Communication Commons^™

Death Of Journalists Creates Void: Black Trailblazers Boyd And Bradley Leave Behind Many Great Lessons, Carla Kimbrough

College of Journalism and Mass Communications: Faculty Publications

November 2006 marked the deaths of two journalistic giants whose careers should teach us much about journalism and diversity. I speak of Gerald Boyd, former managing editor of The New York Times, and Ed Bradley, correspondent with CBS News magazine show "60 Minutes." Boyd, 56, and Bradley, 65, died within days of each other.

In the Times' obituary, Boyd was recognized for his leadership roles in work that garnered the newspaper nine Pulitzer Prizes. The topics: the first World Trade Center bombing; children of poverty; the complexities of race relations in the United States; and the aftermath of the Sept. …

Communicative Predictors Of A Shared Family Identity: Comparison Of Grandchildren’S Perceptions Of Family-Of-Origin Grandparents And Stepgrandparents, Jordan Soliz

Department of Communication Studies: Faculty Publications

From an intergroup perspective on family relationships, the current study investigates family-of-origin grandparents and stepgrandparents to determine similarities and differences in communication and relational dimensions. Participants (N = 88) completed questionnaires on family-of-origin grandparents and stepgrandparent relationships. From the perspective of young adult grandchildren, the research explores the role of supportive communication, reciprocal self-disclosure, nonaccommodative communication, and parental encouragement in predicting a sense of shared family identity with each grandparent type. Results are discussed in terms of implications for intergroup research, grandparent-grandchild communication, and stepfamily relationships.

Communicating Ethnicity: A Phenomenological Analysis Of Constructed Identity, Laura L. Pierson

College of Journalism and Mass Communications: Theses

This dissertation uses phenomenology, along with a constructionist framework, to explore the ways an ethnic community in central Texas constructs and communicates its cultural identity. The first goal of this study (RQ1) was to describe how the people of Norse, Texas experience ethnicity. The second goal of this study (RQ2) was to discover how this ethnicity was communicatively constructed and maintained. The third goal of this study (RQ3) was to learn how the relationship between ethnic identity and communication contributes to the creation of shared meanings within the community. The fourth goal (RQ4) of this study was to describe the …

Types Of Communication Triads Perceived By Young-Adult Stepchildren In Established Stepfamilies, Leslie A. Baxter, Dawn O. Braithwaite, Leah A. Bryant

Department of Communication Studies: Faculty Publications

This study was an analysis of the kinds of residential parent-stepparent-stepchild triadic communication structures expressed in interviews with 50 college-aged children from established stepfamilies. In an interpretive analysis of the interview transcripts, four communication structures were identified. In the linked triad the stepchild relied on indirect communication with the stepparent through his or her residential parent. The outsider triad was characterized by the stepchild communicating primarily with the residential parent with limited awareness of interdependence with the stepparent. In the adult-coalition triad the stepchild perceived that the residential parent and stepparent had formed a coalition, leading to cautious and distrustful …

10 Tips For Turning Your Career Dreams Into Reality, Carla Kimbrough

College of Journalism and Mass Communications: Faculty Publications

Few things excite me like the chance to teach about turning dreams into reality. Add the opportunity to talk one on one with dreamers, and I have the makings of a perfect day. I had the chance to do both at the 2006 SPJ Convention & National Journalism Conference in Chicago.
So how do you turn your dreams into reality? Start by turning your dreams into a goal that's specific, measurable, action-oriented, realistic and time sensitive. From there, incorporate these 10 tips into your life.

