Tag: HIST

Samuel Sau

Luther: A Reformation of Mind, Faith, and Christianity

Christianity as we know today is as diverse as it is strong in America. We can see this especially prevalent among the Protestant community. However, in order to understand the meaning of Protestantism we must first understand the meanings and roots behind such a category of Christianity. This presentation on martin Luther and his many reformed ideas during his time and that of the Holy Roman Catholic Church, especially the leader, the Pope. We will discover how Luther battled with the longstanding ideas and traditions of the Catholic Church which would eventually give birth to what we know today as, Protestantism.

HIST 152, History of Western Civilization ll

Stephen Andes

Bucher Room

1 – 4 PM

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Haleigh Wambolt

Mary Wollstonecraft and womens rights

My presentation is on Mary Wollstonecraft. She was an advocate for women’s rights until the late 20th century. She advocates educating children into the emerging middle-class ethos. Wollstonecraft’s A Vindication of the Rights of Men (1790) criticizes aristocracy and promotes republicanism in reaction to Edmund Burke’s Reflection on the Revolution in France (1790), which was a defense of constitutional monarchy, aristocracy, and the Church of England. Among the first writings of feminist philosophy is a Vindication of the Rights of Woman, published in 1792. In it, Wollstonecraft makes the case that women should receive an education appropriate to their social status and assert that women are vital to the country because they raise its children and can be more than just wives-they can be their husbands’ “companions.” Most of Wollstonecraft’s early writings are devoted to education. She put together The Female Reader, an anthology of literary excerpts “for the improvement of young women.” In thoughts on the Education of Daughters (1787), her conduct book, and in Original stories from real life (1788), her children’s book, Wollstonecraft promotes teachings to kids in the values of developing middle-class ethos: Self-control, integrity, thrift, and social contentment. Both works stress the value of instilling reason in kids, demonstrating Wollstonecraft’s intellectual debt to the influential educational philosopher John Locke of the 17th century. Additionally, she advocates for women’s education in both texts-a contentious issue at the time that she would revisit throughout her career. According to Wollstonecraft, educated women make excellent mothers and spouses and will eventually make contributions to society. 

Again this is just a summary of some of the things I am going to talk about in my presentation. These are her contributions and her theories on education and women’s rights and equality. I will be adding more detail to the presentation and more in-depth detail about the effects on society that she made and her past life as well. 

HIST 152, History of Western Civilization ll

Stephen Andes

Bucher Room

1 – 4 PM

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Audri Ward

Leonard Defrance’s ‘A l’egide de Minerve’ An example of Change 

This presentation is based on Leonard Defrance’s painting ‘A l’egide de Minerve’, which shows a public square with many people, most of which are from different religions. This painting is significant because it takes place during the Enlightenment. This is important because previous to the Enlightenment most everybody had to be Catholic. This painting shows a major change. Change isn’t always easy and quick, but when people want change bad enough, they will do everything they can to make it happen.

HIST 152, History of Western Civilization ll

Stephen Andes

Bucher Room

1 – 4 PM

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Albert Allen

Aurelian: from Illyrian farmer to Restorer of the World

Aurelian served as Roman emperor between 270 and 275 AD, during a chaotic period of Roman history. During the 3rd Century, the empire almost fell due to civil war, barbarian invasions, economic crisis, epidemic disease, and new empires being formed out of previous Roman territory. Aurelian had lowly origins in the province of Illyria, but he quickly rose through the ranks of the Roman army due to his martial prowess and courage. A strict, brutal, and effective general, he was declared emperor by the army in 270. His career was a blaze of action. He repelled multiple barbarian invasions and defeated the two break-away states in Gaul and Palmyra, reuniting the empire. For this latter achievement the Roman Senate gave him the title “Restorer of the World.” In Rome, he built new walls to protect the city and constructed a brilliant temple to the Sun God. Aurelian’s reign was cut short, however, when he was assassinated in 275 due to false accusations against him. As Roman emperor, Aurelian’s career demonstrates how common men could reach the very heights of imperial power during this time of crisis.

