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Communication, Technology, And Culture

Communication Research Trends

"...from the alphabet to the motorcar, Western man has been steadily refashioned in a slow technological explosion that has extended over 2,500 years. From the time of the telegraph onward, ••• Western man bega'l to live an implosion. He began suddenly ... to play the movie of his 2,500 year explosion backward".

In characteristically vivid imagery Marshall McLuhan in Understanding Media expresses his belief in the power of technology to transform culture. McLuhan's words raise a host of questions about the complex interrelationship of culture, technology, and human consciousness. Questions such as: does technology determine cultural change? how do changes …

Violence In The Media

Communication Research Trends

Do film and television portrayals of violence cause aggressive behaviour in children, juvenile delinquency, increased crime? For more than fifty years this has been one of the most heavily studied - and heavily funded! - topics of communication research. In the United States and, to some extent, in Britain, no other question of media content has been such an important political issue. The public debate about media violence has offered to media researchers one of their most important opportunities to be directly involved in media policy discussions.

Yet, the continuing analysis of programme content by communication researchers such as George …

Television Viewing And Family Communication

Communication Research Trends

Over the past thirty years a host of research studies has sought to determine just what are the effects of television viewing on social behaviour. In particular, study after study has attempted to establish once and for all whether or not the watching of violent programmes by children and adolescents is a direct cause of later aggressive behaviour.

Yet today all that these studies can tell us for certain is that ''for some children, under some conditions, some television is harmful'' and that ''for most children, under most conditions, most television is probably neither harmful nor particularly beneficial." And we …

Navigating Economic Uncertainty With Small Business, Angela E. Nwaomah

SDA Business Teachers Conference

Abstract: In recent years, economic uncertainty has present significant challenges for many, particularly those with irregular jobs and unstable wages. This study examined the perspectives of the faith-based casual and contract employees on how they navigate the economic uncertainty with small businesses. The objective of study was to explore how contract/casual employees in faith-based organizations (FBOs) navigate financial instability by engaging in small businesses as a supplementary income source. All participants were workers of organizations of the same religious affiliation and the same employment policies guiding their operations in Kenya. Using a case study research design and purposive sampling techinque, …

Journalism, The Press And New Technology

Communication Research Trends

In Japan, the newspaper Ashai Simbun has installed a computer system which transfers newsprint to the presses, photosets the print, automatically bales the 12 million copies in the required numbers for each district of the country, and loads them on to waiting lorries; all without the help of a single human being.

Though the degree of automation at the Ashai Shimbun is exceptional, newspapers throughout the world are beginning to exploit the power of the computer to revolutionize the work ofj ournalists and printers. And not only the computer. The use of satellites for remote site printing and facsimile transmission, …

Voices Of Black Leadership: Town-Gown Relationships And The Black Community, Dave A. Louis, Kenzalia Bryant-Scott, Teranda J. Donatto

Journal of Community Engagement and Higher Education

This study explores the perspectives of 27 Black community leaders from Black communities in the United States about town-gown relationships in their communities. Utilizing the responses of the participants, a basic thematic analysis was conducted, and participants’ findings discussed. Emergent themes included issues of mistrust, division, desire for community improvement, and the positive relationships with Black colleges and universities. The researchers offer suggestions to university administrators, community engagement coordinators, and institutions about their approach to create meaningful and collaborative partnerships with Black communities.

Community Members’ Perspectives On A Community-Engaged Process For Supporting Vibrant Greenspaces In Detroit, Alysha D. Matthews, Guilherme Hebling Costa, Karl Erickson, Karin A. Pfeiffer, Amber L. Pearson, Benjamin V. Dougherty

Journal of Community Engagement and Higher Education

Greenspaces provide several well-being (Dinnie et al., 2013) and psychosocial benefits (Addy et al., 2004). Community-engaged research affords community partners a voice in the project (Cushman et al., 2004). This study assessed Detroit community members’ perceived benefits of and suggestions for engaging with the community to support greenspaces. Through qualitative analysis, a three-step process for community-engaged planning was revealed. Findings highlight strategies that involve community members in this process to enhance community engagement and well-being.

