Academic Creativity and Excellence Day
The semi-annual research colloquium at Bushnell founded by Dr. Tim Bergquist.
Reflections on Study Abroad in Israel/Palestine
This summer, Bushnell students and faculty studied abroad in Israel and Palestine. This ACE day presentation will provide reflections on sights seen and lessons learned. Topics covered include: pilgrimage, the Arab-Israeli conflict, archaeology, and spiritual engagement with the “Fifth Gospel” another name for the Holy Land.
BTM 307, Archaeology and the Bible
James Berry & Melisa Ortiz Berry
P114
2:30 – 4 PM
Race and Gender in Bushnell History
The archives contain old yearbooks that HIST 210 has surveyed to study the history of race and gender at Bushnell University, which will be presented through slides and followed by conversation.
HIST 210 – Historical Methods and Research
Bushnell History Symposium 1:00pm – 4:00pm Bucher Room
Preventable Catastrophe in Law Enforcement: The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms Siege Against the Branch Davidians and David Koresh
From February 28th to April 19th 1993, an event took place known as the Waco Siege. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF) attempted to conduct a Siege and investigation into the religious cult known as the Branch Davidians and their fanatic leader David Koresh. This Siege ended with the death of four ATF Agents, Steve Willis, Robert Williams, Todd McKeehan, and Conway Charles LeBleu, and 76 Branch Davidians, 20 of which were children, 2 pregnant women, and their leader David Koresh. This event is often referred to as one of the biggest failures in recent law enforcement history, and rightfully so. However, I argue that the ATF did use Reasonable Force against the Branch Davidians on the basis of the Branch Davidians beliefs and illegal activity, the the information the ATF had on David Koresh and the Branch Davidian, and, Legal Aftermath of the Siege.
HIST 499, Senior Capstone
Melisa Ortiz Berry
P103
1 – 4 PM
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
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
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
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
9:30 AM – Noon
Risen From the Ashes: The Church Born From a Crucifixion
I will be covering the history of crucifixion and what we can learn from it in our modern era. This includes the scientific way Jesus died, the history of crucifixion in the Roman Empire, and how it continued into the early church era.
BTM 307, History of the Bible
Melisa Ortiz Berry
Bushnell History Symposium, P103
9:30 AM – Noon
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
9:30 AM – Noon
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
9:30 AM – Noon
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
Racial Activism at Bushnell University
With issues of racism and prejudice back in the nation spotlight, activist movements started by students have once again emerged in higher education. Since many of these activist movements are initiated by students of color at predominantly white institutions, students of color almost always meet resistance. This presentation will discuss the findings of a case study I conducted on a student of color student leader at Bushnell University. This case study will look at this student’s struggles and progress in the pursuit of racial equality at Bushnell University.
SOC 410, Global Issues: Race in America
Melisa Ortiz Berry
Bushnell History Symposium, P103
10 AM – 1 PM
Mission Trips: Serving God’s Church or White Savior Syndrome?
This presentation will analyze the nature of short-term, U.S.-based mission trips and their ramifications on the missionary and those being ministered to alike. Through a sociological case study, this presentation will address the problematic elements in short-term missions, their effects on how race and diversity is viewed in the church, and potential ways of improving the way the church does short-term missions.
SOC 410, Global Issues: Race in America
Melisa Ortiz Berry
Bushnell History Symposium, P103
10 AM – 1 PM
Examining the Christian Departments at Bushnell
In higher education there has been many complaints that the concepts are ethnocentric around white western culture. It is clear that this could have some racial implications that could be detrimental to our society. This study aims to check if the books that professors in the Christian Ministry department and Bible and Theology department, are written by ethnically diverse authors. My hypothesis is that the lack of diversity within the reading causes minority students to be less engaged in the material. Through looking at the textbooks assigned in the classes we will be able to determine if they are all written by a certain group. I hope to point out a clear fixable issue at Bushnell that can change so that we can encourage diversity so that different ethnicities feel welcomed in the Christian departments.