HIST 375, Ancient Rome

Stephen Andes

P103

1 – 4 PM

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Maxwell Al-rubaie

The Epic of Gilgamesh and how we relate to it

i will talk about how the Epic of Gilgamesh and what motivated him to go on his journey and relate it to why others in the past (Hitler, Napoleon) and how us today (Russia and Ukraine, US and love for oil in the middle east). then I will go on to talk what motivates the everyday person, lastly I will compare Gilgameshs’ journey to the one of college.

HIST 161, World History I

Stephen Andes

P103

1 – 4 PM

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Justin Ault

The Impact of Modern Imperialism on the Pacific

Despite the idea of colonial and Imperial powers not being thought of for our post WWII world, the Pacific is still riddled with the negative repercussions of Imperialism despite colonial influence being all but gone. With the influence that the Japanese and the Americans had in the Pacific, it is no shocker that the Pacific has come out worse for wear. With verifiable factors such as the conversion to some of the islands into pseudo industrial military complexes, with effective second class citizenship has meant that these island countries may never recover.

HIST 337, History of the South Pacific

Stephen Andes

P103

10 – 10:30 AM

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Justin Ault

Splotches of Color: Powerful Roman Women and the Ancient Roman Empire

During the long course of history that pervades the Ancient Roman Empire, the long line of powerful individuals is mostly kept towards influential males of the likes of Julius Caesar, Augustine, Octavian and others. However, what general history fails to include into the vital role that Roman Women had during this time period. One of the most influential women was Julia Avitae Mamae, who essentially served as the Queen Regent of Emperor Severus. Presenting on her important role during this turbulent period of the Roman Empire will serve as an important aspect that must be known to all, and serve as another facet of understanding of the Roman Empire.

HIST 375, Ancient Rome

Stephen Andes

P103

1 – 4 PM

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Isabella Cameron

The History of Christianity and Apologetics: How Knowing Christian Background Strengthens the Defense of Our Faith

Knowing the history of Christianity can help to strengthen and deepen our apologetic arguments. we define apologetics as “the systematic argumentative discourse in defense branch of theology devoted to defending, providing an answer for, and standing by the Christian faith no matter the circumstance”. We need apologetics because of ideas like Gnosticism and Arianism; ideas that contradict the truth of the Bible. Diving deeper into specific examples, we find that some people do not believe that the Jesus of History is the same as the Jesus of the Bible, or that the Bible hates women, or they don’t understand how a God of love would allow His followers to suffer in persecution even to the point of death. Apologetics is a necessary tool and by using history to strengthen it, We have a pretty unbeatable claim to Christianity.

HIST 331, History of Christianity I

Stephen Andes

P103

11 – 11:30 AM

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Sophia Castillo

Theodora

Telling the story of the primary source of Theodora. Explaining her and Justinian. Explain how she became empress. What she wanted to accomplish. How she accomplished her task. Her death and if/how it affected the people.

HIST 331, History of Christianity I

Stephen Andes

P103

1 – 4 PM

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Maxwell Chapman

Pursuit of Divine purpose

I will be telling and comparing the story of Gilgamesh quest for immortality (Utnapishtim’s flood account) and Noah’s ark. Both of these people have unique stories of venturing into the unknown and coming back with greater wisdom. More importantly I want to speak about the overall message of why this is significant to us humans. I want to drive home the fact that everybody is capable of magnifcent things not just those who have already done it. The theme of the story is to strive for your divine purpose and live life righteously.

HIST 161, World History I

Stephen Andes

P103

1 – 4 PM

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Emily Cole

Are Morals and Ethical Standards Heaven Worthy?

In the classical era, Persians adopted a new religion. This belief was known as Zoroastrianism. It became super popular in Iran. As time progressed Zoroastrianism ideas seeped its way into Christianity, Judaism and Islamic practices. These ideas came from a man name Zarathustra. . It has been thought that he was once a priest that left his duties because he wasn’t happy with the conservative form of religion. He traveled for many years and came to believe that Ahura Mazda was the “supreme god“. He felt Ahura Mazda chose him to be a prophet. Zarathustra began to write down details of Zoroastrianism. Some of these thoughts included that Ahura Mazda was the good spirit and how Ahriman was the evil spirit. He preached that being good and having morals were all that was needed to reach heaven. He preached that a person just has to be good. The Bible talks about needing to know Jesus Christ as Savior to get to go to heaven. The religion of Zoroastrianism is very deceptive as it only builds itself on being good and having moral values and ethical standards. It leaves out all the hard things like giving up oneself for the Lord Jesus to follow him and only concentrate on all the easy parts. If a person doesn’t believe he is sinning then more thought to be good. Even things that would be considered sin would be classified as good.

