Digital Commons Network^™

Intertextuality In Avatar : The Last Airbender / Tan Renjie, Renjie Tan

Student Works (2010-2019)

The purpose of this dissertation is to study the intertextual references drawn from cultures and practices in our world that are incorporated into the formation of the fictional world of the Nickelodeon animation Avatar: The Last Airbender. This animation that was created and produced by Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko for Nickelodeon has enjoyed and garnered much success worldwide. This qualitative research uses the conceptual framework of intertextuality to code the data gathered from the animation into a manner that best illustrates the animation’s intertextual references that are drawn from the cultures in our world. The research design was …

Brave New Forms: Adaptation, Remediation, And Intertextuality In The Multimodal World Of Hugo Cabret, Chelsea Marie Bromley

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

Digital technologies have changed the way readers approach, experience, and respond to texts. In our hyper-mediated culture, images and texts converge and disseminate across multiple media platforms, changing once-passive readers and spectators into active agents in the intellectual and creative process of interpretation. This thesis examines the multimodal world of Hugo Cabret—the hybrid graphic novel, the film adaptation, and the novel’s official website—in an effort to better understand how intertextuality, convergence culture, and remediation play with media forms, represent an ideological shift toward participatory culture, and rework older, traditional media in the creation of new media and new media users. …

Fungal Suppressive Activities Of Selected Rhizospheric Streptomyces Spp. Isolated From Hylocereus Polyrhizus / Kamalanathan Ramachandaran, Kamalanathan Ramachandaran

Student Works (2010-2019)

Actinomycetes, mainly Streptomyces spp., have been extensively studied as potential biocontrol agents against plant pathogenic fungi. This study was aimed at isolating and screening Streptomyces strains from rhizosphere soils of Hylocereus polyrhizus collected in Kuala Pilah for potential in vitro antifungal activity. A total of 162 putative strains of actinomycetes was isolated from moist-heat treated soil plated on starchcasein-nitrate agar, humic-acid-vitamin agar and raffinose-histidine agar. Based on the ability to produce abundant aerial mycelium, 110 strains were categorised as Streptomycete-like. Seven main groups based on aerial mycelium colour observed in this study were grey (41.4%), white (37.7%), brown (8.0%), orange …

Religion, Heritage, And Power： Everyday Life In Contemporary China, Asan Xue

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Based on an ethnographic study of the religious life of ordinary people in the town of Dongpu, this research explores the relationships between: religion and state power; Chinese ritual (li, 礼/禮) tradition and Christian culture; and religion and intangible cultural heritage in contemporary China.

This research found that both the practitioners of Chinese rituals and the Christian community deploy tactics to resist and negotiate with the hegemonic official culture through spatial and religious practices in their everyday life. Chinese ritual practices dedicated to deities and ancestors are defined as idol worship in the doctrine of Christianity and denigrated …

Sighting Circus: Perceptions Of Circus Phenomena Investigated Through Diverse Bodies, Katrina Lavers

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

This thesis is an investigation into modern circus from its beginnings in 1768 through to present day contemporary circus arts. Eight diverse bodies in modern and contemporary circus are explored. These eight bodies act as different lenses to focus enquiry into gaps or ruptures in the grand narratives of circus, to reveal previously missing voices and histories and to set in place new approaches to perceiving circus phenomena.

In The Political Body, the phenomenon of embodied protest is identified and explored in relation to contemporary circus works. The importance of the engaged spectator is identified in determining political, poetic …

Buenos Aires, Fernando Degiovanni, Fernando Rosenberg

Publications and Research

One of the most important city ports of the Western Hemisphere, Buenos Aires has a history inextricably connected to the fluctuations of the Atlantic economy as well as to its strategic position as a gateway to vast and fertile flatlands that extend far beyond the city limits. Founded and re-founded in the 16th century as a secondary colonial outpost, Buenos Aires was dramatically transformed by the demands of the European markets at the turn of both the 18th and 19th centuries. In this context, two crucial developments are decisive for understanding the physical, social, and cultural fabric of the city: …

Interdisciplinary Perspectives On Corruption, David Jancsics

Publications and Research

Corruption has become one of the most popular topics in the social scientific disciplines. However, there is a lack of interdisciplinary communication about corruption. Models developed by different academic disciplines are often isolated from each other. The purpose of this paper is to review several major approaches to corruption and draw them closer to each other. Most studies of corruption fall into three major categories: (i) rational-actor models where corruption is viewed as resulting from cost/benefit analysis of individual actors; (ii) structural models that focus on external forces that determine corruption; and (iii) relational models that emphasize social interactions and …

Virtualizing The Word: Expanding Walter Ong's Theory Of Orality And Literacy Through A Culture Of Virtuality, Jennifer Camille Dempsey

