Digital Commons Network^™

Collectively We Unite On Facebook: A Case Study Of Egypt's Collective Action On Facebook Toward Social Change, Basma Botros

Masters Theses

The development of the famous social networking site, Facebook, has been associated with significant challenges to regimes that are characterized by being repressive to its citizens in terms of freedom of speech and expression, and mostly are third world developing countries that suffer. Egypt provides a good case study of Facebook ability to organize a strike among its citizens. April 6, 2008 is curved in the memories of Egyptians as a "general dissent day" that was initiated through Facebook and then was transmitted to almost every Egyptian citizen using other media sources. This paper shows how Facebook facilitates collective identity …

Barn Again: A Case Study Of Congregational Reformation As Expressed Through The Rhetoric Of Church Architecture, Karen Elizabeth Burch

Masters Theses

Understanding the way in which church architecture functions rhetorically to communicate identity formation, monumentality, and meaning was the focus of this study.

Ronald C. Arnett's interpersonal praxis is used as a starting point to understand how the architectural rhetoric of reformation happens. It includes the integration of three concepts: faith narrative, or worldview; historicality, the presence of history in a place; and metaphor, or symbol. I argue that it is through an understanding of an integration of these terms as applied to visual communication that architectural communication can be understood.

Sonja Foss's schema for the evaluation of visual imagery was …

Bringing Her Fist Down On That Wholeness: Rewriting Gendered Narratives In Zoeìˆ Wicomb's Fiction, Rachel Heicher

Masters Theses

This thesis situates South African writer Zoë Wicomb's fictional work within a critical context of current feminist theory, exploring Wicomb's response to a central problem for poststructuralist feminism-how can we deconstruct femininity while simultaneously conserving a platform for feminist political activism; how can we assert. on the one hand, that there are no "women", and then, on the other, continue to campaign on behalf of "women's" rights? Wicomb's two novels to date, You Can't Get Lost in Cape Town (1987) and David's Story (2000) serve as test studies for a model of gender that fluctuates and purposefully and constructively embodies …

A Survey: Contemporary Music Therapy Practice With Individuals Diagnosed On The Autism Spectrum, S. Alie Chandler

Masters Theses

A variety of music therapy approaches and techniques for working with individuals with autism spectrum disorders have evolved out of the creativity of the profession, the influence of different music therapy approaches, as well as the influences of other treatment and educational theories. This study includes a review of the music therapy literature concerning this population as well as a description of common educational programs and other treatment techniques influential in this field. The underlying question of this study is how these diverse methods are being incorporated and integrated into current music therapy practice to best meet the needs of …

Calvin Klein: Semiotic Phenomenology, Stephanie L. Crase-Moritz

Masters Theses

This study examined print advertising as a visual communication method by focusing on five of Calvin Klein's jeans advertisements and the themes that are expressed to determine what realities or social meanings Calvin Klein's jeans advertisements constructed and/or reflected. To uncover the themes within Klein's advertisements, the following three-methods were applied: Content Analysis, Informal Focus Group and Semiotic Phenomenology. Together the three-methods, based upon data collected from fourteen males and females aged 13-18, 19-21, 22-24 and 28 years old or above, identified fifteen underlying themes containing stereotypes, potentially dangerous realities and evidence showing our desensitization to controversy and shocking images …

Re-Cycling The Menstrual Cycle: A Multidisciplinary Reinterpretation Of Menstruation, Heather H. Rea

Masters Theses

This thesis offers a reinterpretation of the human female menstrual cycle that understands the process as positive, functional, and practical experience. Standard western definitions and understandings of menstruation use negative terminology and focus on menstrual blood as an indicator of failed conception. This view contributes significantly to the negative perception women have of menstruation in general, their own menstrual cycles, and ultimately of their femaleness. This fundamental, physiological process that symbolizes femaleness, the menstrual cycle, has been defined both, bio-medically and culturally, as a negative experience. I propose a reconceptualization of the menstrual cycle that is not only a tool …

A Rhetorical Criticism And Analysis Of President Ronald Reagan's Inaugural Address: Applying The Burkeian Dramatistic Pentad Approach, Marzuki Jamil Baki Bin Haji Mohamed Johar Bachik

Masters Theses

It is no accident that Ronald Reagan rose to the pinnacle of power at a moment when there was a rising wave of intellectual pessimism. Numerous theories were being offered as to why the trajectory of the American experiment has passed its apogee. Reagan's greatest gift to his country has been his soaring sense of possibilities. To see where he got it, look at what he has seen in a long life. However, a great communicator will communicate complicated ideas, hard choices and bad news. Reagan has had little aptitude and less appetite for those tasks. But, then, communication is …

How Actualities Affect The Credibility And Audience Evaluation Of Radio Newscasts, Michael G. Bradd

Masters Theses

This study tests the hypotheses that actualities increase the audience appeal and credibility of a radio newscast. Two treatment newscasts of identical content were produced using the same announcer. One of the treatments used actualities in four of the seven stories while the other treatment had no actualities. Analysis of variance was used to compare subjects' evaluations of the two treatments. The study found that contrary to common wisdom in the radio industry, actualities have no statistically significant impact on the audience appeal of a newscast. The data did not confirm the credibility hypothesis; it strongly suggested that actualities do …

Programmer And End User Communication In Computer System Development, Theresa J. Hart

Masters Theses

Many computer professionals agree that good communication between computer programmers or analysts and the people for whom a system is being created is essential for system success. This study researches possible reasons behind the communication problems that exist between programmers and end users and suggests ways to narrow the communication gap.

