can be uncovered about a society’s beliefs by the fashion of iconic movie stars of the generation and how the examples of Zendaya and Audrey Hepburn show societies changes and continuity.
Religion and Politics Intersection with Professor Mohamed Nimer
MGC 200
CCP Controlling Tibet through Buddhism
Esme Lee and Jessica Umoren
The atheist Chinese Communist Party is repressing Tibetan Buddhism against the stipulations of their own constitution. The government should be objective in terms of religion, but instead uses religion (Tibetan Buddhism) as a tool to control Tibet. The goal of our project is to highlight how an atheist government recognizes religion as a threat to their power and violates established human rights of religious freedoms.
New World Coming: Evangelical’s Influence on Anti-Trans Legislation
Will Systma, Sidney Witek, Owen Oppenheimer
Anti-trans legislation continues to be passed through state legislatures throughout the country. With evangelical Christians becoming increasingly involved in politics, we ask the question: Is there a direct connection between evangelicals and current anti-trans legislation? If so, what is the nature of this connection? Our two-step comparative analysis reveals the extent of evangelical influence and how they are trying to shape the country around their beliefs.
Religiosity on the Supreme Court: Catholicism and Abortion
Tyler Kolmansberger and Estella Miller
Misinformation/Disinformation and Religiously-Influenced Conflicts
Will Mote
Researchers in the United States often propose an association with misinformation/disinformation and religion, the most common arguments being that religious people are more likely to believe misinformation and disinformation, and/or that the outlets that push misinformation and disinformation commonly use religion in their talking points. One of the most notable current world news topics with misinformation and disinformation surrounding it is the ongoing conflict with Israel and Palestine, which is a conflict that is influenced by religion. As United States citizens are the most common of any wealthy nation to consider religion deeply important in their lives, this is of particular interest to examine on an international scale. I will compare and contrast survey data, government actions/stances, and popular media coverages regarding Israel and Palestine for Eastern countries and the United States. This project aims to determine how the degree of a country’s religiousness affects how political events are portrayed and perceived by its citizens, and whether there is a correlation between religiousness and perception of misinformation.