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation seeks to create a vision for virtuality culture through a theoretical expansion of Walter Ong's literacy and orality culture model. It investigates the ubiquitous and multimodal nature of the virtuality cultural phenomenon that is mediated by contemporary technology and not explained by pre-existing cultural conventions. Through examining the theoretical underpinnings of orality and literacy culture, the dissertation explores the cultural shift that is just beginning to restructure human consciousness through the ways that society is connecting, exploring and communicating. Further, this dissertation examines the contrasts between virtuality culture features and those related to traditional literacy and orality types, …

Early American Imprints, Series Ii: Shaw-Shoemaker, 1801-1819, Ucf Libraries

Technology Fee Funded Projects

The Department of English is requesting $105,648 ($110,648 less a $5,000 cost share from the UCF Libraries) to purchase access and perpetual rights to Early American Imprints II: Shaw-Shoemaker 1801-1819 from Readex, a Division of NewsBank, Inc.

Belonging To Law: Religious Difference, Secularism, And The Conditions Of Civic Inclusion, Benjamin L. Berger

Osgoode Legal Studies Research Paper Series

This paper examines the appeal to law as the basis for civic identity and political belonging under conditions of religious diversity. Beginning by assessing the descriptive utility of the concept of “secularism,” the paper argues that secularism is best approached as a repertoire of moves available in negotiating the relationship between religion and political authority, focussing then on one such move evident in the contemporary project of liberal secularism: the assertion, in the face of the challenges posed by religious diversity, that to belong to the political community means, above all else, to belong to law. This shift of “obedience …

The Virtues Of Law In The Politics Of Religious Freedom, Benjamin L. Berger

Osgoode Legal Studies Research Paper Series

The moral force and capacity for inspiration of both religion and politics alike arise in part from the sense that they authentically map the world as we find it, yielding claims about how it should be. This paper asks what role we might imagine for law in this “hyper-real” world of religion and politics, arguing that law can display distinctive virtues linked to its capacity for strategic agnosticism about the real. Applying Sunstein’s idea of “incompletely theorized agreements” to the politics of religious freedom, the paper examines the role of law as a tool of adhesion in two very different …

The Ethical Obligations Of Defence Counsel In Sexual Assault Cases, Elaine Craig

Osgoode Legal Studies Research Paper Series

The treatment of sexual assault complainants by defence counsel has been the site of significant debate for legal ethicists. Even those with the strongest commitment to the ethics of zealous advocacy struggle with how to approach the cross-examination of sexual assault complainants. One of the most contentious issues in this debate pertains to the use of bias, stereotype and discriminatory tactics to advance one’s client’s position. This paper focuses on the professional responsibilities defence lawyers bear in sexual assault cases. Its central claim is as follows: Defence counsel are ethically obligated to restrict their carriage of a sexual assault case …

Causing A Racket: Unpacking The Elements Of Cultural Capital In An Assessment Of Urban Noise Control, Live Music, And The Quiet Enjoyment Of Private Property, Sara Ross

Osgoode Legal Studies Research Paper Series

I examine the tension between and the treatment of the elements of cultural capital within dynamic mixed-use spaces, and posit that Canada's current noise control and noise pollution legislation, by-laws, and case law demonstrate a hierarchical protection framework placing greater importance on the "quiet enjoyment of private property" over live music culture, where performances are often the subject of noise complaints. While the elements of cultural capital valued by those who favour the value of quiet enjoyment of private property is well represented throughout legislation, by-laws, and case law, the elements of cultural capital valued by those who favour the …

“Doing Gender” In Public Speaking Education: A Focus Group Analysis Of Biological Sex And Gender Identity In Public Speaking Education, Heather A. Coburn

The Journal of Undergraduate Research

This exploratory focus group analysis examines the ways in which students of a Capstone Communication Studies course (N = 15) perceive factors, such as their communication studies education, biological sex, and gender roles, that have impacted their experiences with Public Speaking Anxiety (PSA) and Self-Perceived Communication Competence (SPCC), as well as the effectiveness of various treatment methods for the reduction of PSA. Three independent student focus groups were conducted – one comprised of biological females (n = 5), one of males (n = 3), and one containing subjects of both biological sexes (n = 7). Herein participants discussed their personal …

Clearing The Smoke: Understanding Organizational Change Communication And Misalignment In High-Risk Contexts, Laura Elizabeth Young

Theses and Dissertations--Communication

Recent economic turbulence in the United States has resulted in budget cuts for many city-funded organizations, including high-risk organizations such as local fire departments. Budget cuts trigger organizational change and create uncertainty among employees, which is a major concern for high-risk organizations. This dissertation examined internal communication practices used during organizational change in an urban fire department and the influence of organizational structure and culture on communication satisfaction. This robust case study used a multi-method approach including interviews with middle managers (i.e., district majors), and focus groups and channel preference surveys with full-time firefighters from lower level ranks (i.e., firefighters, …

