American Research Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences

Jiang Nan*, Yuyu Jiang, Fei Duan, Hai Yan

The Kant’s philosophy of moral education occupies a significant position within his broader philosophical system and continues to offer valuable insights for contemporary educational thought. At its core, Kantian moral education seeks to awaken an individual’s internal capacity for moral judgment and to cultivate a good will guided by duty rather than external rewards or personal interests. Its ultimate purpose is the development of moral autonomy, through which individuals freely act according to principles that can be regarded as universally valid. In contemporary educational practice, however, moral instruction often remains influenced by utilitarian expectations, emotional persuasion, self-interest, social recognition, and other external motivations. Such approaches may encourage outward conformity but do not necessarily foster a genuine sense of moral responsibility or respect for moral law. This paper examines the meaning and educational characteristics of role models within Kant’s conception of moral development. It argues that exemplary figures can support moral learning by providing concrete points of reflection without replacing the learner’s independent moral judgment. By inspiring reflection, strengthening moral motivation, and encouraging autonomous choice, role models may contribute to a more meaningful form of moral education. Drawing on relevant literature and contemporary educational experience, the study explores the present-day significance of Kantian exemplary education and considers its potential contribution to the reform and innovation of moral education in universities.

Keywords: Kant; Moral Education Thought; Moral Judgment.

Tavakoli Williams*

Religious celebrations provide an important setting in which communities express collective identity, maintain cultural memory, and negotiate changing social relationships. This study examines the transformation of festive practices, musical preferences, and patterns of participation associated with religious celebrations in an island community of the northeastern Aegean. The analysis focuses on changes occurring from the late nineteenth century to 2022 and on the social, economic, and cultural circumstances that have influenced these developments. The study draws on earlier ethnographic and historical research conducted by scholars at the University of the Aegean and incorporates field materials collected during doctoral research. A diachronic perspective is used to examine changes in forms of participation, musical performance, entertainment, and communal interaction. The findings indicate that festive practices have not simply disappeared under the influence of modernization; rather, they have been selectively adapted to changing circumstances. Economic mobility, shifting social relations, tourism, migration, technological developments, and digital media have contributed to the reorganization of festive life and musical taste. At the same time, elements of older traditions continue to provide continuity and meaning. The study therefore understands festive culture as an evolving social practice shaped by the continuous interaction between tradition, modernity, technology, and community life.

Keywords: Religious Celebrations; Festive Practices; Musical Traditions; Cultural Change; Social Transformation; Community Participation; Cultural Heritage; Modernization; Digital Media; Collective Identity; Ethnomusicology; Aegean Culture.

Cuadra Llopart*, Daniel Rosselló

Artificial intelligence is becoming an important analytical resource in criminology and contemporary policing, particularly in situations where large and complex datasets exceed the practical limits of conventional analysis. This review examines the growing use of artificial intelligence in crime prediction, criminal investigation, forensic data analysis, and police decision-making. The discussion covers machine learning, neural networks, computer vision, automated language analysis, data visualization, and conversational systems that support the identification of patterns, anomalies, threats, and relationships within criminal information. These technologies can assist investigators in processing digital evidence, examining multimedia material, identifying emerging criminal patterns, and improving the allocation of police resources. The review also examines concerns surrounding data quality, privacy, algorithmic bias, explainability, reliability, security, and accountability. The evidence indicates that artificial intelligence can strengthen investigative capacity when its outputs are appropriately validated and combined with professional judgment. Its practical value depends on transparent data practices, continuous evaluation, human oversight, and safeguards that protect individual rights. Responsible and context-sensitive implementation remains essential for achieving reliable applications of artificial intelligence across criminology and police sciences.

Keywords: Artificial Intelligence; Criminology; Intelligent Policing; Crime Prediction; Criminal Investigation; Forensic Data Analysis; Machine Learning; Predictive Analytics; Police Technology; Algorithmic Bias; Data Privacy; AI Ethics.

Yang Huang*, Chyang Chen, Chung Lin

This study examines how Southeast Asian migrant workers in Taiwan negotiate everyday adaptation while confronting ethnic, cultural, and social barriers in the host society. Drawing on social observation and a review of relevant literature, the study investigates the relationships between migrant communities and local society, with particular attention to intercultural tensions, patterns of cooperation, and processes of social inclusion and exclusion. The analysis shows that adaptation extends beyond adjusting to unfamiliar cultural practices and language. Migrant workers may also encounter unequal social relations, ethnic stereotyping, institutional constraints, and limited opportunities for meaningful participation in wider society. These experiences are interpreted through the perspectives of nationalism, racism, and multiculturalism. National identity can shape the boundaries of belonging, while racialized perceptions may reinforce unequal power relations and exclusion. At the same time, multicultural perspectives help explain how diverse groups create contact, negotiate differences, and develop forms of coexistence. Despite significant challenges, migrant workers exercise agency by building social networks, relying on community support, and participating actively in Taiwan's economic and social life. The study argues that policies and workplace practices should adopt a stronger human-rights orientation, protecting workers' dignity, mobility, social participation, and opportunities for personal development. Reducing cross-cultural conflict and supporting physical and psychological adjustment can strengthen communication, cooperation, and long-term social integration within an increasingly diverse society.

Keywords: Nationalism, Migrant Workers, Ethnic Relations, Cross-Cultural Adaptation, Social Integration, Multiculturalism.