Conversations In Isolation: A Mixed-Methods, Multi-Perspective Evaluation Of Extreme Electronic Service Learning During Covid-19, Lauren M. Dinour, Jennifer Y. Daclan

Journal of Community Engagement and Higher Education

Due to physical proximity constraints imposed by COVID-19, extreme electronic service learning (e-service-learning)—instruction and service offered completely online—allowed for the safe continuation of service-learning experiences. Using a combination of surveys and an autoethnographic approach, this study describes findings of an intergenerational extreme e-service-learning project from four perspectives: students, assisted living facility residents, community partner, and course instructor. Positive impacts were noted on personal, social, and learning contexts among each of the four perspectives.

The Heritage Conversation Partners Project: Virtual Cultural Heritage Exchange In An Anthropology Course, Michael J. Kimball, Karin L. Bates, Miranda Bermudez, Liner Emilce Solarte Chourio, Amanda Consol

Journal of Community Engagement and Higher Education

We describe the structure, benefits, and challenges associated with a virtual cultural heritage exchange (VCHE) between undergraduate students in an applied anthropology class and a group of English language learners (ELL). Using qualitative data collection and analysis methods, the project aimed to teach anthropological methods and perspectives to the students while investigating three research questions: Will a VCHE (1) build social bonds and bridges, (2) improve English language acquisition, and (3) raise “heritage consciousness” (awareness and appreciation of, along with an associated sense of agency toward, cultural heritage) among participants? Results support the research questions and show the effectiveness of …

A New Approach To Self-Assessment Of Community Engagement: A Case Study Of Technological University Dublin, Emma O'Brien, Martina Brophy, Thomas M. Cooney

Journal of Community Engagement and Higher Education

Building upon existing international tools, the TEFCE (Towards a European Framework for Community Engagement of Higher Education) Toolbox for community engagement represents an innovative, robust, and holistic framework to support universities in reflecting upon their community engagement. Through a case study approach, this paper highlights the piloting of the TEFCE Toolbox at Technological University Dublin (TU Dublin), Ireland. Through an inclusive and participatory methodology, the process facilitated the recognition of community engagement achievements and the identification of potential areas for improvement.

Review: "Success On The Sound" Offers Timely Lessons From Fairfield University's Storied Past, Eric Clayton

Jesuit Higher Education: A Journal

No abstract provided.

Archives And Distinctive Collections At The College Of The Holy Cross: New Directions At New England's Oldest Catholic College, Lisa Villa

Jesuit Higher Education: A Journal

No abstract provided.

Mentoring Under The Light Of Ignatian Spirituality, Llorenç Puig Puig Sj, Rosa Nomen, Luis A. Martínez

Jesuit Higher Education: A Journal

This article proposes Ignatian Mentoring as a framework for enriching academic mentoring with insights from Ignatian spirituality. While mentoring traditionally supports professional and personal development, especially for early-career faculty, the Jesuit tradition offers a deeper, holistic perspective inspired by spiritual accompaniment practices such as those found in the Constitutions of the Society of Jesus and the Spiritual Exercises. The framework is based on the mentoring program launched in 2021 by the International Association of Jesuit Engineering and Sciences Schools (IAJES), which connects faculty across a global network of more than 60 Schools. Based on two years of practical experience involving …

Queera Personalis: Theorizing A Queer Ignatian Pedagogical Paradigm In First-Year Writing, Jimmy Hamill

Jesuit Higher Education: A Journal

This article argues that putting the Ignatian Pedagogical Paradigm (IPP) in conversation with Queer Composition Pedagogy can support LGBTQIA+ students and their often-fraught positions at Catholic universities. Beginning with my history as a gay Catholic at a Jesuit college, I examine the Jesuit value of cura personalis or “care for the whole person” by asking how queer students at a Catholic college can be wholly cared for in an institution that marginalizes queer people. Locating this conversation in the context of the first-year writing classroom, a contact zone where students come from diverse personal and disciplinary backgrounds, this article links …

Alignment And Assessment Of University Core Curriculum With Interprofessional Education, Anthony P. Breitbach, David Pole, Haley R. Cobb, Ellen Crowell

Jesuit Higher Education: A Journal

A midwestern Jesuit university worked to align an existing IPE program with a new core curriculum and its corresponding student learning outcomes (SLO’s). This paper describes the collaborative curriculum development process used within an institution to develop its first University Core Curriculum. The University-core curriculum development process resulted in a framework, outcomes, and essential criteria associated with nine student learning outcomes (SLO’s). To address this new framework, faculty developed new and revised IPE learning experiences to align with University SLO’s and core attributes. This produced three IPE courses that simultaneously address the health profession program’s unique accreditation requirements, IPE competencies, …

