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2020 Virtual Student Conference
Oral Presentations

 
Vinnie Arrigo
Orangeburg, Kent State and Jackson State

Abstract: The purpose of this oral presentation is multifaceted. Firstly, this presentation commemorates the 50th anniversary of the tragedy that occurred at Kent State on May 4th. As a memorial to the tragedy, this presentation examines Ohio State Marker 8-67, to understand the history of the event, as told by the marker. South Carolina State Marker 38-27 and Mississippi Freedom Trail Marker 6, which commemorate the Orangeburg Massacre and Jackson State Tragedy respectively, will also be examined. The sources I will examine are images of the three markers, which are geared towards explaining the events to the public, leading to potential viewpoints that differ from the typical academia of these topics. The goal is to further understanding of these three tragedies. Findings indicate that race did have an effect on how these tragedies are addressed.

Vinnie Arrigo is a senior at Kent State Stark. He is completing a major in History with a minor in Geography. He enjoys studying classical and medieval history of Europe and Japan, as well as the religious history of both places. He plans on furthering his studies with the history of Japan or the Byzantine Empire. He enjoys reading and writing when he is not busy doing school projects.

Amanda Browning
Morgan le Fay, Literature, Art and Music 

Abstract: Arthurian literature is wrought with fantastical creatures, incredible locales, and breathtaking plot twists; however, the most remarkable feature of these beloved stories is the depiction of a character whose reputation proceeds her. This presentation is an exploration of the various archetypal themes and historical characterizations of Morgan le Fay, utilizing literature, art, music, and film as a means of understanding this iconic character’s continued significance. Morgan le Fay persists as an easily recognizable female persona, despite the male-dominated literature from which she originally derives. Though Morgan’s earliest depictions are strictly from the perspective of the men with whom she comes into contact, she has still effortlessly embodied a vast array of archetypal characterizations, retaining her influence, because she is representative of the tether between humanity and memory. Morgan le Fay undertakes whatever role is necessary in order to remind the audience of their ability to overcome the judgment of others.

Amanda Browning is a senior level student majoring in English with a special focus in British Literature. Following graduation, Amanda intends to pursue higher education, earning a master’s degree in Library Science in order to foster the necessary resources to begin a career in a library, museum, or university.

Donovan Byler
Dr. Couney and Eugenics: Competing Philosophies Over the Value of Life

Abstract: “All the world loves a baby.” The sign outside Dr. Martin Couney’s baby sideshow proclaimed the wonder of his display, but in a way, it also reflected Dr. Couney’s plea for the statement to be true. Years earlier, as the twentieth century began, two differing philosophies swept across the Atlantic Ocean. The eugenics movement came to the United States in the early 1900’s hoping to better humanity’s future through the careful control of the transmission of genes. In the same years, a mysterious Dr. Martin Couney travelled across the ocean bringing with him his own ideas about bettering the future of the human race. Through his displays of premature babies at different world fairs and amusement parks across the country, Dr. Couney was able to sway American opinion about the value of the lives of its tiniest citizens. His efforts stood in sharp contrast with the philosophies espoused by the eugenics movement which feared the spread of genetic defects in those who had any medical complications, including a premature birth. Dr. Couney, and his babies who should not have lived, helped to change the public and medical opinion of the viability and humanity of those born too soon, all in the face of the American eugenics’ movement that purported that such babies should not even be given a chance at life.

Donovan Byler is a junior at Kent State Stark. He intends to complete a double major in History and Computer Science. After graduation, he hopes to use his history degree to both provide a career and to help other people. He enjoys many things including playing video games and sports, reading books, and coding.

Ian Dunn
Strategic Bombing during World War II

Abstract: Since the Second World War Strategic Bombing has been the primary fighting power of the United States armed forces. It has seen extensive use in all combat and has evolved over those conflicts. Its effectiveness has long been debated as a military strategy. It has been long thought of as a way to avoid the costs of both lives and equipment that is see in more conventional military strategies but without the support of these conventional strategies the Strategic bombing and especially heavy bombardment are not effective. Through the lens of the Second World War the development if the strategy can be seen in many different operations that have a great variety in terrain, targets and specific strategies. Specifically, operations Torch, Overlord, and Matter horn. These three operations take place in the three major theaters of the war and contain a wide variety of Strategies.

