Theses and Dissertations at Montana State University (MSU)
Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://scholarworks.montana.edu/handle/1/733
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Item Avatar: a cultural and ethical journey across settler-colonialism(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Letters & Science, 2023) Koh, Celia; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Alex HarmonThis thesis critically examines James Cameron's blockbuster Avatar, as a complex cinematic narrative that delves into themes of colonialism, environmental degradation, and Indigenous rights. By identifying the practices of settler-colonialism present and denounced in the movie, this paper aims to draw parallels with the settlement in America and to understand if Avatar's anti-colonial and environmental messages is a truthful representation of Native American culture in the United States. In this line of reasoning, the focus will be on the portrayal of Pandora as a parallel representation on Earth and his interpretation of the roles of the Indigenous inhabitants of Pandora. First, looking at the movie as a critique of settler-colonialism, also embedded in the American history, and of the cultural construction of race will help shed light on the intricacies of the understanding of cultures and their appreciation. Then, by focusing on the strong environmental message conveyed in the movie, as interconnectedness, respect for nature, and the safeguarding of resources is omnipresent throughout, I aim to understand to what extent Jamec Cameron's Avatar is authentically--or not--representing Native American spirituality and environmental values. Finally, this paper explores the potential of the movie as decolonizing, although Cameron's representation and depiction of Indigenous cultures have caused controversy.Item Double secret probation, bias, and equity: a university conduct review(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Education, Health & Human Development, 2018) Kaminski, Katherine Renee; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Tricia SeifertBias issues in this country are real. Individuals are not treated equally and equitably because of their identities, their values, and their choices. This bias happens in places of employment, in the criminal justice system, in every day interactions and conversations. Bias is real, whether implicit or explicit, and too often compassion and equity seem to fall to the background when determining what is right and how we treat others or hold them accountable. Recent literature has found inequities in how k-12 students as well as the individuals in the criminal justice system are proportionally misrepresented by race and gender, with students of color suspended at a rate far greater than their white peers. Turning to higher education, media accounts suggest students who take part in university athletics or fraternities/sororities may receive preferential treatment. This could be because of monetary incentives from donors and alums of these organizations to the university or money that comes into the community and university because of athletic events. Therefore, the student conduct system at universities must also be investigated to determine if 'double secret probation' exists only on the movie screen or inequities in disciplinary consequences are indeed present. From a pragmatic perspective, the goal of this study was to understand the degree to which possible biases in higher education discipline systems exist and use that understanding to inform future practice. Through quantitative analyses, four years of discipline data from two public institutions were investigated to determine if students were suspended at a rate proportionate to the population by gender, race, affiliation with athletics or the fraternity/sorority system, as well as an overall violation 'score' based on their complete conduct history. Analysis showed that men and students of color were represented at higher rates in the suspension population than they were in the overall violation population. Controlling for all other predictor variables, gender, race, and a student's complete discipline record combined to create a violation 'score,' were all found to be statistically significant. There is still a lot of work to do in higher education, and specifically as a result of this study, in working with university conduct systems to realize and understand their implicit biases so that they and administrators may create and contribute to an environment in higher education where all students are treated equitably within the system.Item A mid depth study of the career education and career choice implemented by Hardin High School for the benefit of its students as a whole and subdividing this group into its approximate 80 percent white and 20 percent Crow Indian divisions, taking into account the cultural and linguistic problems presented by the native American Indian group along with the overt pressures exerted by government and the covert pressures of white society, with a concluding presentation that will provide, in essence, a composite and true reflection of this particular situation and then will draw conclusions and suggested recommendations that will assist either directly or indirectly in cracking this nut, as projected in semi-professional educatorese with a variable allowance for the upbringing of the author on the low ebb of the socio-economic tide of life or hey baby, are we doing the job?(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Professional Schools, 1974) Moran, Patrick J.; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Norman L. MillikinAfter completing a Career Education Institute administered by Dr. Cliff Helling at Montana State University, the writer determined in his own mind that there was a need to do research with the students at Hardin High School, where he is employed. He set out to see if this school was doing an adequate job of aiding students in making their career choice. The problem was further broken down to see if both Indian and white students were provided equal opportunities of pursuing the career of their choice.Item Indian Blood' or lifeblood? : an analysis of the racilization of native North American peoples(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Letters & Science, 2005) Ferguson, Laura Kathryn; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Lisa AldredThe racialization of Native Americans has distorted their individual and collective identities. As a mechanism of Western imperialism, "race" has contributed to their dispossession, disintegration and deculturalization. Racialized oppression continues at federal and tribal levels through the usage of racial terminology and in blood quantum policies, leading to the fragmentation, marginalization, stigmatization and alienation of Native individuals. As such, race and blood quantum pose a threat to the survival of tribes. Tribes have within their means indigenous alternatives to race and blood quantum and will need to revitalize these indigenous practices and principles if they are to safeguard their survival as autonomous cultural and political entities.