Communication Commons^™

Gold & Blue, Fall 2020/Winter 2021, St. Mary's University- San Antonio, Texas

Gold & Blue

This is the Fall 2020/Winter 2021 edition of Gold & Blue which is St. Mary's University's official school publication.

Unveiling Race And Japanese Identity Through Kokusai Kekkon, Manami Matsuoka

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Kokusai kekkon, marriage among Japanese and non-Japanese nationals, are common, yet sometimes it comes with difficulties. The study aims to uncover Japanese people’s hidden perceptions of gaikokujins, foreigners, and Japanese identity shaped in relation to gaikokujins based on race and ethnicity within cross-national marriage. 18 Japanese spouses of U.S. Americans were interviewed for the study. The study employed thematic analysis to disclose Japanese beliefs and worldviews through interpreting Japanese interviewees’ experiences and their families’ discourses regarding marriage with U.S. Americans. The study found that whiteness and the sense of inferiority to the West and superiority toward the East influence Japanese …

No Future For Academic Crips: An Autoethnographic Crippling Of Academic Futurity, A. Adams

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

No Future for Academic Crips attempts to situate crip theory, critical disability studies, and communication theory squarely in the context of academia, problematizing the constraints placed on autistic identity by the demands of a graduate education. Utilizing autoethnographic vignettes along with theoretical writings regarding the creation and consolidation of crip identity, this thesis theorizes what a “neuroqueer future” looks like for academics. Six vignettes are presented to demonstrate strategies for survival employed in academic spaces, followed by analysis contextualizing and criticizing those strategies. Finally, implications for neuroqueer futurity and identity are discussed.

The Balancing Act Is Magnified: U.S. Mothers’ Struggles Amidst A Pandemic, Grace Ellen Brannon, Molly Wiant Cummins

Communication Faculty Publications - Archive

Successes are often noticed in reflection after an event; struggles are felt in the moment. When COVID-19 was recognized as a public health emergency in the United States (US), many mothers felt their struggles more acutely. Much of 2020 feels like a pressure cooker for mothers, where the steam valve does not fully relieve the mounting pressure they felt because of COVID-19. Most families are experiencing additional stress due to COVID-19, but in heterosexual couples, that work disproportionately falls to women, as they are spending, on average, fifteen hours more per week on education and household tasks (Cohen and Hsu). …

Interview Preparation Worksheet, Matt Meier

S Center Resources

This worksheet, along with other S Center videos, will help you prepare for an upcoming interview.

Using Byram's Five Savoirs To Measure The Development Of Intercultural Competence In The Covid-19 Era During An Engineering Sojourn Abroad, Lars Erickson, Sigrid Berka, Iñaki Pérez-Ibáñez, Niko Tracksdorf, Michelangelo La Luna

Journal of International Engineering Education

This paper investigates the intercultural learning of students during a sojourn abroad that was disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic and their resulting return to the U.S. To measure students’ intercultural development and to characterize students’ comments about their experience abroad, the researchers used Michael Byram’s Intercultural Communicative Competence model and its five savoirs. The comments were elicited at four different moments using different elicitation tools. Comments were evaluated by the researchers who determined their applicability to any of Byram’s five savoirs. The results show that despite the COVID-19 pandemic, intercultural learning took place and students made gains in intercultural competence. …

Technology And Law: The Use Of Artificial Intelligence And 5g To Access The Courts In Africa, Thabo Magubane

Young African Leaders Journal of Development

The application of the latest technological advances has the potential of giving the disadvantaged African persons the ability to have their matters heard and resolved by the courts of law. Access to justice is fundamentally important to the injured party, and it is a vital component of the protection, recognition and enforcement of human rights. Many African persons still lack the ability to afford legal fees due to poverty. This paper is to explore the use Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Fifth-Generation Cellular Network (5G) to provide economically disadvantaged African people with the ability to access formal and informal institutions …

Yaljod Full Issue 3.1, Prince Ifoh

Young African Leaders Journal of Development

The Young African Leaders Journal of Development (YALJOD) is a biennial journal and an official publication of the Young African Leaders Forum (YALF). It was established in 2015 to host scholarly analysis and competing viewpoints about the development of Africa; and it’s multidisciplinary approach makes it more formidable. YALJOD accepts papers from varied disciplinary areas — including Social Sciences, Physical Sciences and Humanities — that show direct relevance to the development of Africa. It publishes researches understood as the social, economic, political, cultural and technological processes of change in Africa. The intended audience of the journal remains the entire African …

Education Towards Attaining Sustainable Development In Developing Nations: Nigeria As A Case Study, Ezeifekwuaba Tochukwu Benedict