Ian Dunn is a student attending both the Kent and Stark campuses. He is a History major with a minor in Italian Studies. After graduating, he plans on attending graduate school and eventually going on to the U.S. Foreign Service.

Landon Ellis
Taisho Japan: The Rise of an Empire

Abstract: The Taisho Era of Japan, which lasted from July of 1912 to the end of 1926, is an often overlooked but important part of Japanese history as they geared up to become the fearsome empire that would take over much of Asia and the Pacific during World War 2. This presentation will examine various aspects of this era, such as the technological and military advancements, cultural features, growth in nationalism, their involvement in World War 1, to reveal why this era is so significant to understanding Japan’s rise.

Landon Ellis is a History major at Kent State Stark. He enjoys video games, attending conventions, and learning about Japanese culture as a whole, and hopes to apply for the JET Program in order to become an English teacher over in Japan after graduation.

Brittani Frick
Benefits of Imagined Interaction Theory

Abstract: The imagined interactions (IIs) theory focuses on a form of social cognition where individuals may daydream, imagine, and vision experiences in their minds (Edwards, Honeycutt, & Zagacki, 1990). IIs can occur proactive (prior to an experience) and retroactive (after an experience) (Edwards, Honeycutt, & Zagacki, 1990). In this paper, I investigate why IIs are meaningful. This paper explores the importance of IIs in today’s society and I argue why IIs are a benefit to one’s psychological health. I discuss the ways one can use IIs to help keep healthy relationships, solve conflicts, clarify beliefs, and enable catharsis. I consider opportunities for further research such as the connection of the frequency of IIs in relation to gender and personality traits. Ultimately, there should be more awareness of IIs so that individuals can use them in the correct way to benefit their psychological health.

Brittani Frick is a senior at Kent State Stark and is majoring in Interpersonal Communication. She plans to work in the field of marketing, specifically in the area of social media. After she graduates, she wants to continue to work at Pro-Model and Talent Management not only performing social media tasks but she also hopes to start modeling and acting. During her free time, she enjoys spending time outdoors and playing tennis.

Matthew Jones
Shellshock Syndrome and Women in the First World War

Abstract: An oral presentation on the history of Shellshock Syndrome and Women during the First World War will show how women struggled to cope with the illness they developed during the war, and how society had ignored their cries for help. Most of the resources that were left by these women were novels which are semi-biographical, which allows people to understand how these women were trying to cope with what they witnessed living through battleground Europe. In order to demonstrate that these women did have Shellshock Syndrome, there will be an account referenced from a man who was diagnosed with Shellshock Syndrome and this will show that women who showed or experienced similar issues were either flat-out ignored or they were given some other explanation. Since this topic is still largely unexplored by historians, what work has been done already will be acknowledged, and finally these women will tell their story.

Matthew Jones is a fifth-year senior at Kent State Stark. He is majoring in history and is planning on graduating in May 2020. Following graduation, he would like to land a full-time job somewhere. In his free time, Matthew likes to read and write, he enjoys outdoor activities, and debating history with his friends.

Eric Martinez
The Relationship of Helicopter Parenting and the Experiences of College Students

Abstract: Helicopter parenting is a concept that is often associated with parents who become overly involved in their children’s lives. This type of parenting, particularly when used by mothers, has been revealed to have a detrimental impact on the self-efficacy and mindset (e.g. growth vs. fixed) of young adults. Essentially, we sought to incorporate these variables in the relationship between helicopter parenting and a student’s college experience. Through an online survey, we measured Kent State students’ attitudes towards their own parents as well as multiple facets of students’ college experiences (e.g. academic major satisfaction, integration, retention). Findings from the surveys revealed that students with low self-efficacy also reported having helicopter fathers. In comparison, students with helicopter mothers indicated having high self-efficacy as well as a growth mindset which differs from previous findings. Although helicopter parenting had a marginal impact on students’ college experiences, there is still much to be expanded upon.