SOC 410, Global Issues: Race in America
Melisa Ortiz Berry
Bushnell History Symposium, P103
10 AM – 1 PM
Final Case Study
For this case study, I have examined race and racism that have ramifications for religious environment. More specifically, the objective is to highlight the importance of building more racial diverse churches by comparing it the data with racial dominated churches. My data includes 8 testimonies, church’s websites, and lectures by the faculty sponsor. First, I gathered 8 testimonies from, Be the Bridge Facebook group, and I analyzed their experiences with racial diverse and racial dominated churches. The testimonies and comments have demonstrated the benefits of racial diverse churches: comfort, welcoming, peace, etc. In addition, I have researched and collected data from church’s websites of percentage distributions of the congregation by race and ethnicity. The data includes the person, type of church, church’s frequency of addressing racism to congregation, and comments and quotes from congregation. There will also be a second set of data with the same factors that reflects my personal experience with racial diverse and racial dominated churches. Lastly, throughout my paper will consist of important details from lectures I have learned in this course and readings I took notes from. As a result, my case study will focus strictly to prove that churches should be racially diverse.
SOC 410, Global Issues: Race in America
Melisa Ortiz Berry
Bushnell History Symposium, P103
10 AM – 1 PM
Leadership Under Attack: Iraq as an Unnecessary War
How would you feel if you were told that the Iraq War was unnecessary? Would you be shocked if the person making this statement was President Bush’s own press secretary? The following paper analyzes whether the Iraq war could have been avoided. Previous studies have examined the success of the war; however, little research was conducted in regard to the necessity of this military intervention. To tackle this question, the leadership of presidents Roosevelt and Bush in the aftermath of two attacks on US soil, respectively Pearl Harbor and 9/11, is scrutinized. Using information from both academic journals and governmental documents, this paper investigates if the decision of going to war was justified in these two different occasions. Three main factors were used in coming to a conclusion: the attack on US soil, the threat that the country was posing, and the public opinion. The findings uncovered by this research reveal that the Iraq war was unnecessary. We conclude that this military intervention could have been avoided and more than four thousand lives saved.
HIST 430, History of American International Relations
Melisa Ortiz Berry
Bushnell History Symposium, P103
10 AM – 1 PM
“Danton”
History of Western Civilization II outlines a large and complex portion of history. In the conclusion of this class, a Reacting To The Past (RTTP) role-playing game was integrated into this course. In this specific Reacting To The Past game, “Rousseau, Burke and Revolution in France, 1791” the character elected to me by my professor was Georges-Jacques Danton. The use of this RTTP game in History of Western Civilization II allowed me to connect and understand Danton and his place in history better. Reacting To The Past provides a deeper dive into the understanding of history and to the understanding of crucial members of history.
HIST 152, History of Western Civilization II
Melisa Ortiz Berry
Bushnell History Symposium, P103
10 AM – 1 PM
World Wars handled with Realism Vs. Liberalism
“How many World War I or World War II documentaries did I have to watch in high school?” If you went to a high school anything like mine those documentaries were drawn from the shelf at least twice a year. In those documentaries, there was endless mention of the Fourteen Points and the dropping of the Atomic Bomb. The United States’ involvement in both World Wars was influential. However, did one U.S. President handle the conflict better than the other? Woodrow Wilson, Franklin Roosevelt, and Harry Truman handled international conflict with liberalism, realism, or both. In the United States involvement in the World Wars, the use of realist thinking of former Presidents Franklin Roosevelt and Harry Truman in World War II was more efficient than former President Woodrow Wilson’s liberal thinking used in World War I, which is shown in the actions’ correlation to civilian casualties, sensitivity, and understanding of the severity of the conflict and involvement in ending the wars successfully.
