Digital Commons Network^™

The Atlas Of Intercultural Communication: Navigating Conflict Resolution With Cultural Intelligence, Luz Marina Erturk

Department of Conflict Resolution Studies Theses and Dissertations

As universities become increasingly multicultural, intercultural communication is becoming an essential skill across campus roles. This study examined the role of cultural intelligence (CQ) in conflict resolution within university settings. Using a phenomenological approach, it explored how individuals in administrative, management, or counseling roles applied CQ in communication, negotiation, and conflict resolution. Twelve participants were interviewed, and data collection spanned five months. The study applied Earley and Ang’s four-factor model of CQ, which includes metacognitive, cognitive, motivational, and behavioral dimensions. The developmental model of intercultural sensitivity (DMIS) was also used to interpret how participants’ levels of intercultural sensitivity shaped their …

The Somatechnics Of Journalism: Applying An Embodied Perspective To Enduring Issues In Journalism Studies, Laura Glitsos, Mark Deuze

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This research applies Somatechnics to the study of journalism and contributes to an emergent epistemological “bodily turn” in the discipline of Journalism Studies. This is a turn toward the body, embodied experience, and the inevitable emotionality of journalism and the journalist as brought forth by Chantal Francoeur and Belinda Middleweek, among others. We invite journalism scholars (and practitioners) to understand journalists’ bodies as sophisticated organic technologies—and to subsequently understand how those bodies are further transmogrified by, and collapsed into, the ever-changing world of news media. We deploy a process of retheorising as a qualitative method in which researchers apply new …

Serial Killers And The Production Of The Uncanny In Digital Participatory Culture, Laura Glitsos, Mark Deuze

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Many theorists have expounded on what serial killing says about the social in any given context and the ways in which serial killing and media are entangled, in particular, Mark Seltzer, Jon Stratton and Elliot Leyton. However, in this article, we ask, how is serial killer mythology developing in relation to participatory culture typical of our current digital environment? In scaffolding discourse analysis with theories from various literature, such as Judith Fathalla and Mark Deuze, what we find is that people’s lives as lived in media open up radically new spaces through which media publics consume, cultivate and perform knowledge …

Cluster Conversation: (Re)Writing Our Histories, (Re)Building Feminist Worlds: Working Toward Hope In The Archives, Ruth Osorio, Lamaya Williams, Megan Mcintyre

English Faculty Publications

[Introduction] "Hope is not like a lottery ticket you can sit on the sofa and clutch, feeling lucky. [...] Hope is an ax you break down doors with in an emergency." - Rebecca Solnit

In 2018, Cheryl Glenn wrote, "The work of feminist rhetorical historiography is far from done; in fact, it has just begun-and it is anchored in hope." Following Glenn, we explore hope in this cluster as a methodological imperative in the archives. Informed by theorists Paulo Freire, bell hooks, Rebecca Solnit, and Cornel West, the writers in this Cluster Conversation envision hope as a radical orientation toward …

Codec-M: The Multi-Lingual Manosphere Subcorpus Of The Corpus Of Digital Extremism And Conspiracies, Rachel Mccullough, Daniel Drylie, Mindl Barta, Cass Dykeman, Daniel Smith

English Faculty Publications

In 2023, the U.S. Surgeon General warned the public of the current “loneliness epidemic” and its potential consequences on physical and mental health. One possible consequence of this epidemic is the growth of a movement defined by loneliness and isolation: the incel (“involuntary celibate”) movement. This warning presents a worrying glimpse at the future, as the incel movement, along with other parts of the manosphere, is one that espouses violently misogynist rhetoric which is intrinsically linked to right-wing extremism. While linguistic studies have been conducted on the speech of incels and other constituent movements of the manosphere, few of these …

Toward A Decolonial Digitality: On Seb Franklin's The Digitally Disposed, Travis Alexander

English Faculty Publications

[Introduction] If the long hot summer of 2020 marked a season of racial reckoning, it was also—now visible in retrospect—a moment for processing with the relation between digital technologies and power. 8:46 after all names not only an event, a murder, but the title of a short digital film. A film, moreover, that has found decisively counterposed audiences in its ongoing afterlives. A forensics of police violence, on the one hand, 8:46 also avails, in the shadier corners of the dark web, the pleasures of a snuff film. In this way, 8:46 is emblematic of a broader, and, perhaps, terminal …