Young African Leaders Journal of Development

This Research Paper is a contribution towards highlighting the underdevelopment challenges in Nigeria by applying Education as a tool. In the present decades, there has been a Paradigm Shift in emphasizing on Sustainable Development and the way it been practised. All over the country, there is evidence of a failed leadership attributed by a dwindling economic, educational, political and social fortune. All these challenges are due to the incapability of the leadership to effectively plan for development and apply the necessary educational tools that can produce great leaders that can control the helms of Government and the private sectoral industries. …

A Regional Comparative Analysis On The Role Of Electoral Politics In The Decline Of Africa's Public Sector, Mark Opoku Amankwa, Kofi Agyabeng

Young African Leaders Journal of Development

The early post-independence periods saw Africa have efficient Public Sector Institutions. Over a decade, there seems to be a decadent in the public sector. The study examines the regional analysis of government effectiveness in Africa. The study uses data given by the World Bank's Governance Indicator from 55 African countries from 2002 to 2018. The study uses Panel Regression Analysis Model of Random Effects and Pooled Ordinary Least Squares to assess government effectiveness in the five regions of Africa. The findings indicate that Southern African countries performed best as compared to its counterpart regions, followed by North Africa. However, East, …

Power Is Not Served As A La Carte: Rethinking The Social Contract In Nigeria, Chinedu Samuel Ogbuze

Young African Leaders Journal of Development

Social contract is central to the provision of public goods and social welfare. Good governance among other things derives from strong institutions of government and citizen engagement in the political process. This study focuses on reshaping the relationship between the government and the governed in Nigeria. Using functionalism theory, the paper argues that political and economic success is not automatic in a democracy but proportional to the extent that the people can hold their leaders accountable. The study concludes that changing the prolonged ethnoreligious narrative is critical to development and growth in Nigeria as the people are more united by …

Is Donor State 'Securitisation' A Threat Or An Opportunity For Humanitarianism?, Albert Mcbell Ninepence

Young African Leaders Journal of Development

Since the end of the Cold War, a significant number of aid workers have been assaulted and killed, projecting humanitarian assistance as a precarious discourse. Given that humanitarian workers find themselves in dangerous environments and the threats they are exposed to, the need for security has become an exigent concern for most aid agencies and workers (Barnett, 2011 and VanBrabant, 2001). In view of this, security has now been implanted in the conceptualization, planning and delivery of aid. Though the Copenhagen School is associated with the theory of securitization which provides a framework for defining security as securitizingobjectsandreferentobjects(Watson,2011), differentschoolshaveconstruedsecuritizationin different …

Entrepreneurial Identity In Us Book Publishing In The Twenty-First Century, Rachel Noorda

English Faculty Publications and Presentations

Entrepreneurship underpins many roles within the publishing industry, from freelancing to bookselling. Entrepreneurs are shaped by the contexts in which their entrepreneurship is situated (social, political, economic, and national). Additionally, entrepreneurship is integral to occupational identity for book publishing entrepreneurs. This Element examines entrepreneurship through the lens of identity and narrative based on interview data with book publishing entrepreneurs in the US Book publishing entrepreneurship narratives of independence, culture over commerce, accidental profession, place, risk, (in)stability, busyness, and freedom are examined in this Element.

Younger Hmong People’S Willingness To Communicate About Depression, Wa Yang

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

This research examines the underlying issues about mental illness, particularly depression within the Hmong community. Previous scholars have focused on the Hmong culture’s origins, mental health status of Hmong refugees arriving in the United States, martial roles and mental health on Hmong females, and comparisons of Hmong traditional healing and Westernized medicine. These studies intersect in fields including psychology, medicine and public health, Hmong history, and social work. However, one missing component to this body of scholarship has been communication. Thus, my study focused on younger Hmong people’s willingness to communicate about depression within their families. Specifically, I conducted semi-structured …

The Sound Of Identity: Audios And Hashtags As Nexuses Of Practice On Tiktok, Lindsey Wright

Honors Undergraduate Theses

This study investigates TikTok audios and hashtags through the lens of digital literacy studies, using Ron Scollon's nexus of practice as a theoretical framework. The researcher sought to investigate literacy practices on TikTok, such as how lurkers and posters interact with the app in ways that both define and are defined by their individual identities. Relative to other social media platforms, there is a dearth of research on TikTok. This study contributes to the gap while also building off the findings of Kaye et al., who investigated authorship and (mis)attribution on the app, and Sachs et al.'s claim that Goffman's …

The "Information Pandemic": Technical Communication And False Information On Social Media In The Age Of Covid-19, Mia M. Stephens

Honors Undergraduate Theses

The goal of this thesis is to explore the various forms of rhetoric utilized in digital communities pertaining to COVID-19. The body of this thesis synthesizes social media data with original human subjects research, supplemented by a review of the literature surrounding digital communication. The analysis of these freestanding communities highlights the differences in communication throughout these spaces, as well as discusses their differences in reaction to disordered information. Through rhetorical analysis of the language employed by COVID-19 denialist communities on Twitter and a review of the experiences of COVID-19 “long-haulers” in COVID-19 related online communities (such as Facebook and …