Reform And Empire: The British And American Transnational Search For The Rights Of Black People In The Late Nineteenth And Early Twentieth Centuries, Thomas E. Smith

Department of History: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Late nineteenth century modernity forced reformers in Great Britain and the United States to embrace a new sense of immediacy in their strategies. These new strategies, however, rarely extended to black people who were often subject to violence and discrimination in the period of high imperialism. Instead, when most reformers discussed the problems black people faced all they could offer were traditional promises of religious-based protections or “uplift.” The violence of lynching in the 1890s forced reformers to address the problems of white supremacy in a direct fashion, while promoting an understanding of the connection between the plight of African …

Perceived Understanding As A Mediator Of Perceived Teacher Confirmation And Students’ Ratings Of Instruction, Paul Schrodt, Paul Turman, Jordan Soliz

Department of Communication Studies: Faculty Publications

This study tested two theoretical models of perceived understanding as a potential mediator of perceived teacher confirmation and students’ ratings of instruction. Participants included 651 under-graduate students who completed survey measures. Results of structural equation modeling provided greater support for the confirmation process model, whereby students’ perceived under-standing partially mediated the effects of perceived teacher confirmation on both teacher credibility and evaluations. Further, perceived teacher confirmation accounted for 64% of the variance in perceived understanding, and both confirmation and understanding accounted for 70% and 72% of the variances in teacher evaluations and credibility, respectively. Among the more important implications of …

The Divorce Decree, Communication, And The Structuration Of Coparenting Relationships In Stepfamilies, Paul Schrodt, Leslie A. Baxter, M. Chad Mcbride, Dawn O. Braithwaite, Mark A. Fine

Department of Communication Studies: Faculty Publications

Using Giddens’s (1984) structuration theory, this study explored the communicative processes surrounding the divorce decree in coparenting relationships in stepfamilies. Participants included 21 adults who were coparenting children in stepfamilies who completed diary entries of all interactions with coparents over a 2-week period, and who completed follow-up interviews. Results revealed two structures of signification with respect to the divorce decree that enabled and constrained coparenting interactions. The first signification structure was one in which the decree was framed as a legal document, dictating the rights and responsibilities of parenting, especially with respect to child access and financial issues. The second …

Building A Better Board: Springboard Into Action, Milan Wall

Heartland Center for Leadership Development Materials

Building a Better Board: Springboard into Action

Roles and responsibilities

Time devoted to six basic elements

Obstacles

Strategies

Ethics

Recruitment

Work Now To Paint A Rosey Financial Picture For The Future, Carla Kimbrough

College of Journalism and Mass Communications: Faculty Publications

How's your money, honey? That question may cause you to cringe and cry, or it may give you a confident smile. For those who cringe and cry, it's time to start painting a new financial picture that keeps the future in mind.

Money affects the ability to pursue your goals and the future lifestyle you want. I've worked with people who are trying to get out of debt and preparing for retirement. Fortunately, some I've worked with have stayed on top of their finances: saving, investing and preparing for the topsy turvy world of layoffs, buyouts and the eventual bliss …

Forum: In Memory Of Fred Jablin: What Might Have Been And Still Might Be, Kathleen J. Krone

Department of Communication Studies: Faculty Publications

I begin my term as forum editor by honoring the memory of Fred Jablin, an early leader in the field of organizational communication. I am quite certain that Fred would like to be remembered less for the tragic circumstances of his death than for the considerable contribution of his early work and the promising new directions in which his work was headed. Fred was, perhaps, best known for his early work in the area of superior-subordinate communication and then his later work in organizational socialization and communication. For at least a decade, his agenda-setting pieces on communicative issues in organizational …

Formal Mentoring Program Great For Developing Staff, Carla Kimbrough

College of Journalism and Mass Communications: Faculty Publications

Rita Boags, an organizational consultant and educator, has been spreading the word about the benefits of mentoring for 20 years. Her program, offered through her Castro Valley, Calif-based company, Leadership Technologies, promotes having structure that improves learning and quickens growing. Boags developed her formal program from years of study and work in community, academic and corporate settings.

You'll recognize many of the corporations and agencies for which she has designed programs: Fannie Mae, Hughes Aircraft Co., The World Bank, John Hancock Financial Services, Dow Corning Corp., Coca Cola Company, Ernst & Young, General Motors Corporation Finance Group, U.S. Department of …

Collegiality And The Academic Library, Michael Lorenzen

E-JASL: Electronic Journal of Academic and Special Librarianship (1999-2009, Volumes 1-10)

Abstract

This paper examines the concept of collegiality and how it can be applied to academic libraries. This includes a definition of what collegiality is, a review of the library literature which describes how other writers have seen this issue, and a discussion of how collegiality can be applied in libraries. This includes an examination of how faculty in a library and faculty on other parts of campus work differently which makes collegiality more important in the library. It also looks at why collegiality is important in academic libraries where librarians work hand-in-hand with support staff and student employees.

