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University Of Central Florida Graduate Catalog, 1996 - 1997, University Of Central Florida

UCF Catalogs

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University Of Central Florida Undergraduate Catalog, 1996 - 1997, University Of Central Florida

UCF Catalogs

No abstract provided.

Scans And The "Goals 2,000: Educate America Act" -- External Validation For Expanding Communication Instruction Requirements Across The Undergraduate Core Curriculum, Craig Newburger

Journal of the Association for Communication Administration

This article discusses the role of the Goals 2,000: Educate America Act in expanding communication instruction requirement across the undergraduate core curriculum. The act provides funds to underwrite states development and implementation of content and performance standards and associated assessment methodologies directed towards helping students meet nationally determined academic and occupational skill standards. The National Council on Education Standards and Testing recommended the development of education standards that will provide direction for voluntary compliance by the states. The speech communication field has been actively involved in developing a national assessment agenda and corresponding communication skills assessment instruments and methodologies.

A Description Of Merger Applied To The Montana State University Context, Stephen L. Coffman

Journal of the Association for Communication Administration

This article reports on the description of merger applied to the Montana State University context. Eastern was renamed on July 1, 1994, as Montana State University (MSU)-Billings. The Billings Vocational Technical Institution was then merged with MSU-Billings, and renamed the College of Technology. There is considerable debate on campus as to the nature of the merger. There is also potential benefit for students in this merger. MSU-Billings should be better able to attract the best students if enough of these positive outcomes are realized. The final positive outcome of the merger to be presented concerns the public. If history and …

Encouraging Feedback In The Large College Class: The Use Of A Question/Comment Box, Sandi W. Smith, Jenifer E. Kopfman, James Ahyun

Journal of the Association for Communication Administration

This article examines the use of a question/comment box in a large course, as a communication strategy to enhance student participation and involvement in the said courses. Specifically, the categories into which questions and comments were coded are reported, and examples of actual messages received are included. In addition, the results of a questionnaire that assessed student perceptions of involvement, instructor quality, course quality, and learning as a result of the question/comment box are reported for male and female lower-division and upper-division students.

Research Productivity And Positive Teaching Evaluations: Examining The Relationship Using Meta-Analysis, Mike Allen

Journal of the Association for Communication Administration

This article reports on the importance of research as a standard for tenure and merit for college professors. The reasons for increasing the emphasis on research are probably several and varied depending on the various internal pressures of the institution. Another issue involves the separation that a research emphasis creates between the student and the instructor. The alternative line of argument suggests a connection between research productivity and teaching quality. Research shows not only knowledge but shows a dedication to the content and material not possible for a person that only teaches.

"Classical 'Tenure Trek': In The Search For New Academic Frontiers, 'Don't Lower The Bridge, Raise The Water'", Gerald Lee Ratliff

Journal of the Association for Communication Administration

This article evaluates the conditions related to a similar classical quest for academic tenure and examines the primary strategies that may be involved in enriching the traditional educational relics of teaching, research, scholarship and service. Any basic, honest blueprint for tenure clearly demands a visionary pre-hiring faculty selection committee that understands the significant investment indicated by an advertisement for a tenure track appointment. After a basic tenure-trek blueprint has been drawn, perhaps the vision of academic and professional expectations may be more clearly detailed by some illustrations that suggest effective strategies for achieving tenure goals and objectives.

The Basic Course In Organizational Communication: A National Survey, Donald Treadwell, Ronald L. Applbaum

Journal of the Association for Communication Administration

This article presents a study on the basic organizational communication course in the U.S. Organizational communication is an increasingly popular subject of study on university campuses. The number of departments offering organizational communication coursework is increasing and more students are attracted to this area of study. The course is offered at the upper-division undergraduate level and for just under half the departments has no prerequisites. The most frequently cited course objectives are to provide an overview of theories about organizations and to help students analyze problems in organizations.

