Gulf Coast University Aquilathe FGCU Student Research Journal
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Florida Gulf Coast University AquilaThe FGCU Student Research Journal VOLUME II / APRIL 2016 Copyright © 2016 Aquila – The FGCU Student Research Journal Aquila - The FGCU Student Research Journal Table of Contents President’s Message 3 Provost’s Message 5 Editorial Page 6 Editorial Board Message 7 Acknowledgements 8 Articles Biases Trump Evidence in Beliefs About Animal Welfare Jessica Baker 9 Assassins Do Not Wear Battle Bikinis: The Case Against Gender Inequality and Female Specific Hypersexualization in Video Games Mary-Cecile Gayoso 17 The Function and Efficacy of Civil Disobedience Alexander Sell 23 Rise of Papal Administration: Apostolic Authority in the Context of Crusading Noah Anderson 29 Malory’s Gawain: Characterizing Fragmentation and Unification Susan Rojas 33 Dropping Acid: Global Warming’s Equally Evil Twin Ocean Acidification in Estero Bay, Florida Marshall Nathanson 41 Student Achievements 45 Short Communications Improving an e-Bike: Riding with “Christina” Gabriella Giliberti, Ardit Dervishaj, Rishabh Rawal, Christian Bokrand, Joseph Simmons, Ph.D., Joseph Cuiffi, Ph.D. 49 Comparative Gait Rehabilitation with Virtual Reality Headset Josiah Keime, Kristin Ladia, Jay Shah, Derek Lura, Ph.D. 53 1 FGCU makes valuable discoveries daily using Southwest Florida as a lab for learning. From marine sciences and biotechnology to sustainability, entrepreneurship and physical therapy, FGCU faculty and students partner with local people and businesses in ways that benefit all, putting our region in a class of its own. Inspiring those who inspire others. THAT’S THE FGCU EFFECT. Florida Gulf Coast University fgcu.edu 2 Aquila - The FGCU Student Research Journal A Message from the President I am pleased to introduce the first printed edition of Aquila, a journal showcasing the research, creative, and scholarly work of students at Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU). Thanks to the efforts and encouragement of Professors Foote, Gunnels, and Demers, an online version of Aquila first appeared in November, 2014. The journal now has a student editorial board and is advised by Professors Reuter and Eichbauer. Both the online and printed versions of Aquila are designed to highlight that, in addition to being a first-class teaching institution, FGCU offers its undergraduate and graduate students opportunities to actively participate in the thriving research and creative activities of the faculty. As an undergraduate student, I was given the opportunity to work in the laboratory of one of my professors. This experience was the beginning of me earning a Ph.D. in psychobiology and having a rich and rewarding academic and research career. As you will read in this and future editions of Aquila, FGCU students are involved in stimulating work with their professors which has the potential of shaping their futures. I trust you will read this inaugural print edition of Aquila with great interest and that you will look forward to learning more about how our students are involved with the research and creative activities of FGCU faculty. Enjoy! Wilson G. Bradshaw, Ph.D. President 3 FGCU Honors Program The Honors Program at Florida Gulf Coast University provides student scholars the opportunity, mentoring, and resources to fully realize the potential of their university education. Through small classes filled with inquisitive students, one-on-one mentoring by outstanding professors, and innovative curricular experiences, Honors students graduate prepared for academic and professional success. • Study Abroad • Early Registration • Smaller Class Sizes • Honors Housing • Honors Events • Honors Advising • Service Opportunities • Scholarships and Grants • Research Experiences • Mentor Program Admission to the Honors Program: When a student applies to FGCU, they are automatically considered for admission to the Honors Program based on their weighted High School GPA and SAT/ACT scores. Current FGCU students and Transfer students with a 3.5 cumulative GPA and between 12 and 60 completed credit hours are also invited to apply each Spring and Fall semester. Automatic Admission: Invitation to Apply: 3.9 Weighted High School GPA 3.5 Weighted High School GPA 1850 SAT OR 28 ACT 1700 SAT OR 25 ACT Invitation mailed to home address Invitation emailed to email on record PILLARS OF HONORS Leadership Academic Achievement Cultural Exploration Personal Transformation Service Questions? Contact Us! Honors Program Office: Reed Hall - 155 M-F 8am-5pm phone: 239-590-7490 email: [email protected] www.fgcu.edu/honors 4 Aquila - The FGCU Student Research Journal A Message from the Provost Since first opening its doors in 1997, Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) has grown into a thriving living, learning community, focused on fostering the scholarly development of its talented students. The printed articles you will observe in Aquila demonstrate the academic excellence and diversity of our students and faculty. The first printed edition of Aquila also marks a milestone for our institution, as we are now the only university