It has generally been thought that Hannibal was a hostile individual and despised in Roman society because of his non-Roman status and his apparent tendency to be deceptive, cruel and savage. Yet, our understanding of Hannibal as a character is limited. This thesis attempts to address his characterisation through an examination of his night-time military exploits, and argue that our knowledge of Hannibal can be expanded upon by examining how Livy characterised Hannibal in his account of the Second Punic War. Furthermore, this thesis takes a fresh approach to Hannibal’s characterisation, considering Livy’s use of ‘the night’ in association with military activity, and revealing that Hannibal displayed traits that the Romans themselves valued. Thus, Hannibal’s character is developed through a nocturnal military setting, and he becomes comparable to Rome’s finest generals, including Fabius Maximus, Marcellus and Scipio Africanus. Similarly, it is also shown that he exhibited Roman military virtus in place of the traits traditionally thought to be synonymous with the non-Roman. By analysing the character of Hannibal in this manner, we reveal that in Roman thought he was an ambiguous character, whilst simultaneously highlighting how the Romans both perceived and used the night within the context of the army.

This study aims to examine the ways in which English composer Edward Elgar (1857–1934) expanded common-practice tonality; it shows how Elgar employed harmonic structures and syntax in an innovative manner through specific extended-tonal techniques such as the use of chromatic-third relations (both harmonically and as a tonal plan), harmonic substitutions, and local ambiguous sonorities that at times lead to tonal ambiguity. The system that Elgar expanded upon has been called “Classical diatonic tonality”, which was extended when late nineteenth-century composers such as Elgar infused their music with chromaticism. Through an investigation of Elgar’s extended tonal techniques one can come to a better appreciation of his late nineteenth-century harmonic vocabulary. It has been well documented that Elgar modeled his music after that of Wagner and his Germanic contemporaries (from Mendelssohn to Brahms), so that the Elgarian tonal language is one possible projection of a post-Wagnerian extended-tonal discourse. The discussion presented here will survey those parts of Elgar’s tonal language that he learned from his Germanic contemporaries, thereby establishing the context for his own unique chromatic compositional style. This study of Elgar’s work therefore further represents a study of the broader impact of post-Wagnerian chromaticism on late nineteenth-century English extended tonality.

People in modern industrialized societies live a blessed life relative to those who do not when it comes to some modern conveniences. While many think nothing of flipping on a light switch or running electric appliances, there are people in third world countries could not imagine such things. As service projects are being undertaken to bring such conveniences to those less fortunate, there often is the harsh reality of a strict budget. An item that commands a large portion of said budget is often the diesel generator used to provide the facility with electricity. Generators serving motor loads are typically oversized due to a large kVA starting requirement. This paper addresses an approach to this problem by temporarily restricting the generator fuel supply by pulling back the rack of the mechanical governor reducing the frequency and voltage output as a motor load is switched onto the system. By reducing the voltage and frequency output of the generator, the motor is switched on at a time when its typically poor power factor and resulting kVA requirement is mitigated by the lower voltage and frequency allowing for a smaller generator to be used.

This thesis examines two of the female-driven sitcoms from the 2011-2012 season, New Girl and Girls. I analyze both series from a third-wave feminist perspective, looking at how each series portrays its respective lead character, Jess and Hannah, and how each series portrays funny women in general. Through these analyses, I ultimately argue that Jess on New Girl represents a much more promising feminist icon than Hannah on Girls. This is mainly because Jess is driven by self-love and self-confidence while Hannah is so defined by her self-hatred that she becomes difficult for viewers to relate. Most disappointingly, I find that female-driven sitcoms use humor as a weapon to discipline its characters. / Literature review -- Critical orientation -- New girl : feminist role model or just another manic pixie dream girl? -- Girls : the future of television or whiny, selfish, entitled brats? / Department of Communication Studies