HIST 161, World History I

Stephen Andes

P103

1 – 4 PM

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Ruby Daniels

Story of the flood from The Epic of Gilgamesh

In the “Epic of Gilgamesh,” the story of the flood is a pivotal episode that parallels the biblical narrative of Noah’s Ark. The gods, angered by humanity’s noise and overpopulation, decide to unleash a catastrophic flood to wipe out all life. The god Ea, however, warns the hero, Utnapishtim, instructing him to build a large boat to preserve the seed of all living things. Utnapishtim, along with his family, craftsmen, and animals, survives the flood. Afterward, he releases a series of birds to find dry land, and when a dove fails to return, indicating the existence of solid ground, they disembark. The flood narrative in the Epic of Gilgamesh explores themes of mortality, divine intervention, and the cyclical nature of life and death. This story is considered one of the earliest literary accounts of a great flood in human mythology.

HIST 161, World History I

Stephen Andes

P103

1 – 4 PM

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Molly Haley

Confucianism and Good Governance

Confucius was one of the greatest Chinese philosophers of all time. He played a vital role in establishing the ethical, moral, and social standards that formed the basis of his way of living, which would later be called Confucianism. This was the first belief system of that time to highlight the importance of inner morality over other actions. Confucius also shared that ethics should play an important role in society, and that the importance of the individual consciousness, along with personal ethics should be implemented to start the foundation of a Good Government. To conclude this thought, the story of Confucianism and Good Governance is one of deep intrigue and one that needs to be shared.

HIST 161, World History I

Stephen Andes

P103

1 – 4 PM

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William Jewell

Gladiators in Ancient Rome

To start out I will be talking about the weapons and rules for gladiatorial combat. Next, I will be talking about the survival rates of gladiatorial combat along with the different types of combat or games there were. Lastly, I will be talking about key gladiatorial figures, their stories, and how they affected the games.

HIST 375, Ancient Rome

Stephen Andes

P103

1 – 4 PM

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Colby Knutzen

How St. Cyprian Has Shaped Our Views Today

We are going to explore the St. Cyprian’s views of death when the epidemic struck the Roman Empire. How he viewed what was happening then and why it was going on. Seeing how we can compare these views to our life in the present day.

HIST 161, World History I

Stephen Andes

P103

1 – 4 PM

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Montanah Love

Disasters Provide Perspective on Life

Background information about Gilgamesh and his flood story.

How Gilgamesh’s story relates to the story of Noah’s Ark.

How disaster resets one’s life and perspective.

How difficulties such as fires and COVID have affected my life.

Why people should focus on life now and not just the future.

HIST 161, World History I

Stephen Andes

P103

1 – 4 PM

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Noah Mancione

Ephrem the Syrian

This presentation attempts to examine a lesser-known historical figure that was important in influencing early christianity. In my presentation, we will look at Ephrem the Syrian and his influence on hymnography and development of early christianity. Through studying primary sources, we should gain a better understanding of how his early hymns were developed and use Ephrem’s background to combat the myth that Christianity was a product of Western Europe.

HIST 331, History of Christianity I

Stephen Andes

P103

1 – 4 PM

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Mac Parrish

Mayan Creation Myth

At the beginning of time there was nothing under the sky other than the sea. Four gods come and raise lands and mountains out of the sea and start the process of creating life. They run into a few arrogant gods and multiple struggles that work against their goal. Not only does this myth relate to the Mayans of their time, but it also relates to us, showing that we really aren’t that different despite being more technologically advanced.