Echo Chambers On The Left, Echo Chambers On The Right: How Socioideological Identity Emotion Shape Social Interaction Behavior On Social Media, Dean Carl Jackson

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

This dissertation investigates how echo chambers emerge on social media by shifting the lens from aggregate patterns of information exposure to moment-by-moment, individual level interaction decisions between peers. I theorize that selective exposure online is not only about what content people consume or avoid, but also about selective social exposure—accepting, rejecting, or sharing with the sources of that content—guided by sociopolitical identity, ideological distance (ID), and discrete emotions. To test this, I employ two survey experiments using real tweets varying in ideological extremity and measure user’s likelihood to Block, Follow, Retweet, or reply, alongside self-reported emotional reactions and ID between …

Between Worlds, Between Selves: Comparative Self-Presentation Under Social Expectation Uncertainty Among U.S. Students And Vietnamese International Students, Thu Dang

Communication Theses - Archive

In an increasingly globalized professional environment, this study examines differences in uncertainty about social expectations, social comparison, and inauthentic self-presentation between U.S. students and Vietnamese international students on LinkedIn. Grounded in cultural dimensions and social comparison frameworks, the research investigates (1) differences in uncertainty, social comparison, and inauthentic self-presentation between the two groups, (2) the predictive roles of uncertainty and social comparison on inauthentic self-presentation, and (3) the moderating effects of country and self-construal levels on these relationships.

Survey data were collected from Vietnamese international students (n = 163) and U.S. students (n = 160). The findings revealed …

#Mmiw On Instagram: Contemporary Representations Of Missing Indigenous Women, Girls, And Two-Spirit People​, Sydney E. Cathcart, Renu Pariyadath

University of South Carolina Upstate Student Research Journal

This research paper overlooks the disproportionate number of missing persons and violence towards Indigenous groups, particularly women. Communication research has pointed to mass media lacking coverage on missing or murdered cases of Indigenous people, contributing to invisibility of the issue and lack of attention to the problem. Individual efforts to increase sources of information have been utilized in social media to make up for where mass media lacks. Social media creators who look to raise awareness, mobilize grassroot actions, and expand community ties. Content analysis was used to analyze content in Instagram under hashtags relevant to #MMIW–Missing and Murdered Indigenous …

Collegiate Athlete Branding And Name, Image, And Likeness On Instagram, Carson Shaw, Renu Pariyadath

University of South Carolina Upstate Student Research Journal

This study explores how collegiate athletes use Instagram to build their personal brands and maximize their Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) potential in the era of digital self-promotion. Since the 2021 Supreme Court ruling allowing college athletes to profit from NIL, social media has become a key platform for visibility, engagement, and financial opportunity. Guided by Erving Goffman’s Self-Presentation Theory, this research employs a qualitative content analysis of 80 Instagram posts from eight collegiate athletes—four high-profile and four low-profile—representing diverse sports, genders, and institutions. Sixteen content themes drawn from prior research were analyzed, including personal life, business life, athletic performance, …

Cultural Preservation Through Promotion: Marketing The Muscogee Way, Stephanie Lawson

Theses and Dissertations

Cultural tourism is on the rise. According to UNESCO (2021), cultural tourism accounts for 40% of global tourism and is one of the fastest-growing segments of the tourism industry. Today, travelers worldwide seek authentic experiences that allow them to connect with local cultures, learn about ancient history, and engage in unique cultural activities. Meanwhile, Indigenous tourism experiences are also a growing trend in the tourism industry. Indigenous tourism is growing by 4% annually, and this growth is projected to continue until 2034 (Future Market Insights, 2024). The rising popularity of cultural and Indigenous tourism presents a unique opportunity for Native …

Cross-Cultural Narratives: A Comparative Analysis Of "Yo Soy Betty, La Fea" And "Ugly Betty", Marcos Falck Hernandez

