Communication Commons^™

The "Othering" Of America: How The Strategic Use Of Crisis And Ressentiment Succeeded In The Trump Era, Laura J. Franklin

Dissertations

The establishment of a crisis theme through public rhetoric often triggers widespread attention, resulting in public concern and media coverage of an issue that could potentially be overblown or deceptive. In right-wing political discourse, this crisis warning is typically delivered by a White male leader with ready access to the powerful news media. An “us versus them” theme often occurs. Within this mode of a hegemonic exclusion, a culture of immigrants or an American minority are often depicted, perhaps aggressively, as a threat: A threat used to motivate, enrage and create the frustrations inherent in ressentiment. This dissertation explores the …

Ua19/16/2 Tennis Press Releases, Wku Athletic Media Relations

WKU Administration Documents

Press releases and match statistics for WKU tennis team in 2023.

Ua45 Registrar Updates, Wku Registrar

WKU Administration Documents

Newsletter created by and about the WKU Registrar's Office.

• Topper Walk
• Commencement
• Spring 2023 Grad Fair
• College Recognition Ceremonies
• Spring Survival Guide
• Spring 2023 Important Dates
• Finals Week Spring 2023
• Connect with Our Team

Professionalism In The Digital Age: Managing Your Online Identity, Mikki Sherwood

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

No abstract provided.

The Great Unknown: Unlimited Artificial Intelligence (2023-2024), Kathryn O'Brien

Argument

O’Brien begins this argument essay with the following reminder that “We use A.I. every day without even realizing. There are so many different algorithms built into every single app we use, as well as search engines like Google.” She goes on to consider the use of Artificial Intelligence in algorithms, online information availability, healthcare, and the arts. Throughout the use of examples within these various contexts, O’Brien interrogates the need for limits to AI in order to counter bias, limit the prevalence of hate speech, and ultimately preserve our humanity.

Just Trust Me (2023-2024), Gabrielle Wall

Argument

The argument essay, “Just Trust Me,” covers a range of sources, motives, and technologies involved in the spread of disinformation. From Google search results to AI generated content and deep fakes, Wall ultimately argues for regulation of AI and intervention from government organizations rather than banning information. Her argument focuses on the consequences, such as voting or health decisions that can stem from unregulated practices of disinformation.

A Systematic Literature Review Exploring The Barriers And Challenges To Open Innovation Within The Financial Service Industry, A.Omar Portillo-Dominguez, Peter Cantwell

Other

Open innovation is a common practice among nearly 80% of large firms, yet the exploration of innovation within financial services remains limited in existing literature. Similarly, while the potential benefits of innovative distributed ledger technology (DLT) are widely recognized, its adoption within the financial services industry has been sluggish. This systematic literature review aims to examine whether financial services firms engage in open innovation, particularly focusing on outside-in innovation over inside-out innovation, and to uncover potential barriers to DLT adoption at the industry level. Drawing from peer-reviewed journals between 2017 and 2022, the review synthesizes findings to address key questions. …

Lakota Language Revitalization And The Meaning Of Life, Gabriel Bruguier

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries: Presentations

Lakota Language Revitalization and the Meaning of Life

Thesis: Indigenous languages reveal information about that peoples’ conception of the meaning of life.

Notes/working document from a presentation given at the Society for the Advancement of American Philosophy conference, 2023.

Editor's Statement: Bringing The Past Into The Digital Present, Ryan Debrovner

sprinkle: an undergraduate journal of feminist and queer studies

No abstract provided.

Camp In The Rocky Horror Picture Show (2023-2024), Anthony Cawley

CPN 101: Researched Inquiry

In this research inquiry, Cawley examines the film, Rocky Horror Picture Show, as an example of a “perfect camp film.” He arrives at this conclusion based on his interpretation of the film itself as the main source and by synthesizing other sources on film theory, film analysis, and theories of camp, such as Susan Sontag’s Notes on Camp.

Examining Conspiracy Theories: Reevaluating The Assumption That Their Supporters Are Paranoid (2023-2024), Soren C. Jung

CPN 101: Researched Inquiry

In this research inquiry, Jung examines the definition and history of conspiracy theories in order to explore new reasons why they may remain so popular, while so commonly being denounced. In his essay, Jung reviews past histories of corporations acting only in favor of maximizing profits, such as the notorious Big Tobacco companies’ “Operation Berkshire.” Jung then juxtaposes knowledge of that history with various contemporary conspiracy theories related to the dangers, risk, or surveillance-related intent of Covid-19 vaccines. Jung concludes his piece with a reminder about the very real consequences of immediate infection and long-term health consequences of Covid-19, and …

A Country That Hates The Skin You Wear (2023-2024), Gianna Mcgowan

CPN 101: Remix

This remix example uses poetry to convey information on civil rights activist, Fred Korematsu, who challenged the forced relocation and internment of Japanese Americans in internment camps in WWII. Alongside the poem is a brief summary statement on Korematsu’s history to contextualize the poem and offer the reader an additional way to engage with the remix.