HIST 161, World History I

Stephen Andes

P103

1 – 4 PM

Christopher Rosebrook

A narrative of Harkhuf’s Expedition’s to Nubia

Harkhuf and his expeditions to Nubia are a fascinating part of ancient history. This project portrays Harkhuf’s journey in story form to capture the greatness of his journey. Through this historical story, the journey of Harkhuf will be brought to life in an epic adventure.

HIST 161, World History I

Stephen Andes

P103

1 – 4 PM

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Byron Velazquez

Surviving the Waters

I will talk about a story presented in the History book called Traditions and Encounters.

The story is called The Flood Story: The Epic of Gilgamesh. The story will be presented in a storyboard that illustrates the important scenes of this story. The story talks about a flood that collapsed and destroyed the entire city, but a person had a warning from a divine entity that warned him about this disaster. This person had time to prepare and throw in what he believed would be vital to survive on a ship. After Surviving he had a reward which was immortality.

This story has a very notable similarity to Noah’s Ark since they are quite similar circumstances but have different outcomes.

I would like to talk about the differences and similarities that exist between both stories since as Christians we are very familiar with one of the two stories and comparing it with another story would help us expand our knowledge.

HIST 161, World History I

Stephen Andes

P103

Return to schedule

1 – 4 PM

Justin Walton

Finding Purpose in Creation

The Mayan people had a particular focus on agriculture in their lives. Maize was particularly important in everything that they did. Water was also the bloodline of the community as nothing grew without it. The story of the Popol Vuh is the Mayan creation story. After a failed attempt of creating humans, the Mayan gods were consoled by animals who advised them to use maize and water in their creation project. The first people were formed out of maize and water. The animals in this creation story are also significant as the lives of the Mayan people included all of nature, not just the crucial maize and water. While the Mayan gods couldn’t create humans out of nothing, God created the first human out of dust. In Mayan culture, the food and water give humans life, in Christianity it is God who gives us life. Just as agriculture was the focus point of the Mayan lifestyle, God is the focus point of the Christian’s life. In the Christian creation story, God created everything and needed no help. This contrasts the Mayan story in which the gods needed the help of the animals, plants, and water around them to create life.

HIST 161, World History I

Stephen Andes

P103

1 – 4 PM

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Abigail Weston

Discovering Confucius

The story I will be telling is about a man who pursued a higher place of authority than he could receive, and in the process, he ended up leaving a lasting legacy on all of China. This story is one of the birth of Confucian Philosophy and the rebirth of unification in China. I am hoping to leave the audience with a unique perspective on Confucianism and the man Confucius. “Confucius on food Government” features the lesson of Confucius on the ideal ruler. In the eyes of Confucius, a righteous ruler retains benevolence, humanity, propriety, and filial piety. Confucius calls these characteristics Ren, Li, and Xiao. Duke Ai and Ji Kang both sought Confucius’s advice on how to “secure the submission of the people,” (Bentley, Ziegler, and Streets Salter 2015, 104) the answer they receive highlights these attributes. I plan to provide my audience with an unfamiliar perspective on Confucius’s life, his lasting message on government, and his impact on China and the world today.

HIST 161, World History I

Stephen Andes

P103

1 – 4 PM

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Benjamin Randol

The Story of a Colonel and How the Artillery He Commanded Forever Changed American Military History

Of all the new military technologies used during the American Civil War, the one that had the most influence on American military history was light artillery as its lighter structure enabled more maneuverability, the accuracy of new rifled guns made artillery units more crucial in battle, and the resulting victory of the Union lead to the creation of other mobile artillery technologies, including the modern tank.

HIST499- History Capstone

Dr. Melisa Berry

Bushnell History Symposium (L203: 2:30-4:30pm)

Benjamin Randol

The French Revolution: social, political, or economic revolution?

The French Revolution was more of a social revolution than a political or economic revolution, as we see in the social constructs before the revolution (Three Estates), the peasantry revolts and the “Great Fear”, and the new social reforms enacted by the Directory and Napoleon after the revolution.