HIST 430, History of American International Relations
Melisa Ortiz Berry
Bushnell History Symposium, P103
10 AM – 1 PM
Racial Representation in Children’s Books – A Case Study
Diverse racial representation in illustrated children’s books falls devastatingly short of what it should be. In this Case Study, a comparison of several books will be analyzed to show this fact with the backing of other studies and polls taken about diversity in illustrated children’s books. The lack of diverse character illustrations in children’s books is detrimental to a multicultural societal perspective, not only for the children but for those introducing and reading these books to the younger and more susceptible audiences.
SOC 410, Global Issues: Race in America
Melisa Ortiz Berry
Bushnell History Symposium, P103
10 AM – 1 PM
May The Strong Protect The Innocent
In his inaugural address, president John F. Kennedy promoted, “creating a new endeavor, not a new balance of power, but a new world of law, where the strong are just and the weak secure and the peace preserved.” The protection of indigenous peoples is a key measure by which the progress of modern society should be judged. Non-Industrialized, indigenous peoples cannot defend themselves against the industrial military machines of modern society. Therefore, by means of constructivist mechanisms, the popular morals and ethics of advanced military societies decide upon the protection of the rights of indigenous peoples. Constructivist approaches to international relations assert the power of groups to socialize the international community to new norms. Recent scholarship states that constructivist “[b]eliefs about [c]hange” in the international community are that change is “[p]ossible through socialization, diffusion of ideas, or internationalization of norms.” Before it reaches the international level, this change begins in the hearts of the people. The genesis of absolute, universally beneficial change is revealed to humankind by the Holy Spirit as taught by the scriptures in Romans 2:14,15 . Has this mechanism of socialization provided enduring protection for the indigenous peoples whose rights have been infringed by the world’s greatest military machine, the USA? In this essay, three court cases will be used to compare constructivist socializing of new norms between 1824 and 2017 with realist counterpoints. We hope to prove that, though constructivism has yielded inconsistent results in protecting the rights of indigenous peoples, it has provided significant protection. While current academic literature suggests constructivist mechanisms are effective in socializing groups to new norms, a comparison of three court cases involving the US and indigenous peoples reveals constructivism has provided significant yet inconsistent protection, as seen through an examination of Johnson v. M’Intosh, Worcester v. Georgia and Republic of Marshall v. USA.
HIST 430, History of American International Relations
Melisa Ortiz Berry
Bushnell History Symposium, P103
10 AM – 1 PM
Charlotte Ray and the History of Females in the Courtroom
The sexism and racism women faced for generations in a court of law is heartbreaking and sickening. If it was not for brave women who stood up for their rights, women would have never been given true agency in the courtroom. An agency that did not rely only on a man’s perception of the law. Nor would women have an opportunity to make a difference in legal matters today. The first female African American lawyer in the United States, Charlotte Ray, adds to the narrative of how women gained their agency in the courtroom and rights in the United States of America. Charlotte Ray shows the fight for agency in the courtroom by fighting the social sexist and racist expectations of her time. Her actions and legacy would trigger the uproar of the feminist movements and the first successes of women in the courtroom which rippled through American history into the continually influential legislation passed by women for the people. The progressions and backslides of the allowance of women in the courtroom is important to our appreciation of women in the courtroom today.
HIST 317, Women in US History
Melisa Ortiz Berry
Bushnell History Symposium, P114
10 – 11:30 AM
Historiography of Manifest Destiny on the Oregon Trail
The historiography of the Oregon Trail has been inaccurate as it has been speckled with the doctrine of Manifest destiny. The Oregon trail needs to be understood in its entirety, recognizing some cause for the Manifest Destiny application, but also keeping historians accountable, as Edward Dickenson Baker did even in his time, for providing the more abundant collective of pioneers who went for other reasons. To understand the Oregon Trail in full it is unacceptable to use the Manifest Destiny narrative so un-proportionately to the truth. This ignores the vast majority of pioneers who had little to no interest in what would become the Manifest Destiny doctrine. The Oregon Trail has been over-romanticized with the doctrine of Manifest Destiny past its historical accuracy which is shown by the writings of the Oregon Trail pioneers themselves, the contradictions of Edward Dickenson Baker, and the political and moral context of the Oregon Trail time period.
