Past topics for Guided Study Courses (HNRS 141 and HNRS 499)
Guided Individual Study Projects (HNRS 141)
The Culture of Maori Folklore
Molly Coates, with Professor William Arighi
In this project, we will delve into the basic stories and myth surrounding Maori folklore. Mainly, we will be using Purakau, written by modern Maori writers, to build a foundation of this knowledge. From there, we will examine how the culture of New Zealand is affected and molded by these beliefs. (Spring 2020)
Development of Community Engagement Materials
Chandani Rana, with Professor Susan Joel
A series of workshops will be developed with environmental justice grassroots community organizations to train stakeholders and community members in designing and conducting intergenerational community visioning workshops. The student will help create visioning workshops that will help build knowledge and skills around brownfields reuse, create opportunities for residents to envision the future by examining the past, and provide opportunities to participants in how various forms of technology can capture today’s information. A range of information materials on intergenerational and social justice community engagement techniques, resources and activities will also be offered to participants via community engagement workshops. In addition, the student will help recruit participants and conduct focus groups. (Fall 2021)
Emerging Adulthood in Nepal
Chandani Rana, with Professor Juan Zhong
We will be exploring the markers of adulthood among the Nepalese population. Additionally, we will analyze the shift of social support emerging adults enter into adulthood. We will be comparing college students and non-college students. (Spring 2022)
Graph Theory
Alli Mowry, with Professor Lisa Bromberg
In this study, we will delve further into Graph Theory from the base that was learned in Discrete Math 2, exploring the topic of Network Theory as well. (Spring 2021)
History of Gynecology
Mikaili Charlemagne, with Professor Megan Harvey
This course is a survey of the history of gynecology with a focus on American gynecology. Key themes and topics include the role of African Slavey, and the general origins of gynecological practices. (Spring 2022)
How the Blockchain and Smart Contract Applications can change the world
Jack Shane, with Professor C. Stephen Sheffield
This Guided Study course will take an in depth look at the Blockchain, as well as its capabilities with Smart Contracts, and assess how they can be transferred/ utilized in the real world. Also explored will be possible changes in financial contracts. (Spring 2022)
Literature Review of Bone Health in Osteoporosis and Diabetic Populations
Erin Duffy, with Professor Elizabeth O’Neill
This one-credit individual study will produce a literature review looking in depth on bone health in certain populations, in preparation for a larger project in a subsequent semester. (Fall 2021)
Literature Review on Regulation of Gene Expression of ACE2 Membrane Receptor
Jessica Hart, with Professor Hai Kinal
The ACE2 receptor is a human cell membrane receptor that is involved in the regulation of blood pressure and blood volume. This receptor is also the gateway of the SARS-CoV-2 virus into cells to begin the disease process. Different external and internal stimuli can affect the prevalence of this membrane receptor, which affects the cell’s susceptibility to the virus. These stimuli that affect gene expression are what I primarily want to focus on in my literature review independent study. (Fall 2020)
Introducing neutralizing recombinant proteins via gene therapy to combat Covid-19
Jessica Hart, with Professor Hai Kinal
Building off research from last semester, I propose the introduction of a recombinant protein consisting of an immunoglobulin attached to the ACE2 enzyme in order to have a neutralizing effect n the virus and preventing compounding effects of the disease through downregulation of ACE2 caused by a COVID-19 infection. (Spring 2021)
Marginalization in Corporate Marketing
Devon Rosier, with Professor Rebecca Lartigue
This Guided Study will entail a literature review on advertising to marginalized groups, and the development of a research proposal for HNRS 499, including the definition of a research methodology. (Fall 2021)
Quantifying Reticulocytes in Sea Birds
Qi Li, with Professor Melinda Fowler
Blood samples were collected from Arctic terns and long-tailed jaegers in Alaska during the summer of 2018. Microscope slides of blood smears from the samples will be analyzed to count the percentage of reticulocytes—a developmental stage of red blood cells that can be indicative of aerobic capacity. (Spring 2020)
Shakespeare’s International Reputation and Reception
Qi Li, with Professor Rebecca Lartigue
In this Honors Independent Study, we will study selected works by William Shakespeare as well as his international reputation and critical reception, especially in China. Special attention will be given to questions of translation—both of literary texts and through performance—and to claims that elements of the playwright’s art are “universal.” (Spring 2021)
Philosophy of Happiness
Katelee McCormic, with Professor Bob Gruber
A literature review on philosophical views on happiness will be conducted, culminating in the student’s own argument on the philosophy of happiness. (Fall 2020)
Sexual and Romantic Relationship Development among Vietnamese American Emerging Adults
Laura Tran, with Professor Juan Zhong
The sexual attitudes and experiences, as well as romantic relationships and their associated factors, of Vietnamese American emerging adults will be studied. (Spring 2022)
Springfield College Alumni Mural / Community Mural Planning
Asher Simon-Plumb, with Professor Jessica Poser
This Guided Study course will focus on designing, planning, and writing a proposal for community mural making at Springfield College. (Spring 2022)
Synthesis of Ferulic Acid Derivatives/Research in Organic Chemistry
Emilee Gebhart, with Professor Marisa Blauvelt
Understanding the Antimicrobial Effects of Ferulic Acid Derivatives
with Professor Sally Chamberland
The student will prepare derivatives of the phenolic antioxidant ferulic acid. In subsequent semesters, the student will perform antimicrobial testing on the synthesized compounds to determine if any structure activity relationships exist. (Fall 2021, Spring 2022)
Advanced Honors Projects (HNRS 499)
The Psychological Effects of Marketing on Marginalized Communities and their Consumer Behavior
Devon Rosier (Business Management and Accounting, class of 2023), with Professor Ny Mia Tran
This Advanced Honors Project researches the psychological effects that advertisements have on marginalized communities and their consumer behavior. The research methodology will include a literature review, focus groups, survey research, and analysis to arrive at a connection between marketing and consumer behavior for marginalized groups. (Spring 2022)
Angelic Imagery in Wallace Stevens
Rowan Beckford (English, class of 2022), with Professor Paul Thifault
This project of literary criticism examines the use of angel imagery in the poetry of Wallace Stevens. (Spring 2022)
The Association Between Mode of Delivery and Risk of Postpartum Depression in the United States
Kayla Stvan (Health Science/Pre-Physician Assistant, class of 2023), with Professor Megan Harvey
In the US, postpartum depression affects about 1 in 7 (about 15%) of new mothers. Some risk factors for postpartum depression are known, such as having prior depressive episodes or lack of social support. Mode of delivery has been considered as a potential risk factor for postpartum depression, but the association remains unclear. The purpose of this investigation was to assess the relationship between mode of delivery and risk of postpartum depression in the United States. Overall, women in the United States who gave birth via a cesarean delivery had a greater risk of postpartum depression.
