Communication Commons^™

An Inside Look Into Event Planning, Anastasia Goebel

Undergraduate Honors Theses

This paper will summarize the planning process, methods, and results of a local Ellensburg, Washington event and student project, “Mickey’s Countdown to Christmas.” This event was a fundraiser taking place during the holiday season, where the goal was to raise money for the Ellensburg High School Band (EHS). The EHS Band takes a biannual educational trip to The Disneyland Resort, and as over 100 kids want to go in the year 2020, it has become an expensive endeavor. The hope for the fundraiser was to raise some extra money that could be deposited directly into student accounts, so that more …

Exploring Crisis Communication And Information Dissemination On Social Media: Social Network Analysis Of Hurricane Irma Tweets, Xianlin Jin

Communication Graduate Research

This study utilized social network analysis to identify the top 10 Twitter influentials during the Hurricane Irma crisis period and examined the relationship between social media attributes and the bridge influence of controlling information flow. The number of a user’s followers and tweets significantly predicted one’s control of information. Crisis information tended to be shared in scattered subgroups. Social network boundaries impeded information diffusion, and the communication pattern was largely one-way. The findings partially supported the opinion leader argument while indicating that influentials can directly generate information, which is consistent with the social-mediated crisis communication model. Such findings will contribute …

Attentional Social Media: Mapping The Spaces And Networks Of The Fashion Industry, Ate Poorthuis, Dominic Powers, Matthew Zook

Geography Faculty Publications

In this article we use big data methods to analyze the attention paid to the fashion industry on social media. The article argues that for the fashion industry, like many industries, the core product is a form of knowledge that is dependent on gaining and holding people’s attention. To understand this attentional economy, social media offers a unique window because it is increasingly a central space within which fashion knowledge is created and shared. Using long-term, geotagged big data from Twitter, we analyze the hitherto difficult-to-explore spaces and places of the global fashion industry. The article suggests that the data …

Voices Of First-Generation Students: An Examination Of First-Generation Stories On Collegiate Websites, Jillian Schemenauer

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

This qualitative research analyzed how four-year, public institutions represent first-generation students that attend their colleges, on their websites, and what those first-generation students share about their experiences. Twenty-nine institutions that were a part of a recognized list of colleges that have exemplary first-generation programs were utilized for this study. A critical analysis was performed to discuss and evaluate the themes that were discovered from fifty different first-generation student stories. Results indicated that first-generation students’ stories shared on collegiate websites shared similar experiences, with emerging themes being: Aspirations, family connections, engagement, and mindset. A summary of the themes, limitations, future research, …

Group Involvement: Cohesion & Tensions Through Collaboration, Edwin Hernandez

Communication Senior Capstones

The importance of teamwork and group involvement is essential not only in school to complete a common goal, but employers need to know that you have cooperation skills and the ability to collaborate with others in a diverse setting effectively. As my roommates and I arrived from different parts of California into a rural small county called Humboldt, we all came for the environment, but perhaps for distinctively altered reasons. We looked to develop improved relationships as well as group communication within the confines of our living space. Additionally, the goal was to maintain and manage a clean environment within …

Bosch Creates The First Surreal Painting Of Hell, Sayed Ahmad Shah

Communication Senior Capstones

This paper creates a link to the surrealism art style and "The Garden of Earthly Delights," by Hieronymus Bosch. I wrote this paper for a hell assignment while attending Diablo Valley College. Main point was claiming Hieronymous Bosch to be the first painter to use the surrealism art style.

Transgender Research Part A And B, Conor Jesse Finnegan

Communication Senior Capstones

A paper written to explain the struggles transgender people everyday and to explain how they have fought for equality. The paper also aims to educate the reader on ways that they can help trans people just by trying to understand them.

Shifting A Culture, Ardeshir J. Arjomand

Communication Senior Capstones

What is popular culture and how does it influence us? How can we be more critically aware consumers of media messages? Are we always "online", or is there some way we can disconnect? These are the questions I've attempted to define through my research and experience studying contemporary "pop culture". Consider this a beginner’s guide on how to become aware of and deal with the constant bombardment of media messages, and how to become a filter for content, rather than a sponge. As critical consumers of media we can cater our consumption to better suit our needs and lifestyles. This …