Administrator Beware: External Supervision Issues Regarding Human-Subjects Based Research, Craig Newburger

Journal of the Association for Communication Administration

This article discusses external supervision issues regarding human-subjects based research in education in the U.S. Ongoing changes in federal, state, and campus regulatory environments regarding human subjects based research compel speech communication administrators to take a more active role in ensuring that area faculty and graduate students are aware of current regulations and guidelines governing their related research activities. Speech communication matters and doctoral students involved with human subjects-based research normally are focused on sorting out basic experimental design and data collection. Awareness of emerging regulatory issues concerning how their human subjects-based research is conducted may not be adequately addressed …

A Response To "A Description Of Merger Applied To The Montana State University Context", Michael Malone

Journal of the Association for Communication Administration

This article presents a comment on the study A Description of Merger Applied to the Montana State University Context. The argued problem with the essay is that it paints a very one-sided picture of a merger in which little as happened, in which dire threats to the Billings campus loom over the horizon, and a long suffering faculty dreads the coming Armageddon. There is valid reason for pessimism about higher education in Montana, even perhaps about the consolidation. But the effort to make the merger positive and productive only succeed if our faculty and staff give it at least a …

Women In The American Theatre: Actresses & Audiences 1970-1870, Diane Cypkin

Journal of the Association for Communication Administration

A review of the book "Women in the American Theatre: Actresses & Audiences 1790-1870," by Faye E. Dudden. New Haven, CT. Yale University Press.

The Study Of Communication As Preparation For Law School: A Survey Interview Study, Mollie Condra, Courtney Hudson

Journal of the Association for Communication Administration

This article examines the study of communication and law, particularly upon one aspect of legal preparation where effective communication skills are crucial, trial advocacy. Instead of relying on experimental research designs that typically employ mock trials, the present investigation queried practicing lawyers about the role of communication in the everyday conduct of trial procedures. Through survey interviews, the benefits of a communication education become apparent in this study. Furthermore, as the interdisciplinary appeal of communication studies becomes enhanced in this area, justification for curriculum development becomes evident.

Associate Faculty: Directing A Rich Resource Of The Basic Course, Marcia D. Dixson

Journal of the Association for Communication Administration

This article offers ideas for Basic Course Director (BCD) about directing associate faculty. It is important that the BCD gives serious consideration to the processes of hiring, orienting, developing and evaluating associate faculty. Associate faculty offer many opportunities and challenges to the BCD. Because they are not traditional academics, they often bring a refreshingly different perspective to the classroom and the department. They may need mentoring to develop self-confidence, hone their teaching skills and begin to think of themselves as fully contributing members of the department. Their scheduling needs require the BCD to input different factors into the decision making …

Strategies For The Communications Unit: How Can We Become Central To The University And Its Mission?, Ellen Wartella

Journal of the Association for Communication Administration

This article presents the author's comments on reasons for the perception that communication units are not central to the University and its mission. First, our name itself is a problem. This can mean that one studies mass media, as I do, or it may refer to scholars of interpersonal communication, rhetorical analysis, cultural studies, organizational studies, or a variety of other subspecialties. Second, this lack of unity and intellectual diversity, often poses special political problems. The political battles across communication programs on campuses is only one of our on-campus political problems. Finally, perhaps at the root of our battles about …

Communication Curriculum Reform, Liberal Arts Components And Administrative Organization, Keith L. Williamson, Sharon Hartin Iorio

Journal of the Association for Communication Administration

This article investigates the substance and level of importance placed on liberal arts as elements within the communication curriculum and whether the definition and significance of these liberal arts elements change according to the emphasis of different communication programs. To explore the nature and extent of the curriculum, the article reviewed communication programs through a survey of the membership of two organizations, the Association of Communication Administrators and the Association of Schools of Journalism and Mass Communication. Prior to the analysis of the findings, academic literature are reviewed to provide a discussion of the history surrounding the organization, curricula, and …

Scientific Management In Higher Education: Concerns And Using Collaborative School Management To Improve Communication, Chas Koermer, John Petelle

Journal of the Association for Communication Administration

This article discusses problems associated with using scientific management in the improvement of communication in higher education in the U.S. Within the spectrum of higher education, it is reasonable to assume that a degree of hierarchical control permeates. That is, every member reports to some higher authority and receives direction from the authority. The faculty member is involved in roles of both management and governance requiring participation in both endeavors. This approach to management is also countenanced in the academic arena exemplified by verbal directives. The paper bureaucracy is another burdensome aspect of scientific management that exists in higher education.

