ScholarWorks@UMassAmherst
The UMass Amherst Libraries have just migrated ScholarWorks@UMassAmherst to a new open source platform (DSpace). We are currently unable to accept submissions at this time. For submissions that are not doctoral dissertations or masters theses, please continue to use this webform.
Graduate students filing for September 2024 degrees, please use this webform to submit your dissertations and theses. Please email scholarworks@library.umass.edu if you have any questions.
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Recent Submissions
Publication Rest Cure(2024-05)This is a collection of stories exploring anxieties of womanhood, gender, and desire in aesthetic conversation with the melodrama and ambiguous supernaturality of Gothic literature, particularly 19th century feminist and 20th century gay Gothic literatures, as well as queer movements in literary criticism, gay cinema, and American counterculture.Publication Fine-Tuning a GenAI Chatbot in the Development of Math Modules for Early Elementary Learners(University of Massachusetts Amherst)We present the development and implications of using a fine-tuned generative AI chatbot, Estella Explainer Math Bot 2 (EEMB 2), to create math modules for early elementary learners. EEMB 2, integrated with the Usable Math platform, serves as a reading and problem-solving coach for educators and tutors. Our iterative design approach leverages prompt engineering, contextual storytelling, audio enhancements, and human review to ensure age-appropriate, engaging content. This innovative AI-enhanced method has potential applications across disciplines, offering scalable, personalized learning experiences while supporting teacher professional development. Ethical considerations and human-centered design principles are crucial to maintain balance and effectiveness in AI-driven educational interventions.Publication Regenerating the Urban Void: Design Strategies for Sustainable & Inclusive Communities(2024-05)Central to architectural endeavors is the aspiration to cultivate spaces that not only evoke creativity and joy but also provoke community engagement. However, amidst careful design lies a stark reality - spaces neglected, misused, underused, or simply wasted (Hwang & Lee, 2018). In the face of the impending climate crisis, the demand for livable and sustainable cities has never been greater, and within this context emerges the concept of urban voids, holding promise for transformation. This thesis delves into the typology of urban voids, dissecting their current uses and misuses, and advocates for the imperative to reclaim these overlooked spaces. This research identifies and applies existing literature to advance strategies for fostering regenerative architecture that harmonizes with natural ecosystems. A paradigm shift is pivotal: to perceive neglected urban spaces not as liabilities but as prospects (Hwang & Lee, 2018). Through a design research methodology, this thesis proposes the potential of regenerative architecture to transform urban voids into dynamic, purposeful, and accessible public domains, thereby enriching the well-being of both humans and the environment.Item Identifying Cultural and Spatial Intersections: The Experience of the In-Between(2024-05)Among the 330 million inhabitants of the United States, 5 million are adopted. Of those 5 million, around 200,000 are adopted from an Asian country such as China, Japan, Vietnam, or Korea (Witenstein, 2006). Economic and social factors from some Asian countries such as the one-child policy (China), diplomatic relations (such as forming trust with one another), and promoting adoption were part of building interest in transnational adoption. It is also important to note that Western interest in adoption was largely spurred on by a lack of available domestic adoption as well as racial stereotypes such as the misinformed idea that Asians are model people(Lee, 2006). Around 80% of the adoptions from Asia are by Caucasian families which can often lead to the adopted child living in a geographical location that is not adjacent to or part of an Asian community (Ibid., 2006). The census suggests that Asian-American communities are concentrated in and near major cities although this demographic is also present in some suburban areas (Census, 2022). A lack of connection to an Asian community can lead to feelings of isolation or confusion in identity due to being placed in a space between two cultures. This thesis looks to address the concept of that third or in-between space and will achieve it through the design of a cultural center . The cultural center can then become a place of connection and clarification rather than one of disorientation and aloneness. In addition to it becoming a connection space for people of all backgrounds, especially adoptees, it features a night-market inspired space that creates more connection with the broader community. Food is a tactile and exciting way to delve into a new culture without becoming overwhelmed.Item Ethical Memorialization: A Design Proposal for a Genocide Memorial at the University of Massachusetts(2024-05)This thesis delves into the methods by which designers can cultivate environments conducive to inclusive dialogue and contemplation. It examines strategies for enriching public spaces through purposeful interventions aimed at elucidating challenging historical narratives and facilitating opportunities for introspection. In light of the prevalence of egregious acts of genocide throughout history, the thesis advocates for the utilization of landscape and architectural elements as educational instruments for the broader public. Illustrated by the conceptualization of a Genocide Memorial situated within the University of Massachusetts Amherst's campus, this work exemplifies the endeavor to establish a secure and inclusive haven conducive to reflection, solace, and community engagement. By scrutinizing ethical considerations rigorously, architects can devise memorials that not only impart historical knowledge but also elicit a sense of moral duty in commemorating the past. Thus, this study underscores the ethical imperative inherent in the practice of memorialization, emphasizing architects' capacity to stimulate public consciousness, elevate collective memory, and underscore the significance of ethical reflection in the built environment.
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