HIST152- History of Western Civilization ll

Dr. Melisa Berry

Bushnell History Symposium (2:30pm – 4:30pm)

Celsie Smith

From Poverty to Respectability: How Boxer James J. Braddock’s Internal Wealth transformed Depression Era Boxing

Referred to as “The Cinderella Man” by newspapers, James J. Braddock was a washed-up boxer with a “fairytale” return to the spotlight who become the world heavyweight champion in 1935.  Impacted by the Depression, he experienced defeat and humility, and had to face the economic and social reality of his situation. Braddock’s commitment to make his children healthy, fed, and happy drove him to return to boxing, despite previous failures. Seeing Braddock face and triumph over not just his opponents, but his own economic, mental, physical, social, and spiritual challenges re-ignited hope for American citizens facing their own poverty.

HIST499- History Capstone

Dr. Melisa Berry

Bushnell History Symposium (L203 2:30pm – 4:30pm)

Miriam Gutierrez, Bethany LaFon, Kilano Loyd, Alvaro Molina, Peyton Ritchie & Hannah Scott

Contemporary Latin America: Critical Issues

Events and movements in the 21st Century have replaced the stereotypes commonly associated with Latin America: revolutions and coups, slums and poverty, burros and llamas.  Instead, the two-hundred year long experiment with democracy in the global marketplace has resulted in dramatic changes in politics, economics, religion, social relations, education, and the arts and literature. A panel of students will update significant changes and discuss the critical issues facing the region.

HIST 440, Latin American Civilization

Ron Palmer

P103

10:30 – 11:30 AM

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Benjamin Randol

Martin Luther: The Political Reformer

Most people know Martin Luther as the instigator of the Reformation whose ideas forever changed Christian theology and practice. However, few people realize the magnitude of influence that Luther’s ideas had on contemporary Western European politics, specifically, Luther’s doctrine of “Two Kingdoms”. In fact, Luther’s “Two Kingdoms” was the most politically revolutionary doctrine during the Reformation for a few reasons. First, Luther’s “Two Kingdoms” directly challenged the authority of the papacy, the leading governmental and religious body in all of Western Europe at the time. Second, Luther’s “Two Kingdoms” also challenged many sacramental laws instituted by the Roman Catholic Church. Lastly, Luther’s “Two Kingdoms” doctrine was one of the first to advocate for the distancing between religion and politics that eventually led to the political practice of separation between church and state.

HIST 332, History of Christianity

Melisa Ortiz Berry

P103

1 – 3 PM

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Benjamin Randol

The Greek Historian and the Persian King

Herodotus was one of the first and most famous historians in all of human history. His nine-book series, “The Histories” goes over a vast span of Near Eastern history. Specifically, Herodotus’s accounts detail the history of Ancient Greece and the Persian Empire, as well as the subsequent Greco-Persian Wars. Herodotus also discusses influential figures and leaders during these times. One figure, in particular, is Persian King Xerxes I. However, The Histories’ veracity is questionable considering that Herodotus drew most of his historical accounts from interviewing witnesses or descendants of witnesses, all of whom have their own opinions about history. In actuality, Herodotus’ portrayal of King Xerxes in “The Histories” is inaccurate and unreliable for many reasons. First, Herodotus’ account of Xerxes is heavily biased as Herodotus was Greek and despised the Persians who invaded his homeland on multiple occasions. Second, contemporary accounts such as Thucydides’ historical accounts and the Book of Esther disprove Herodotus’ claims about Xerxes and question his methods of research. Lastly, historical and archaeological evidence further contradicts Herodotus’ claims about Xerxes.

HIST 370, Ancient Near East

Melisa Ortiz Berry

P103

1 – 3 PM

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Anthony Wurst

Enuma Elish v Genesis: A Lesson From The Maori & Alutiiq

It has been asserted by some that Genesis owes compositional influence to the Mesopotamian creation epic, Enuma Elish. This talk will argue that the unbiased interpreter of evidence would be more convinced that the two creation epics are divergent editions of a shared memory. In support, we explore the historical & logical grounds for the assertion of inter-influence as well as expert opinion on the issue. This essay culminates in an exemplary model of recording a shared memory from indigenous peoples of the Pacific Rim. Taking these together reveals bias in the trend of modern scholarship on the issue.