HIST 490, Historical Methods and Research
Melisa Ortiz Berry
Bushnell History Symposium, P114
10 – 11:30 AM
The Military’s role on the Oregon Trail
In 1846, The United States Congress authorized funds for military posts along the Oregon Trail. The 1847 Whitman massacre showed the Army’s inability to handle complex matters. In 1849, the first military expedition set out and was plagued with problems including desertion. Attention from settling the West was further complicated by skirmishes with Indian tribes and later the Civil War.
HIST 499, Senior Capstone
Melisa Ortiz Berry
Bushnell History Symposium, P114
10 – 11:30 AM
Click here to view the convocation at noon!
Welcome & Devotion: Dennis R. Lindsay
Arts & Sciences
Library
Music & Performing Arts
Christian Ministry
Teacher Education
Student Development
Closing Words and Benediction: President Womack
Noon – 1 PM
With an understanding of the issues at hand in the process of deciding who holds authority over the land in Palestine and Israel, this presentation discusses various reasons for the development of one single state on this land with equal representation in government for all people who occupy the land today. After this is well explained and understood, the presentation will go over the various topics that people put forward believing that they currently prevent this sort of state from existing. The main idea that the presentation asserts is that in making a decision on this land, the development of ones opinion on the issue revolves around one question, does the individual invest more in legal papers or in the human rights of the land’s people?
HIST 410, History of the Arab-Israeli Conflict
Melisa Ortiz Berry
Bushnell History Symposium II: 3:05 – 3:25
Join our Zoom meeting here. The presenter and faculty advisor both have the password.
The Effect of Pentecostalism on Contemporary Christian Music
The assignment that will be presented is my argument that the Pentecostal movement has propelled Contemporary Christian Music to its current form today for History 332: History of Christianity II. The first part of the presentation will include an introduction and explanation as to what Pentecostalism is and its immediate impact on Christianity in the early 1900s. The second part of the presentation will discuss how modern gospel music derives its roots from African American Spirituals, with many of the first songs of worship sung at the Azusa Street Revival being African American Spirituals. The third part of the presentation will discuss how the effect of Classical Protestant denominations embracing charismaticism leads to a need for Contemporary Christian Music to help evangelize to the youth. The fourth part of the presentation will discuss how with the rise of Protestant denominations Pentecostalizing and churches like Hillsong have grown into a worship music powerhouse, Contemporary Christian Music becomes more than just worship music, but as God’s presence and divine healing. The last part of the presentation will conclude with a recap and ending with stating that whether we know it or not, what we sing in church becomes our theology, so it is important to understand where our music comes from.
HIST 332, History of Christianity II
Melisa Ortiz Berry
Bushnell History Symposium: 11:00 – 11:20 AM
Join our Zoom meeting here. The presenter and faculty advisor both have the password.
The Effectiveness of Active Learning through Reacting to the Past
The assignment that will be presented is my argument that Active Learning techniques should be utilized more in the classroom and this will be explained through the classroom roleplaying game Reacting to the Past (RTTP) for History 152: History of Western Civilization II. The first part of the presentation will include an introduction and an explanation as to what RTTP and its use in the classroom. The second part of the presentation will discuss what researchers and college professors have found in looking at the results and growth in students while playing RTTP. The third part of the presentation will look at my experiences playing RTTP, the experiences of other students who have also played RTTP at NCU, and the data I compiled from those students. The last part of the presentation will look at all of the research obtained and conclude with stating that the Active Learning techniques that were utilized in RTTP should be continued in the future.
