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The aim of this dissertation is to examine and helpfully elucidate Kant’s proleptic philosophy of history by pursuing lines of thought across both his critical and historical body of work. A key motivation for this goal stems from noticing certain repetitive explications of Kant’s philosophy across, among other subjects, history, biology, religion, teleology, culture, and education, which, as precise and careful in their detail, all seem to converge on key Kantian ideas of teleology and morality. Rather than concentrating on any one aspect of Kant’s proleptic philosophy, I set out to (i) investigate seemingly untenable problems with his characterization of reason in history, (ii) to counter what I take as a misreading, if not misattributions, of Kant’s proleptic, and not prophetic, thoughts on historical progress, (iii) to offer an original reflection on Kant’s use of a famous stoic phrase in two of his political essays, and (iv) to an attempt a close exegesis toward tying notions of teleology and hope with that of need. The approach that I take in these chapters is both problem centered and exegetical, and while I attempt to answer concerns in the secondary literature pertaining to Kant’s proleptic philosophy of history, I also stay close to the primary texts by providing references and citations to key claims and passages which reinforce Kant’s forceful portrait of the poietic power of human reason to create a world hospitable to its rational ends. / Philosophy

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In 1992, Georgia voters approved the Georgia Lottery for Education Act, which established the Helping Outstanding Pupils Educationally (HOPE) Scholarship program, a state-supported merit-based aid program that provides renewable full scholarships to qualifying Georgia residents who enroll in any of the State'­s public postsecondary institutions or scholarships of comparable monetary value for those choosing a private in-state institution. The principal objectives of HOPE are to promote increased achievement in high school and college and to provide an incentive for the State'­s brightest residents to stay in the state. HOPE has been the inspiration for similar programs in over a dozen states. This thesis provides a broad exploration of economic questions regarding the nature and consequences of HOPE and similar programs and performs difference-in-differences analysis on data from two non-Georgia institutions to determine if HOPE has succeeded in motivating high achieving Georgia residents to attend college in the state rather than out of the state. At the public institution, relative to various control groups, the mean GPA and class rank of Georgia residents is lower post-HOPE, although their mean SAT score is higher post-HOPE. At the private institution, the HOPE effect is positive for all achievement measures used, meaning that the average achievement of Georgia residents is higher post-HOPE relative to that of other students at the institution. These conflicting results suggest the need for further exploration of the differences between public and private institutions and of the differences between the students choosing to attend them. / Ph. D.

Thesis advisor: Hosffman Ospino / This work disrupts and re-envisions normative or traditional theological scenes of instruction anchored around imago Dei, dignity, and hope. These elements comprise “sanitized scenes of instruction” that are unable to adequately and creatively respond to the complex epistemes that have shaped and continue to guide contemporary death-dealing atmospheres of violence as manifested in necropolitics, biopower, and intensified precarity in the Anthropocene. The result is theological reflection, social analysis, and education that is out of touch with the perpetual dark night of the soul that we all experience but that is especially felt by those bodies considered disposable or as fodder for Orwellian visions of societal homeostasis (biopower) on an increasingly precarious Earth. Instead of providing easy chimeras or a quick way out, this work invites readers to rethink imago Dei, dignity, and hope without escaping the dark night (the atmospheres of violence). It does so by juxtaposing scenes, unsanitized ones, with traditional theological accounts on imago Dei, dignity, and hope––challenging them in the process. The hope is that such juxtapositions will jolt imaginations into considering other possible scenes of theological instruction that go beyond, but that do not discard, the normative ones. This work ends by offering some contours for a rhizomatic theological imagination and pedagogy that can perhaps facilitate an “active” sitting in the dark: one that still manages to move in all directions and that envisions infinite possibilities within states of suspension. The penultimate chapter hones in on the centrality of a theological hermeneutics that embraces plurality and ambiguity––crucial to any theological project that seeks to respond to complex contemporary concerns. The final chapter tentatively concludes with some possible fragments of scenes for consideration in developing future theological scenes of instruction. It models the pedagogy that I currently find most useful in my writing and teaching, namely a rhizomatic and pluriversal one. Rather than end the work with yet another system or scene of instruction, I offer the fragments as an exercise for the reader to think through his/her/their own experiences with theology and the precariousness that we all, to different extents, share. / Thesis (PhD) — Boston College, 2024. / Submitted to: Boston College. School of Theology and Ministry. / Discipline: Theology and Education.

This architectural thesis reimagines the design of prisons, proposing a new typology that helps with a more beneficial transition for prisoners back into society. By drawing insights from documentaries, movies, interviews, and existing prison models, the thesis envisions a utopian prison environment centered on rehabilitation and social reintegration. This approach challenges the conventional punitive model and aims to address the pressing issues of high recidivism rates and the marginalization of ex-offenders. The proposed prison design integrates structured psychological treatments, meaningful social interactions, and opportunities for skill development and personal growth. These elements create a dual reality for prisoners, juxtaposing the harsh physical conditions of confinement with a supportive psychological environment that encourages inner resilience and hope. This thesis explores the architectural symbolism embedded in both dystopian and utopian prison designs, reflecting societal values of control, oppression, freedom, and rehabilitation. By emphasizing the power of hope and imagination, this thesis provides a comprehensive understanding of the interplay between physical confinement, mental resilience, and societal ideologies. It aims to shed light on the human capacity to maintain agency, identity, and purpose even in oppressive environments, contributing to broader discussions on justice, rehabilitation, and societal change. / Master of Architecture / This architectural thesis challenges traditional perceptions of prisons by proposing a new typology focused on facilitating prisoners' successful reintegration into society. Inspired by diverse sources, including documentaries, films, and interviews. This thesis envisions a utopian prison model that prioritizes rehabilitation over punishment. This innovative design aims to reduce recidivism and address systemic issues within the current penal system. The proposed approach combines structured psychological treatments, meaningful social interactions, and skill development opportunities to create an environment where inmates can thrive both mentally and physically. By analyzing architectural elements and their symbolic significance, this thesis highlights the contrast between conventional punitive prison designs and a new rehabilitative model. Through this reimagined prison design, this thesis explores the themes of mental resilience, hope and imagination, and architectural symbolism. It underscores the potential for prisoners to maintain a sense of identity and purpose despite physical confinement, offering a transformative vision for the future of incarceration and societal reintegration