2005 Sample Capstone Projects

Parental Growth and Transformation: In the Aftermath of A Child's Death
The project explores the unexpected changes that some parents experience after the death of their child. This 'other' side of grief can lead to positive transformation and a changed life full of hope.

Mentor:  Glenn Kessler, BIS Program 
 

Apartheid and Genocide
A brief history of South Africa's apartheid era and its likenesses to the crime of genocide.  Through the use of United Nations investigations and witness testimony this project considers the similarities between South Africa's period of persecution of non-whites and the Genocide Convention's definition and qualifications for such a crime.

Mentor: Pete Ronayne, BIS Program; Federal Executive Institute

 
Teaching Strategies That Work Best With the Multiple Intelligences
This project investigates the teaching strategies that fit best with each of Howard Gardner’s multiple intelligences.  It includes lesson plans that illustrate how these strategies can be implemented in the classroom and how they assist the learning process of the intelligences.

Mentor: Ellie Wilson, Curry School of Education 

Humanitarianism vs. Politics: Differential Treatment in U.S. Foreign Aid Disaster
This Capstone will argue that the differential treatment in attention and funding in U.S. foreign disaster aid is based primarily on U.S. financial and political gain, not a careful weighing of actual need. I focus on two disasters ( Darfur and Indonesian Tsunami), which provide detailed insight into U.S. policy decisions regarding foreign disaster aid. Each disaster is unique and there are many factors that go into the U.S.’s decision to act or not act in each case. Nonetheless, the two prominent cases explored will contribute to our understanding of both the complexity of these issues and the fundamental U.S. interests and motivations often obscured by humanitarian rhetoric.

Mentor: Ann Marie Plunkett, BIS Program 

 

Ethnic Cleansing in Europe and American Foreign Policy
This project explores the expulsion of ethnic Germans from eastern Europe after World War II and the ethnic cleansing aspects to the wars in Yugoslavia in the 1990s, and the American participation and response to both of these.

Mentor: Ann Marie Plunkett, BIS Program 

 

Looking Beyond Cognitive Development for School Readiness
An examination of how and why a child changes and develops between the approximate ages of five and seven, allowing him to succeed at and benefit from formal schooling. While most current research focuses on the cognitive changes that occur in children of this age, I also consider physical, social, and emotional changes that, if taken into account in determining whether or not a child is ready to begin school, will help him make the transition more easily and will influence academic success in the future.

Mentor: Catherine Brighton, Curry School of Education
 

Marketing in a Dynamic Environment: A Critical Examination of the Scotch Industry
The Scotch industry is an anomaly in the alcoholic beverages industry.  The Water of Life is a comprehensive analysis of marketing in the Scotch whisky industry. It is particularly timely due current challenges that the industry is facing.

Mentor: William J. Kehoe, the William F. O’Dell Professor of Commerce, McIntire School of Commerce 

Racial Inequality in the Application of the Death Penalty in the United States
This project investigates the interaction of prosecutors, judges and defense attorneys and how they affect the application of the death penalty; specifically I examined cases from Philadelphia and Georgia. 

Mentor: Ken Beals, BIS Program

 

Is the U.S. Current Account Deficit Sustainable? A Discussion about International Trade in 2005
Current Account deficits have become routine in the U.S. in recent years. For the third consecutive year the U.S. is on course to set another record in this regards. I examine the underlying international structure giving rise to this question. In doing so, the question of sustainability turns out largely to be a question regarding the present international system itself. Is this sustainable, or must substantial changes be made?

Mentor: Andy Wilson, BIS Program 

 

The Effect of the Ordination of Bishop V. Gene Robinson on the Episcopal Church
In August 2003, the Episcopal Church in the United States of America triggered global controversy when Canon V. Gene Robinson, an openly gay priest, was ordained as the Bishop of New Hampshire.  This project focuses on how and why the ordination of Bishop Robinson has caused an upheaval within the Episcopal Church, which will ultimately lead to a schism within the Episcopal Church in the United States of America (ECUSA), as well as the Anglican Communion of which the ECUSA is part.

Mentor:  Peter B. Miller, BIS Program 

 

Storytelling and Episodic Memory: The Construction of Self
Why do stories work?  What is it about storytelling that resonates with each of us and why is it a primary means of communication?  Quite simply, stories are who we are.