Let's Get Political: Strategies For Departmental Survival And Growth, Isa N. Engleberg

Journal of the Association for Communication Administration

This article reports on the seminar entitled Strengthening the Unit: Strategies for Survival and Growth, sponsored by the Association for Communication Administration (ACA). The ACA seminar on Strengthening the Unit raised the above question given recent threats to abolish or cut well-established and prestigious communication departments. The ACA seminar provided an opportunity for representatives from threatened departments to tell their stories and share their hard-learned lessons. Strong leadership is critical to a department's survival and growth. Asking faculty members to make professional development a priority is a hollow request if the leader is not an active professional. Strong and politically …

"The Role Of The Right--A Focus On The 'Political' In 'Political Correctness'", Michael W. Shelton

Journal of the Association for Communication Administration

This article focuses on the right-wing criticism to political correctness (PC). Right-wing critics of PC play a significant role in the unfolding drama of political correctness. Indeed, it would be naïve to assume that the flood of anti-PC criticism is merely the by-product of objective journalism. Much of the anti-PC rhetoric appears to be generated by political forces on the right. Many conservative critics of PC reflect the views of more rigidly political right-wing groups, employ hyperbole and generalization in their assessments of what is actually happening on college and university campuses, and contribute to the political correctness debate as …

Telecommunications Research Article Productivity In The U.S.: 1985-1993, David Atkin

Journal of the Association for Communication Administration

This article discusses the telecommunications research article productivity in the U.S. from 1985 to 1993. Scholars have intensified their focus on research productivity as an evaluative measure of communication programs in the country. Such information seems especially important in an era of fiscal austerity measures dating to the late 1980, which has seen enrollments in mass communication decline. Although scholarly productivity may not be a remedy for troubled programs, past work confirms a link between productivity and program size which acts as a hedge against downsizing.

A Comparison Of Leadership Practices Used By Male And Female Communication Department Chairpersons, Trudy L. Hanson

Journal of the Association for Communication Administration

This article compares the leadership practices used by male and female communication department chairpersons in the U.S. The position of academic department chair has the potential to be one which most influences faculty, and yet it remains the most underrated position in a college or university. The problem to be explored in leadership in higher education is the participation of women. Research in the communication behavior of men and women managers has revealed that neither men nor women seemed to favor characteristics defined as feminine. Women in higher education seem to face a much more difficult path to tenure than …

The Politics Of Undergraduate Curricula In A Downsizing Culture: A Primer For Department Chairs, Mark Hickson Iii

Journal of the Association for Communication Administration

This article discusses the political factors affecting the decision making regarding the curricula in higher education in the U.S. The courses taught in a department provide the campus community with a perception of the department, but curricular decisions must first be made within the department. The department should agree about a total number of courses in the curriculum. The department should have an understanding of administrative perspectives on curricula. Curricula development should be discussed with faculty in other departments that may feel communication studies in infringing on their subject matter.

Communication Networks And Perceptions Of Social Support As Antecedents To College Adjustment: A Comparison Between Student Commuters And Campus Residents, Lilnabeth P. Somera, Beth Hartman Ellis

Journal of the Association for Communication Administration

This article looks at the impact of social support on college adjustment among traditional campus residents and commuters. One consistent controversy concerning the conceptualization of social support concerns what actions, resources, and outcomes should be considered relevant to the provision of social support. As comparisons are made between commuters and campus residents, it appears that the impact of social support on college adjustment in these populations may vary in terms of which type of social support is relevant to various aspects of adjustment. In the context of commuting students, the availability of informational and instrumental network support and the perception …

Censorship Of The Collegiate Presses, Serjit Kasior, Ed Darrah

Journal of the Association for Communication Administration

An essay on the effects censorship policies being implemented by the U.S. government on rulings made by the judiciary system. There are those who still refuse to accept the fact that the U.S. judiciary system has determined both students and faculty members have the constitutional right to express their individual or collective thoughts to all people within or outside of their communities. Censorship has been imposed upon university student newspapers throughout the country despite the aforementioned U.S. federal judiciary rulings. Administration-sponsored censorship policies have been instituted by those refusing to accept the fact that bad news occurs on their campuses.

