Seniors present theses during Symposium
By Elizabeth Hardy | April 22, 2010University of Richmond students from several disciplines and majors presented their thesis topics at the 25th annual Arts and Sciences Symposium. Senior Beth Ann Platt presented "Systematic Rape: a Form of Terrorism" at the symposium, explaining that while rape does not rely on bombings or hijackings, it does rely heavily on the debilitating effects of fear, which is something that is commonly related with terrorism. Platt practiced presenting in front of five faculty members in the Rhetoric and Communication Studies department before her presentation, which she said had given her confidence. She discussed why it was important to recognize systematic rape as a method of terrorism for preventative purposes and also for appropriate policies of justice. "I felt really comfortable because I was presenting my research to faculty that I admire and peers who were interested in my area of research," Platt said. The symposium was practice for Platt.
