2020 Edition

German Romanticism was a cultural movement that took place in Germanophone countries in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Intellectuals of this movement, known as naturphilosophers, valued the study of the natural world with an emphasis on the spirit while trying to merge the disciplines of science and literature. “The Golden Pot” and “The Mines of Falun,” both by German naturphilosopher E.T.A. Hoffman, illuminate the desire of German Romantic writers to amalgamate the seemingly polar specialties of scientific research and artistic development.

As Charleston has expanded over the past 50 years, the issue of gentrification, the preservation of Charlestonian culture and what some consider “Old Charleston” has arisen. This paper will analyze this cultural loss and the long-term effects on the crime rate and the city itself as a whole. 

Nuclear power’s viability as a safe mainstream power source for the American people has been subject to contentious debate and speculation since its invention during the Second World War. Today, we face the worldwide threat of global warming due to increasing greenhouse gases, pollution and energy demands. Nations are laboring to find a sustainable, low-carbon energy option that can be implemented now – and nuclear power meets the criteria. As the original pioneers of nuclear energy, we as Americans must use our technical know-how to expand this vital power source to benefit us all and combat the climate crisis.

This paper will begin to answer the question of whether it is ethical to try and match machine intelligence to that of human intelligence. Everyone has seen dystopian movies where AI (artificial intelligence) or robots have gone against their intended purpose. Will that be the end result no matter what is done to try and combat it? Are humans destined to create their own ruin? What steps can be taken to prevent the doomsday scenarios played out in fiction from becoming reality? By answering these questions, the ethical nature of AI research will become clearer.  

Often times, when we hear mention of Antarctica, we think of a desolate, freezing environment at the bottom of the world. In reality, Antarctica has a rich history of exploration and science. It even was on the brink of becoming a war zone in the 1950s due to its location and resources. A treaty, that is still in effect today, was signed and thus prevented a war. As the world around us is evolving with the resurgence of Russia and rise of China, the peace of Antarctica is threatened. The uncertain road ahead for Antarctica will surely be of extreme importance in the near future and will likely have lasting global affects.