HIST 152, History of Western Civilization II
Melisa Ortiz Berry
Bushnell History Symposium: 10:05 – 10:30 AM
Join our Zoom meeting here. The presenter and faculty advisor both have the password.
The assignment that will be presented is my solution to the Arab-Israeli conflict in Palestine for History 410: History of the Arab-Israeli Conflict. The first part of the presentation will include an introduction and explanation as to what the Arab-Israeli conflict is and how it started. The second part of the presentation will include the history of the Israeli’s claim to Palestine through showing how the Israeli people have had a claim to the land for about 2000 years. The third part of the presentation will include the history of the Arab’s claim to Palestine through showing that though the Arabs were not first to claim the land, they are the most recent owners of the land. The fourth part of the presentation will include my solution for the Arab-Israeli conflict, where I will explain that both sides are unwilling to make compromises for one another and the best way to resolve this complex issue is to leave all of the boarders the exact way they are right now and end the fighting between the Arabs and the Israelis. The last part of the presentation will conclude with a recap of the presentation and stating that the only way true peace between the Arabs and the Israelis will ever be met is if they both lay down their weapons and attempt to work together.
HIST 410, History of the Arab-Israeli Conflict
Melisa Ortiz Berry
Bushnell History Symposium II: 2:45 – 3:05 PM
Join our Zoom meeting here. The presenter and faculty advisor both have the password.
Living in Christ: A Greek Exegetical Study through Romans 12 to 14
The assignment that will be presented is an exegetical presentation of the Romans 12:1-14:4, translated from Greek to English by the students of Greek 302. The first part of the presentation will include an overall introduction to the book of Romans, including the author, the recipients, and the reasons as to why Romans was written and then looking at the themes of each section of Romans. The second part of the presentation will be looking at Romans 12:1-8 and its theme of humble and full service in our calling. The third part of the presentation will be looking at Romans 12:9-21 and its theme of selfless love defining the Christian community. The fourth part of the presentation will be looking at Romans 13:1-10 and its themes of government, fear, and love. The fifth part of the presentation will be looking at Romans 13:11-14:4 and its theme of love transforming the lives of the Christian community. The last part of the presentation will conclude with a recap of Romans 12:1-14:4 by looking at the four themes and how they reveal that the love that is brought to us through Christ is at the center of them all.
GRK 302, Elementary Greek 2
Melisa Ortiz Berry
1 – 2 PM
Join our Zoom meeting here. The presenter and faculty advisor both have the password.
The Arab and Israeli people groups both have long and storied histories that influence the modern dilemma of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The Arab people have lived in their land for an extensive period of time, and now feel threatened by recent Jewish immigration following the Holocaust. The Jews, however, also have roots in the region and feel a God-given right to live in the land. Following the events of the Holocaust, the Jews were given land in Palestine, thus creating the state of Israel, inflaming tension in the region. The religious and historical history of both of these people groups have a great deal to do with how the land of Palestine should be ruled and the role of governance in the region itself. If there is to be peace, it can only come from understanding the diverse history of both sides.
RELS 210, The Abrahamic Faiths of Judaism and Islam
Melisa Ortiz Berry
Bushnell History Symposium II: 2:05 – 2:25 PM
Join our Zoom meeting here. The presenter and faculty advisor both have the password.
One-State-New-Government Solution for the Palestinian-Israeli Conflict
A one-state-new-government solution will be revealed through the careful consideration of both the Islamic and Judaist religions and desires, the history and political standing of both Palestinians and Israelis, as well as world politics, the pros, and cons to the popular two-state solution, and the benefits of a one-state-new-government solution, as the best solution.
