Year: 2024, 2024
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>Crutzen and Stoermer's (2000) announcement of the Anthropocene draws attention to the agentic nature of the nonhuman world as it appears to be striking back against human intervention through an environmental crisis that is threatening humans and nonhumans alike. Their narrative reveals complex relationalities where humans are now revealed to beinseparable from the nonhuman world… more Year: 2024, 2024
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>Games immerse players. Through immersion, players can see themselves embodied in their avatars. There is space for meaningful experimentation of gender through these avatars as embodied players can blur the lines between their real-life and virtual selves. The player's avatar becomes that person — in terms of personality, feelings, and gender identity/expression. In virtual reality… more Year: 2024, 2024
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>This dissertation focuses on the intersectionality between images posted on social media and social rules in the lives of young people. The findings are based on thirty-four qualitative interviews with young social media users where photo-based methodologies were employed. From these interviews, three key themes emerged: 1) Posting and sharing images are connected to identity exploration… more Year: 2024, 2024
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Name(s): Creator (cre): Never, Alana, Thesis advisor (ths): Henderson, Scott SH, Degree committee member (dgc): Pendleton Jiménez, Karleen KPJ, Degree committee member (dgc): Avdeeff, Melissa MA, Degree committee member (dgc): Epp, Michael ME, Degree granting institution (dgg): Trent University Abstract: <p>This thesis examines Beyoncé's art within the context of Black feminist thought, specifically focusing on how her work reflects and contributes to the themes of sisterhood, female empowerment, and intersectionality. A comprehensive analysis of her songs and performances will demonstrate how Beyoncé's art advocates for unity, female empowerment, particularly for Black women, and… more Year: 2024, 2024
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Name(s): Creator (cre): Bailey, Tanya Ann, Thesis advisor (ths): Epp, Michael, Degree committee member (dgc): Pendleton Jiminez, Karleen, Degree committee member (dgc): Bellamy, Brent, Degree committee member (dgc): Anastakis, Dimitry, Degree committee member (dgc): McGuire, Kelly, Degree granting institution (dgg): Trent University Abstract: <p>An interesting question arises upon viewing the 1939 film, The Wizard of Oz (MGM). The main character Dorothy Gale faces a long arduous journey on foot. Why did she not have a car? Women had formed strong associations with the automobile in its early years, yet they appeared to have weaker associations with the automobile a few decades later. A look back to three other "Dorothies… more Year: 2023, 2023
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Name(s): Creator (cre): Taunton, Rachel L. J., Thesis advisor (ths): Keefer, Katrina, Thesis advisor (ths): McGuire, Kelly, Degree committee member (dgc): Schwarz, Suzanne, Degree committee member (dgc): Nguyen-Marshall, Van, Degree granting institution (dgg): Trent University Abstract: <p>This thesis demonstrates how the proper application of theoretical archaeological and osteological methods to archival documents can be both illuminating and vital to create a fuller understanding of those who have been historically silenced. By performing an archival analysis informed by an archaeological background, the first four volumes of the Registers of Liberated Africans from… more Year: 2023, 2023
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>For the Road is a study of the modes of transmission of ideas within the Counterculture in its different forms. It is a genealogy of movements that define themselves "against" what is established as "Culture". The philosophy of the Beat Generation does not come out of nowhere and in turn, many recent movements are indebted to the Beat Generation. The goal of this… more Year: 2023, 2023
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>This dissertation offers a historical look at the book cover as a material object of particular significance. As a part of the bibliographical tradition, the cover binds the book not only to its reader, but also to the culture that gives it meaning. Consequently, by chronologically reviewing the book cover through a mix of historical and fictional accounts, this study had as its goal to… more Year: 2023, 2023
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>This dissertation traces the emergence of the "transgender predator" discourse on social media. Taking its cue from the 2019 British Columbia Human Rights Tribunal case Yaniv v. Various Waxing Salons, in which a white Canadian trans woman named Jessica Yaniv unsuccessfully filed a series of complaints against a number of racialized cisgender aestheticians claiming that they… more Year: 2022, 2022
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Name(s): Creator (cre): Zelenskiy, Alexey, Thesis advisor (ths): Penney, James JP, Degree committee member (dgc): Bailey, Steven SB, Degree committee member (dgc): Mitchell, Liam LM, Degree committee member (dgc): Flisfeder, Matthew MF, Degree committee member (dgc): Synenko, Joshua JS, Degree committee member (dgc): Epp, Michael ME, Degree granting institution (dgg): Trent University Abstract: <p>The goal of this dissertation is to formulate a critique of embodiment through the lens of Lacanian psychoanalysis and in the context of digital media and intelligent technologies. Along with psychoanalysis, our research methodology and philosophy are informed by Badiou's philosophy of the event, Stiegler's philosophy of technics and infrastructuralism in media studies. Our… more Year: 2022, 2022