Mentor: Glenn Kessler, BIS Program

 

A Critical Examination of Public Policy: Land-Use and Affordable Housing in Albemarle County
This Capstone project reviews the objectives of affordable housing policy and explores the effects of land-use policy on the availability and pricing of new housing.  A detailed comparison of Albemarle County’s regulations will evaluate whether or not land-use and affordable housing policies incorporate consistent strategies and goals.

Mentor: William J. Kehoe, the William F. O’Dell Professor of Commerce, McIntire School of Commerce
 
 
Best Leadership Practices in Turning Around Academically Low-Performing Schools
This Capstone undertakes a cross-case analysis of schools that have either dramatically raised achievement despite difficult circumstances.  It examines the leadership practices in these schools.

Mentor: Harold Burbach, University of Virginia, Curry School of Education  
 
The Value of Technology in Reducing Needlestick Injuries
Needlestick injuries are responsible for more than 600,000 injuries annually among healthcare workers.  Passive safety devices that do not require active use by the operator can help solve the problem.  These devices offer a rapid return on investment through reduced health costs, reduced liability exposure, and an improved work environment.

Mentor: Robin Felder, University of Virginia, School of Medicine 
 
Mesoamericans in Chaco Canyon
Between 800 and 1200 A.D., in the arid lands of what is now northern New Mexico, a Pueblo culture like no other thrived in the prehistoric Southwestern United States.  In Chaco Canyon the massive and masterful architectural remains exist as a testament to this complex and widespread culture of the Anasazi. The details of the origin, purpose of, and abandonment of these sites remain a mystery today, not only to archeologists, but also to the descendant tribes of the peoples that lived in Chaco Canyon many generations ago.  While many theories of interpretation of Chaco Canyon are debated today, in this Capstone I explore the impact and extent of influence of Mesoamerian culture on the establishment, utilization, and decline of Chaco Canyon by examining archeological evidence from both cultures including architecture, road systems, artifacts, astrology, and cannibalism.
 
Mentor:  Rachel Most, College of Arts and Sciences 
 

Implications of the Applied Behavior Analysis Approach to Teaching Autistic Children in an Inclusive Education Environment
This project investigates the Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) approach to working with autistic children in an inclusive environment and how ABA can improve results for both autistic and non-special-needs children.

Mentor: Stanley Trent, Curry School of Education 

 

Learning Organizations: Answers for Successfully Implementing IT Tools?
Information Technology (IT) has become a ubiquitous tool within the business world and for business organizations to thrive they must learn to use IT effectively. However, successfully implementing IT can be challenging for any organization.  I argue that organizations that exhibit certain learning organization characteristics will understand the role and challenges of IT better, have the ability to adopt and forecast change better, and therefore will be able to implement IT more effectively than organizations that do not exhibit these characteristics.

Mentor: Glenn Kessler, BIS Program

 

Why Are We Doing This?
A Close Look at Recent Research on Co-Teaching
The use of co-teaching to foster general education placement for students with disabilities is widespread; however, the issues that arise from the implementation of this model are significant and complex. This study focuses on the need for scientific evidence to support co-teaching in relation to student outcomes and provides quantitative data from one study as well as basic qualitative results.   Mentor: Rick Brigham, Curry School of Education
 
War in the Media
The coverage provided by the media during the Black Hawk Down incident in Mogadishu, Somalia, provided Americans with images that would be ingrained in our minds for years to come--graphic real-time images from an armed conflict.  As these images were aired all over the world, Americans became horrified at the treatment of their sons.  It is my assertion that our reluctance to act in Rwanda during its genocide just months later was a direct result of the atrocities that occurred in Somalia.
 
Mentor: Peter Ronayne, BIS Program  

Why Should Parents be Involved in Their Children's Education?
This project explores how certain parental involvement strategies can increase the academic performance of their child in school. It provides statistics in support of the hypothesis that involvement can raise school grades. The project discusses successful involvement strategies, finishing with what a model parental involvement program would look like.

Mentor: Susan Mintz, Curry School of Education

 
Portrayals in Young Adult Literature:  The Best Books vs. The Romance Series
A comparison of popular romance series and novels that the American Library Association has named "Best Books for Young Adults," to see if the reader is receiving different messages and a quality of writing.  Also, looking at if these messages have changed over the last three decades.  