There are two primarily popular solutions to the Palestine-Israeli conflict: the one state and the two-state solution. The one-state solution is the state of Israel as one collective state that involves both the Jews and Arabs in Palestine. One-Stae would involve Arabs being given the opportunity to be seen as equal and have the same rights, including voting, as the Israelites/Jews. The two-state solution is the idea that Palestine would be divided into a Palestinian state and an Israeli state. This solution would offer benefits for the Jews and the Palestinians in both having set borders so the conflict over who’s land is who’s can end. Both of these solutions seem simple at first glance. However, there are complications. Either group getting a whole and pure “state” of their own would require a middle eastern version of the trail of tears or a literal mass genocide for one side or the other – so a two-state is ruled out as a viable option.
A one-state solution is the only solution.
The Legatum Institute did a survey that ranks the most prosperous countries in the world. All of these countries have either a constitutional monarchy, representative democracy or parliamentary system. I suggest that in a one-state solution, the Israeli-Palestinian people adopt one of these systems of Government. If a Parliamentary system was adopted, chosen representatives would present the desires of the people, both Israeli and Palestinian, to a greater elected group of individuals to negotiate terms of legislation and seek compromise. This way, both have equal representation and have the ability to vote in a land that is just as their own as the others who inhabit it, without the fear of being outnumbered.
Through the course of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the two nations have been mushed into one land through the years of war, politics and local issues despite desperate efforts to give the two peoples their own state. The one-state-new-government solution does not dissipate the wounds of the past or solve all of the issues the Palestinians and the Israelis face. Instead, it creates a structure that after the wounds of the past heal, the country can thrive as others do with their own pasts of war and hurt in a unified desire for peace, equality, and the possession of land through the legal process instead of biased on a historical claim. This One-State-New Government solution provides the opportunity of a new beginning; something neither country has had the opportunity to receive since WWII.
HIST 410, History of the Arab-Israeli Conflict
Melisa Ortiz Berry
Bushnell History Symposium II: 2:25 – 2:45 PM
Join our Zoom meeting here. The presenter and faculty advisor both have the password.
There is argument on the validity of the trial of Arius’ outcome. From the history of Arius’ process of creating his dual-converging theology, to the flawed heretical arguments that lead to the trial forcing investigation of the Arian church communities, and the actions and arguments after Arius was indeed convicted as a Heretic, these cemented the correct verdict of guilty – resulting in separation of Arianism from Orthodoxy.
The birth of Arius’ understanding of God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit comes from dyohypostatic theology and miahypostatic theology. Both theories do not stand alone, and cannot stand alone, but together they made the heretical threshold for Arius to thoughtfully build upon. Arianism is the belief that there is a Father and a Son; the Son, like any child/parent relationship, is subordinate to his father. This is known as the Subordinationism Theory.
The debates involving Arius were extensive, they even spread faster than Arius could travel. Arius’ theology caused so much discourse in the church, and therefore in the empire, that Constantine, the emperor, felt the need to involve himself. Constantine called a great council, the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD. Constantine wished to have a unified Christianity in his empire. His concern was not so much for theological debates; it was on the unity of the church to result in unity for his empire concerning all religions. After the conclusion that Arianism was heresy, Constantine took sides with the council and determined Arianism a denial of faith to the empire, with
The most compelling argument for an unjust verdict at Nicaea is the recognition of the recalls, however, the same issues found at Nicaea still stand. Through the many arguments, old and new, Arius and his followers are continually found to be heretics.
In Conclusion, Arius’ developed a dual-converging heretical theology from dyohypostatic theology and miahypostatic theology, both heretical thoughts; this new theology lead to serious question of Arian and Orthodox church communities. Arius was justifiably left out of the determined Creed of Nicaea at the Council of Nicaea on the grounds of misplacement of Jesus Christ in the divine hierarchy in both chronological and power placement. What Christ accomplished for all does not commute with the theology Arius held. Therefore, the Church is better off without the confusing heresy Arius taught and the trial that determined him unorthodox was correct then, as it is correct now.
HIST 331, History of Christianity I
Melisa Ortiz Berry
Bushnell History Symposium: 11:20 – 11:40 AM
Join our Zoom meeting here. The presenter and faculty advisor both have the password.