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis examines the cross-cultural adaptation of the Colombian telenovela Yo soy Betty, la fea (1999–2001) into the American dramedy Ugly Betty (2006–2010), by analyzing how the latter reimagined the original narrative to address U.S.-specific cultural dynamics. Through qualitative analysis and literature review of the narrative structure, this study shows how “Ugly Betty” expanded its predecessor’s critique of beauty standards to explore Latino identity, multiculturalism, and workplace diversity in America. While both series center on an unconventional protagonist navigating the fashion industry, “Ugly Betty” uniquely foregrounds the experiences of a Mexican American family, offering nuanced depictions of immigration, cultural assimilation, …

Social Media Strategy For The Continuing And Professional Education Program, Kayla Ford

Theses and Dissertations

Continuing and Professional Education (CPE) allows adults to pursue professional or personal development opportunities outside of a college degree. When it came to marketing these opportunities, CPE relied more on traditional marketing from a lack of digital marketing professionals, creating a weak social media presence. To help elevate their social media presence, a social media marketing strategy approach was utilized to improve CPE’s digital presence by setting objectives that focus on engagement, awareness, and as well as a campaign that focuses on the importance of continuing education. Data from research studies and professional articles specializing in digital marketing directed what …

Riverside Readings: Audio Drama Development And Implementation Plan, Trent P. Mylie

Theses and Dissertations

The current state of media includes broadcasting, podcasting, and a new yet familiar form of accessible media through streaming. Numerous examples illustrate the significance of broadcasting and counter the notion that it is a niche or outdated form of media. Younger generations, including mine, have grown up in an era rich in media, witnessing the dawn and resurgence of formats that once seemed lost. As we transition into a collegiate environment, we seek to channel our creativity through a medium; for us, that medium is radio and podcasting. Riverside Readings allows individuals to explore their creative passions and engage in …

Understanding Women’S Attitudes Toward Midwifery Practices For Maternal Care In Middle Georgia, Kristen M. Simpson

Theses and Dissertations

Compared to other high-income countries, women in the United States are more likely to die from problems related to pregnancy and childbirth. In Georgia, maternal mortality is particularly acute. Midwifery models of maternal care have been shown to produce positive pregnancy and childbirth outcomes for patients, but these services are underutilized in Georgia. This study sought to identify women’s attitudes toward midwifery, what contributed to those attitudes, and what influenced women in Middle Georgia to seek midwifery services using a qualitative, Grounded Theory approach. Three participants who self-identified as having used a midwife before were interviewed using a semi-structured protocol. …

Boosting Three Dog Bakery’S Social Media Presence Through Short-Form Vertical Videos, Mary Litz

Theses and Dissertations

This professional project explores how consistent, short-form vertical video content can enhance the social media performance of Three Dog Bakery, a boutique pet store in Columbus, Georgia. As the bakery’s social media manager, I implemented a one-month video campaign using storytelling-based, behind-the-scenes videos featuring the owner and the baking process. Drawing on transformational message strategy and best practices in social media marketing, the campaign aimed to increase reach, views, engagement, and viewer retention on Instagram.

Throughout the campaign, six videos were posted and various strategies were tested, including optimal posting times, video lengths, and hooks. Results showed a 45.4% increase …

Cultivating The Competitor: Advocacy, Competition And Education, Vanessa Fowler

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

This thesis explores the intricate balance between advocacy, competition, and education within collegiate forensics, aiming to understand how these elements coexist and influence the experiences of students and coaches. The literature review highlights the multifaceted nature of student success, emphasizing the importance of a holistic approach that includes personal development, emotional well-being, and societal contributions. The research examines the critical role of self-efficacy and motivation, both intrinsic and extrinsic, in driving student achievement. It also addresses the tension between competition and education, advocating for a balanced approach that supports holistic student development. Through semi-structured interviews with current competitors, coaches, and …

“Promoting Safe Firearm Storage Through Media-Based Interventions”, Abigali Bordelon