Davis Brown*, Santo Johansen

The research explores the relationship between students’ involvement in campus life and their academic engagement, with particular attention to the effects of managing multiple commitments. Participation in clubs, organizations, and other university activities can contribute to students’ connection with campus life, yet extensive involvement may also place demands on time, attention, and academic responsibilities. Data were collected from 113 students enrolled at a public university and a private religiously affiliated university. Participants completed measures assessing experiences of excessive involvement and academic engagement in higher education. The findings indicated satisfactory internal consistency for the instruments used in the study. The analysis further showed a negative association between feelings of excessive involvement and academic engagement, suggesting that students who experienced greater difficulty managing their commitments tended to report lower levels of academic engagement. Differences between the two institutional groups were also observed, with students from the private religiously affiliated university reporting comparatively higher engagement. The findings highlight the importance of maintaining a manageable balance between campus participation and academic responsibilities.

Keywords: Student Involvement; Academic Engagement; Campus Participation; Student Commitments; Higher Education; University Students; Extracurricular Activities; Academic Responsibilities; Student Experiences.

Dylan Proctor*, Mvon Werthern, Jaime Young, Michelle Hoss

This study examines how news media portray immigration detention and how these portrayals differ across geographic and temporal contexts. Using a critical media literacy perspective, the research investigates the visibility given to detained individuals, the issues emphasized in reporting, and the relationship between local coverage and wider public discussions of immigration. A critical content analysis was conducted on 180 news articles concerning Stewart Detention Center published between 2006 and April 2020. The articles were examined according to publication year, geographic level, and major themes associated with detention and immigration. The findings indicate that news attention varied considerably across different periods, with reporting increasing during years marked by detainee deaths, allegations of mistreatment, legal disputes, and heightened political attention to immigration. State-level newspapers accounted for a substantial share of the coverage, while national and international reports presented different emphases. The analysis also identified a notable gap between the issues receiving attention in coverage of the detention center and those dominating broader immigration discussions. Reports concerning detainee deaths and conditions of confinement were especially prominent in coverage of the facility but received comparatively limited attention in wider national debates. These patterns demonstrate how geographic reach and media priorities can shape public understanding of detention and determine which experiences become visible. The study highlights the value of critical media literacy for recognizing omissions, examining power relations, and developing a more informed understanding of immigration detention.

Keywords: Immigration Detention; Media Framing; News Narratives; Critical Media Literacy; Content Analysis; Media Representation; Public Discourse; Human Rights; Immigrant Visibility; News Coverage.

Trinath Das*

Marriage has historically occupied a central place in the social organization of Brahmin communities, serving not only as a personal union but also as a means of preserving family traditions, social networks, cultural values, and customary practices. In recent decades, however, changing educational opportunities, urbanization, economic mobility, individual aspirations, and evolving ideas of companionship have begun to reshape how marriage is understood and negotiated. This commentary examines the tension between inherited matrimonial expectations and the growing importance of personal choice among Brahmin communities. It considers how practices concerning partner selection, family involvement, caste boundaries, age at marriage, gender roles, and the significance attached to traditional rituals are being reconsidered within changing social circumstances. Rather than viewing these developments simply as a decline of tradition, the commentary argues that Brahmin marriage practices are undergoing a process of negotiation in which inherited customs and contemporary preferences frequently coexist. Families may retain ceremonial and cultural traditions while allowing greater individual participation in decisions regarding marriage. At the same time, conventional expectations continue to influence choices in subtle and significant ways. The changing marriage landscape therefore reflects neither a complete rejection of tradition nor an uncomplicated embrace of modernity, but an ongoing renegotiation of social identity, family authority, and individual agency. The commentary highlights marriage as an important site for understanding broader transformations in community life and social values among Brahmins.

Keywords: Brahmin Communities; Marriage Practices; Matrimonial Traditions; Individual Choice; Family Expectations; Social Change; Cultural Continuity; Marriage Negotiations; Social Transformation.

Vasilopoulo Eggan*, Hinckley Goel, Kronekova Pelach

This qualitative study explores how divine healing is understood and experienced within Apostolic faith communities, with particular attention to the relationship between religious belief, spiritual practices, and attachment to faith. The study draws on personal communications and narratives from Apostolic women who describe their experiences of illness, prayer, healing, and restoration. Consideration is given to the ways in which deeply held biblical convictions shape expectations of healing and influence interpretations of personal suffering and recovery. The study also examines distinctions between Pentecostal and Apostolic understandings of divine healing, recognizing areas of shared belief while attending to differences in religious practice and theological emphasis. Attachment theory provides an additional perspective for examining how an individual's relationship with God may influence responses to distress, uncertainty, illness, and perceived healing experiences. The findings suggest that faith can function as an important source of meaning, emotional strength, hope, and continuity during periods of physical or personal difficulty. Participants' accounts indicate that belief in biblical promises of healing is not merely doctrinal but may become part of everyday practices and personal interpretations of life events. The study contributes to broader discussions of religion and healing by highlighting how spiritual belief, religious attachment, and lived experience interact in understanding divine restoration.

Keywords: Divine Healing; Apostolic Faith; Religious Attachment; Attachment Theory; Spiritual Practices; Lived Experience; Faith and Healing; Biblical Belief; Pentecostalism; Religious Coping; Spiritual Restoration; Qualitative Research.