Communication Commons^™

Contents

Basic Communication Course Annual

No abstract provided.

The Effects Of Praise On Student Motivation In The Basic Communication Course, B. Scott Titsworth

Basic Communication Course Annual

This exploratory study tested the effects of praise on student motivation and affect toward a class and instructor. Participants (N=64) listened to a teacher-student interaction containing either praise or neutral feedback from the teacher. Students hearing praise reported higher levels of hypothetical affect and motivation than students hearing neutral feedback. Qualitative data were examined to help explain these results. Results are discussed in terms of future research possibilities in the basic course.

The Relationship Between A Required Self-Disclosure Speech And Public Speaking Anxiety: Considering Gender Equity, Deanna D. Sellnow, Tamara Golish

Basic Communication Course Annual

This study examines the relationship between a required self-disclosure speech and public speaking anxiety levels expressed by student speakers. If students report higher anxiety levels when asked to self-disclose during a speech, then the potential classroom climate warming advantages of such an assignment may not outweigh the disadvantages. Results indicated: (1) that most students did not report increased anxiety when presenting the self-disclosure speech; (2) there appeared to be no significant gender differences with regard to anxiety and self-disclosure in a public speaking situation; (3) students revealed that feeling confident, in control, and respected are primary factors necessary to reduce …

Critical Thinking Assessment: The Link Between Critical Thinking And Student Application In The Basic Course, Karla J. Huffman, Christy L. Carson, Cheri J. Simonds

Basic Communication Course Annual

The intent of this study is to evaluate existing literature on the concept, teaching and assessment of critical thinking. To reach this goal, critical thinking will be examined in terms of its multiple definitions, and its relationship to higher order thinking, critical teaching, and assessment.

In response to the need for a more generative and creative way of assessing critical thinking, the authors offer an activity assigned in the basic course (artifacts) as a viable tool for allowing students to take an active role in learning to think critically. The artifacts are then analyzed to determine if they serve as …

Assessment Of The Repeated Speech Performance As A Pedagogical Tool: A Pilot Study, Mark A. Gring, Jera W. Littlejohn

Basic Communication Course Annual

Realizing the ongoing need to develop pedagogy in public speaking, these researchers investigated the learning achieved by asking students to repeat one of their speech assignments. They assessed the value of this practice from the students' viewpoint as well as the statistical change in performance outcomes. Across the eight competencies evaluated, students' average scores increased significantly on the repeated speech. Students who scored in the lower quartile on the first speech benefited most from the second opportunity. The researchers conclude that allowing students to repeat a speech appears to have pedagogical and practical merit.

An Examination Of Male And Female Students' Perceptions Of Relational Closeness: Does The Basic Course Have An Influence?, Jennifer M. Heisler, Susan M. Bissett, Nancy L. Buerkel-Rothfuss

Basic Communication Course Annual

Several scholars have argued that men and women are socialized to establish interpersonal relationships, such as friendships, in different ways. Traditionally feminine individuals emphasize empathy, self-disclosure, and interdependence while masculine individuals rely on activities, helping behaviors, and advice/problem-solving. In spite of these differences, basic communication courses have provided students with only a model of traditionally feminine closeness skills in coursework and materials. This study sought to determine if, after 16 weeks of instruction in a basic communication course emphasizing feminine intimacy skills, male students would prefer masculine closeness behaviors. Three-hundred and seventy-three male and female students provided self-report data on …

Peer Mentoring For Graduate Teaching Assistants: Training And Utilizing A Valuable Resource, Katherine G. Hendrix

Basic Communication Course Annual

Experienced graduate teaching assistants (GTAs) can be valuable resources capable of assisting basic course directors with training novice GTAs. Peer mentoring is suggested as one means for training GTAs in departments with two year M.A. programs; but is also useful in departments offering the doctoral degree. Peer mentoring is highlighted as the first of three GTA training stages. A specific program is described based on a the experiences of a department offering the Master of Arts as the terminal degree.

An Acrostic Approach To Teaching Public Speaking In The Hybrid Communication Course, David W. Worley

Basic Communication Course Annual

Given the time and pedagogical demands of teaching the principles of public speaking in the hybrid course, both instructors and students are assisted by using a summative, yet sufficiently through, approach to teaching these principles. As acrostic approach described in a preparation outline format and built upon the word S-P-E-A-K provides an integrated, summative and sufficiently thorough instructional approach to meet these demands.