2025 Honors Symposium

Although often underrepresented in public discussions of gun violence in the United States, unintentional pediatric shootings contributed to the ongoing gun violence endemic. These shootings routinely share characteristics which make them an ideal target for public health and injury prevention efforts. As individual's often learn about unintentional pediatric shootings and form opinions based on media reports of these incidents, it is crucial that we explore how the mainstream media is framing these events and what must be changed in order to better support prevention efforts. This project examines safe firearm storage patterns and attitudes within the U.S. and mainstream media …

The Kids Aren't Alright: "Indie Sleaze Revival" And The Commodification Of Subcultures On Social Media, Lauren Mar

Scripps Senior Theses

In 2012, the “indie sleaze” subculture is accepted to have “died” — the same year Facebook bought Instagram. Named retroactively by social media in 2021, the “indie sleaze” subculture and its “revival” online provides a rich ground for investigating how and why social media converts subculture into aesthetics. Drawing on Dick Hebdige’s 1979 theory of subculture, this project considers new understandings of the political, aesthetic, and affective relationships between digital media and subcultures. In examining the evolution of “indie sleaze” from its origins and manifestations in an escapist party scene of the aughts to its online simulations from 2021 to …

The Ascendance Of Influencers: Saints Of Capitalism In The Digital Age, Riley R. Hourihan

Master of Liberal Studies Theses

This thesis examines the rise of social media influencers as modern-day saints within the cultural and economic framework of late capitalism. Drawing on interdisciplinary scholarship from religious studies, media theory, and cultural criticism, it argues that influencer culture does not replace religion but retools its structures—ritual, authority, devotion, and community—for the digital age. Through detailed case studies ranging from Hailey Bieber and Taylor Swift to Ballerina Farm and MrBeast, the paper explores how influencers shape identity, mediate ethics, and mobilize affect through algorithmic rituals and parasocial relationships. Influencers perform a form of digital sanctity that parallels traditional hagiography, guiding followers …

Minnesota School Boards Association Communications Internship, Anna Houston

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

My internship at Minnesota School Boards Association allowed me to gain more experience within the communications field. This internship allowed me to see how current communications professionals are working within the non-profit sector that isn’t directly related to environmental matters. It was beneficial to learn from these experts while improving on my hard and soft skills within the communications field. This will help show future employers that I didn’t just study communications, but I actively practiced this work within the communications field. The Minnesota School Boards Association is a private, nonprofit organization founded in 1920 in St. Peter MN. The …

College Students' Identity Differences In Offline And Online Learning Environment And Their Effects On Achievement Motivation, Sang-Soog Lee, Jinhee Kim, Seung Won Yu, Na Li

STEMPS Faculty Publications

The unprecedented evolution of educational technologies has transformed the learning landscape, creating distinct experiences in offline and online learning environments (OLE). However, little attention has been given to exploring students’ identities in the online learning context and how they can influence academic trajectories, limiting the development of a holistic understanding of the nature, effects, and areas of improvement in students’ identity formation in OLE. This study aims to investigate how students’ identity subcomponents differ among offline and OLE students via propensity score matching (PSM) in China, which allows us to find a doppelganger to estimate the counterfactual situation for making …

Lights, Camera, Action: A Student's Perspective On Reimagining Film Production Opportunities, Ma'lon I. Lane

Theses and Dissertations

The pursuit of a crew job in the film industry is a multifaceted endeavor, offering various pathways that cater to diverse aspirations and circumstances. Central to this exploration is the question of whether attending a university and obtaining a degree in film is essential for success. I was determined to answer the following: What is the likelihood that a higher education in Film Production leads to more efficient job acquisition in the film industry? The project is considered narrative, originating from the personal quality of the research questions. I used my resources to gather qualitative data through interviews of film …

World As Other, World As Self: Beyond Dualism In Environmental Narratives, Tamara Wallace Ramirez

CGU Theses & Dissertations

Stories of place matter to the way we live with the Earth. A dualistic perspective that pits "culture" against "nature" enables environmental degradation on small and large scales. Conversely, understanding humans and nonhumans as entwined allows us to think and act differently with our planetary community. This view entails integrating the "self" and the "other." Instead of being antithetical to the other, the self arises through engagement with others, human and nonhuman. Understanding our mutuality with others while respecting their alterity and agency fosters caring and dedication. Our sense of connection with the more-than-human world inspires our compassion. However, such …