Faculty Online Teaching Self-Efficacy : A Cultural Perspective, Fahad Alshahrani

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

This quantitative study explored the Royal Commission of Jubail Colleges and Institute (RCJCI) faculty online teaching self-efficacy. Today, online teaching is a requirement to overcome educational barriers related to time and place. The RCJCI is planning to integrate technology into its educational system and as a first step this study determined the RCJCI faculty online teaching self-efficacy. The role of culture in influencing self-efficacy toward the adoption of online education was generally defined as the relationship between the faculty online teaching self-efficacy towards online education and how self-efficacy might be influenced by their cultural dimensions. The study was guided by …

Qualitative Research: A Pathway To Gain An Understanding Of Uae Mothers’ Experiences And Perceptions Of Managing A Child Newly Diagnosed With Type 1 Diabetes, Jennifer Louise Cooper, Suhad Marjei, Rachel Rossiter, Sharon Brownie

School of Nursing & Midwifery, East Africa

A childhood diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes is a life changing event for both the child and his/her family. The impact is experienced strongly by mothers who most frequently fulfil the primary caregiver role for children12 yrs old and younger. Studies which have sought to understand mothers’ experiences and perceptions of managing a child newly diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes are mostly questionnaire-based and few, if any, explore the issues within the uniqueness of a Middle-Eastern context. The qualitative research methods described in this discussion have been designed to gain a better understanding of UAE mothers’ experience in managing a …

Silent Voice: Buberian Philosophy And Nonverbal Disability, Elizabeth M. Minium

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

Individuals who are developmentally disabled and nonverbal, possessing little if any symbolic expressive or receptive language, are virtually invisible in the United States. This study presupposes that all persons, including those who are nonverbal and/or developmentally disabled, have a unique “voice” and contribution to the communication practices of humanity and society. This philosophical study analyzes the qualities of communication of developmentally disabled, nonverbal individuals and their communication partners through the lens of Martin Buber’s dialogic philosophy. Conclusions suggest: 1) developmentally disabled, nonverbal persons do relate and communicate, and definitions of “communication” and “dialogue” should include those who do not think …

Surviving The Digital Age, David Franklin Meland

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

This project provides a look at educational studies, theories, and principles to help people understand the enhancing and diminishing characteristics of contemporary communication technologies. The project uses the theoretical framework of media ecology to show that through an understanding of today’s media environments, society can better grasp just how media technology has been, and continues to be, an influential part of everyday life. The primary feature of the project is a comprehensive website – titled Surviving the Digital Age (http://melandd.wix.com/survivingdigitalage) – which also serves as a way to show how media plays an enormous role in shaping who we are …

Indigenous Engagement And Resistance In The 21st Century: Empowering Indigenous Identity With Indigenous Film, Heather A. Hafer Cole

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

Indigenous people of the United States have historically been and continue to be objectified and misrepresented in art, history, science, literature, and mass media. This continued colonization contributes to loss of respect for culture, identity crisis among indigenous youth, health disparities of epidemic proportions, poor performance in education, substance abuse, violence and poverty. This qualitative study expands upon existing scholarship in media anthropology (Dilworth, 1996; Ginsberg, 1991 & 2008; and Prins, 2002) and indigenous studies (Rader, 2011; Singer, 2001; and Tuhiwai Smith, 2012) by analyzing the indigenous voice expressed through media practice, storytelling as a tool for empowering indigenous identity …

Using General Systems Theory To Evaluate Channels Of Feedback In A Law Enforcement Agency, Trent Aaron Gerbers

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

The principles of General Systems Theory and Management Cybernetics have been used, not only to analyze and evaluate organizational communication, but also to help improve communicative efficiency through the strengthening of message sending/receiving channels. This thesis continues the exploration of channel efficiency and feedback by examining the principles of General Systems Theory and Management Cybernetics through the daily interactions that occur at a municipal police department. The unique ranking structure and paramilitary nature of the law enforcement agency dictates policy that regulates the means of vertical communication between employees, but measuring the department’s current communication system against the principles of …

Communication Education Curriculum For A Multicultural Learning Context, Phatana Ith

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

This study investigates the socio-academic experiences of international students in higher education through the review of existing research and conduct of original research. There is a need for interpersonal communication curriculum in higher education that addresses a multicultural learning context to meet the growing needs of an internationalized workforce (Qing, 2009). Curriculum that addresses a multicultural learning context should meet the needs of internationalization across the globe (2009). The growing number of international students learning in foreign contexts has increased by nearly 50% in the last 10 years. In order to meet the changing needs in higher education, this study …