A Response To "A Description Of Merger Applied To The Montana State University Context", Robert P. Sexton

Journal of the Association for Communication Administration

This article presents a comment on the study A Description of Merger Applied to the Montana State University Context. The Merging section reflects quite accurately on key issues from the perspective of students, parents, staff, taxpayers, alumni, and the general public. The manuscript section focused upon the Eastern Montana College-Montana State University merger presents many excellent insights into the merger/affiliation process that were and continue to be real experiences and perceptions, accurate or inaccurate, of an institution being forced into the merger/affiliation. The merger/affiliation process appears to have produced modes, positive shifts in public perceptions regarding the Montana University System. …

A Response To "A Description Of Merger Applied To The Montana State University Context", Jeff Baker

Journal of the Association for Communication Administration

This article presents a comment on the study A Description of Merger Applied to the Montana State University Context. In simplest terms, the university system merger was designed to accomplish greater unity and effect economies of scale while guarding against mission drift. Change is disruptive but also productive if effected properly. Ultimately, restructuring success will be measured less by an organizational chart and more on our ability to build public trust, confidence and ownership in higher education.

Factors Affecting Affiliate Station Loyalty Towards Broadcast Television Networks, Carolyn A. Lin

Journal of the Association for Communication Administration

This article examines factors that may influence the future ties between television networks and their affiliate stations. In particular, it examines affiliate loyalty, or willingness to maintain symbiotic relations with their affiliated network. Due to the sparsity of theories addressing network affiliate relations, several factors were broadly clustered into financial, organizational and programming components and developed as proxy measures to assess network-affiliate ties. Results suggest the importance of network entertainment offerings in the network affiliate relations. Such a finding is consistent with conventional industry wisdom, as entertainment programs bring in compensation as well as a large chunk of local advertising …

Part-Time Faculty: Identifying The Trends And Challenges, Kathleen M. German

Journal of the Association for Communication Administration

This article attempts to address the issue of part-time faculty employment in the U.S. Since the early 1970's, the composition of faculty in higher education has changed dramatically. Increasingly, part-time instructors have come to dominate higher education in roles that have shifted from occasionally providing an outside specialty to regularly replacing full-time faculty members. The trends in employment of part-time faculty members reflect the attempts of institutions of higher education to cope with the financial and demographic crises of the past twenty years. The challenge of the future is to integrate part-time faculty, tapping their talents and energies, while providing …

A Study To Determine Which Factors Contribute To The Implementation Of A Successful Primary Multiage/Nongraded Program, Vicki Hils Osborne

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

Child growth and development pedagogy suggests that not all children are ready to learn the same thing, at the same time, in the same way. Multiage/nongraded programs allow pupils to advance from one concept or skill level to the next as they are ready, regardless of age or grade, which results in continuous progress. Multiage/nongraded education has a solid foundation or research and experience to support its use. However, many questions still exist regarding the factors that contribute to the implementation of a successful primary multiage/nongraded program.

The purpose of this ethnographic study was to identify the (a) critical attributes …

Analysis Of Parental Choice : Islamic School Enrollment In Florida, Feryal Y. Elkhaldy

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to discover and interpret reasons Florida parents enrolled their children in Islamic schools. A selection of 30 parents from 3 different schools in Florida were interviewed by the researcher using a semistructured interview guide which used both oral and written responses. The sample was matched according to the gender of parents interviewed - 15 mothers and 15 fathers were interviewed. the sample was matched according to the gender of the referent child. Out of 30 referent children, 15 were female and 15 were male. The researcher included children of all grade levels. Fifteen were …