The Cost For Our Entertainment, Jasmine Younger

Communication Senior Capstones

Abstract

Sports hold such a dominant role in our society. They provide entertainment for individuals, job opportunities, and have a great impact on any given communities’ economy. However, we as the consumers and fans of the industry, tend to lack further examinations on the dynamics of the economic roles within sports. We sometimes become caught up in the glory of sports and never truly take the time to examine all of the money that goes into the industry. This paper will illustrate the ways in which the sports industry disburses their funds. From the cost of being a fan, to …

Communication Classes That Help With Employment, Cole Savin

Communication Senior Capstones

The reasoning for this paper is to influence you to take communication classes not only for credits or units for your major, but to further your knowledge, skills, and experience as a person. To start off this paper I talk about an interview with a manager about interviews and resumes. Then I talk about all of the communication classes that you can take and how it helps. These communication classes that are mentioned in this paper will help you the most in your employment wherever that may be. This paper will go over what employers look for in you as …

Pink Is The New Tax, Eliana Burns

Communication Senior Capstones

Historically women in America have made colossal advances that have proven they are just as capable as men. Women had fought and continued to challenge the system since 1919 with the 19th Amendment giving them a right to vote. However, even with this crucial progression, womens’ oppression can be found all around us only in much more subtle ways such as “ the pink tax”. As of 2020 there are currently no federal laws to outlaw companies from charging different prices depending on which gender they are meant to be marketed to. This rhetorical analysis will first address the concept …

Parenting In The Public Eye, Sarah Stauff

Communication Senior Capstones

This paper examines how parents share photos, videos and information about their children on social media websites, called sharenting. COPPA, the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act is mentioned specifically because it does not protect children’s online presence from their parents. Multiple types of sharenting are examined such as; posts for family and friends to view, informational blogs and posts, punishment posts, and YouTube vlogging, or blogging in a video format. Vlogging is dissected by studying three different family vlog YouTube channels and the content that they create. The confidence and sense of self worth of children whose parents participate in …

Like A Virgin: Comparing Cross-Cultural Virginity, Anastasia M. Tejada

Communication Senior Capstones

Studies have been conducted about the social construct of virginity inside the United States and cross-culturally. Investigations comparing the United States with these other cultures are limited and focus on the United States as the ideal representation of virginity in men and women. I aim to expand upon the current research provided by adding a new perspective to the analysis. The objective of conducting this analysis is to provide a global perspective defining the connotations of virginity cross-culturally. This study focused on the cultural, religious, and societal impacts on virginity collected through qualitative methods in the cultures of Arab-Americans, Latinx-Americans, …

Hsu Communicative Practices: Administration Must Include The Student Voice, Q Medina

Communication Senior Capstones

This paper examines the impact of communication practices of university administration (openness and inclusion) on the student body’s sense of satisfaction, value, and connectedness by focusing on a selected collection of past moments of communication from administration to students. A total of five current instances where official emails were sent out addressing a handful of the biggest impactful events at the university and the following reactions from the overall student body was used as the qualitative data to analyze the effectiveness of such communication choices. Results of the observations confirmed that the current practices of the university administration were no …

Bisexuality, Intersectionality, And The Bechdel Test In Jane The Virgin, Catherine E. Mallory Ms.

Communication Senior Capstones

Abstract

For this project I have looked at the show Jane the Virgin through a critical lens, and analyzed the characters in the show, the stereotypes portrayed about Latino culture, the stereotypes towards bisexuality, how intersectionality is involved, and the Bechdel-Wallace test. Throughout this paper I will examine a few specific characters and look at how stereotypes, of certain kinds, are portrayed, and how others are completely turned on it’s head. I apply terms such as intersectionality, stereotype, and sexuality to the characters and what they go through, throughout the course of the show. I have found that there are …

North Korea Vs United States Of America Relations, Michael Pitts

Communication Senior Capstones

Today we are currently faced with a dilemma between both the United States, and North Korea. It has slowly become increasingly difficult to fix due to many underlining issues such as politics, propaganda, and stereotypes. As we now approach a new decade, however, one may ask if it were possible at all for the two respected countries to actually have a conversation between both their leaders, and their citizens also.