Many theories, including the theories of hemispheric brain dominance, thinking styles, and motivational factors may help explain the differences in communication styles between programmers and users. To further explore the communication problem, an exploratory survey was given to programmers and users to evaluate their perception of the communication that …

Viewers' Reactions To Ordinary People In Television News Events, Janice R. Kidd

Masters Theses

Viewers' Reactions to Ordinary People in Television News Events examines two hypotheses relating to respondents' reactions to viewing violent events or the likelihood of violent death as portrayed on the major news networks. Research centers on reactions of viewers to ordinary people caught in extraordinary news events. Results of two free-flow written exercises are discussed.

Research excludes reactions to viewing those in the news, such as police personnel, soldiers etc., whose lives might be expected to be involved in violent or dangerous events.

The Effects Of Training In Visual Cognitive Skills On Reading Comprehension, Valerie Joan Croll

Masters Theses

In an effort to design learning materials which de-emphasize the decoding process, and concentrate instead upon cognitive and critical thinking processes, picture study has been chosen as a potentially effective vehicle for providing delivery of programs for remediation of reading problems. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of training in visual cognitive skills as an alternative remedial technique for increasing the reading comprehension of children whose reading skills are considered to be lower than expected due to a learning disability. The population was a group of children in grades four, five, and six (n=34) in a …

The Use Of The Blueprinting Process On Fiber, Lisa D. Larson

Masters Theses

This thesis is a summary of what one student has done with the process of blueprinting as applied to fiber. Persons interested in the dyeing or painting of warps for weaving may benefit in reading this paper as it introduces another facet of warp application.

The blueprinting process used is the same technique engineers use to reproduce plans and drawings. It is a nonsilver photographic technique that makes use of ferric salts which, when mixed with certain other chemicals and exposed to ultraviolet light, form a colored byproduct.

The research was begun with the study of the application of the …

Exploration In Design, Graphic Communications And The Creative Process, Starla A. Stensaas

Masters Theses

In lieu of the traditional thesis, I have chosen to culminate the Master of Arts in Related Arts program with a creative project and a paper that describes and evaluates the completion of the project. The project involved a personal aesthetic and technical development of the aesthetic in graphic design and communications. Documentation of the creative arts project is presented in a portfolio which includes graphic designs, publications, and news feature stories. The project is interdisciplinary in that it involves skills in art (design) and English (writing) as well as effective interdisciplinary communication skills necessary to produce interdepartmental publications.

Included …

Rationale For Vocational Programming In Barry County, Michigan, James W. Sutherland

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

The Relationship Of Lateral Eye Movements To Field-Dependence-Independence And Verbal And Performance Skills, Linda J. Stennett-Mason

Masters Theses

Lateral eye movements and handedness as indexes of hemisphere asymmetry were compared to field-dependence-independence, as measured by Rod-and-Frame Test errors, and to Wechsler Verbal and Performance IQs. Consistent with previous research, the hypotheses predicted that persons with inconsistent lateral eye movements (ambilaterality) would have greater Rod-and-Frame errors (field-dependence) and lower Wechsler Verbal and Performance IQs.

Subjects were 41 male undergraduates who were grouped according to their lateral eye movements in response to 20 reflective questions consisting of ten verbal (left-hemisphere) and ten spatial (right-hemisphere) questions. The response scoring resulted in 12 subjects with 70% or more lateral eye movements to …

An Analysis Of The Guidance And Counseling Program Of Portage Northern High School And A Proposal For Developing A Guidance And Counseling Program In A Secondary School In Malaysia, Suradi Salim

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

A Proposed Learning Resources Center For Illiterate Adults Of Lagos, Nigeria, Ahmed O. Shodeinde

Masters Theses

No abstract provided by author.

Collagraphy: A Synthesis Of Color And Texture, Maralyn Mencarini

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

Development And Evaluation Of A Student-Opinion Questionnaire For Career Education And Planning District 35'S Shared-Time Programs, Charles Edward Dee

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

Reconstruction Of Childhood Nostalgia Using Mixed Media, William H. Christ Jr.

Masters Theses

The subject of children and adults within spatial environments in two and three dimension, all are included to form the basis of this thesis projects. The paper describes the subject matter by means of procedures, references, and methods of presentation.

Chapter I explains the overall problems, the materials incorporated, and shows actual photographs of the work. Chapter II provides historical precedents relevant to the topic chosen. Chapter III involves a presentation which uses three separate aspects inviting the spectator to join in and by participating relate to each experience in his or her own way.

A Study On The Simultaneous Transmission Of Incongruent Information, Dennis Keith Smeltzer

Masters Theses

No abstract provided by author.

A Comparative Study Of Visual Communication Education And Graphic Arts Curriculums In The High Schools Of Illinois, Gary E. Hinkle

Masters Theses

No abstract provided by author.

Psychological Bases For Children's Preferences For Picture Sequences, Charlotte A. Kingery

Masters Theses

No abstract provided by author.

Physiological Bases Of Children's Preferences For Picture Sequences, Elizabeth A. Hipskind

Masters Theses

No abstract provided by author.

A Comparative Analysis Of The Mechanical Engineering Technology Curriculum As Offered In The Community Colleges Of Illinois, Richard William Koppitz

Masters Theses

No abstract provided by author.

A Survey Of The Audio-Visual Services For Instruction On The Campus Of Eastern Illinois University, Earl W. Jeffers

Masters Theses

No abstract provided by author.

A Summary Of The Utilization Of Audio-Visual Materials In 791 Organized Guidance Programs, James Leon Lister

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

A Review Of The Transactional Approach To Perception With Implications For Audio-Visual Instruction, Floyd A. Landsaw

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.