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Name(s): Creator (cre): van Vliet, Elizabeth, Thesis advisor (ths): Epp, Michael, Thesis advisor (ths): Synenko, Joshua, Degree committee member (dgc): Epp, Michael, Degree committee member (dgc): Synenko, Joshua, Degree committee member (dgc): Pendleton-Jiménez, Karleen, Degree committee member (dgc): Mitchell, Liam, Degree granting institution (dgg): Trent University Abstract: <p>This thesis examines the ways in which body image is discussed in online settings. There are three different communities discussed: body positivity, proED (pro-eating disorder), and body neutrality. Both body positivity and proED content are fairly popular online, and both have found significant support and followers on various social medias. In this thesis, I argue that both of these… more Year: 2022, 2022
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>In 1995, Donald Judd's Chinati Foundation held its inaugural symposium titled "Art in the Landscape". During the roundtable discussion, walking artist Hamish Fulton asserted that there are fundamental differences between his art and American Land Art. Drawing on Fulton's assertion, this dissertation argues for the redefinition of British environmental art,… more Year: 2022, 2022
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>The purpose of this research is to highlight the limitations and opportunities for playful expression of gender identity in character creation systems of virtual worlds, and how these might work to reinforce, or disrupt, the heteronormative imperative. The primary sites considered in this analysis are the video game World of Warcraft and the live action role-playing game Amtgard. I… more Year: 2022, 2022
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>This dissertation is about Forests, their loss and the grieving that arises from their loss. The loss of ancient and old-growth forests by way of clearcutting and or anthropogenically driven disturbances, including climate change, presents the quandary of loss of both biological and cultural diversity. Following Umeek's/E. Richard Atleo's term, I suggest that "dis-ease… more Year: 2022, 2022
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>This thesis examines the impact that digital labour and work from home have across different populations. This work is framed with regards to Marxist-feminism and particularly examines the impact of work from home across different genders. To demonstrate the depth and breadth of the impact that work from home has on worker agency, four unique industries are analyzed: office jobs, gig… more Year: 2022, 2022
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Name(s): Creator (cre): Allwood Portillo, Mark, Thesis advisor (ths): Bordo, Jonathan, Degree committee member (dgc): Cammaer, Gerda, Degree committee member (dgc): Junyk, Ihor, Degree committee member (dgc): Cazorla Sánchez, Antonio, Degree committee member (dgc): Fenner, Angelica, Degree granting institution (dgg): Trent University Abstract: <p>From Altdorfer and Poussin to Cézanne, Monet and to the Group of Seven, landscape has been a focal point of artistic inspiration for most of what we think of as modern art history. In contemporary times the concept and representation of landscape has shifted from visions of an idealized and exalted place to notions of the landscape as a ruins and site of ecological disaster. Because of… more Year: 2022, 2022
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Name(s): Creator (cre): Cousins, Richard James, Thesis advisor (ths): Epp, Michael, Degree committee member (dgc): McLachlan, Ian, Degree committee member (dgc): Mroz, Daniel, Degree committee member (dgc): Manning, Paul, Degree committee member (dgc): McGowan, David, Degree granting institution (dgg): Trent University Abstract: <p>Why show things that aren't people acting like people? In the field of animation, it's a surprisingly big "why?", because it's a "why?" that doesn't lead to any sort of doctrine of ontology, of inevitability, of manifest destiny, or of anything like that. But it does lead to another "why?"—"why did anthropomorphic depictions of… more Year: 2021, 2021
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>The following thesis problematizes different theories of subject formation in relation to morality, accountability, and consciousness raising. Focusing on the conditions subjects emerge in, I argue that socially transformative subjectivities emerge in movement through spaces. The theoretical discussion departs from the premise that morally accountable subjectivities drive social change.… more Year: 2021, 2021
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>The objective of this dissertation is to measure the influence of the contemporary influx of women's involvement in the horror genre in three dimensional capacities: female representation in horror films, female representation as active, participatory spectators and female representation in the industrial production of horror. Through the combined approach of theoretical and… more Year: 2021, 2021
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>This thesis explores access to feminist zine culture and community, specifically if, and how, access has been altered in the age of digital technologies and increased access to digital spaces. Results from a questionnaire completed by 8 young feminist zine-makers and readers of marginalized genders indicated that though the modern boundaries of what a zine is has been expanded to include… more