Author Identifications

Basic Communication Course Annual

No abstract provided.

Basic Communication Course Annual Vol. 12

Basic Communication Course Annual

Full issue (232, 7.896 KB)

Call For Submissions

Basic Communication Course Annual

No abstract provided.

Back Cover

Basic Communication Course Annual

No abstract provided.

A Content Analysis Of Newspaper Columns Written In 1994 By Syndicated Humorist Columnists Erma Bombeck And Art Buchwald, Carol Patricia Wight

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

This study uses content analysis to reveal aspects of the content in newspaper columns written by Erma Bombeck compared with column content written by Art Buchwald. The purpose of this study was to reveal content characteristics that may be perceived as having propelled the columnist Erma Bambeck into the status of one of the top syndicated humorist columnists, based on the uses and gratifications and media dependency theories. Art Buchwald was chosen for a comparative analysis because of his status as one of the top syndicated humorist columnists.

Content analysis was used to reveal answers to these questions about the …

Hazards, Risk And The Press: A Comparative Analysis Of Newspaper Coverage Of Nuclear And Chemical Weapons Sites, Karen Lowrie, Michael Greenberg, Lynn Waishwell

RISK: Health, Safety & Environment (1990-2002)

The authors present a comparative analysis of newspaper coverage for four hazardous substance containment facilities located in different parts of the country.

Development Of An Interactive Multimedia Research Information System For The Archival Of The Music And Culture Of The Sliabh Luachra Area, Martina O'Neill

Theses

We are living in a world where communication is introducing much multiculturalism into society. Irish music is being mixed with music from all different cultures creating a worldwide acceptable type of "Irish Music\ As a result we are losing our true culture which is rooted in the Irish music and dance. This primary focus of this project was to set up an archival system to store the music of the Sliabh Luachra area. The music of the Sliabh Luachra area is a rich and rare heritage and was influenced greatly by the music of Padraig O’Keeffe, a renowned fiddle master …

A Discourse Analysis Of Electronic Mail Message In A Local Business Community, Yong Kiang Ng

Student Works (2000-2009)

Communication by electronic mail has become a dominant mode of communication both within and between organisations in the last few years, many of which have developed their own in-house electronic systems. More and more of our students will enter the workforce to find that their job involves using the electronic mail system for communication; therefore we need insights into the nature of this mode of communication, and ascertain ways in which we can assist our students in acquiring "its particular characteristics, in the same way we teach spoken English, writing and the use of telephones" (Murray, 1988: 4). ln light …

Hyperlinks, Frames And Metatags: Some Legal Problems, Rhonda Breit

Graduate School of Media and Communications

No abstract provided.

Main Issues Rural Women Experience With Information & Communication Technology, Teresa Maiolo

All other publications

This brief report will outline the main issues rural women encountered with information and communications technology. This information was derived from interviewing twenty-one rural women from the South West, Eastern Goldfields, Murchison, Gascoyne, and Kimberley regions of Western Australia.

Increasing Rural Women's Involvement In Government Decision Making, Teresa Maiolo

All other publications

The purpose of this report was to identify why rural women’s involvement in government decision-making is of a low level despite the concerted government action, and to furthermore provide solutions to inform action. The strength of the research presented is that all information is firmly established in the rural women’s experiences.

The Influence Of Biological Sex, Age, Work History And Training On Perceptions Of Sexual Harassment, Julie Lynn Davis

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

This cross-sectional study investigates the perceptions of sexual harassment among 271 non-academic university personnel. The survey administered measured perceptions of sexual harassment using 17 dependent variables which assessed attitudes toward hostile work environment and quid pro quo sexual harassment. The study found that differences do exist in perceptions of sexual harassment based on biological sex of the respondents and the biological sex of the sexual harassment target. The study also found that there are significant positive correlations between perceptions of sexual harassment and the variables of age and number of years in the workforce. This study found no significant differences …

Central Florida Future, Orientation 2000

Central Florida Future

No abstract provided.

