The adverse effects of climate change are a global concern, and global warming is increasingly threatening urbanized areas. While average temperatures are increasing across the globe, highly urbanized areas are notably hotter than their rural counterparts. The culprit is a phenomenon called the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect. The materials used in ground covers and…
Tag: honors thesis
Honors Thesis Spotlight: Civil Wars, Ethnicity, and Intervention: Under What Circumstances Does Ethnicity Affect Intervention in Civil Wars?
Post World War II, the global community is experiencing a decline in cross-national conflicts and a rise in civil conflicts—the latter becoming extremely brutal. In cases like the Rwandan Genocide, conflict led to egregious violations of human rights. Approximately 800,000 Rwandans were slaughtered, most belonging to the ethnic minority in the country, the Tutsis. Due…
Honors Thesis Spotlight: Integration of Brazilian versus Other Lusophone Immigrants into Portuguese Economy and Society
The relationship between Lusophone countries—former colonies of Portugal that speak Portuguese—and Portugal is at the forefront of many studies. The relationship between these countries is fairly positive (Portugal retains economic and diplomatic ties with some of its former colonies) and many individuals in former Lusophone countries immigrate to Portugal to seek better opportunities. However, there…
Honors Thesis Spotlight: Transparency and Accountability in the World Bank
The World Bank is a transparent institution that provides access to information about countries and their financial situation. This data is available on their website and also states which countries receive aid to reach economic equilibrium. Although the World Bank provides information about other countries, it seldom provides information about itself. In union with the…
Honors Thesis Spotlight: Assessing the Impact of the Nordic Model of Combating Prostitution
Terminating prostitution is an issue at the forefront of international conventions, dating back to 1949. Several studies tie prostitution to human trafficking, prompting new protocols to decrease the practice. The Nordic Model, or the Sex Buyer Act, is one example of a plan to decrease prostitution, and, thus, human trafficking. This thesis analyzes the Nordic…
Honors Thesis Spotlight: Comparison of Roma Discrimination in EU and Non-EU Countries
International organizations, both governmental and nongovernmental, are making headway in improving the human rights and living conditions of minority groups across the globe. In Europe, for instance, countries in the European Union (EU) are expected to maintain certain humanitarian standards in line with the Copenhagen criteria. These criteria include humanitarian and economic requirements that define…
Honors Thesis Spotlight: Examining Attitudes Toward Economic Mobility Among Young Voters
The American dream—an ideological framework wherein anyone can achieve their goals through hard work and determination—is the backbone of American society and economics. As a heterogeneous nation composed of diverse backgrounds, people need a common denominator; the American Dream serves this purpose, but how sustainable is this idea in the face of reduced mobility? Economic…
Honors Thesis Spotlight: The Effects of U.S. Foreign Aid on Recipient Countries’ Economic Development
While the U.S. has a long history of giving foreign aid to developing countries, recent scholars are asking if foreign assistance is advantageous to recipient countries. The quest to measure the effectiveness of foreign aid is ongoing and increasingly fixates on outcomes of support rather than the amount provided. Congress and the Paris Declaration—which seeks…
Honors Thesis Spotlight: The Impact of the 2019 Excise Tax Reduction on the Coal Industry
Public concern about the environment and sustainable energy is escalating; however, the United States remains dependent on fossil fuels for approximately 62% of its overall energy generation. A shift to alternative energy sources is underway, but the transition is slow. The slow pace is linked to the high level of political influence the coal industry…
Honors Thesis Spotlight: Economic Globalization and Within-Country Income Inequality
Economic globalization is an opportunity to exchange culture, resources, and wealth, while other disciplines see it as an exchange of self and even an exchange of order. Additionally, economic globalization can be perceived as a “zero-sum game,” with only winners and losers. The primary debate surrounding this topic is that economic globalization will increase a…