in the Florida State University System with a printed student research journal This important milestone further proves that, though we may be young, Florida Gulf Coast University is making strides in the field of student research that rival those of our fellow Florida institutions. Aquila highlights FGCU’s success in the creation of a stimulating research community for undergraduate and graduate students, thanks in part to the outstanding faculty who go above and beyond to encourage and develop the academic growth of the university’s student body. These faculty work closely with our students, providing inspiration and cultivating their lifelong passion for research. Additionally, the Office of Research and Graduate Studies, the Office of Undergraduate Studies, the Whitaker Center for STEM Education, and the Honors Program have all played a vitally important role in the development of our students, and as a result, the first printed edition of Aquila. The opportunity to publish, especially as an undergraduate student, is a rare and extremely satisfying experience. I still remember my very first publication that came as a graduate student. For me, it symbolized that I was, at that point in time, an active member of a larger global, scholarly community. I am thrilled that our dedicated students at FGCU whose scholarly activities are featured in this first printed edition of Aquila get to experience that same thrill and sense of accomplishment, and I look forward to seeing many more great things come from our remarkable student body. Ronald B. Toll, Ph.D. Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs 5 Aquila – The FGCU udent Resear ournal Volume I April Editorial Board Paul Berlinsky Lori Boegershausen Leigh Brawner Taylor Burnsed William Cobb Grant Grabarczyk Diana Ramirez Olivia Sanders Faculty Advisors Melodie H. Eichbauer, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, History, Assistant Director, Honors Program Peter Reuter, M.D., Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Rehabilitation Sciences Faculty Advisory Board Joseph Cudjoe, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Sociology Michael Fauerbach, Ph.D., Professor, Physics and Astronomy Charles (billY) Gunnels, Ph.D., Director, Office of Undergraduate Research, Associate Professor, Biology TC Yih, Ph.D., Associate Vice President for Research & Dean of Graduate Studies Aquila – The FGCU Student Research Journal is published twice a year as online and print edition. For more information about Aquila, to check out past volumes, or to learn more about student research at FGCU visit www.fgcu.edu/aquila. You can contact us via email at [email protected]. Copyright © 2016 Aquila – The FGCU Student Research Journal 6 Aquila - The FGCU Student Research Journal From the Editorial Board There are certain moments in a scholar’s life that stand out and make lasting impressions. For many seeing their first article in print is one of the most memorable moments of their careers. All those long hours of literature reviews, grappling with primary sources or texts, the experimental designs that just won’t work, the frustration of the never ending fight with grammar and spelling and statistics, the seemingly impossible task of coordinating schedules with co-authors and mentors, the subtle or not so subtle hints from mentors and reviewers that the article will need a lot more work, the moments of doubt in our own abilities– they all dissolve into an incredible feeling of accomplishment the moment we see the first article with our name published in print or online. Aquila (Latin for eagle) was born out of a desire to give FGCU students a chance to see their scholarship published and to experience the thrill and excitement of seeing their hard work recognized. It was a journey along a long and winding road and it took the efforts of many dedicated current and former students, faculty, and administrators to come to this point, where we are able to publish Volume II online and offline simultaneously. We unquestionably owe a great debt of gratitude to many people (see Acknowledgements on the next page) and we hope that each and every one of them knows that this volume is their achievement as much as it is ours. What makes this second volume of Aquila truly outstanding is the vastness of scholarly endeavors. Most student research journals limit themselves to publishing articles from the sciences and exclude the liberal arts. In contrast to that FGCU, its faculty and students are com- mitted to achieving excellence in all areas and it is part of our mission to support students and faculty in this quest by publishing exceptional student scholarship from all academic disciplines and levels of study. We are still at the beginning of this marvelous and exciting adventure, but the articles in this volume show that we are indeed on the right path. On behalf of the Aquila Editorial Board Melodie Eichbauer, Ph.D. Peter Reuter, M.D., Ph.D. 7 Acknowledgements The Aquila Editorial Board would like to thank the following individuals and groups for their help and support in making this volume possible: - Those responsible for an absolutely outstanding job producing Volume I.