Representation In Animation, Michelle L. Benoit

Communication Senior Capstones

In this paper I’m addressing what is missing in representation in films today. I take the shows Avatar: The Last Airbender, Steven Universe and Fairy Tail to explain what proper representation should look like in the media. I look at this with the perspective of rhetoric as a communication major. Providing my comment on the shows. I’m examining this show with three factors. Do they have women in roles of leadership? Are characters overcoming adversity? Are there male characters experiencing complex emotions? I’m comparing these shows with most western films. That would usually tell stories through the white cisgendered straight …

Consumerism And Covid - 19 : A Neoliberal Analysis, Taylor M. Roy

Communication Senior Capstones

This paper attempts to draw a line between consumer culture and COVID -19, while finding how it has been influenced by social media and targeted advertisements. Through exploring Foucault's understanding of neoliberalism and the homoeconomicus, articles and media news, this paper will have assessed the changes of consumer culture due to the “shelter in place” orders. Additionally, it will attempt to redefine Foucaults homoeconomicus to fit this new model as well as observe how electronic surveillance through social media platforms and their targeted ads will or have changed the landscape of neoliberalism. In summarizing the notable differences in the use …

Countercultural Representation, Ethan A. Mcgriff

Communication Senior Capstones

Counter cultures have been prevalent throughout modern American history. Accompanied with music, these movements break the barriers of time and live on. Starting with an anecdote, the rapper Lil peep is given as an example of what the movements and music has led up to. To highlight modern movements that lead to that, the flower power movement is given first light. This leads into the punk/ hip-hop era, which gives way for the emocore movement that ultimately defines what our current generation considers to be the counterculture. Movements and music change over time and along the way people get hurt. …

Healthcare, Foucault, And The Politics Of Covid-19, Canyon Smith

Communication Senior Capstones

As of April 2020, the United States is in a state of complete and utter crisis. This paper seeks to acknowledge and critique the inherent failings present in the neoliberal system of healthcare adopted by the United States. By identifying and criticizing components of insurance, employment, and the fetishization of marketplace competition, I will make a Foucauldian analysis of the flawed power structures existing within a privatized health system. The goal of this article is to articulate and make clear the case for the implementation of a single-payer system in the United States, which would see a much vaster and …

Doing Gender: Cars And Culture In The United States, Adrian L. Zavala

Communication Senior Capstones

This qualitative research study aims to define and describe gender stereotypes and car culture. It will also explain how these stereotypes influence car culture and vice versa. This paper aims to explain how the mass media uses car culture in the United States and imposes gender stereotypes. The mass media I will be discussing includes but is not limited to commercials and magazine adverts. This paper asserts that by portraying what it means to be a man and what it means to be a woman, car companies build car culture and use pre-existing constructs of gender for marketing it. According …

Stereotyping Gender Roles: Children's Commercial Advertisement, Lucky J. Mcclelland

Communication Senior Capstones

Heteronormativity gives the individual in our society a binary optional choice: the first choice being the socially accepted ‘norm’ that follows the heteronormative binary, and the second being the socially disfavored choice of being deemed ‘abnormal’ if one chooses to go against this heteronormative binary. In return, we as a socially constructed society then deem the binary option of the ‘norm’ as the culturally preferred ‘good’ choice, while at the same time deem the other binary option of the ‘abnormal’ as the socially constructed ‘bad’ choice. This occurs both intentionally and unintentionally. The purpose behind my area of focus is …

Mankind, Humans, Congressman: It’S All Inclusive, Right Guys?, Rachael Thacker

Communication Senior Capstones

This paper takes a look at research surrounding the use of gendered language and how it impacts occupations and careers from ages as young as grade school, and all the way into adulthood. The use of gender-fair language creates a more gender inclusive attitude towards traditionally male occupations. The masculine generic language used in our culture perpetuates gender stereotypes among children as young as six and continues on into adulthood. Changing the language to include both women and men allows for both to self-identify beyond the stereotypical occupations and see themselves as successful. This can be seen in how children …

Academy Of The Redwoods, Kasey J. Detrick

Communication Senior Capstones

In this academic research paper I will be analyzing the procedures and practices of the high school that I attended, Academy of the Redwoods. Academy of the Redwoods is an early college preparatory high school located amongst the redwoods in Eureka, California. It was a very different school in comparison to average high schools around the country and thus, a unique experience. Therefore, I will be comparing the dynamics of Academy of the Redwoods in conjunction to normal high schools using academic journals and sources. Some of the areas that I focus on are the school atmosphere and student life, …

“Gjuha E Nxitjes Dhe E Urrejtjes Në Mediat E Shkruara Elektronike Në Kosovë”, Medina Sherifi

