Spring 2008 Publication, Volume 3

Preface

Ralph Waldo Emerson once stated that “In every work of genius we recognize our own rejected thoughts; they come back to us with a certain alienated majesty.” While compiling the Amalgam, we have discovered this meaning and purpose through the wide selection of articles contained in this third issue. We were not alone, however, in our search for these rejected thoughts. Thanks and recognition belongs with our faculty advisors—Dr. Kearns, Dr. Bloom, and Dr. Aley—for reviewing and revising this year’s submissions. Our appreciation also includes Dean Glassman and the Liberal Arts Council for supporting and funding the Amalgam for the third consecutive year.

The third issue offers a diverse collection of ideas from many different areas of study. Ryan DeLaney explores the conventional views of creativity and how these notions are constantly being reassessed, developed, and defined. From the first essay we move on to Andrea L.C. Henke’s discussion of life for Jewish minorities in displacement camps after World War II, which offers an array of personal accounts and historical fact to enlighten the reader. Chris Schwenk’s essay considers the role of society and political parties and how these factors contribute to a person’s views on singular issues, such as abortion. Sara Elpers considers the role of heliocentrism in Tristram Shandy by discussing how the main character deviates from the conventional narrator. Megan Morrison contributes another independent study that centers on the issue of non-smoking campuses and public opinion. In our final essay, Danielle Lefler explores the mysterious nature of Iago through a psychological perspective and contemplates the character’s state of denial.

We would also like to thank the students who submitted their essays for publication. Their desire to encounter and study the rejected thoughts of society will inspire others to strive toward the same alienated majesty in the future.

Leah Weinzapfel

Table of Contents

• Ryan Delaney, "Creativity and Artistic Expression" (download paper)
  
  Ryan DeLaney is a senior at USI majoring in journalism and minoring in radio and television. He is the Sports Editor for USI’s newspaper The Shield and plans to join the Peace Corps after graduation.
  
  
• Andrea L.C. Henke, "Displaced Persons and Holocaust Survivors Immediately Following World War II"
  
  Andrea L.C. Henke wrote her paper in Dr. Casey Harison’s History 498 special topic class on The Holocaust. She presented the paper at USI’s Risc Conference in April 2008. After graduation, she work with the National Park Service. According to Henke, she owes all her success to her husband, Nick.
  
  
• Christopher G. Schwenk, "It’s My Party and I’ll Comply if I Want to: Pondering the Persuasive Power of Political Parties"
  
  Christopher G. Schwenk is a senior at USI majoring in Accounting and minoring in Psychology. He wrote his paper in the psychology course Research Methods and Statistics. He enjoys playing tennis and spending time with his wife,Kristi.
  
  
• Sara Elpers, "Tristram Shandy: Using Geocentrism in a Heliocentric World"
  
  Sara Elpers is a Mathematics major who wrote her paper in an 18th century literature class. In her free time, she enjoys reading, writing, and working on difficult math problems.
  
  
• Megan Morrison, "Secondhand Smoke: The Unseen Hazard on Campus"
  
  Megan Morrison wrote her paper in English 201 after being asked to focus on an important, controversial topic. She is a Math major who, in her free time, indulges in Origami.
  
  
• Danielle Lefler, "Psychological Approach to Understanding Iago: Is He Just Mad or Really Mad?"
  
  Danielle Lefler is the vice-president of Sigma Tau Delta and is an active member in The Student Writer’s Union and the Society for Human Resource Management. She is an English major and wrote her paper in Dr. Kearns’ English 205 class.