A recent trend shows that activity levels in children are declining while obesity levels are increasing. To address this problem, after school programs are being introduced to increase activity levels in preadolescents and promote healthy lifestyles. Existing studies have suggested that a better understanding of the psychosocial influences on physical activity (PA) during preadolescence could assist efforts in school settings to promote lifelong PA. This study used a sample of third grade students to investigate the relationships between the psychosocial correlates of PA, Gender, Extracurricular PA Participation, Intention to Be Physically Active, and BMI among third grade children. Results indicated that Gender, Beliefs (about the consequences of being active), and Self-Efficacy were associated with Extra Curricular PA Participation while Beliefs and Self-Efficacy were related to Intention to Be Physically Active. This suggests that third grade children’s Extra Curricular PA Participation and Intentions to Be Physically Active can be improved by enhancing children’s Self-Efficacy and Beliefs about the consequences of being active. / Fisher Institute for Wellness and Gerontology

Networking has shown to benefit SMEs in terms of increasing resource acquisition and knowledge transfer, two vital components in SME growth and survival. However, previous research has indicated that SME network management is largely determined by the strategic orientation of the firm, which in turn, is influenced by the owner/manager. Third party involvement has moreover been suggested to positively influence networking participation by facilitating the overall networking process for SMEs. In the present study, the moderating effect of non-profit, municipal third party involvement, on the relationship between firm growth orientation and network intensity and range, is thus examined.

The purpose of this study was to provide an analysis of the major arias and ensembles of Jody Nagel's Fifty-Third Street for performance practice, drawing upon a case study of the premiere. The opera Fifty-Third Street was composed in 1992 by Nagel for his dissertation project at the University of Texas at Austin. The librettist is Seth Wolitz, then a University of Texas faculty member. The opera examines the lives of two homeless men on 53rd Street in New York City, between 5th and 6th Streets, and the reactions toward them from various facets of society, including the church, art institutions, businesses and tourists. The opera was premiered at Sursa Performance Hall on the campus of Ball State University on April 12, 2007 with a subsequent performance on April 15, 2007.Both the piano/vocal score and the chamber orchestra score from the premiere have been examined in the analysis of the opera, in addition to the original treatise by Jody Nagel. The analysis is conducted from a performer's perspective and examines vocal aspects, including potential technical challenges, range and tessitura; musical aspects, including formal analysis, tonality, melody, harmony and rhythm in relation to the text; drama and staging, and character motivation for each of the major arias and ensembles. Suggestions are offered for practice and performance based upon the analysis and informal interviews with the composer, conductor, directors, cast and crew of the premiere performance. Appendices include scene charts, costume lists, lighting and projection cues, original set and publicity materials, and a DVD recording of the world premiere performance.Many composers throughout the centuries have used opera as a way to comment on the world in which they lived and to challenge the status quo: Mozart, Le nozze di Figaro; Verdi, Un ballo in maschera; Berg, Wozzek; Britten, Peter Grimes. Jody Nagel has continued this tradition in a way that is powerful and compelling. Future directors will discover that Fifty-Third Street offers an invaluable tool for the musical development of students and professionals, for the growth of the American opera repertory, and for challenging the American way of life. / School of Music

Uppsatsens syfte är att ur ett sociologiskt perspektiv belysa vilken påverkan sociala medier har på en grupp aktiva individer och hur de tror att andra påverkas i förhållande till hälsosamma inlägg. Vi ser även på effekterna som uppkommer när individen möts av den hälsosamma livsstilen på sociala medier. Studien baseras på kvalitativ metod och tolv semistrukturerade samtalsintervjuer med fysiskt aktiva individer som använder sig av plattformerna Facebook och Instagram. Analysen  baseras på Konsumtionens modetåg och Symboliskt kapital. Vi har även använt oss avtredjepersonseffekten. Resultatet av uppsatsen visar att intervjupersonerna till stor del är påverkad av hälsosamma bilder genom sociala medier trots att de är medvetna om att en bättre bild av individen framförts. Vi såg att sändare samt innehåll var stora faktorer till hur informanterna mottog information och ansåg sig påverkas. / The purpose of this study is to highlighting from a sociological perspective the impact that social media has on a group of active individuals and how they think others are affected in relation to healthy posts. We also look at the effects that arise when the individual is confronted with the healthy lifestyle on social media. We also study the how these effects have an impact on the individual's identity. The study is based on qualitative methods and twelve semi-structured interviews with physically active individuals who make use of the platforms Facebook and Instagram. The analysis is based on Consumption and Symbolic capital. We also use the third-person effect to gain a deeper analysis on the individual's influence. The results of the paper show that the respondents are largely influenced by the heathy mage provided through social media. We saw that the sender and the contents were big factors in how informants received the information and considered himself influenced.

