Contemporary Evangelical Christians are often associated with having a right-wing political ideology. This association is driven by the political phenomenon observed in American known as the “God Gap”. This “Gap” refers to a political difference between those who identify with religion and those who do not; specifically, those who align themselves with a religion are…
Tag: honors thesis
Honors Thesis Spotlight: International Public Health: Human Trafficking in Florida
Miami, Florida experiences some of the highest levels of human trafficking: an epidemic that runs rampant through the state, country, and globe. Legislative bodies around the world are desperately seeking solutions. Minnesota offers a model that all countries should consider, and it’s a model that Florida could adhere to in the near future. Minnesota…
Honors Thesis Spotlight: How Collegiate Civics Education Impacts Youth Voter Participation
Research shows that in order for people to understand and engage with political issues, they need to first understand the political system and be encouraged to participate in politics. To sow the seeds of civic participation, there is an increased prioritization on implementing civics courses and exams at the middle school, high school, and…
Honors Thesis Spotlight: The Effects of Democracy on Human Development
Citizens in the United States and across the globe consider democracy essential for improved human development, but the relationship may be more nuanced than most research suggests. Most scholars identify a positive correlation between human development and democracy because of its primary features: electoral accountability, access to information, and individual rights and civil liberties. In…
Honors Thesis Spotlight: Impact of Amendment 4 on Black Voting Attitudes in America
The state of Florida has long held particularly strict regulations concerning the ability of individuals who have been convicted of a felony to vote. Florida was one of only four states to permanently block felons from voting unless they received approval from the governor. For a felon’s rights to be restored, they had to meet…
Honors Thesis Spotlight: Belt and Road Initiative in Southeast Asia: Unlocking Alternative Sources of Investment for Corrupt States
In 2013, the Chinese government launched the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI): a regional integration project that establishes routes and provides resources to approximately 70 countries and national organizations. Benefits and negative consequences accompany the initiative; while poorer countries in Southeast Asia benefit from financial aid, there are still roadblocks to economic freedom, including corruptive…
Honors Thesis Spotlight: Splintering Off: Catalonia’s Search for Sovereignty
In 2017, the Catalonia region of Spain held a referendum for independence where 2.26 million people flocked to the polls to vote on the region’s secession from Spain. Catalonia’s bold campaign for autonomy sparked a country-wide debate and garnered international attention. The Spanish Central government declared the referendum illegal, thereby nullifying the Catalonian Declaration of…
Honors Thesis Spotlight: Disciplining for Quality: Does State Medical Board Disciplinary Action Affect Healthcare Quality?
State Medical Boards (SMBs) regulate the medical profession. They issue licenses, standardize the medical field, and discipline physicians who abuse their power or perform poorly. Since SMBs work on behalf of state governments, they are subject to the Principal-Agent Model, a relationship where an agent represents the interests of a principal. In this instance, SMBs…
Honors Thesis Spotlight: Identifying Opportunities Available through Utilization of Unmanned Aerial Delivery Programs in Support of Public Safety in the U.S., Based on Present Use Cases around the World
Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) have been seen in the public sphere as early as the 1950’s with Sputnik 1. The Unmanned Aircraft Systems is defined by the federal aviation administration as, “aircraft that is operated without the possibility of direct human intervention from within or on the aircraft”. These systems are increasingly promising in the…
Honors Thesis Spotlight: Planning Strategies for Improving Resilience of Cities in Developing Countries to the Urban Heat Island
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…
Wicked Problems, Wicked Solutions 