Media Communication & Professional Sports Stadium Subsidies, Damon Sgrignoli

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

In the previous two decades, professional sports franchise owners secured nearly $20 billion in taxpayer paid subsidies for new stadiums, domes, and arenas. In the geographic area of study, Atlanta Georgia, two public-financed stadium debates occurred between 2012 and 2014. The following study examined sports franchise owners, politicians, and civic and business groups’ use of the mass media to communicate their public messages during the stadium approval process, as well as how the local mass media frames stadium subsidy debates through Agenda Setting and Framing theories. The textual analysis study used a sample of 10 Atlanta Journal-Constitution online newspaper articles …

Don't Have A Cow (Wo)Man!, Barbara Hamilla

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

Sitcoms have been a part of the American experience since the dawn of the television. For generations, families have grown up identifying with characters they see every week, and can see themselves within the everyday life situations experienced by characters on their favorite shows. What happens then, when one of America’s favorite sitcoms isn’t really a sitcom? This study is a content analysis of 20 episodes of The Simpsons, from season two to season twenty. Using cultural studies and narrative paradigm, this study examined gender roles and representations in The Simpsons, how they evolved over the life of the program, …

A Post Feminist Look At Hbo's Girls: A Critical Analysis Of Characters, Career, Gender, And Sexuality, Aaliyah A. Miller

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

Television plays an integral role in the lives of Americans, regardless of class, ethnicity, gender, race, or religion. Despite the fact that viewership on the major networks has decreased over the years, television continues to be a dominant cultural and informational force that does more than just entertain us -this medium has the power to influence and alter our attitudes, behaviors, perceptions, and actions. Gender bias as a result of gender stereotypes found in television has been an issue of concern for feminist, politicians, and social researchers. Research studies have found that gender stereotypes found in television negatively influence women …

Homeoviscous Response Of Clostridium Pasteurianum To Butanol Toxicity During Glycerol Fermentation, Keerthi P. Venkataramanan, Yogi Kurniawan, Judy J. Boatman, Cassandra H. Haynes, Katherine A. Taconi, Lenore M. Martin, Geoffrey D. Bothun, Carmen Scholz

Cell and Molecular Biology Faculty Publications

Clostridium pasteurianum ATCC 6013 achieves high n-butanol production when glycerol is used as the sole carbon source. In this study, the homeoviscous membrane response of C. pasteurianum ATCC 6013 has been examined through n-butanol challenge experiments. Homeoviscous response is a critical aspect of n-butanol tolerance and has not been examined in detail for C. pasteurianum. Lipid membrane compositions were examined for glycerol fermentations with n-butanol production, and during cell growth in the absence of n-butanol production, using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) and proton nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H-NMR). Membrane stabilization due to homeoviscous …

The Language Flagship Model And The Humanities, Sam Eisen

Russian Language Journal

The Language Flagship program provides a model that strengthens and deepens cultural engagement within the humanities and creates bridges to collaboration across disciplines. Flagship addresses needs for national security and global competitiveness and integrates professional and life experience into the humanities and other fields for the students who engage in this course of study. The cross-disciplinary nature of the Flagship program and the level of personal, cultural and professional engagement required to complete the program are successfully changing the undergraduate study experience in ways that address significant issues in the ongoing discussion of a crisis in the humanities. The Language …

The University Of Rhode Island International Engineering Program: A Model For The Merger Of Technology And The Humanities, John M. Grandin, Sigrid Berka

Russian Language Journal

Contrary to a long-established and seemingly irrefutable tradition, American parents, educators, private and public sector leaders, and students are beginning to doubt the value of a university education. Charges have been leveled, for example, that students today are spending substantially less time on academics than their predecessors and are making little progress during their undergraduate years in their ability to read, write, speak, or think analytically and critically (see, for example, Arum and Roksa 2011, Vedder and Denhart 2011). Others have argued that college is burdening young people with lifelong debt to the degree that it is stifling their creativity …

Politeness And Sociocultural Values In American And Russian Cultures Emerging From The Speech Act Of Complaint; Pragmatic Competence Of L2 Learners Of Russian, Beata Gallaher

Russian Language Journal

In the last two decades, there has been an increasing number of empirical studies on complaints that explore the effects of sociocultural values and linguistic politeness on the language performance of nativeand non-native speakers of English (Kasper 1981; Piotrowska 1987; Olshtain and Weinbach 1987, 1993; Trosborg 1995; Arent 1996; Murphy and Neu 1996; Kraft and Geluykens 2002, 2007; Tanck 2002; Umar 2006; Prykarpatska 2008). However, the empirical data on complaints by Russian native and non-native speakers remains scarce (Olshtain and Weinbach 1993; Gershenson 2003; Kozlova 2004; Perelmutter 2010). The research on complaints is particularly important for studying the impact of …

Full Issue

Russian Language Journal

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