Unitarian Universalism VS Coexistence
Unitarian Universalism is related to the term “coexist”, but it is not the same as Unitarian Universalism. It is important to understand the difference between these two to not muddle the intent and authenticity of both. Unitarian Universalism is a religion while the term “coexistence” is a social cry out for religious and social tolerance. From when Unitarian Universalism and the “coexist” symbols were originated, one far in the past and the other extremely recent, to the furthered development of theological history Unitarian Universalism possesses in its own origination and the arguments of social peace in comparison to religious security and peace surrounding each side: Unitarian Universalism and coexistence are not the same belief.
Unitarian “1. one who believes that the deity exists only in one person and 2. a member of a denomination that stresses individual freedom of belief, the free use of reason in religion, a united world community, and liberal social action.” Universalism is thought to be traced back to Origen, the well-known theologian, around A.D. 140-150. Unitarian Universalism was forged from Unitarianism and Universalism in the mid-20th century, specifically in 1961, seeing that their religions, since they were similar enough, would be stronger in their efforts together.
The “COEXIST” sticker began at a competition in Jerusalem, created by Piotr Mlodozeniec. The design was originally with just the David Star, the crescent moon “c” and the cross. The David Star is a symbol for Judaism, the Crescent moon is for Islam and the Cross is for Christianity.
Unitarian Universalists seem to collectively agree that coexistence ideology is part of UU principles but is not an adequate description of their beliefs. There is no denying that these two are similar, but they are clearly not the same. Distinguishing the two comes down to an argument of Religion versus Social argumentation.
Unitarian Universalism is a religion while the term “coexistence” is a social cry out for religious and social tolerance. From when Unitarian Universalism and “coexist” were originated, to the furthered theology UU possesses than coexistence, and the arguments surrounding each side: UU and coexistence are not the same belief. The two beliefs are both commendable in their own way and have similarities in their desires, but due to their differences in root desires, historical upbringings, and modern applications of social or religious arguments they are related by a desire for unity, but by nothing more significant.
HIST 332, History of Christianity II
Melisa Ortiz Berry
Bushnell History Symposium: 10:30 – 11:00 AM
Join our Zoom meeting here. The presenter and faculty advisor both have the password.
Bushnell History Symposium: Stagnation of Minority Representation in Media
In the last two centuries, the status of minorities in the United States has improved dramatically. A survey of events where different racial groups have clashed during the struggle to improve the lives of minorities over the last century specifically shows that the way minority groups are perceived by the majority often contains dramatic biases. This survey attempts to show that the media’s representation of these events and the responses by majority populations to the events has not evolved with the urgency that other elements of American culture have.
HIST 499, Capstone
Melisa Ortiz Berry
P103
10 – 11 AM
Love Changes Everything
The way God loves is set apart from any other kind of love, and this is important to understand the love God has for us and how this transforms lives. In this word study, we will be analyzing the different words for “love” in the Greek language. We will be seeking to define and look at the individual usage of the words ερως, ἄστοργος, φιλέω, and ἀγάπη. Using multiple different Greek dictionaries as well as examples from the Bible (NASB), we are able to make conclusions about the meaning of the words. Specifically, we will examine and discuss the difference between ἀγάπη and φιλέω, the two most common words for love in the scriptures. By the context in which words are used, we are able to understand what they mean, and their significance. It’s important to understand the different meanings because the word itself and the action of love can be expressed in a multitude of different ways.
GRK 301, Elementary Greek
Melisa Ortiz Berry
P103
11 AM – Noon
Bushnell History Symposium: King Tut Exhibit and Exhibitation
Exhibits matter because they bring museums to life. There was a exhibit of the Tut exhibit that consists of remade artifacts. The way something is shown in a exhibit. By having these artifacts, we keep history alive Each artifact from Egyptian history matters in their cultures.
HIST 499, Capstone
Melisa Ortiz Berry
P103
10 – 11 AM