Collaborative Role Of The Academic Librarian In Distance Learning - Analysis On An Information Literacy Tutorial In Webct, Xiaoli Shirley Fang

E-JASL: Electronic Journal of Academic and Special Librarianship (1999-2009, Volumes 1-10)

Abstract

This article profiles a project to expand our general Information Literacy Tutorial into WebCT for students taking online courses. The Tutorial has provided online learners with a grasp of information competencies. The process of the project has confirmed the importance of academic librarians’ collaborative role in distance learning community. It presents both opportunities and challenges for academic librarians to collaborate with faculty and educational technology specialists in integrating information literacy education into the course management system. More active multi-aspect collaborations are required to ensure effective teaching information literacy via the courseware.

Nurturing New Careers: Preparing Future Librarians For Their Careers Through Pre-Professional Development Sessions At The University Of Alabama Libraries, Brett Spencer, Allyson R. Ard

E-JASL: Electronic Journal of Academic and Special Librarianship (1999-2009, Volumes 1-10)

Abstract

We describe a pre-professional development program for library school graduate assistants that helped participants learn career survival skills, gave them an overview of academic librarianship, and encouraged networking. Many intern or graduate assistant programs have focused on primary job training, but we know of few other assistantship programs featuring pre-professional development sessions on career survival skills like writing a CV or crafting a poster session. We discuss the structure, topics, and results of our program and provide suggestions for creating similar programs at other academic libraries.

The High Cost Of Textbooks: A Convergence Of Academic Libraries, Campus Bookstores, Publishers?, John H. Pollitz, Anne Christie

E-JASL: Electronic Journal of Academic and Special Librarianship (1999-2009, Volumes 1-10)

[First two paragraphs]

While the attention of Oregon State University librarians, like many others around the world, has been directed to the rising costs of journals and their impact on our resources, another form of inflation has been occurring which has a much more dramatic effect on the lives of our students. This is the spiraling inflation in the cost of textbooks. In this status report we discuss issues concerned with textbook costs on campus and the possible roles of the library.

The cost of textbooks is not a new concern for our students; it has been an ongoing issue …

Major Literary Award Winners In The Medium-Sized Academic Library, Todd Spires

E-JASL: Electronic Journal of Academic and Special Librarianship (1999-2009, Volumes 1-10)

Abstract

This article addresses the role of major literary award-winning books and authors in the medium-sized academic library. It details a study performed at Bradley University’s Cullom-Davis Library in early 2006. The project surveyed award-winning books held by the library at the time of the study. The purpose of the survey was to evaluate past selection performance of these materials, to provide data on items that the library needs to acquire and to encourage library faculty to watch for and make use of literary and other prize winning materials. The article describes the thought-process involved, the actual workflow and the …

The Emerging Technology: 21st Century Web Based Environments And Their Resultant Effect On The Work Responsibilities Of Academic Reference Librarians Were The Predictions Correct?, Hope Marie Cook

E-JASL: Electronic Journal of Academic and Special Librarianship (1999-2009, Volumes 1-10)

Abstract

This paper will examine the changing work responsibilities and required skills of academic reference librarians in the 21st century due to the evolving advancements in technology. For the purpose of the paper, the term “Web Based Environment” is defined as any library that utilizes local area networks, wide area networks, the Internet, and Intranets to make available electronic information resources. This access is made available to the user community. Utilization of these resources can be obtained both locally and remotely and, therefore, it is understood that the use of these sources may be executed by physically walking into a …

Librarian Publishing Preferences And Open-Access Electronic Journals, Elaine Peterson

E-JASL: Electronic Journal of Academic and Special Librarianship (1999-2009, Volumes 1-10)

Abstract

Librarians have often led the way in championing Open-Access (OA) journals on the Internet as an alternative to established journal titles that are subscription based. In the discipline of Library and Information Science, all types of journals continue to be published—paper and electronic, subscription-based and free. Using a survey, this article explores how some librarians view OA titles. The article collects suggestions for editors of OA journals. The article also asks questions about the relationship of OA journals to the promotion and tenure process for academic librarians.

