Communication Commons^™

Codec-M: The Multi-Lingual Manosphere Subcorpus Of The Corpus Of Digital Extremism And Conspiracies, Rachel Mccullough, Daniel Drylie, Mindl Barta, Cass Dykeman, Daniel Smith

English Faculty Publications

In 2023, the U.S. Surgeon General warned the public of the current “loneliness epidemic” and its potential consequences on physical and mental health. One possible consequence of this epidemic is the growth of a movement defined by loneliness and isolation: the incel (“involuntary celibate”) movement. This warning presents a worrying glimpse at the future, as the incel movement, along with other parts of the manosphere, is one that espouses violently misogynist rhetoric which is intrinsically linked to right-wing extremism. While linguistic studies have been conducted on the speech of incels and other constituent movements of the manosphere, few of these …

"They Just Don't Have The "Doctor" In Front Of Their Name:" Dimensions Of Trust In Physician Assistants, Staci Defibaugh, Leah Onosato

English Faculty Publications

Physician assistants play a major role in healthcare delivery in the United States, yet what we know about how patients perceive the care they receive from PAs is limited. Prior research on patients’ impressions of PAs has focused primarily on survey data, limiting the scope of what we can learn about patient impressions to predetermined, quantifiable categories, and has focused on post-visit impressions of a single encounter. In an attempt to better understand patient impressions, we conducted open-ended, semi-structured interviews with 30 participants prior to their medical visit, focusing on general impressions of PAs. Through an analytic process of reflexive …

Toward A Decolonial Digitality: On Seb Franklin's The Digitally Disposed, Travis Alexander

English Faculty Publications

[Introduction] If the long hot summer of 2020 marked a season of racial reckoning, it was also—now visible in retrospect—a moment for processing with the relation between digital technologies and power. 8:46 after all names not only an event, a murder, but the title of a short digital film. A film, moreover, that has found decisively counterposed audiences in its ongoing afterlives. A forensics of police violence, on the one hand, 8:46 also avails, in the shadier corners of the dark web, the pleasures of a snuff film. In this way, 8:46 is emblematic of a broader, and, perhaps, terminal …

Analog Digital Frame: User Centered Design In Arts-Based Neighborhood Resilience Modeling, David Robledo, Sydney F. Walker, Zlatka Rebolledo Sánchez, Richard Nickel

English Faculty Publications

We explicate a mapping of digital documents through computer machinery as an analog frame for Research and Design in neighborhood environmental literacy, within an applied interdisciplinary ecosystem theory. In the arena of communicating localized climate phenomena and solutions, the design of communication frameworks has provided a core methodology to map climate adaptive conclusions as analogs for actionable community interpretive media. In this experience report, we articulate User Centered Design (UCD) in project research and development, while reporting on difficulties and solutions in shaping an analog digital frame to integrate student driven research and design with mentor based interdisciplinary project theorization. …

Echo Chambers On The Left, Echo Chambers On The Right: How Socioideological Identity Emotion Shape Social Interaction Behavior On Social Media, Dean Carl Jackson

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

This dissertation investigates how echo chambers emerge on social media by shifting the lens from aggregate patterns of information exposure to moment-by-moment, individual level interaction decisions between peers. I theorize that selective exposure online is not only about what content people consume or avoid, but also about selective social exposure—accepting, rejecting, or sharing with the sources of that content—guided by sociopolitical identity, ideological distance (ID), and discrete emotions. To test this, I employ two survey experiments using real tweets varying in ideological extremity and measure user’s likelihood to Block, Follow, Retweet, or reply, alongside self-reported emotional reactions and ID between …

Averting "Death By Powerpoint", Nora Xinyi Cai

ENGS 15.11: Design and Education

This lesson empowers students to design presentation slides that effectively communicate their ideas to unfamiliar audiences. The lesson emphasizes the key guiding principle for slide design, one message per slide, along with four steps to implement it. Students will develop the vocabulary to assess the quality of others' presentation slides and apply these four steps in creating their own. The lesson seeks to cultivate a dynamic, collaborative, and creative learning environment by design.

Between Worlds, Between Selves: Comparative Self-Presentation Under Social Expectation Uncertainty Among U.S. Students And Vietnamese International Students, Thu Dang

Communication Theses - Archive

In an increasingly globalized professional environment, this study examines differences in uncertainty about social expectations, social comparison, and inauthentic self-presentation between U.S. students and Vietnamese international students on LinkedIn. Grounded in cultural dimensions and social comparison frameworks, the research investigates (1) differences in uncertainty, social comparison, and inauthentic self-presentation between the two groups, (2) the predictive roles of uncertainty and social comparison on inauthentic self-presentation, and (3) the moderating effects of country and self-construal levels on these relationships.

