Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Nightmares In The Ethanol Dream, Cassie Fleming

College of Journalism and Mass Communications: Student Media

Although President George W. Bush, Congress, and Midwest politicians all champion corn ethanol, some economists, scientists and even a few farmers benefiting from the grain-alcohol nudge say that view is an intoxicated, rose-tinted illusion.

Honing In On The Homeland, Cassie Fleming

College of Journalism and Mass Communications: Student Media

In 2006, Americans consumed 20.7 million barrels of oil a day, making the United States the world’s top energy user.

Infrastructure Impacts, Carolyn Johnsen

College of Journalism and Mass Communications: Student Media

As federal pressure increases to meet ethanol mandates and as new ethanol plants are built across the country, how will all this ethanol be moved around — from factory to distributor to vehicle? Here’s a sampling of the infrastructure issues.

Contributors To Ethanol: Salvation Or Damnation?

College of Journalism and Mass Communications: Student Media

Reporters, Photographers, Graphics, Documentary, Editors, Designers, Faculty

Cinematic Jujitsu: Resisting White Hegemony Through The American Dream In Spike Lee’S Malcolm X, Kristen Hoerl

Department of Communication Studies: Faculty Publications

Spike Lee’s film Malcolm X (1992) presented Malcolm X’s life story using the narrative framework of the American Dream myth central to liberal ideology. Working from Gramsci’s notion of common sense in the process of hegemony, I explain how Lee appealed to this mythic structure underlying American popular culture to give a platform to Malcolm X’s controversial ideas. By adopting a common sense narrative to tell Malcolm X’s life story, this movie functioned as a form of cinematic jujitsu that invited critical consciousness about the contradictions between liberal ideology and the life experiences of racially excluded groups. Other formal devices …

Introduction To Ethanol: Salvation Or Damnation?, Joe Starita

College of Journalism and Mass Communications: Student Media

For nine months, a team of UNL student journalists — six print and four broadcasting — went looking for the answers to these questions. The students read hundreds of pages of background material, interviewed scores of scientists, researchers, professors and energy experts by phone and e-mail, grilled a number of ethanol advocates in person, participated in an energy symposium at Stanford University, traveled to Berkeley, Chicago and Kansas City, and visited ethanol plants, rural communities and cattle country to try to get to the bottom of this elusive, complex issue. The results of their months-long research can be found in …

Running On Empty: Food Vs. Fuel, Mimi Abebe

College of Journalism and Mass Communications: Student Media

The recent boom in the ethanol industry has resulted in a greater demand for corn, which, in turn, has led to a strain on the supply, triggering higher prices.

History Of Ethanol, Mimi Abebe

College of Journalism and Mass Communications: Student Media

Ethanol has become a hot topic today, but its controversial history actually dates back to the 1800s.

Ethanol: Salvation Or Damnation?, Mimi Abebe, Melissa Drozda, Cassie Fleming, Lucas Jameson, Aaron E. Price, Kate Veik, Kosuke Koiwai, Alex Hauter, Penny Costello, Stephanie Jacobs, Amanda Soukup, Emily Anderson, Michaela Vander Weil, Shannon Smith, Scott Koperski, Mallory Wittstruck, Carolyn Johnsen, Joe Starita, Perry Stoner, Michael Farrell, Marilyn Hahn

College of Journalism and Mass Communications: Student Media

Contents:
Opening Essay BY JOE STARITA

Running on Empty: Food vs. Fuel BY MIMI ABEBE
The recent boom in the ethanol industry has resulted in a greater demand for corn, which, in turn, has led to a strain on the supply, triggering higher prices

Nightmares in the Ethanol Dream BY CASSIE FLEMING
Politicians are quick to endorse the benefits of ethanol production. Others say that view is an illusion.

Follow the Maize BY MIMI ABEBE
The step-by-step stages of ethanol production

History of Ethanol BY MIMI ABEBE
Ethanol’s controversial history dates back to the 1800s

Precise Portions BY CASSIE FLEMING …

Follow The Maize, Mimi Abebe

College of Journalism and Mass Communications: Student Media

From kernel to car fuel: the step-by-step stages of ethanol production.

Ethanol And The Elements, Melissa Drozda, Carolyn Johnsen

College of Journalism and Mass Communications: Student Media

Using ethanol in place of gasoline helps to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, but this solution may contribute to the problems.