Don't Let Society Define Your True Happiness, Carla Kimbrough

College of Journalism and Mass Communications: Faculty Publications

Kathleen Hall became one of the fortunate few. She lived a life filled with all the trappings of success: She had snagged a corner office in the tallest buildings in Atlanta and New York. She enjoyed marvelous vacations, wore fabulous clothes and had a beautiful family. Life is beautiful, right? One day, as she was following her same routine, she took the World Trade Center elevator up to her office. But this ride was different: Her chest was tight, she had trouble breathing, she thought she was having a heart attack. After escaping the elevator, she clung to the wall …

Platte River Odyssey, Derek Drost, Toru Fujioka, Kimberly Hansen, Steve Hermann, Art Hovey, Nate Jenkins, Algis J. Laukaitis, Yangyoung Lee, Joyita Mallik, Sarah Mccammon, Andrew Moseman, Kristine Nemec, Olga Pierce, Max Post Van Der Berg, Rachael Seravalli, Jason Wiest

College of Journalism and Mass Communications: Student Media

Contents

4 | Nebraska’s Liquid Labyrinth
UNL and the Lincoln Journal Star join in an in-depth report on drought and the Platte River.
CAROLYN JOHNSEN

6 | Searching for the Source
With below-normal snowpack in the Colorado Rockies, the Platte River suffers from a lack of source waters.
ALGIS J. LAUKAITIS

8 | Product of Connections
No matter where the water comes from, watersheds are the link between land and water. And watersheds collect more than just surface water.
MAX POST VAN DER BURG

10 | Wrestling for Resources
The West finds itself in a battle for water after years …

Tips To Learn Your Beat, Carla Kimbrough

College of Journalism and Mass Communications: Faculty Publications

Today, you've been assigned a new beat at your newspaper. You don't have the expertise, and you have less time than you imagined to master it. Or perhaps, you've landed in a new city on a new beat, and you have to get up to speed yesterday. In the corporate world, most leaders expect their new hires to be effective in about six months. When you can make the transition fast, you can make solid contributions to the paper. A four-step plan can help you create a strategy that gives you direction and brings greater depth to your coverage. A …

Leveraging The Skills Of The Corporate Special Librarian To Enhance The Perceived Value Of Information And Sustain Communities Of Practice, Patricia Margulies

E-JASL: Electronic Journal of Academic and Special Librarianship (1999-2009, Volumes 1-10)

Abstract

An assessment is made of a fairly recent commitment by many business and governmental organizations to take a strategic look at ‘organizational knowledge,’ its origins and its management. Based on their activities and findings to identify, capture, and disseminate organizational knowledge, the paper describes how the Information Resource Center (IRC) and its special librarians can ensure the enterprise’s knowledge and information goals are met while heightening the IRC’s own intrinsic organizational value and profile.

This paper argues for major participation by the IRC and its special librarians in communities of practice (COPs). Such IRC participation is viewed as a …

Internet Use By Teachers And Students In Engineering Colleges Of Punjab, Haryana, And Himachal Pradesh States Of India: An Analysis, Rajeev Kumar, Amritpal Kaur

E-JASL: Electronic Journal of Academic and Special Librarianship (1999-2009, Volumes 1-10)

Abstract

The aim of this study is to analyze the use of the Internet and related issues among the teachers and the students of engineering colleges in India’s three States viz. Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh. A well-structured questionnaire was distributed among the 1980 teachers and students of all the engineering colleges of the three states of India under study. The response rate was 80.9 percent. The present study demonstrates and elaborates the various aspects of Internet use, such as frequency of Internet use, methods used for learning of Internet skill, most frequently used place for Internet use, purposes for …

“That’S The Way We Do Things Around Here”: An Overview Of Organizational Culture, M. Jason Martin

