Honors College Theses
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The capstone experience of the Honors College curriculum is the thesis, conducted across two consecutive semesters. This unique opportunity allows students to conduct scholarly research or a creative project under the direct guidance of faculty mentors.
A thesis project is required of every student who graduates from the University Honors College. The purpose of the thesis or project is to prepare the student for graduate or professional school, to provide an opportunity for the student to complete a scholarly or creative project of significant proportions, and to gain a new perspective on knowledge by becoming a contributor to the recognized knowledge in a particular field of study. This experience provides invaluable preparation and a competitive edge to students applying to graduate or professional schools.
Honors College Thesis Archives Collection is now preserved online through Walker Library’s institutional repository called JEWLScholar and are indexed in the library’s catalog. The thesis archives prior to 2015, are printed copies maintained in Special Collections (4th floor) of the James E. Walker Library and are also indexed in the library catalog.
Use the search box or "browse by" filters on the right side of this page to navigate the Honors Thesis Collection.
To see other Honors College publications, please visit http://jewlscholar.mtsu.edu/handle/mtsu/4362
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ItemThe Rhetoric of Restriction: A Content Analysis of Voter Identification Laws in Local News and Political Discourse in Tennessee(University Honors College, Middle Tennessee State University, 2024-12)This thesis examines the partisan frames used when discussing voter ID legislation, opening into a larger discussion about these laws’ effects on voter turnout and civic engagement. Tennessee, which has among the lowest voter turnout rates in the United States, implemented strict voter ID requirements in 2011, raising concerns about the potential for voter suppression, especially among marginalized groups. Using content analysis of articles from Tennessee's top news sources and statements from elected officials spanning from 2011 to the present, this study explores the framing strategies used by Republican and Democratic politicians to promote their respective positions on voter ID laws. The research reveals that Republicans frame the laws as necessary safeguards to prevent voter fraud, while Democrats emphasize their restrictive nature and their disproportionate impact on minority voters. These competing narratives reflect broader ideological divisions, with Republicans focusing on election security and Democrats prioritizing access to the democratic process. The findings highlight how partisan language shapes public perceptions and policy debates, illustrating the role of political rhetoric in influencing public understanding of electoral law. Overall, this thesis opens dialogue regarding the need for policymakers to balance election security with equitable voter participation, ensuring that voter ID laws do not create barriers to the democratic rights of all citizens.
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ItemThe Danger of Blindly Following Madison: The Impending Downfall of the Nation if it Continues to Turn a Blind Eye to Factions(University Honors College, Middle Tennessee State University, 2024-12)James Madison included several safeguards in creating the Constitution to lessen the impacts of faction and factious behavior on the government. This thesis investigates those safeguards and whether they held up during Madison’s time or remain dependable to this day. I use examples to prove that factions impact the nation and investigate whether political parties are factions. Factions are not solely problematic on a national scale; they can have devastating effects on the global community. The United States’ action or inaction in cases of international factions can be extremely influential. It would be disastrous if a faction were to gain control of the United States. The inaccuracies in Madison’s theory put the nation at risk of destruction if it continues to listen to his words and ignore factious behavior. We need to formulate new ways to mitigate the effects of factions.
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ItemTransmission of Traditional Lao Folk Music from Central Laos to the United States of America(University Honors College, Middle Tennessee State University, 2024-12)Significant changes have been made to folk music from Central Laos and Laotian diaspora communities in America due to factors of globalization, nearing the end of the Vietnam War. Multiple cultural factors such as language barriers, new values, and traditions affected the instrumentation of songs and brought about new techniques within the Laos music scene. It was further enhanced through Western instrumentations when Laotians migrated to the United Sates of America. This study examines the changes of Central Laos folk music in the United States after generations of Laotians immigrated to the country after the Vietnam War, and how these new traditions became part of Laotian Americans’ reformed cultural identity. My analysis consists of comparisons between the Laotian music of Central Laos and Laotian American music. This research focused on lam, a folk singing genre. I highlighted critical differences between traditional and popular Lao music, regarding musical elements such as tonal inflections, tempo, rhythmic structure, and instrumentations. By noting these differences in each song, my analysis provided a detailed view on the process of oral transmission and how a new cultural environment might affect oral tradition. My studies is intended to bring awareness to the preservation of folk music and the recognition of how music functions as an integral cultural connection in a dispersed community.
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ItemIntimate Partner Violence from the Viewpoint of the Abuser(University Honors College, Middle Tennessee State University, 2024-12)Domestic violence is a social issue that affects one in four women and one in seven men over the age of eighteen. While extensive research has been done on the effects of domestic violence on victims, there has been little research on the perpetrators of domestic violence. Being able to recognize domestic violence and support those who have been victims of domestic violence is incredibly important but is not the extent of the issue. There is also importance in recognizing why perpetrators of domestic violence engage in violent acts. Current research on domestic violence perpetrators from legal systems or therapeutic samples is constrained by the ability to obtain accurate accounts of their actions that are filtered through these systems. One of the main constraints within research is the lack of anonymity for those who share their side of the story. The intent of this research is to analyze the viewpoints of perpetrators of domestic violence using an anonymous forum. This allows these perpetrators to share their uncensored stories.
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ItemTech Bro Messiahs: How Tech Billionaires are Spearheading late-stage Reactionary Politics(University Honors College, Middle Tennessee State University, 2024-12)Far-right tech billionaires are advancing a new form of reactionary ideology, one hostile to democratic power. Silicon Valley tycoons Elon Musk, Marc Andreessen, and Peter Thiel are actively pushing for a techno-capitalist political and economic order, one where the capitalist can operate in the market unimpeded from outside interests such as the state, and even democratic concerns that would only get in the way of their work. These tech oligarchs insist innovative minds like theirs are at the center of creating a brighter future, and thus deserve not just the immense wealth and power they currently hold in liberal America, but the larger concentrations of power they will inevitably receive in their ideal world without regulations, worker power, or elections. The three billionaires are notable agents in a larger reactionary movement produced by liberalism seeking to dismantle liberalism, calling into question the nature and viability of the liberal order.