How Much Longer Will African Americans Be Disenfranchised? (2023-2024), Pierce Burm

CPN 101: Researched Inquiry

In this research inquiry, Burm synthesizes many legal and legislative sources to demonstrate the disenfranchisement and systemic racism against African Americans attempting to exercise their right to vote. In particular, Burm presents specific examples from Mississippi, Alabama, and Tennessee. However, Burm concludes the essay with the reminder that unless we are vigilant and strict bills are passed to counteract voter suppression, this is an issue that will continue and become even more prevalent. The outcome is that African American voters will have the impact of their votes even further diminished.

Rocky Iv As A Groundbreaking Film (2023-2024), Matthew Croote

CPN 101: Researched Inquiry

In this research inquiry example, Croote analyzes a later film in the Rocky franchise in order to argue for its understanding as a groundbreaking film. His argument takes up three major points—that Rocky IV is an effective reflection of Cold War events of the time, that Rocky IV deftly uses sport as a vehicle for its narrative, and that Rocky IV maintains its main message and cohesion within the franchise by entertaining audiences. Within the research and sources cited in this piece, Croote unpacks visual representations of characters, stereotypes and possible propaganda, and the metaphors of training to explore Cold …

Study Of My Writing (2023-2024), Samantha Stofko

Critical Evaluation

In this study, the author begins by citing previous research by Donald Murray on the “logic of revision” in the writing process. Next, she selects three different pieces of writing as a sample and decides to collect data from each piece in order to compare the number of comments in feedback received by the instructor, number of paragraphs in each piece, and number of places where she revised. She focuses on each piece individually, creating a series of comparative graphs and interpretation to capture her revision process. Finally, the discussion section of this study identifies what the author would do …

Ua19/16/2 Track & Field Press Releases, Wku Athletic Media Relations

WKU Administration Documents

Press releases and match statistics for WKU track & field team in 2023.

Swipe Right Into A Disciplinary Hearing: How The Use Of Dating Apps Could Earn An Attorney More Than A Bad First Date, Zachary S. Aman

Catholic University Journal of Law and Technology

The Model Rules of Professional Conduct seek to police the conduct of attorneys. Each jurisdiction adopts its own rules of professional conduct to apply to the attorneys licensed within it. Notably, the model rules prohibit any sexual relationship between the attorney and client unless that relationship precedes the attorney-client relationship. Traditionally, defining a "sexual relationship" was simple, particularly if the attorney and client engaged in sexual intercourse. The introduction of dating apps, however, has blurred the line.

This article outlines the inherent risks of attorneys using dating apps at a time when most newly-licensed attorneys make up the majority of …

§230 And Tinfoil Hats: What Conspiracy Theories Teach Us About The Marketplace Of Ideas And Online Speech, Connor B. Flannery

Catholic University Journal of Law and Technology

Famously imputed into First Amendment jurisprudence by Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes, the Marketplace of Ideas is a foundational paradigm in free speech theory. However, current trends in social discourse suggest the Marketplace has crashed. Conspiracy theories illustrate this crash as a story of unintended consequences and, paradoxically, a consequence of judicial and legislative efforts to prevent it. Acknowledging the popularity and widespread use of the internet and social media, I explore solutions to rejuvenate the Marketplace of Ideas and better align its prominence in First Amendment doctrine with the reality of the current speech landscape.

The U.S. Cable Televisions' Framing Of Mass Shooting: A Grounded Discovery Of Competing Narratives, Maurice Emelu

2023 Faculty Bibliography

News frames play a vital role in shaping the audience's interpretation of the news, their participation in policy discussions, and their engagement in public discourse. This study uses the Analysis of Topic Model Networks (ANTMA) frame analysis grounded approach and examines the 2017 Sutherland Springs, Texas, mass shooting coverage in a house of worship by three U.S. cable television networks—CNN, Fox News, and MSNBC. News reports for the first seven days following the shooting were collected from the cable networks' Twitter, YouTube, and website accounts. A total of 290 news reports were analyzed and 760 aggregate units for frames were …

Meta Social Technology And Religion: A Media Ritual Theory Critical Discourse, Maurice Emelu