The focus of this study was to assess the ability to predict performance on the Indiana Statewide Test for Educational Progress (ISTEP) from oral reading fluency scores on the Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills (DIBELS) Oral Reading Fluency Test (ORF). The scores of both assessments from 306 Indiana students from four different elementary schools were examined. Results of these students’ end of year (EOY) ORF scores were compared to their ISTEP scores in third grade in 2008-2009. During that school year ISTEP was administered twice, once in the Fall and once in the Spring. Results from both tests were analyzed using linear, multiple, and logistic regression models. The results showed r values between the ORF scores and the English/Language Arts portion of ISTEP to be .76 (Fall) and .72 (Spring). The correlations between ORF and ISTEP Math were .54 (Fall) and .61 (Spring). Regression coefficients ranged from 1.30 – 1.13 indicating a positive linear relationship between the results of the two assessments. The scores from demographic subgroups were also examined and some differences in the strength of the relationships were found among the groups. The oral reading fluency test was a better predictor for students generally considered at-risk (non-white, disabled, and non-English speaking). Logistic regression results showed a moderate to strong ability to predict whether or not students would pass ISTEP based on DIBELS scores. After using Beta values to calculate probabilities, it was found a DIBELS ORF score of 100 would provide a strong probability a student would pass ISTEP, both in English/Language Arts and Math. The results imply the need to monitor students’ oral reading and provide timely interventions when they struggle, and to focus more on helping children learn to read and less on preparing for ISTEP. / Department of Educational Leadership

In today's fast-paced, hyper-mediated society, the ability to balance accuracy and efficiency is essential. Media literacy educational programs have arisen to meet this need and proliferated in recent years. Although the practice of media literacy is thriving, its underlying mechanisms are poorly understood and evidence of effectiveness is mixed (e.g., Bergsma & Carney, 2008). A social psychological perspective has the potential to illuminate previously overlooked variables and inform research and practice in this growing field. In particular, whereas media literacy efforts typically emphasize thorough processing of media messages, dual-process theories of persuasion (e.g., Eagly & Chaiken, 1993; Petty & Cacioppo, 1986) suggest this is not always realistic. When motivation or ability is compromised, individuals default to a low-effort processing mode, relying on peripheral cues or heuristics rather than carefully evaluating message arguments. In this mode, media messages can persuade unconsciously. Using a dual-process approach, the present research investigated how specific barriers to motivation (perceptions of personal invulnerability) and processing ability (emotion-based advertising, environmental distractions) influence the processes of media literacy. Participants (N = 882) were randomly assigned to 16 conditions in a 2 [vulnerability: demonstrated, control] x 2 [distractions: present, absent] x 2(2) [ad type: informational, emotional; two replicates of each type] between-subjects nested design. The vulnerability manipulation increased distrust in the target ads and reduced their persuasiveness, not through the hypothesized mechanism of heightened perceptions of vulnerability, but mediated by increased counterarguing. Relative to informational ads, emotional ads were judged more persuasive, attractive, similar to personal experience, and elicited greater identification. However, they were also rated less trustworthy than informational ads, suggesting emotional advertising largely bypasses logical decision-making processes. Distraction reduced counterarguing only among those who found the ad relatively unpersuasive. The results of this research highlight the central role of trust in media literacy processes. Although individuals recognize and distrust emotional forms of advertising, they are nonetheless persuaded by such appeals. Given the sophistication of contemporary advertising techniques and the ubiquity of distractions, the present research suggests new approaches to media literacy are needed, specifically tailored to decision-making under these more realistic media-use conditions.