Dear Reader,

Two key concepts inherent in the Capital Scholars Honors Program curriculum are globalization and interdisciplinarity. We strive to teach our students that we are all interdependent, and that the key to solving the complex issues of today’s world is to approach them from multiple perspectives.

Our second volume of Continuum consists of three interdisciplinary research papers which do just that. The volume opens with “Connections between Women Graduates and their Roles in Society” by Jess Bayer. This piece chronicles the advancement of specific Middle Eastern societies and the women in particular, as they are allowed greater access to education. Next, Josh Eastby examines the numerous global effects of China’s recent economic boom in “The Non-Economic Effects of Economic Policies: Chinese Currency Manipulation and Imbalances in the Globalized Marketplace”. Finally, Michael Lotspeich brings to light a questionable institutional policy and calls for reform in “A student behind the name: reshaping perceptions of gender-identity in the University of Illinois System.” As expressed in our mission statement, we rely on identification of quality submissions, rather than a rigorous editing process.

I hope you enjoy this volume of Continuum, and I invite you to join us again for our next volume in May.

Sincerely,

Jaclyn Peterson
Managing Editor

Research/Thesis

Connections Between Women Graduates and Their Roles in Society – Jess Bayer

The Non-Economic Effects of Economic Policies: Chinese Currency Manipulation and Imbalances in the Globalized Marketplace – Josh Eastby

A student behind the name; reshaping perceptions of gender-identity in the University of Illinois System – Michael Lotspeich