Precise Portions, Cassie Fleming

College of Journalism and Mass Communications: Student Media

Precision farming assists farmers in meeting government mandates for increased corn-ethanol production.

Sweet Ideas: Alternative Biofuels, Lucas Jameson

College of Journalism and Mass Communications: Student Media

Scientists and farmers alike promote research of alternative energy crops, but without necessary funds the search to find a cost-effective method continues.

New Deal Or No Deal, Lucas Jameson

College of Journalism and Mass Communications: Student Media

Minden’s city officials hope their ethanol plant will spark long-term economic growth.

Increased Corn Production Can Pollute Water, Aaron E. Price

College of Journalism and Mass Communications: Student Media

As farmers raise more corn for ethanol, they’re likely to use more nitrogen fertilizer and other chemicals that can pollute water.

Unlimited Resource Or Looming Roadblock?, Aaron E. Price

College of Journalism and Mass Communications: Student Media

Conflicting needs for water put pressure on state’s water supply.

Corn Monoculture: No Friend Of Biodiversity, Aaron E. Price

College of Journalism and Mass Communications: Student Media

Federal mandates for corn ethanol, which encourage farmers to plant more corn, may threaten the biodiversity of grasslands.

Subsidies Support Ethanol, Aaron E. Price, Carolyn Johnsen

College of Journalism and Mass Communications: Student Media

The ethanol industry receives subsidies from every level of government.

Degrees Should Serve Some Life Skills On The Side, Carla Kimbrough

College of Journalism and Mass Communications: Faculty Publications

I think college is much more than a time to gather career-related skills. I'd love to see a college course focusing on life management skills and creating life plans so students can live life to the fullest. My philosophy about this type of education extends beyond journalism. Life management includes skills such as setting goals, managing time, resources and money and making sohd decisions that affect the present and the future. Setting goals is critical to achieving any level of success — however one defines success — because goals provide direction in all aspects of life. In many of the …

Library 2.0 And The Problem Of Hate Speech, Margaret Brown-Sica, Jeffrey Beall

E-JASL 1999-2009 (Volumes 1-10)

[First paragraph]

Library 2.0 applications benefit library users by providing rich, peer-generated content that adds value to online library databases and systems. However, not all of this shared content is beneficial, for it’s possible for library users to abuse library 2.0 applications by uploading words, pictures, or other content that constitutes hate speech. Internet lawyer Christopher Wolf warns of, “ … the sudden and rapidly increasing deployment of Web 2.0 technologies to spread messages, sounds and images of hate across the Internet and around the world” [1]. As academic libraries make available Web 2.0 systems that allow user-generated content, they …

Introducing Learning Commons Functionality Into A Traditional Reference Setting, Jeffrey A. Franks

E-JASL 1999-2009 (Volumes 1-10)

Abstract

For the past decade the University Libraries at The University of Akron has been modifying and enhancing its services in response to changing technologies and user needs, as well as evolving campus strategies. Library efforts centered on service excellence and student success have played a leading role in the inclusion of a planned learning commons as one of the key strategic initiatives of the University. At this time the learning commons concept has been fully developed, while the proposed building renovation plan is underway. The Library, however, is utilizing key opportunities in the present to integrate learning commons functionality …

Tallying The Chad Marks In The Ballot Box: A Survey Of Distance Learning Library Services In Florida’S State Universities, Sarah J. Hammill

E-JASL 1999-2009 (Volumes 1-10)

Abstract

As distance education continues to grow in Florida, libraries are developing the resources and services to meet the needs of faculty and students. This article identifies what distance learning library services the Florida’s State University System (SUS) Libraries are providing. It concludes with recommendations for additional and improved services and identifies areas for future research in the state of Florida.

Employee Development Using Webct Vista, Jennifer Link Jones

E-JASL 1999-2009 (Volumes 1-10)

Abstract

In an effort to make required training easily available to academic library employees, the author used the campus course management system (CMS), WebCT Vista, to create online learning modules for the library. Also discussed are general benefits of online learning, the technology competencies that prompted the development of the learning modules, and the design and components of the learning modules.

Protecting Children Online, Deborah J. Weitzenkamp Dr.