Introducing The Loyola Way: An Ignatian Pedagogy Framework Reinvigorated By Anti-Oppressive And Student-Centered Approaches, Bridget M. Colacchio, Jessica Mansbach, Justin D. Wright, Harrison Seeling, Sydnee O'Donnell

Jesuit Higher Education: A Journal

Our center for teaching and learning at a mid-sized, private, Catholic, Midwest university responded to recent challenges and opportunities presented by current sociopolitical factors (such as ongoing racial injustice, global conflict, the climate crisis, and the aftermath of a global health pandemic) by rethinking our approach to teaching and learning. To better meet the needs of faculty and students in today’s world, we arrived at an integrated pedagogical approach to amplify interpersonal and societal humanization and justice. In this paper, we introduce this new framework for teaching and learning called The Loyola Way, an innovative combination of three pedagogical …

Gen Z And Gen Alpha: Designing Theology Courses For A Digital And Ai Generation, Maurice N. Emelu

Jesuit Higher Education: A Journal

This exploratory article examines strategies for teaching theology to Generations Z and Alpha, emphasizing their digital-native traits and unique learning preferences. It argues that theology education thrives when students engage with reflective, creative, and relevant content. Drawing from experiences at a Jesuit college and education research, it introduces the OAEPA strategy—Observation, Analysis, Evaluation, Production, and Assessment—as a framework for designing theology courses. The approach encourages active participation, critical thinking, creativity, and personal relevance, aligning with Jesuit traditions of reflection and discovery. The paper uses examples such as a theme in sacramental theology to show how theological ideas can be meaningful …

A Student-Centered Coaching Program In Jesuit & Mercy Traditions, Sara Gifford, Karen Mihelich, Arthur Ko

Jesuit Higher Education: A Journal

A student-centered coaching program grounded in Jesuit and Mercy traditions, called “Coaching for Care,” was implemented at a midwestern Jesuit and Mercy institution. The purpose of the project was to evaluate the development of future nurse educators’ pedagogy, foster holistic licensure examination preparation among pre-licensure nursing students, and examine students’ perceptions towards the program’s guiding Jesuit and Mercy values. Pre-licensure students who received coaching felt that their uniqueness/holism, accountability, and reflection were important for their licensure exam preparation at significantly higher rates than pre-licensure students who did not receive coaching. Themes identified from the doctoral student coaches included instilling confidence …

“There Is Just A Sense Of Joy In This Work”: Drivers Of Faculty Engagement With Community, David C. Ensminger, Mitchell A. Hendrickson, Jon J. Schmidt

Jesuit Higher Education: A Journal

American universities have been engaged with their communities as long as there have been universities in America. The nature, purpose, and motivation behind that engagement have evolved. This article explores the motivation behind faculty engagement with their communities. We wanted to better understand what compels faculty to participate in and work in the community despite the many and varied barriers that might stand in their way. We explored the why and how of participation with a significant emphasis on the why. This study builds on the work of Wade and Demb[i] and their Faculty Engagement Framework (FEM) described in …

Establishing An Evaluative Mechanism For Cura Personalis, Jarrod Stadnyk

Jesuit Higher Education: A Journal

Cura personalis is an important characteristic of Jesuit education. Peter Hans Kolvenbach, S.J. helped to focus attention on the importance of cura personalis in Jesuit education. However, rather than simply being individual care for the whole person, cura personalis is an illusive concept that is easier to recite than apply in practice. This article proposes an evaluative mechanism that can be used to gauge a person’s or organization’s depth in providing cura personalis for higher education students. The Higher Education Cura Personalis Reflection Chart within this article is a new mechanism that can help guide the process of determining what …

Discerning Together In Small Groups, Franck Janin

Jesuit Higher Education: A Journal

The author, drawing on his personal experience, offers a clear reflection and methodology for common discernment, inspired by the Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius of Loyola. The difficulties and problems are noted, as are the possibilities and potential of this proposal. The process is certainly complex. It requires great generosity and willingness on the part of all those involved, but as the author concludes, “it works.” We are faced with a proposal of Ignatian spirituality that can enrich and illuminate the new paths of synodality along which the Church is journeying.