Eric Martinez is a senior at Kent State Stark. He is currently finishing is bachelor’s degree in Psychology. Afterwards, he plans on working in the field of higher education with the aspirations of attending graduate school to become a psychology professor. Eric enjoys playing tennis, hiking at the local trails, and watching a good film.

Bailey Schindler
Ideals of Womanhood and the American Prison System in the 1950s

Abstract: The ideals of womanhood in 1950s America are reflected in various magazines, books, and educational films. All of these materials detail the socially acceptable roles for women during the 1950s. Notions of acceptable gender roles for women were perpetuated throughout mainstream media and were practiced widely among many American families during the 1950s. The ideal roles for women during the 1950s were largely domestic in nature and centered around a young woman being molded into a “perfect wife”. The social expectations and roles for women during the time included cooking, cleaning, laundry, and child-rearing. In some instances, women, often unmarried, worked as secretaries. The socially acceptable roles for women during the 1950s were not only widespread throughout mainstream America, but it was also heavily present within state correctional institutions. During the 1950s, the Ohio Reformatory for Women embodied these rigid gender roles of society through the reformatory’s structure, programs, and leadership. A majority of the Ohio Reformatory for Women’s programs during the 1950s were focused heavily on conforming women to the acceptable roles for their gender. Vast research has indicated the heavy impact gender roles and expectations for women had on mainstream America during the 1950s. However, research concerning women in state correctional institutions, and the impact that gender roles had on that sector of life are few. Examining social guidance films, magazines, and books from the 1950s will indicate the rigid gender roles of the time period. Interestingly, comparing the rigid gender roles of the 1950s mainstream media and society with the programs at the Ohio Reformatory for Women reveal a striking resemblance between the two. Additionally, a case study from 1954 illustrates the potential outcome for women who rejected their expected roles and therefore, solidifies the connection between gender roles and the penal system of the 1950s. A great deal of the existing literature focuses on the acceptable roles for women in society during the 1950s and the impact these roles had on women living in the domestic sphere. Exploring this sector of society will expand the understanding of gender role impact during the 1950s greatly.

Bailey Schindler is majoring in History at Kent State Stark. After she graduates, she plans to continue working for museums near her home. She enjoys reading, trying various coffees and gardening when she is not busy with school or work.

Katherine Seiter
1970s Punk Rock Movement

Abstract: 1960s America was a time of historical and cultural revolution. The young men and women of the country wanted rights for women and minority groups and were not afraid to show this is their music, fashion, and culture. The topic of the counterculture movement has been studied heavily in academia, what has not, however, is the punk rock movement in 1970s London. The punk rock movement in London made the city an epicenter for change. Music became the voice for those who were disenchanted with society. Fashion became an outlet for expression and went against social norms. There were changes happening because the youth of 1970s London were tired of the government and they were tired of the lack of rights that they had. The punk movement represented what the youth culture thought about what had become commonplace for their parents. They were tired, and that sparked the shift in culture. Both movements are similar in goals, and in their impact of the societies in which they took place. While there have been studies done and books written that show what caused the punk rock movement to happen, there has never been a comparison between the counterculture movement and the punk movement before. Most academic work on the punk rock movement in London focuses on one band or one aspect of the whole movement. Instead of focusing on one piece, there will be a full study of music and lyrics, videos, interviews, magazines, and documentaries to compare the counterculture movement and the punk rock movement in London. The goal is to prove that the punk rock movement was to 1970s London, what the counterculture movement was to 1960s America.

Katherine Seiter is a senior at Kent State Stark and after graduation hopes to further her education and work in museums. Katie enjoys studying the sixties in America and historical crimes. When she is not doing school work, Katie enjoys reading and listening to music.