2023 Faculty Bibliography

This paper explores the proposition that Meta social media and technology functions as a ritual platform and concludes affirmatively. It identifies and critically evaluates ritual elements on Meta’s platform. Employing media ritual theory in the context of religion, it analyzes the Meta for Faith homepage. Consequently, the investigation delves into Meta's role in enhancing or diminishing the sacred rituals integral to religion, one of society's oldest cultural institutions. The discussion expands by considering the implications of Meta for Faith offerings in religious rituals. Thus, this study contributes to the ongoing discourse on the increasing social technology mediatization in the rapidly …

Bluegrass Backstory: Connecting People To Local History Through Podcasting, David Hunter Hartlage

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

Kentucky has a rich cultural identity, built upon a storied local history. Unfortunately, certain aspects of local cultural history, such as the origins of Kentucky vernacular music or how the bourbon industry has promoted growth in Kentucky’s communities, are not readily apparent. The increasing popularity and accessibility of podcasting offers local historians an opportunity to address this problem.

The goal of this project was to create a podcast program which makes information regarding the history, culture, and identity of Kentucky accessible to all in a scholarly—but engaging—way. I researched podcasting equipment and how to use it, then purchased that equipment …

Nbc Peacock North Winter 2023 Newsletter, Peacock North Staff

NBC Peacock North Newsletter

Highlights include: Peacock Pioneers -- Peacock Family -- We Get Letters & Pictures -- Silent Microphones

The Crossroad Of Hamsters, Robots & Electropop, Olivia Crimivaroli

[Archive] Belmont University Research Symposium (BURS)

Kia Corporation is an automobile manufacturer based in South Korea, who produces and sells vehicles with one of the most well known of their models being the Kia Soul. There are a number of factors that contribute to the Soul being a well known car but one of the biggest reasons is because of the infamous and out-of-the-box commercials that have been crafted in order to promote this style of car. This critique will encompass the contents of one commercial released in 2012 in an attempt to stimulate sales for this specific model of the Kia Soul. This advertisement is …

The Nashville Predators Social Media Audit, Sam Baranek, Connor Clouthier, Toniya Johnson, Mary Kate Reid, Micaela Trimble

[Archive] Belmont University Research Symposium (BURS)

This report and presentation will deliver a comprehensive social media audit completed on the Nashville Predators, a national hockey team. In the end, it will show results of our group’s analysis of the communication strategies on the various platforms that the Nashville Predators use for their business and brand. While we already have prior knowledge and experience in social media, we plan to use the theories and principles to come to even better conclusions about the success of the Nashville Predators’ online presence.

The Nashville Predators are known for being a professional hockey team in the NHL. The Predator’s brand …

Edited Beauty And The Isolation That Follows, Paige Hokunson

[Archive] Belmont University Research Symposium (BURS)

Dove released a video titled “Reverse Selfie” in 2021. The video is only a minute long but shows the unfortunate reality that so many young individuals live through. Dove intended for their audience to see that social media during the pandemic has heightened insecurities in young girls and is creating unrealistic standards. Upon digging deeper, however, there is a clearer message that beauty standards cause loneliness starting at a young age. The video raises awareness in many different ways through verbal communication and rhetorical devices — and, the research surrounding the context only solidifies it all. The video, though a …

Newhouse Impact Magazine 2023, Newhouse School

Newhouse Impact Magazine

Showcasing the research and creative work of faculty, staff and students at the Newhouse School

Theory-Building And Tool-Building For A Science Of Dysfunctional Political Discourse, Eric Hamilton, Marguerite Williamson, Andrew Hurford

Education Division Scholarship

This paper extends a developing analytic framework for political discourse that takes place over digital social media. Earlier presentations of the framework have furnished a rationale for applying the conceptual framework of epistemic frame theory and the tools of quantitative ethnography for political discourse analysis. They have provided early existence proofs of the viability of epistemic network analysis (ENA) for rudimentary models of social media threads that involve political content. The current theoretical paper moves significantly beyond this foundation. It summarizes and deepens the explanation of the constructs of discursive transactions, response grammars, and epistemic frames in political discourse. It …

An Exploration Of Parenting Style, Parental Influence, And Relational Satisfaction, Lauren Richards, Ava Johnston, Kaylee Pierson

Communication Studies Student Works

No abstract provided.

Ua19/16/2 Golf Press Releases, Wku Athletic Media Relations

WKU Administration Documents

Press releases and statistics for WKU golf teams in 2023.

Ua12/2/78 Kappa Sigma, Wku Archives

WKU Archives Collection Inventories

Records created by and about Kappa Sigma fraternity and it's forerunner fraternities Delta Tau Sigma, Kappa Sigma Tau and Phi Kappa Alpha.