Humanities and Communication
Fall 2017 Capstones
Professor Renee Curry
This capstone course will engage you in study, discussion, and development of projects regarding the numerous ways we come to recognize, comprehend, and make meaning of humanity. We will ask, "How is perception related to reality and truth?" "If multiple realities exist, how then do we love and live together?" "How do memories, dreams, and imagination help us to know ourselves?" "What roles do faith and belief play in understanding the world around us and the potential hereafters?" And, "Why do we rely on language to affirm, validate, and share that we exist?" Throughout the course, we will analyze various texts and develop capstone projects related to the ways we come to know and understand ourselves and each other.
Senior Projects
- Bannister, Christopher (Practical and Professional Ethics), “Loving and Compassionate Behavior is Learned”
- Caladiao, Rebecca (English Subject Matter Preparation), “Changing Sexuality Education through Literature”
- Canales, Monica, (Practical and Professional Ethics), “Can So-Called ‘Bad’ Youth Be Redeemed?”
- Candelaria, Christian (Creative Writing and Social Action), “When the Flower Blooms”
- Cecil, Carson (Literary & Film Studies), “A Wizard in Westmont”
- Denicola, Daniel (Practical and Professional Ethics), “Working Towards a Sustainable Global Future”
- Fink, Shaina (English Subject Matter Preparation), “An Examination of Human Goodness through Literature”
- Hollis, Brighton (Journalism & Media Studies), “Grandpa's Letters”
- Holmes, Sakeena (Pre-Law), “Where's Humanity for African Americans in the Justice System”
- Hughes, Kelley (Journalism & Media Studies), “What America's Modern Standard of Living Means for Humanity”
- Lopez, Jocelyn (Journalism & Media Studies), “The Perception of Beauty and Womanhood: A Memoir”
- Luna, Samantha (Journalism & Media Studies), “Finding Humanity through News Media”
- Majjasie, Jeremy (Journalism & Media Studies), “What You Don't Say Might Still Kill You”
- McAuliffe, Christopher (Creative Writing, Social Action), “Pointless”
- Mireles, Osiel (Pre-Law), “The Effects of Repatriation Among the Migrant Agricultural Working Families in California”
- Orosco, Zackary (Journalism & Media Studies), “Light from Within”
- Pourroy, Ashley (Pre-Law), “Why We Stand Divided”
- Rhone, Jasmine (Pre-Law), “A Split Second”
- Samp, Sierra (Pre-Law), “Caring for Humanity: Non-Profit Elderly Law”
- Sigala, Ryan (Journalism & Media Studies), “Through the Lens: How Four Major Religions Make Meaning of Humanity”
- Smith, Amy (Pre-Law), “Stepping Into the Shoes of Your Client: The Importance of Equal Access to Justice”
- Stalling, Justin (Practical and Professional Ethics) “Afterschool Programs Benefit the Development and Success of Students”
- Texeira, Jesse (Creative Writing and Social Action), “The Impossible Tapestry”
- Vigo, Nicholas (Practical and Professional Ethics), “What is Moral Courage and How is it Viewed by Society?”
- Wotherspoon, Peter (Journalism & Media Studies), “Acting Humane: Learned or Inherent?”
Professor Mridula Mascarenhas
Food is a vital ingredient in our daily lives. It affects our bodies and emotions, defines our cultures, reflects social inequalities, presents us with ethical dilemmas, connects us in chains of production, distribution, and consumption, inspires artistic celebration, and creates social conflict. In our capstone seminar, we will be using the tools of the humanistic disciplines, including communication, philosophy, literature, journalism, history, ethnic studies, legal studies, and creative writing to understand how human experiences are shaped by the politics and ethics of food choices. Students will have the opportunity to define, investigate, and impact their own chosen topic within the general theme of food politics. Student projects can engage the theme at the individual, communal, cultural, organizational, national, or global levels. Our overall goal is to use our expertise as humanities scholars to grow more informed and critical in how we view, talk about, and ultimately make choices about food, both individually and collectively.
Senior Projects
- Al Asadi, Hanan (Journalism & Media Studies), “Veganism Advocacy: Is it an Ethical Social Media Fad?”
- Arnez, Kadie (Literature & Film), “Transcending Borders through Cuisine: How the Taiwanese Diaspora Remains Close to the Homeland through its Cuisine”
- Bruno, Steven (Pre-Law), “Food Deserts: A Polarized Issue”
- Cabriales, Mary (Women's Studies), “The Second Harvest Food Bank (Non-Profit Organization) Combating Food Insecurities for Local Residents in Santa Cruz County”
- Dougherty, Thomas (Journalism & Media Studies, Pre-Law), “From Wheaties to Gatorade: Are Products Endorsed by Athletes Really Good for You?”
- Ferris, Savannah (Practical & Professional Ethics), “The Family Meal: Why is it So Important?”
- Flores, Alexis (Journalism & Media Studies), “Future Uncertain: Small Scale Fishermen of the Monterey Bay”
- Friedman, Noah (Journalism & Media Studies), “Gluttony: The Price of Admission to the American Holidays”
- Garcia, Amanda (Practical & Professional Ethics), “Whole Foods: Catering to the Rich, and Contributing to a Wider Racial and Social Class Divide”
- Gomon, John (History, Oral History, and New Media), “The Face-Off Between Nutrition Regulators & the Food Industry”
- Gottlieb, Jennifer (Practical & Professional Ethics), “Meals and Memories: Immigrants Share their Stories”
- Helm, Michael (Practical & Professional Ethics), “Finding Me(an) Within: Obesity and the Role of Fat Shaming in the United States”
- Jensen, Parisa (Pre-Law), “American Foodways and Law”
- Lepor, Kimberly (Practical & Professional Ethics), “Brain Food: Changing the Way We See the Connection Between Diet & Behavior”
- Ochoa, Maria (Pre-Law), “Food Contamination and Food Safety: A Look into Food Laws and Regulations in the US”
- Peralta, Josiah (Creative Writing and Social Action), “Food Transitions: How Food Symbolizes Another Chapter”
- Saladrigas, Seana (Pre-Law), “The Blind Mind: A Study of Deception in Food Advertisement”
- Smith, Paul (Pre-Law), “Communal Gardens: Creating Neighborhoods While Promoting Wellbeing”
- Sorensen, Tiffany (Practical & Professional Ethics), “Food Envy”
- Sykes, RaJhon (Pre-Law, Women's Studies), “Food and Representation”
- Talbot, Melissa (Creative Writing, Social Action), “Behind the Shelves: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at Working in the Average American Grocery Store”