Hemingway Drunk: A Study Of Prohibition, Medico-Legal Rhetoric, And The Autonomy Of Masculinity, Graham P. Studdard

Honors Undergraduate Theses

This thesis uses a combination of medical humanities, queer public theory, and literary analysis to showcase the uniquely American connections between alcoholism and masculinity in the literature of Ernest Hemingway. By situating both Hemingway and his characters within the medico-legal rhetoric of modernism’s famous Parisian Jazz-age, which occurred at the same time as American prohibition, I reveal changes in white American men’s relationships with gender, bodily autonomy, and the patriarchy that are often overlooked due to Hemingway’s publicly constructed masculine persona. My work provides new queer interpretations of The Sun Also Rises (1926) and the posthumous Garden of Eden (1986) …

“Intervista E Suksesshme Në Mediat E Shkruara Në Kosovë Dhe Aftësia E Intervistuesit”, Kujtesë Berisha

Theses and Dissertations

Në këtë punim do të ofrojë vlerësime profesionale se çfarë është intervista.

Gjatë kësaj teme të diplomës do të kuptoni më shumë rreth historisë së gazetave në Kosovë. Cilat ishin gazetat e para në Kosovë, sa lexoheshin ato dhe sa lexohen sot.

Të gjitha këto duke u bazuar në shtypin periodik shqiptar gjatë viteve 2000-2005.

Në veçanti do të shfletohen arkivat e gazetave “Koha Ditore”, “Epoka e re”, “Zëri. Të cilat cilësohen si gazetat më të lexuara në Kosovë.

Do të ketë një krahasim të vogël mes gazetave dikur dhe gazetave të ditëve të sotme.

Gjithashtu do të intervistohen gazetarët …

Child Labour In Nigeria: Causes And Consequences For National Development, Adebola Tolulope Adeoti

Young African Leaders Journal of Development

Child Labour is a great concern in many Africa countries, Nigeria inclusive in spite of legislative measures. Child labour eradication has also been recognised as a necessity for the achievement of sustainable development. The paper reviews the factors that influence the use of child labour .The paper which argues that, at the heart of the problematic of the Child Labour is Poverty, also explains the health consequences of child labour in Nigerian children. The paper reveals the various types of child labour, which Nigerian children engaged in. The findings also identified; illiteracy, unemployment , polygamy and others as some of …

Public Policy, A Catalyst For Silencing Financial Crime And Corruption: The Case For Deployment Of Digital Ids In The Social Media Platforms, Donald Kbayi

Young African Leaders Journal of Development

The use of social media platforms such as Twitter, YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram for promoting criminal agendas (including global terrorism, transnational organised crime, and cyberattacks) is a rapidly growing phenomenon. Criminals are increasingly using social media as a platform for the recruitment of victims, clients, service providers, and to solicit donations that are normally channelled through the financial system. The National Defense University's Center for Complex Operations lists social media as “enabling a new category of professional “terrorist financiers” within terrorist groups, as they rely more heavily on social media to solicit donations and communicate with both donors and recipient …

The Lion - Bear Allegory: Impact Of Sanctions On Zimbabwe And The Related Neo-Imperial Narratives, Brighton Taruberekera

Young African Leaders Journal of Development

Zimbabwe is a landlocked Southern African country that formerly gained independence and statehood in 1980, ending ninety years of settler colonialism. The country has been under the US - EU sanctions since the turn of the millennium. There are diametrically opposing views with regards to the question of why sanctions were put in place in the first place. This study, however, does not dwell on the circumstances behind the imposition of economic sanctions but explores their impact on the generality of Zimbabweans and why they are categorised as a neo imperial tool. Neo-imperialism, also known as neo-colonialism, is a policy …

Local Government And Community Development In The 21st Century: Evidence From Nigeria, Olawale Akinrinde, Akanbi Ololade

Young African Leaders Journal of Development

The central aim of this study is to examine and highlight the role of local government in community development. Drawing evidence from Iwo Local Government Area of Osun State, Nigeria, this study brings the Nigerian political arrangement to the fore by establishing its negation of the undergrowth of community development which underscores true federalism. Relying on the General Systems theory further, this study established a linkage between local government and community development in Nigeria. Challenges such as lack of true federalism, local government autonomy, lack of funds, and under-staffing were discovered as root causes of local governments' inability and failure …

Entrepreneurship And Job Creation In Rural Subsaharan Africa: A Case Study Of Selected Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurs In Nigeria And Kenya, Terhemen Justine Agabo, Jackson Akor