Mentor: Laura Smolkin, Curry School of Education
 

Local Solutions to Global Problems
For 50 years, traditional development assistance has failed the people it was intended to assist, predominantly the world’s poor. Among development alternatives, C.K. Prahalad argues that profitable transformation, and innovative goods and services for the world’s 4 to 5 billion poor will benefit both the poor and businesses. Presently, there is a growing number of companies worldwide who are offering appropriately priced products to this very large and previously overlooked consumer group.

Mentor: Laurance Wieder, BIS Program 

 

Finding Their Way: The Testing Feminine Gender Roles in Shakespeare’s Comedies
Shakespeare uses the heightened reality of the comedies to dispense with matronly role models and allow young women to reach womanhood through experimentation with gender roles unhindered by rigid enforcement of etiquette and social constraints.

Mentor: Leo Daugherty, BIS Program 

 

How to Prevent the Misuse of Credit Cards by College Age Students
My Capstone looks at how credit card companies are marketing and promoting credit cards to college students.  This marketing has encouraged the students to accumulate large amounts of debt on numerous credit cards.  I looked at what education is offered to these students about financial planning and what action our legislation is taking to derail this misuse of credit cards.

Mentor:  June West, Darden School of Graduate Business Administration 

Factors Involved in Body Dissatisfaction Among Adolescent Females
How do young girls become dissatisfied with their bodies?  This project provides an overview of adolescence (specifically the cognitive, physical, emotional, and social changes a young person goes through); a brief description of disordered eating and how this behavior exhibits body dissatisfaction; and the influences that family, society, and peer relations have on young girls’ perceptions of themselves and how these perceptions may lead to body dissatisfaction.

Mentor: Edith “ Winx” Lawrence, Curry School of Education 

 

Corporate Governance, Codes of Ethics, and Health Insurance: A Critical Examination
This project critically analyzes corporate governance, codes of ethics, and health insurance.  This examination questions whether the health insurance industry has specific corporate governance guidelines and codes of ethics or whether these guidelines are various shades of gray.

Mentor:  William J. Kehoe, the William F. O’Dell Professor of Commerce, McIntire School of Commerce 

 

The Effects of the Alternative Press on the American Wars in Indochina
Mentor: Leo Daugherty, BIS Program 

 

Access at an Excess: The Perils of Unregulated US Prescription Drug Pricing
The pharmaceutical industry claims high prices are needed to fund research and development of new drugs.  However, it is my claim that drug prices are high due to unregulated prices and by three factors in the US market:  direct-to-consumer advertising, patents, and legislative influence.

Mentor:  William J. Kehoe, the William F. O’Dell Professor of Commerce, McIntire School of Commerce
 

A Story of Self
The Self is an effect not a cause. There is no central meaner, but rather there are disparate subsystems which, when their efforts are united, result in the generation of the Self. When these components work together in harmony something more seems to develop, something that appears magical, and while this effect is different from the sum of its parts, it requires those parts to exist.

Mentor: Glenn Kessler, BIS Program

 

Increasing Production with the Help of Incentive Plans
This project addresses the use of incentive plans in a blue collar workforce as a means of motivating employees.  Additionally, it explains how to develop and select an incentive plan for a business.  The goal is to serve as a resource for small business owners who do not have the time to research information on incentive plans.

Mentor: John Corlett, BIS Program

 

Evaluating Population Control in China
To gain a clear understanding of the timeline of population control policies in China, I investigate the policy organization beginning in the 1950's.  In addition I examine the one-child policy and the policy enforcement tactics applied, not always legally, to ensure compliance.  I then make a determination regarding the effectiveness of the population control policies over the last 50+ years.

Mentor: Andrew Wilson, BIS Program 

 

Grade and Seniority: Their Relationship to Employee Absenteeism
Employee absenteeism's tremendous negative impact makes it a significant topic of concern.  This study analyzes archival data to ascertain whether or not a relationship exists between absenteeism and grade or seniority.

Mentor: John Corlett, BIS Program 

 

Native Language Literacy and its Impact on Learning English and Developing English Literacy
My project focuses on the impact a student’s native language has on acquiring a second language. In addition, I will discuss other methods used and their impact on acquiring a second language. Finally, I will share my case study and my conclusions of best teaching practices for English Language Learners.

Mentor: Ruth Ferree, Curry School of Education 

 

A Bonding Experience:  The Therapeutic Relationship between Dogs and Chronically Maltreated Children
This Capstone studies the beneficial effects that a dog can have in the mental health therapy of a chronically maltreated child.

Mentor:  Ann Marie Plunkett, BIS Program