Can Jesuit/Catholic Universities Remain So Without Any Jesuits Or Catholics?, Thomas G. Plante Phd, Abpp

Jesuit Higher Education: A Journal

Jesuit and Catholic higher education has much to offer our students and the world but with fewer and fewer Jesuits and Catholic clerics or laypersons in the classrooms or anywhere else at our universities, this 500 century old Jesuit tradition and 2,000 year old Catholic is seriously threatened. Strategic hiring for mission and identity, being proactive with evangelization, and retaining our approach to academic life, learning, and formation are critically needed, especially now. Otherwise, our Jesuit and Catholic institutions run the risk of being overwhelmed with secularization that will ultimately lose the richness that Jesuit and Catholic inspired education and …

Editorial: A New Home, Kari Kloos

Jesuit Higher Education: A Journal

No abstract provided.

Implementation Of Cancer Screenings On A Mobile Care Unit, Charlene Ho, Draeh Leblanc

General Submissions: Community and Population-based Materials

Purpose: Increase early detection of colorectal and cervical cancers among underserved populations in the Baton Rouge area through a mobile health clinic that provides accessible, no-cost services, including cancer screenings.

Low-Code Development Platform Comprehension In Building Business Software: A Case Study, Neil D. Raybould

Journal of Fundamental & Applied Business Research

Low-code development platforms (LCDPs) have been touted as computing tools that can equip novice users to create business software quickly without the need for formal programming expertise. LCDPs have also been viewed as attractive alternatives that reduce the time and resource constraints often associated with traditional software development. Gartner anticipates that LCDPs will be used to develop approximately 70% of all new business software applications by the end of 2025. Yet approximately one half of application developers studied possessed insufficient knowledge of these platforms, with some managers and traditional technologists expressing outright skepticism toward platform effectiveness. A lack of organizational …

Leadership Qualities Effect On Employee Performance And Organizational Culture, Ryan Pernell

Journal of Fundamental & Applied Business Research

Employee motivation is vital to employee productivity and retention rates. Business leaders can face challenges in motivating employees, which can negatively affect productivity and retention. In this case study, I explored the behaviors and actions of business leaders that may lead to challenges when attempting to motivate employees, resulting in decreased productivity and increased employee turnover. I aimed to uncover the effects of leadership on employee motivation and explore why some leaders face challenges motivating employees. I focused on the leaders and employees of a family automotive sales and repair shop, including 20 employees and four family leaders. I conducted …

Ai In Academic Workplace, Alexander Averin, Richard Diddams, Nicole Lowes, Melesa Poole

Journal of Fundamental & Applied Business Research

Artificial intelligence (AI), once imagined only in science fiction, is now ubiquitous in the reality of modern life. It influences everything from personalized shopping recommendations (Rane et al., 2024) to advanced medical diagnoses (Al Kuwaiti et al., 2023; Khanam et al., 2024; Maleki Varnosfaderani & Forouzanfar, 2024). Redefining the models of analysis and learning, AI is quickly becoming a fundamental component of higher education as universities embrace AI tools for curriculum development, assessments, teaching, research, individualized instruction, and preparation for technological readiness in the workforce (Shah, 2023). However, the perception and adoption of these tools vary among university faculty members …

Leaders Challenges In Impacting Employees' Job Satisfaction And Work Performance, Sheila M. Mitchell

Journal of Fundamental & Applied Business Research

Leadership style is critical in determining an organization's success or failure. Organizations across industries must ensure they have effective leaders who inspire and motivate employees to commit to achieving organizational goals, resulting in a competitive advantage. They must be able to significantly influence employee job satisfaction and work performance, which are critical factors in an organization's success. Job satisfaction reflects employees' attitudes toward their jobs and organization. Work performance measures how effectively an employee performs work that meets standards. The researcher examined the effects of transformational, transactional, and laissez-faire leadership styles and toxic leadership behavior on employee satisfaction and work …

Character Challenges American Christian Business Leaders Face In The Secular Digital Age, Kevin J. Kennedy

Journal of Fundamental & Applied Business Research

In the digital age, Christian business leaders are a minority who are commonly expected to change their principles of leadership to fit within the secularized culture. These expectations for change are generating character challenges to the very core of a Christian business leader’s moral convictions and forcing them to make decisions which pit the practice of their proclaimed faith against a secularized business practice. In these workplace challenges, the Christian business leader’s faith, freedom of conscience, freedom of speech, and freedom of religion compete with secularized practices accepted in today’s American culture. Additionally, digital age behavioral visibility, which can be …