Theses and Dissertations

Përdorimi i mjeteve të komunikimit në mediat e shkruara ka shfaqur avantazhe të panumërta lidhur me përhapjen e informacionit drejt një audiencë më të gjerë duke tejkaluar kufijtë gjeografikë si dhe me kosto të ulët ekonomike. Por ndoshta për shkak të natyrës demokratike të përdorimit të mediave online, liria e shprehjes në mjetet e komunikimit online vërehet të përdoret e pakufizuar dhe e pakontrolluar. Gazetarët por edhe individët e thjeshtë mund të postojnë cdo gjë në rrjetet sociale apo portale të ndryshme, pa kriter apo limit, duke cuar rrjedhimisht në rritje të përdorimit të gjuhës së nxitjes dhe urrejtjes. Punimi …

Ndikimi I Marketingut Përmes Mediave Sociale Tek Kompanitë Prodhuese Në Kosovë, Leutrim Haziraj

Theses and Dissertations

Ky punim ka për qëllim që të shqyrtojë ndikimin e marketingut që realizohet përmes mediave sociale në kompanitë prodhuese në Kosovë. Në punim konsiderohet madhësia e kompanisë, investimet financiare të dedikuara për aktivitetet e marketingut në media sociale. Punimi gjithashtu ka për qëllim të shqyrtojë edhe këndvërshtimin e individëve për marketingun në mediat sociale, të cilët potencialisht janë konsumatorë të kompanive që ne i kemi marrë për hulumtim në këtë punim. Metodologjia e punimit është bazuar në mbledhjen e të dhënave sasiore përmes fazës së hulumtimit me përdorimin e pyetësorëve online. Pyetësorët janë dërguar tek: Menaxherët e marketingut/personat përgjegjës për …

Critical Incidents In The Development Of (Multi)Ethnic-Racial Identity: Experiences Of Individuals With Mixed Ethnic-Racial Backgrounds In The U.S., Megan Cardwell, Jordan Soliz, Lisa Crockett, Gretchen Bergquist

Department of Communication Studies: Faculty Publications

Secure ethnic-racial identity (ERI) is tied to well-being, especially for minority individuals; however, there is still little consensus on the key processes and optimal outcomes of various multiethnic-racial (ME-R; i.e., individuals with parents from different ethnic-racial groups) identity development models. In this study, we examine the critical incidents in personal and social relationships that are central to ME-R identity development. Twentynine ME-R individuals provided retrospective accounts of incidents and conversations they self-perceived to be critical to their ERI development. Four major themes emerged: incidents and conversations surrounding intergroup contact, confrontation, heritage, and appearance were all recalled as …

Framing Sports’ Corporate Social Responsibility: U.S. Women’S Vs. Men’S Soccer Leagues, Paul Schattschneider

Honors Program Theses

Professional sports are a rich industry for corporate social responsibility (CSR) research because today’s sports organizations are big businesses that generate shared identities and strong affective connections among fans, teams, and players. Further, today’s professional sports consumers expect organizations to behave in socially responsible ways and to give back to their communities. While nearly every sports organization, like most other major businesses, practices CSR, sports teams are in a unique position because they receive greater media coverage than other businesses. Not all of this coverage is positive, however, as news reports about the controversy over compensation inequities in women’s soccer …

Black Historical Erasure: A Critical Comparative Analysis In Rosewood And Ocoee, Christelle Ram

Honors Program Theses

This thesis provides a comparative analysis of Black Historical Erasure in both the cases of Ocoee and Rosewood. Ocoee and Rosewood were both cites of racially motivated programs that led to the exodus of entire African American communities- in both cases however, the events were erased. Utilizing various post-modern texts, this project ultimately analyzes erasure as a force that upholds ideologies of white supremacy. Utilizing the theories of Antonio Gramsci and Karl Marx, this thesis analysis the modus operandi of violence that resulted in erasure as well as the repercussions of erasure. This thesis ultimately indicates that in Rosewood and …

Fashion Corporate Social Responsibility On Instagram, Brittany Bluthardt

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection

As defined by researcher and author Kate Fletcher, slow fashion is “where pleasure and fashion are linked with awareness and responsibility” in which a company emphasizes the quality of its products, working conditions, environmental impact, and societal impact. With the rise of slow fashion companies, this research seeks to determine the role of social media engagement, specifically on Instagram, with Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) messaging. Over 120 million U.S. users are on Instagram, and companies can use these platforms to directly communicate with consumers no matter their stage in the Consumer Decision Journey of product purchasing. This paper analyzes the …