TABLE OF CONTENTS

Delivering the Right Message, by Saud Aldajani
In this semiotic analysis of Red Rocks' smoking areas, Aldajani asserts that Red Rocks CC sends mixed messages to student smokers. He hopes his essay will help them make more conscious decisions, and also that the administration of Red Rocks will pay attention to more purposeful and clear campus signage.

The RRCC Main Lobby: A Semiotic Analysis, by Noel Daring
A Red Rocks student takes a closer look at the school through the lens of its main entrance, which prompts him to re-value the College's emphasis on intellectual pursuit and personal growth, and also to encourage all Red Rocks students to become more active participants in their own lives.

Serenading the World Into Shape, by Deva DeAngelis-Lowe
In her compassionate analysis of Flobots' hit song, No Handlebars, DeAngelis-Lowe shows how the music and lyrics simultaneously build in intensity and complexity and asserts that the song creates the potential for positive change.

Whatever Happened to Catch & Release? by CeCelia Garcia
In her research on domestic violence, Garcia learns about the motivations of the abused and also the abusers comes to greater understanding of her family's disturbing legacy; and takes a powerful step toward breaking the cycle for herself and (she hopes) others.

The Facebook Page of Dr. Buzzard from Gloria Naylor's Mama Day, by Don Hamm
In this creative biography, Hamm shows us "through status updates, friend comments, photo captions, a profile information page, and even advertisements" what Gloria Naylor's chimerical character might have done with his very own Facebook page.

Room for Two: Standing on the Shoulders of Giants, by Marcus Harper
Harper shows us the more human side of calculus by tracing an important feud between Leibniz and Newton.

A Legacy of Monsanto: Should We Really Trust Them with Our Food Supply? by Katya Kennedy
By comparing the company's past and present, Kennedy asserts that their massive public-relations campaign can't cover up the truth: not much has changed with Monsanto.

The Puppet, by Tina Kribbs
In sharing, carefully considering, and eventually rejecting her own grievance story, Kribbs invites us to understand how blame can be misplaced; how anger can trap us and those we love in hells of our own creation; and, ultimately, how forgiveness can be possible in the presence of great loss and pain.

The Moment of Death, by Jennifer Meyers
In this personal research essay, Meyers seeks to discover when death actually occurs, and explores literal body death but also a more figurative mode of death. Her conclusion will surprise and haunt you.

Mandatory Health Insurance and the Constitution, by Gregory Morrison
Morrison debates the constitutionality of mandatory health insurance by reviewing arguments and case law on both sides. Though Morrison does decide for its validity, in the end, his balanced approach will be informative to any interested parties.

Powerful Music: Survival and Lila Downs, by Jennifer Nava Bello
Nava Bello had no idea, prior to encountering Lila Downs at a quince era ceremony, how much music could embody hope for survival. In analyzing the music of this Latina artist, and its influence on Latino culture, she comes to understand the change it prompted in her own life.

Jump, by Mary Patterson
In this lyric essay on nature-led spirituality, Patterson portrays the spatial relationship between two trees she encounters on a medicine walk. She concludes that, when it comes to life-altering experiences, in the immortal words of Van Halen, we might as well jump.

Disney Values, by Katrina Pawlowski
In this satirical tour through some of Disney's subtly twisted films, Pawlowski claims (tongue fully in cheek) to have found the source of society's woes.

Ramblings of Genius: A Discussion of the Importance of Robert Johnson in the Development of 20th Century Music, by Michael Roberts
Did Johnson sell his soul to the devil at the crossroads?  Roberts doesn't claim to know, but he does claim that if we let this scraggly hobo [stroll] the highway of our mind, Johnson's music will teach us all we need to know about the blues.

The Third Exodus, by Jeni Tetamore
Tetamore's persuasive project argues for the validity "nay, the nobility” of choosing a career as a stay-at-home parent by providing well-researched appeals to logos, pathos, and ethos.  Her careful argumentation, presented through multiple genres, such as a poster, a brochure, a flyer, and a poem, will make you realize and re-consider your own assumptions.

The Issue of In-State Tuition for Undocumented Students, by Sharon Thomas
Thomas examines the controversial debate over tuition fees for undocumented students, arguing that there is no true basis for denying residency and charging out-of-state tuition. She asserts that such a denial is out-of-keeping with our nation's principles.

Evolution of an Artist: Expansion of Me, by Shellie Trierweiler
Bjork's unconventional and eclectic career path mirrors Trierweiler's own path toward fuller self-expression. In studying Bjork's music, visual artistry, and artificial personas (who presumably write and perform her music), Trierweiler realizes they provide alternative ways to perceive and participate in the world.

Tying off that Dinosaur Tonight, by Lukas Whitman
Whitman discusses desire, addiction, and the source of creativity in this essay that explores the effects
of heroin abuse on the music of Jon Coltrane, Janis Joplin, Johnny Cash, Motley Crue, and Kurt Cobain, among others.

Learning Altruism in an Egoist's World, by Sarah Yeamans
Yeamans seeks to discover whether her two-year stint as a midwife in the Philippines was ethical and empathic, or self-serving and short-sighted. In so doing, she looks at research on international volunteerism, finding time for a thorough and relevant consideration of Ayn Rand's objectivism.

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