Archives - Page 2

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  Vol. 4 No. 1 (2014)

  Letter From The Editor

  Dear Reader, With pride we give you the fourth annual issue of The Owl, Florida State University’s premier undergraduate research journal! In this issue we are honored to present to you an array of interesting and diverse research endeavors that our current undergraduate class has embarked on. Our mission continues to be to share the finest undergraduate research with the general public and to embrace the strength of our research-driven university. With this issue we examine a multitude of fronts, from exploration of lobster to the historical musing of raves to the creative artwork from featured authors. We highlight in this issue our diversity as a university as well as the popular culture influences on our research interests, including topics such as The Bill Cosby Show. Intermixing popular culture with the critical idea of our fields allows us to embrace powerful knowledge that also functions on a practical level. We are thrilled to uphold Florida State’s long history with top-tier research, and expand this research emphasis to include our undergraduate class. We continue to uphold our commitment to undergraduate research, increasing our audience and increasing the range of support to include expansive funding for stellar undergraduates to share their research through travel to conferences. Our newly added Fall edition of The Owl to be published online represents a step of commitment to working with a sole department to increase undergraduate research production. We continue to strive for the increased magnitude of undergraduate research at this university, and aim with high hopes to further these advances in our future years. We hope to inspire future researchers—faculty, graduates, and undergraduates— with this 2014 edition of The Owl. Please enjoy and share the pride that we have for our undergraduate researchers at Florida State University.

  In Vires, Artes, Mores,

  Katie Rybakova

  Editor-in-Chief

   

  Sean Freeman

  Design and Creative Director

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  Vol. 3 No. 2 (2013)

  Letter from the Editor

  We are so excited to bring to you the first annual fall special edition of The Owl. Since The Owl’s inauguration in 2010, we have been able to showcase stellar undergraduate research through the publications of the spring Owl annually, and have continued to expand our standing at the Florida State University as both a prestigious publication for undergraduate research as well as a representation of the interdisciplinary exchange of ideas that is up to the standards of our research I university. We are thrilled to share more undergraduate research with you this fall, and have high hopes that the fall special edition that showcases the International Affairs department and their stellar research endeavors will exceed your expectations of what The Owl has become known for; a representation of the future stars and academics of the undergraduate class and what our university stands for—Vires, Artes, and Mores.

  In this annual special edition, published exclusively online, you will find a collection of essays that represent the research that the seniors in the International Affairs department have embarked on. We hope to demonstrate the research strengths of our departments at Florida State University every fall semester with this publication, and allow an opportunity for our individual departments stand out for what they have become best known for. Open these pages with a desire to delve into the field showcased, and we hope that you come away with a better understanding and appreciation for the undergraduate academic realm that is represented by our International Affairs department. As we have, I invite you personally to enjoy the first annual fall special edition of The Owl.

  In Vires, Artes, Mores,
  Katie Rybakova
  Editor-in-Chief
  
  Sean Freeman
  Design Manager

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  Vol. 3 No. 1 (2013)

  Letter from the Editor

  In native Seminole culture, an owl can sometimes be a terrible omen. More often, however, it foreshadowed a need to prepare for coming obstacles. Our university, as a public institution dealing with its own share of obstacles amid the less-than- ideal national economic climate, has thrived scholastically. Both the recognition of and diversity among undergraduate researchers at the Florida State University have grown, despite the often stifling eco-political conditions. This academic victory is clearly demonstrated with the sustained success of this entirely student-run publication, made possible only by the unwavering support and encouragement of our university’s administration, staff, faculty, and student body.

  Named after the original seal employed from 1851 to 1901 by West Florida Seminary, this journal has highlighted the continually astounding work of Florida State University’s emerging undergraduate scholars. The goal and mission of The OWL and the entire Student Council for Undergraduate Research and Creativity has, in keeping with native Seminole mythology, been to showcase the transcendence of these obstacles and communicate the necessity of continued academic vigilance.

  Therefore, as yet another monument to this unabashedly UNCONQUERED top- tier institution, to its campus unmatched in facilities and scholastic resources, to the dedicated and hard-working administrators and staff, to the selfless faculty and advisors, to the generous and enthusiastic alumni and parents, and, most notably, to the dynamic scholastic resilience of our undergraduate students, it is with great honor and humility that we present to you the third volume of The Owl, The Florida State University Undergraduate Research Journal.

  In Vires, Artes, Mores,

  Katie Rybakova
  Brian Denny
  Co-Editors-in-Chief

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  Vol. 2 No. 1 (2012)

  Letter from the Editors

  Welcome to the second annual issue of The Owl, Florida State University’s premier undergraduate research journal! We are again honored to present you with a collection of diverse inquiries undertaken by members of our shared academic community.

  Building upon the successes of last year’s inaugural issue of The Owl, we humbly embraced our missive and strove to publish a journal that reflects the strengths of our beloved university. With this issue we aim to reify Florida State’s dedication and commitment to a liberal studies education. By highlighting the heterogeneity of our emerging scholars-bright, motivated students who represent a wide variety of departments and disciplines-we hope to demonstrate the interdisciplinary exchange of ideas present on our campus.

  Florida State has a long storied history as a top-tier research university, and we are thrilled to see this tradition continuously expanded to include undergraduates. This year we saw the Office of Undergraduate Research institute unprecedented programs, increasing the field and range of opportunity for students to engage in and explore the possibilities of undergraduate research. We aim to further these advances. From interior design renderings to an exposition on congressional court-curbing it is our hope that you will both learn from and be inspired by the research and creative projects contained within these pages.

  In Vires, Artes, Mores,

  Katie Rybakova
  Haley Gentile 
  Co-Editors-in-Chief

  Brian Denny
  Director of Undergraduate Research Ambassadors

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  Vol. 1 No. 1 (2011)

  Dear Reader,

  Welcome to the inaugural issue of The Owl, Florida State University’s only undergraduate research journal! We are honored to present this first edition to you and the entire community of Florida State Seminoles, whether student, faculty, or administration.

  This we believe: The Owl highlights the finest quality of our beloved university by showcasing the pinnacle of academic research, intellectual curiosity, and artistic talent. Beyond the articles and original works of art themselves, we hope you are awakened to the powerful conversation occurring at Florida State University amongst emerging scholars at the undergraduate level. The students at our university possess brilliance no less than their peers at any other university, and this journal is proof-positive of that reality.

  After two years of extensive development, The Owl is pleased to facilitate the interdisciplinary exchange of ideas happening presently and those that will transpire in the years to come. The Owl is so named after the original seal employed from 1851 to 1901 by West Florida Seminary. Anchored in the history and tradition of our institution, the journal is illuminated by the brightest minds of our student body today, with a sharp eye to the future.

  We humbly believe The Owl captures the character and vitality of Florida State University. May the vigorous research and sophisticated works of art be first words in the long chorus of praise for this magnificent institution!