Northern Light - Spring 2018

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Kids vs. Violent Video Games

by Ryan Benkert 

School shootings. Robberies. Murder. What do these things all have in common? They’re all crimes that at one point in time, have been blamed on violent video games. Whether playing violent video games actually caused these crimes to happen remains to be seen. However, video games with violent content do have an … Continue reading Kids vs. Violent Video Games →


Was Leaving the European Union the Right Decision for the UK?

by Dawda Njie 

The United Kingdom joined the European Economic Community (EEC), now known as the European Union, in 1973. However, on the 20thof February 2016, former UK Prime Minister David Cameron announced that an in/out referendum would be held on the 23rdof June, to determine if the UK will leave or remain in the … Continue reading Was Leaving the European Union the Right Decision for the UK? →


Providing Direction to Soundtrack Design in Games

by Ben Burgess 

Video games are still a fledgling medium. They only truly came into existence with the release of the Atari in 1977, and  achieved a more widespread appeal with the release of the NES in 1983. This means that research on video games is also in its infancy. This paper is written with … Continue reading Providing Direction to Soundtrack Design in Games →


How do Parenting Styles, Parental Gender, and Culture Impact Children’s Mental Health and Behavior?

by Heather Nhan 

Researchers have long examined the impact of parenting on childhood outcomes. Often, conflicting outlooks on the best way to raise children come from any combination of biological, social, or cultural differences. What is consistent across the research is the way in which a child is nurtured and raised can impact their behavior, … Continue reading How do Parenting Styles, Parental Gender, and Culture Impact Children’s Mental Health and Behavior? →


Organic Food: Nature’s Expensive Medicine

by Erica Taavola 

I feel the breeze of air on my face as I walk through the sliding glass doors of my local Whole Foods. A colorful array of flowers, fruits, and vegetables await me, arranged in aesthetically pleasing displays that entice my senses and draw me into the store. As I make my way … Continue reading Organic Food: Nature’s Expensive Medicine →
 

The History of Dancing Lions

by Tommy Luu 

Ever since I was a little boy, I had the interest and dreams of doing the lion dance. This was a typical popular Chinese/ Vietnamese New Year’s dance that is performed each year for good luck and to ward off evil spirits that brought in the bad luck. I kept begging and … Continue reading The History of Dancing Lions →


Discrimination Against Women

by Elizabeth Vang 

Today in society, there are many problems that surround all of us. Some examples are racism, poverty, unemployment, racism, and drug abuse. The list continues. Being a sixteen-year-old Hmong girl, there are many that I face at my age. Being a female, I notice problems  within my own culture. In the Hmong … Continue reading Discrimination Against Women →


Refined Sugars and Their Effect Upon the Body

by Emily Wolcott 

There is speculation that the people of the United States have unhealthy ways of eating. Compared to several European countries, the American diet is high in fats, salt, and sugars. It is often referred to as the “Western Diet” that has an excess of red meats, french fries, sugar, refined grains, and … Continue reading Refined Sugars and Their Effect Upon the Body →