Audience Attention: A Lesson In Confident Public Speaking, Leah F. Stein

ENGS 15.11: Design and Education

We’ve all sat through a speech that lost our attention. This lesson helps students ensure their own isn’t one of them. This lesson serves as an introduction or a supplementary lesson in the art of public speaking. Many people have nerves about public speaking, so this lesson will provide students with tools to grow more confident in public speaking, specifically in keeping their audience engaged. Through discussions, a mini-lecture, and interactive speeches, students explore how rhetorical appeals (ethos, pathos, and logos) and the concept of identification help build a stronger connection with their audience. The lesson begins with a discussion …

Casd 2482 Introduction To Rehabilitative Audiology, Rosette Reisman

Open Educational Resources

Auditory intervention for children and adults; implications for early hearing detection and intervention; assessing communicative needs. Amplification devices, cochlear implants, hearing assistive technology, hearing protection and modes of communication. Experiential clinical-related activities.

The Reasons For The Silence Of First Officers: A Qualitative Study, Seda Ceken, Pinar Unsal Bayrakci

International Journal of Aviation, Aeronautics, and Aerospace

This study explores the reasons why first officers choose to remain silent in the cockpit or refrain from reporting errors after a flight. Effective communication and error reporting is crucial for flight safety, yet limited research has examined the factors contributing to silence among first officers. To address this gap, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 19 first officers (13 males, 6 females) working in the Turkish aviation sector. Data were collected through online Zoom interviews and analyzed using creative coding techniques in MAXQDA 22. Content analysis revealed 14 themes related to cockpit silence, including the captain’s manner, power distance, lack …

Coastal Perspectives: An Analysis Of Resident And Visitor Attitudes And Motivations Of Coastal Resilience Measures In Rhode Island, Jamie-Lynn Ward

Open Access Master's Theses

Anthropogenic impacts of climate change negatively affect the geographic structure, economic stability, and environmental conservation of coastal communities at exhaustive rates. Coastal resiliency planning and frameworks have been widely credited and criticized for their ability to mitigate climate risks in vulnerable communities. Yet, the rapid impacts of climate on communities' socioeconomic and environmental sectors have led to outcries from researchers and users for integrated and holistic coastal resilience approaches. Approaches highlighting stakeholders’ views of risks, coastal resilience measures, and place values to form localized adaptation and politically supported management strategies directly involving and benefiting communities. This mixed-method study was designed …

Navigating Online Perceptions Of Offshore Wind On Social Media: Facebook Discussions On Recent Whale Strandings, Giselle Hausmann

Open Access Master's Theses

The Biden-Harris administration implemented a goal to achieve 30 GW of offshore wind energy by 2030 (US Department of Interior, 2021). The rapid increase in offshore wind activity on the East Coast, combined with NOAA’s declared unusual mortality event in 2016/2017, has sparked a discussion about offshore wind being a potential cause of whale deaths. This paper aims to analyze the discourse on offshore wind and whales through a content analysis of Facebook comments. Facebook pages from Massachusetts (The New England Aquarium), Rhode Island (Rhode Island DEM), New York (The Atlantic Marine Conservation Society), New Jersey (Marine Mammal Stranding Center), …

Through Their Eyes: Investigating The Broad Autism Phenotype In Parents An Exploration In Eye Tracking During A Phonemic Restoration Paradigm In Conjunction With Social Communication Measures, Elena Esposito

Open Access Master's Theses

The Broad Autism Phenotype (BAP) refers to traits that resemble those seen in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The BAP traits are more common in first-degree relatives of individuals with ASD which suggests a potential genetic contribution to the disorder. Understanding how these traits manifest in communication remains limited. Previous research has shown differences in eye gaze patterns between children with ASD and neurotypical children. This study explored whether similar patterns exist in parents of children with autism (pASD) during a phonemic restoration task. The Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS-2) and Broad Autism Phenotype Questionnaire (BAPQ) were also used in this study …