Etown Test

Studying abroad is considered a cross-cultural experience at Elizabethtown College. The experience counts for one of two required Signature Learning Experiences (SLE) students must complete in order to graduate. However, the number of students studying abroad in traditional semester-long programs while at Elizabethtown College has declined in recent years. In addition, the cross-cultural SLE is one of the less frequently chosen options. Compared to other baccalaureate institutions of similar size, Elizabethtown College is sending a fraction of students abroad. With only 10 percent of U.S. graduates going abroad, studying abroad is a valuable experience to include on a resume or graduate school application. This research examined the perceived benefits of the Elizabethtown College study abroad program of those who have participated and those who have not. Also, this research examined the barriers preventing or discouraging students from studying abroad among the population of those who have not gone abroad. The data for this research were obtained from mixed methodology. Questionnaires were distributed to both students who have studied abroad and those who have not. Focus groups were also conducted for each group. The results showed that the main barrier to study abroad is financial. Females were also more likely than males to study abroad and saw more positive outcomes. Recommendations were developed for future use by the Study Abroad Office.

The United States holds only five percent of the world's population, but surprisingly 31 percent of global mass shootings. Previous literature defines a mass shooting as an incident where at least four individuals are shot and a mass murder as an incident where at least four individuals are killed. Mass shootings have been found to occur in bunches due to the exposure of mass shootings inspiring copycat shootings. Such inspiration has been potentially linked to media coverage of these events thus giving them "accidental advertising". Limited research has empirically examined the news coverage of mass shootings through a content analysis. This exploratory research used quantitative and thematic content analysis to examine two qualitatively different mass shootings, the Las Vegas Concert shooting and the Dayton Nightclub shooting, and the news coverage of each event. The data for this research were obtained from a content analysis of articles from a local Las Vegas news website, The Las Vegas Sun, a local Dayton, OH news website, The Dayton Daily News, and AP News. Results will be presented and compared to the proposed guidelines for the coverage of mass shootings by media organizations.

Political engagement involves both indirect and direct actions that effect the political system such as voting, donating to campaigns, and volunteering for a political party. Previous literature has suggested that students demonstrating more interest in politics and exhibiting strong party ties were more likely to vote than those who were uninterested in politics. Limited research has examined the relationship between political information efficacy, locus of control, and parental socialization on the political engagement of college students; however, studies have thoroughly examined the effects of political affiliation. The sample population for this research were students enrolled at one small, private, liberal arts institution located in central Pennsylvania. The data were obtained through the use of mixed methodology, using survey and semi-structured interview techniques. Results show that there were significant relationships between political engagement and political information efficacy. Those who felt more confident with their political knowledge were more likely to be politically engaged. Interestingly, there was a was no relationship between locus of control and political engagement. There were significant relationships between political engagement and parental socialization. Those who recalled their parents being more politically engaged were more politically engaged themselves.