Young African Leaders Journal of Development

The bulk of the poor in sub-Saharan Africa live in rural areas and Entrepreneurship is often used as a tool to curb poverty across communities. This study investigates the impact of entrepreneurship on employment and economic livelihoods in selected rural communities in Nigeria and Kenya using a Theory of Change framework. Acombination of descriptive and exploratory techniques was used to analyze the data gathered from interviews conducted among 40 respondents comprising Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurs working in rural communities and residents of the selected communities. Findings show that entrepreneurship contributes to the employment of locals in the communities, especially in …

Interrogating Factors Encumbering E-Government Projects In Zimbabwe, Bismark Mutizwa

Young African Leaders Journal of Development

a journey of public sector transformation through the adoption and implementation of e-government projects. E-government projects are viewed as vehicles of organisational capacity embedded with transparent, accountability, efficiency and effectiveness. In a bid to bring about transmogrification in the public sector, the Zimbabwean government has implemented a number of e-government projects. To this end, this research paper seeks to examine the factors that are hindering the success of these projects and offer remedial actions that can be adopted to guarantee project success.

Who Will Silence The Guns? (The Youth As African Solutions To African Problems), Chimwemwe A. Fabiano, Margaret Lowilla, Tabitha Mwangi, Ikran Abdullahi

Young African Leaders Journal of Development

The 50th Anniversary of the Organization of African Union marked a significant time for reflection on the progress made on the continent, as well as persisting challenges. Protracted civil conflicts, proliferation of small arms and light weapons amongst civilian populations and the spread of violent extremism were identified as significant impediments to the progress of the continent. The initiative 'Silence the Guns by 2020 recognises dialogue-centred conflict prevention and resolution, human centred development and peace as requisite to ensuring and realizing Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want. This paper identifies alternative dispute resolution methods and soft power approaches as key …

Beijing In Bamako: Burdens Of Involvement Even For The Non-Colonial Non-Interventionist, Albert Mhangami

Young African Leaders Journal of Development

In pursuit of the AU's 'Silence of the Guns', Foreign military involvement on the African continent has become a heavily polarized conversation. China, with its non-colonial ties to the continent and non- intervention policy for the first time sent actual combat troops to a peacekeeping mission in Mali sparking questions about China's changing role in the world. This article takes a different view. It analyses the dynamics that caused China to become militarily involved on the continent. , The paper focuses on the interconnected nature of conflict in Africa, the role of Continental and local authorities, and the role of …

Engendering Community Participation Or Contestations? Examining The Mandatory Community Development Agreement In The Extractive Sector Of Sierra Leone, Wusu Conteh

Young African Leaders Journal of Development

The African Mining Vision has engendered the introduction of mandatory community development agreement (CDA) into the legal framework of some countries in Africa. In 2009, Sierra Leone enacted the Mines and Minerals Act that obligates mining companies to invest in host communities. The study focuses on the Sierra Rutile CDA program's case in Sierra Leone. Extant scholarly works have largely explored the resource curse and voluntary corporate social responsibility. There are limited studies to unravel the new mandatory community development agreement. Thus, the purpose of this study was to examine the CDA in Sierra Leone. The results show that the …

The After-Visit Summary: An Opportunity For Technical Communicators, Drew Jordan

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

The After-Visit Summary (AVS) is a document patients receive while being discharged from a medical appointment. In this paper, I explore the aspects of patient education materials (PEMs), health literacy, and plain language in respect to the AVS with research from the fields of technical communication, health communication, and medicine. The narrative included depicts my own personal experience with the document to emphasize my push for action. The main objective for this paper is to urge technical communication scholars to analyze the AVS and evaluate it for areas of improvement. A benefit to both patients and practitioners, optimizing the AVS …

From Screen To Shining Screen: Representations Of Youtube As A Democratic Platform For A Community Of Authentic Creators, Emily Tarvin

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-2023

This dissertation analyzes representations of the social media platform YouTube, as described by its community and the company, in order to understand how the platform fits within American narratives of democratic technology. I argue that throughout different descriptions of YouTube, such as the corporate branding of the platform as democratic and the communal understanding of YouTube as outside of mainstream media, the language of democracy functions as a balancing act. The YouTube company, content creators, and regular viewers use democratic rhetoric to negotiate the ideals of community on the platform and capitalist endeavors, such as advertising and brand deals. I …

Social Media Use And Safe Sex Practices Among Chinese Gay Men, Hang Zheng

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-2023

With the number of Chinese gay men affected by HIV rising annually and social media serving as popular information sources, this study aims to examine the information channels used by Chinese gay men to acquire safer sex knowledge and to test the effect of safer sex knowledge, information channel use, safe-sex communication with sexual partners on Chinese gay men's safer sex practices. Due to the sensitive topic and hard-to-reach population, a snowball sampling method was used to recruit eligible participants. Specifically, an online survey was designed and distributed to three LGBT-NGO-related WeChat groups. A total of 191 valid data points …