HIST 370, Ancient Near Eastern & Mediterranean Civilizations

Melisa Ortiz Berry

P103

1 – 3 PM

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Kaitlynn Edrington

Fleischer Animation Studios and the American Dream

During the period 1921 to 1941, the idealism of the American Dream prevailed, and can be seen through the lens of early animated media. Current histography reinforces that early animation image ideals and successes come from the Walt Disney studios, excluding many studios in operation, and innovating the field before them, namely Fleischer Studios. Literature and academics have addressed Fleischer Studios and the founders Max and Dave Fleischer in relation to animation innovation and depictions, but often do not reflect on the influence their personal lives had on their work. Doing so removes the diverse voice their experience as Jewish immigrants/first generation Americans from tenement housing in Brooklynn New York gives to the images and depictions of American life they created. The works of Mark Langer among others bring context and regional comparison of the Fleischer Studio’s works to other studios at the time nationwide but does not fully acknowledge the impact of the founders and the studio as an entity as a reflection of American society. The innovations and inventions of Max Fleischer, the themes and topics shown through the medium of animation, and the business dealings that led to the quick rise to fame and later paved the way for their downfall provide a unique viewpoint to an up and rising form of media as well as depictions and reality of American social life. This paper and accompanying presentation aims to draw these points together and put on display the unique diverse image of American social life and the ideal of the American dream as told through early animation.

HIST 499, Senior Capstone

Melisa Ortiz Berry

Bushnell History Symposium, P103

Join by Zoom

9:30 AM – Noon

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Emmalee Rusk

A History of John Hinckley v. United States and Incarceration of the Mentally Ill

John W. Hinckley Jr. attempted to kill President Ronald Reagan, killing White House Press Secretary James Bradley in the process. The jury of the trial of John W. Hinckley Jr. v. United States found him Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity. This sent the people of the United States into an uproar as they desired justice.

The Insanity Defense Reform Act of 1984 was then put in place to restrict the use of the Insanity Plea. 

However, the Act is now under scrutiny for an unfounded relation between it and the mass incarceration of the mentally ill in U.S. jails and prisons today. This presentation comes to the defense of the Insanity Defense Reform Act of 1984 from these allegations through the history of John Hinckley and his attempted murder of President Reagan, the trial, and the affect of the Act.

HIST 499, Senior Capstone

Melisa Ortiz Berry

Bushnell History Symposium, P103

Join by Zoom

9:30 AM – Noon

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Anthony Wurst

The 60s Student Movement: Ignoring Marxist Evil on Display

During the 1960s, many key formative movements happened in the life of our nation. One such movement was the communist student movement. In this project, I explored the communist student movement by attempting to answer the following question, “Didn’t the students of the 1960s know that communism was a catalyst for hundreds of millions of deaths and countlesss other human rights offenses?” In answering this query, we might speak in defense of the students that the former attempts at communism “did not do it right”, and further that the students would not have had access to real time information about the ills of Mao and Khrushchev during their time. But the evidence suggests that these are false assumptions. I reveal in this project some of the most prominent voices in the communist student movement of the 1960s to show what the students were being taught about commmunism. I then reveal some blaring, prominent, credible, and easily accessible sources of information on the contemporary ills of communism that the students should have used to respond in rejecting those teachings. I discuss the question of how this could have happened then, what we can learn from this dilemna and what encouragement the Bible has for us today on this subject. To finish, I welcome critical feedback and discussion.

HIST 317, Studies in American History: The 1960s

Melisa Ortiz Berry

Bushnell History Symposium, P103

Join by Zoom

9:30 AM – Noon

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Cameron Binaley

Bush and Obama: A Comparison of American Intervention in Iraq and Afghanistan

America has been at war with various countries and terrorist organizations in the Middle East since 2001. The most notable Middle Eastern wars America has been involved in are the War in Afghanistan and the Iraq War. This presentation compares and contrasts President Bush’s and President Obama’s forgein policy on how they dealt with Iraq, Afghanistan, and their allies.

HIST 430, History of American International Relations

Melisa Ortiz Berry

Bushnell History Symposium, P103

10 AM – 1 PM

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