Kimmel Education and Research Center: Faculty and Staff Publications

This publication explains potential Internet hazards and how to protect children from them.

In an age where children are using the Internet on a daily basis, parents need to be aware of how children use it, potential online hazards, how to recognize signs that their children might be at risk, and steps that they can take to safeguard their children. While it is important that parents be proactive regarding their children’s use of the Internet, it also is important that parents not overreact to potential threats. Instead, parents need to take a proactive approach toward protecting their children in a …

An Assessment Of Local Peoples Opinions Of Community Conservation Initiatives In Relation To Livelihood Strategies In Kenya, Jill Mechtenberg

Department of Environmental Studies: Undergraduate Student Theses

Abstract This paper analyzed the changing livelihood strategies in Kenya, and their cultural impacts via a literature review. I then combined this understanding with the data I collected while in Kenya to examine the opinions local people have of community conservation initiatives, based on their changing livelihood strategies. I expected to find that the following factors would have an affect on the opinions local community members have of community conservation initiatives: livelihood strategy, gender, ethnicity, whether or not they believe the distribution of benefits coming from wildlife conservation is equitable, what issues they would like to see improved within community …

A Social Relations Model Of Everyday Talk And Relational Satisfaction In Stepfamilies, Paul Schrodt, Jordan Soliz, Dawn O. Braithwaite

Department of Communication Studies: Faculty Publications

This study examined the intrapersonal and interpersonal mechanisms underlying reported frequencies of everyday talk and relational satisfaction in stepfamilies. Participants included a parent, stepparent, and child from 114 stepfamilies (N = 342) from the Midwest and Southwest regions of the United States. Social relations model analyses revealed that everyday talk and relational satisfaction vary across stepfamily relationships as a function primarily of actor and relationship effects. Stepparents’ reports of everyday talk with the parent (i.e., their spouse) varied primarily as a function of actor effects, whereas reports of both children’s and parents’ satisfaction with the stepparent varied primarily as a …

A Good Attitude Goes Far, Carla Kimbrough

College of Journalism and Mass Communications: Faculty Publications

You could be one of the greatest talents in your newsroom, but if you have a lousy attitude, you may not go as far as you'd expect. A negative attitude will cause you to grumble about assignments, even the pretty good ones. Your superior talent may take you far, but colleagues celebrate your departure — and not because they're happy for you. A lousy attitude is not a forever sentence. Here are some tips to help you turn your attitude around.

The Pursuit Of Happiness, Carla Kimbrough

College of Journalism and Mass Communications: Faculty Publications

Gretchen Rubin of New York City takes the pursuit of happiness seriously. A few years ago, Rubin decided that what she wanted from life was to be happy. Although she had much to be happy about, she said she realized she wasn't as happy as she could be and that her life wouldn't change unless "I made it change."
Now, she's writing a memoir about a year she spent testing every tip and theory related to achieving happiness, "The Happiness Project" (www. happiness-project.com ). I asked her to share three of her best lessons:
First, take care of your body. …

Increasing Impact Of Scholarly Journal Articles: Practical Strategies Librarians Can Share, Laura Bowering Mullen

E-JASL 1999-2009 (Volumes 1-10)

Abstract

Researchers are extremely interested in increasing the impact of their individual scholarly work, and may turn to academic librarians for advice and assistance. Academic librarians may find new roles as consultants to authors in methods of self-archiving and citation analysis. Librarians can be proactive in this new role by disseminating current information on all citation analysis tools and metrics, as well as by offering strategies to increase Web visibility of scholarship to interested faculty. Potential authors of journal articles, especially those faculty seeking greater research impact, such as those seeking promotion and tenure, will find practical suggestions from librarians …

Trend Setters: Computers In The Commons Environment, Kim Granath, Sue Samson

E-JASL 1999-2009 (Volumes 1-10)

Abstract

A multi-year, trend study of public computer usage was conducted to determine use patterns of The University of Montana Mansfield Library public computers before, during, and after the implementation of an Information Center commons environment. Sampling methodology was developed and implemented in 3-year increments beginning in 1999. Analysis provided information for data-driven decisions on staffing patterns, expansion of public computer access, decisions on software and imaging management, and the modification of study design. Results were compared to other library data and underscore the need to embed assessment in academic library services to maintain continuity with the changing needs of …