LETTER FROM THE EDITOR IN CHIEF

Abstract

Scientia et Humanitas incorporates a diverse range of interdisciplinary work, and the incorporation of research from different disciplines is a hallmark of the journal. Despite these seemingly disparate disciplines, all of the research herein is underpinned by the same sentiments: concerns with the human condition and human connection. The journal provides graduate and undergraduate scholars from a diverse range of fields with the opportunity to publish their research and, as evidenced by the works in this volume, showcase the myriad ways in which research navigates the human condition.

The sequence of the works in this volume of Scientia is loosely based on individual disciplines. The first two pieces embrace themes of pedagogy and how instructors and students can better engage in and outside of the classroom. In “Say ‘Ahhh!’: Looking into Open Educational Resources at Middle Tennessee State University,” Caroline LaPlue examines the significance, creation, and challenges of Open Educational Resources. Thereafter, Nicholas Krause explores embodied cognition in his piece, “Finding the Mind: A Defense of Embodied Cognition in the Classroom,” throughout which he recognizes the importance of acknowledging the physical body inside the classroom environment.
The humanities are on display in the next five articles. Rebecca Price’s “The Edge of the World: An Exploration of the Fringes of the Psalter World Map,” transports us to medieval times and investigates how medieval people navigated their environments and relationships through the use of mappaemundi. We remain in the medieval realm throughout Kat Kolby’s piece, “Powerful Words: Wealhtheow’s Use of Imperatives in Beowulf.” Ms. Kolby adopts an innovative argument in which she delves into the importance of the female character Wealhtheow and her impact on other characters in the Old English epic poem Beowulf. As we chronologically make our way forward, we find ourselves beguiled by Matthew Hutton’s article “Poe’s Art of Seduction: Montresor as Author in “The Cask of Amontillado.” Mr. Hutton scrutinizes the correlation between Edgar Allan Poe’s conception of the author, theory of unity of effect, and his fictional work, while recognizing the importance of the reader as well. In, “Maisie’s Moral Sense: Aestheticism in What Maisie Knew,” Rebekah Lawler invites us to consider Henry James’ novel, What Maisie Knew, as an aesthetic text by drawing comparisons between Henry James and Oscar Wilde, a leader of the aesthetic movement. Ms. Lawler also traverses questions of morality amongst the aesthetic movement. Remaining in the humanities, yet taking a turn toward popular culture, readers will be delighted to engage with Briley Welch’s article, “Vampires, Werewolves, and the Racialized Other,” in which she analyzes the lack of racial representation in Stephanie Meyers’ Twilight series.

Our journey continues as we reach the social sciences in the next two articles.Scott Coble’s “LGBTQ Rights Policy Analysis” implores us to recognize the struggles that LGBTQ Americans face daily and focuses on the crucial enactment of the Equality Act. Sophia Roberts tackles the environmental repercussions of The Willow Project and its engagement with social media in her article, “Stopping the Willow Project on Social Media: An Exploration of the Social Problems Process in a Sub-Environmental Issue.” The culminating work in the volume is from the natural sciences. In Hunter Brady’s article, “Evaluating Chlorine Dioxide Gas as an Antiviral Agent: Insights from the Development, Optimization, and Application of a MS2 Bacteriophage Model System,” he researches chlorine dioxide gas and its effectiveness as an antiviral agent in a post-COVID era, proving that even the most scientific of pieces in the volume acknowledges the underlying theme of humanity.

At Scientia et Humanitas, we understand the critical importance of peer review and rigorous revision in maintaining the integrity and quality of academic research. Each submission underwent a double-blind peer review process, during which authors were given feedback, helping to refine their ideas and enhance the clarity and coherence of their research. The peer review process offers invaluable learning opportunities for both authors and reviewers, fostering a culture of continuous improvement. It is not only the pieces in this volume that embody the motif of human connection; the process of creating the volume itself is also an exercise in human relations.
I am honored to have been selected as the Editor-in-Chief for this edition of Scientia. I would like to extend my sincerest thanks to Dr. Philip Phillips, Associate Dean of the MTSU Honors College, not only for the opportunity and help with this volume of Scientia, but also for his continued mentorship throughout my graduate career. A tremendous amount of thanks is also due to Honors College Dean John R. Vile and Strategic Communication Specialist Ms. Robin E. Lee, both of whom extended invaluable advice.

This volume of Scientia would not have been possible without the extraordinary efforts of the editorial team. I could not have asked for a better staff of reviewers and associate editors, all of whom dedicated themselves to patient reading, considerate feedback, and thoughtful recommendation of the articles featured in this volume. I wish to extend an enormous amount of gratitude to Brittney Norton, Kat Kolby, Rebekah Lawler, Angela Benninghoff, Rebecca Price, Matthew Hutton, Briley Welch, Hannah Antrican, Eilidh Hancock, and Courtney Martin. Your dedication to advancing interdisciplinary scholarship and upholding the principles of Scientia et Humanitas is truly commendable, and it is an honor to have been part of such a dynamic team. Each member of the editorial team made me a better editor by offering their wisdom and expertise.

I invite you to explore the rich tapestry of interdisciplinary research featured in Volume 14 of Scientia et Humanitas and join us in celebrating the inspiring nature of the works showcased here.

Kylie Petrovich
Editor in Chief