Social Support Among Women In Families: A Descriptive Study Of Support In Intergenerational Relationships, Gina L. Bauswell

Masters Theses

This study examines the effects of social support in intergenerational relationships among women in families. The research examines ethnography as a study, some of the benefits of research done in intergenerational communication, changes in this communication over the time span of the intergenerational relationships, the transmission of this communication, social support, the positive effects of the phenomenon of this type of communication for all those participating in this dynamic process, and the heuristic value of this research. The participants were forty women in my extended family, and this study is based upon their answers to a questionnaire and focus group …

Embraced: The Communication Perspective, Community & The Power Of "Story", A. J. Mühr

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

Courtroom Technology, A Judicial Primer, Fredric I. Lederer

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

The Effects Of Empathy On Speech Ratings, Jill Mcnamara

Masters Theses

This research project tests whether empathy has an affect upon ratings of speeches. First the rater' s individual level of empathy is surveyed. Next, the many different definitions of empathy are broken down into cognitive and affective perspectives and altruistic motivations. The likelihood of empathy being a dispositional or situational trait is discussed. Various methods used to train individuals to enhance their empathic skills through behavior observation and schools and how effective these methods have proven to be is identified. Empathy was then examined as to gender affects an individual's ability to experience that emotion. Using two different speeches, one …

Supporting Those That Make Us A Success: How Community Relations Programs Effect Individual Shopping Choices, Danielle R. Lafayette

Masters Theses

Community relations programs have become extremely popular within organizations over the past several years. This manuscript will take a closer look at how these community relations programs influence the decision's individuals make when determining which organizations they want to support. Through a case study analysis Wal-Mart's affiliation with the Children's Miracle Network was analyzed in order to determine why organizations do community relations programs and the effect they have on an individual's choice in which organizations they support. The study consisted of a systematic random sample of 342 Charleston/Mattoon and surrounding area residents. The results indicated individuals are looking for …

The Art Of Networking And Fundraising For The Arts: An Interview With Beau Takahara, Ceo, Groundzero, Nora Raggio

SWITCH

This article duscusses an interview with Beau Takahara, who is the CEO of the project GroundZero. This interview consists of questions asked about the project itself as well as the reasoning and context behind bringing GroundZero to life. As the interview progresses, Takahara talks about herself and her background. Since art has played a significant role for most of her life, Takahara and a couple fellow artists decided to create a foundation that brought both art and technology together. She later discusses all the challenges they had to overcome in order for GroundZero to become a live and working organization …

Ideaconsciousness Networks, Wendy Angel

SWITCH

In this article, the author utilizes a theoretical approach to discuss the complexity of digital networks and the necessary cognitive adaptations humans need to process the amount of information shared over them. Several propositions are discussed including fuzziness, conscious Ideation, knowledge networks, idea structures, and idea coercion. It is theorized that ideas make up our consciousness and provide a more open definition to the experiences that combine the cognitive process. However, the fuzziness of uncertainty also raises ideas of its essential factor in our conscious exploration and that fuzziness of knowledge does not make knowledge obsolete. This posits that there …

A Critique Of Functionalist And Rhetorical Social Movement Theory: A Case Study Of China's 1989 Democracy Movement, Lia M. Veenendaal

Honors Theses, 1963-2015

Current Communication-based social movement theory provides an excellent framework for analyzing social movements at a superficial level, but it neglects to include one important aspect that influences social movements – the culture in which a social movement takes place. The dominant theories used to evaluate social movements are written with a Western, North-American bias and thus are inadequate tools for explaining social movements that occur in other cultures. This work uses a non-Western social movement – China's 1989 Democracy Movement – as a case study to demonstrate the Western bias that Communication-based social movement theory holds, as well as to …

Putting Objectivity To The Test: A Study Of How The Kurdish/Turkish Issue Is Represented In The News, Jennifer L. Valorose

Honors Theses, 1963-2015

Although the public generally thinks of the news media as sources of factual, complete and objective information, due to the routines of production through which journalists are trained to use to present and gather news, they cannot be objective. The sources journalists rely on for information, and the choices they make in deciding what is newsworthy and how to frame stories influences what and how information is portrayed to the public. Thus, the media can unintentionally influence the way in which audiences understand the events and the knowledge they have to question the decisions being made. Studies have shown that …