E-JASL: Electronic Journal of Academic and Special Librarianship (1999-2009, Volumes 1-10)

Introduction

Culture permeates all aspects of any society. It acts as the basic fabric that binds people together. Culture dictates tastes in music, clothes, and even the political and philosophical views of a group of people. Culture is not only shared, but it is deep and stable. However, culture does not exist simply as a societal phenomenon. Organizations, both large and small, adhere to a culture. Organizational culture determines how an organization operates and how its members frame events both inside and outside the organization. This paper explores the basic concepts of organizational culture. It describes what organizational culture is, …

Designing An Academic Outreach Program Through Partnerships With Public Schools, Alan R. Bailey, Linda M. Teel, Hazel J. Walker

E-JASL: Electronic Journal of Academic and Special Librarianship (1999-2009, Volumes 1-10)

Abstract

The article discusses an outreach program at the Teaching Resources Center of J.Y. Joyner Library, East Carolina University. The collaborative project consists of three significant components created to partner with public schools within a designated service area. A library card for educators, interlibrary loan services and a production center provide commitment and support to area educators.

E-Resources And Services In Engineering College Libraries – A Case Study, K. R. Mulla, M. Chandrashekra

E-JASL: Electronic Journal of Academic and Special Librarianship (1999-2009, Volumes 1-10)

Introduction

Libraries have witnessed a great metamorphosis in recent years both in their collection development and in their service structure. Over the last several years, a significant transformation has been noticed in collection development policies and practices. Print medium is increasingly giving way to the electronic form of materials. This study examines libraries by region within the State of Karnataka, India. It examines the level of effort taken by the engineering college libraries in Karnataka to build electronic resources.

Mobile Phone Usage Patterns Of Library And Information Science Students At Delta State University, Abraka, Nigeria, Esharenana E. Adomi

E-JASL: Electronic Journal of Academic and Special Librarianship (1999-2009, Volumes 1-10)

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to investigate mobile phone usage patterns among students of the Department of Library and Information Science, Delta State University, Abraka, Nigeria. Through systematic random sampling technique, data were collected by means of a questionnaire from one hundred (110) undergraduate students. Results reveal that a majority of the respondents communicate using their own handsets; the students also use mobile phones at mobile phone shops/booths/kiosks. Some also use friends or relatives phones; while most respondents use mobile phone to communicate with their parents/relatives, there are those who use the phone to send/receive text messages; family …

Reshaping The World Of Scholarly Communication—Open Access And The Free Online Scholarship Movement: Open Access Statements, Proposals, Declarations, Principles, Strategies, Organizations, Projects, Campaigns, Initiatives, And Related Items—A Webliography, Paul G. Haschak, Linus A. Sims

E-JASL: Electronic Journal of Academic and Special Librarianship (1999-2009, Volumes 1-10)

[Introduction]

Since World War II, we have seen a proliferation of scholarly materials. In particular, there has been a tremendous growth in the size and cost of the primary journal literature.

With prices continuing to rise at a rate greater than the general price index, the current scholarly communication system is becoming more and more unaffordable.

The rise in the cost of serial subscriptions has forced academic libraries over the last several decades to cancel existing serial titles, add fewer and fewer new serial titles, and buy fewer and fewer books.

In is apparent, that the crisis in the scholarly …

Shared Family Identity, Age Salience, And Intergroup Contact: Investigation Of The Grandparent–Grandchild Relationship, Jordan Soliz, Jake Harwood

Department of Communication Studies: Faculty Publications

This study investigated communicative and relational aspects of the grandparent–grandchild relationship that lead to perceptions of age salience and shared family identity with the grandparent. The perceptions represent manifestations of inter- and intragroup levels of categorization in dealing with the other family member. The association between these group-oriented categorizations and perceptions of intergenerational contact outside of the family was examined. Participants (N = 369) completed questionnaires assessing perceptions of experiences with multiple grandparents. Findings showed that general family identification of the grandchild, parental encouragement, and personal communication (social support and reciprocal self-disclosure) are positively associated with perceptions of shared family …