Survey data were collected from Vietnamese international students (n = 163) and U.S. students (n = 160). The findings revealed …

#Mmiw On Instagram: Contemporary Representations Of Missing Indigenous Women, Girls, And Two-Spirit People​, Sydney E. Cathcart, Renu Pariyadath

University of South Carolina Upstate Student Research Journal

This research paper overlooks the disproportionate number of missing persons and violence towards Indigenous groups, particularly women. Communication research has pointed to mass media lacking coverage on missing or murdered cases of Indigenous people, contributing to invisibility of the issue and lack of attention to the problem. Individual efforts to increase sources of information have been utilized in social media to make up for where mass media lacks. Social media creators who look to raise awareness, mobilize grassroot actions, and expand community ties. Content analysis was used to analyze content in Instagram under hashtags relevant to #MMIW–Missing and Murdered Indigenous …

Collegiate Athlete Branding And Name, Image, And Likeness On Instagram, Carson Shaw, Renu Pariyadath

University of South Carolina Upstate Student Research Journal

This study explores how collegiate athletes use Instagram to build their personal brands and maximize their Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) potential in the era of digital self-promotion. Since the 2021 Supreme Court ruling allowing college athletes to profit from NIL, social media has become a key platform for visibility, engagement, and financial opportunity. Guided by Erving Goffman’s Self-Presentation Theory, this research employs a qualitative content analysis of 80 Instagram posts from eight collegiate athletes—four high-profile and four low-profile—representing diverse sports, genders, and institutions. Sixteen content themes drawn from prior research were analyzed, including personal life, business life, athletic performance, …

Cultural Preservation Through Promotion: Marketing The Muscogee Way, Stephanie Lawson

Theses and Dissertations

Cultural tourism is on the rise. According to UNESCO (2021), cultural tourism accounts for 40% of global tourism and is one of the fastest-growing segments of the tourism industry. Today, travelers worldwide seek authentic experiences that allow them to connect with local cultures, learn about ancient history, and engage in unique cultural activities. Meanwhile, Indigenous tourism experiences are also a growing trend in the tourism industry. Indigenous tourism is growing by 4% annually, and this growth is projected to continue until 2034 (Future Market Insights, 2024). The rising popularity of cultural and Indigenous tourism presents a unique opportunity for Native …

Cross-Cultural Narratives: A Comparative Analysis Of "Yo Soy Betty, La Fea" And "Ugly Betty", Marcos Falck Hernandez

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis examines the cross-cultural adaptation of the Colombian telenovela Yo soy Betty, la fea (1999–2001) into the American dramedy Ugly Betty (2006–2010), by analyzing how the latter reimagined the original narrative to address U.S.-specific cultural dynamics. Through qualitative analysis and literature review of the narrative structure, this study shows how “Ugly Betty” expanded its predecessor’s critique of beauty standards to explore Latino identity, multiculturalism, and workplace diversity in America. While both series center on an unconventional protagonist navigating the fashion industry, “Ugly Betty” uniquely foregrounds the experiences of a Mexican American family, offering nuanced depictions of immigration, cultural assimilation, …

Social Media Strategy For The Continuing And Professional Education Program, Kayla Ford

Theses and Dissertations

Continuing and Professional Education (CPE) allows adults to pursue professional or personal development opportunities outside of a college degree. When it came to marketing these opportunities, CPE relied more on traditional marketing from a lack of digital marketing professionals, creating a weak social media presence. To help elevate their social media presence, a social media marketing strategy approach was utilized to improve CPE’s digital presence by setting objectives that focus on engagement, awareness, and as well as a campaign that focuses on the importance of continuing education. Data from research studies and professional articles specializing in digital marketing directed what …

Riverside Readings: Audio Drama Development And Implementation Plan, Trent P. Mylie

Theses and Dissertations

The current state of media includes broadcasting, podcasting, and a new yet familiar form of accessible media through streaming. Numerous examples illustrate the significance of broadcasting and counter the notion that it is a niche or outdated form of media. Younger generations, including mine, have grown up in an era rich in media, witnessing the dawn and resurgence of formats that once seemed lost. As we transition into a collegiate environment, we seek to channel our creativity through a medium; for us, that medium is radio and podcasting. Riverside Readings allows individuals to explore their creative passions and engage in …

Understanding Women’S Attitudes Toward Midwifery Practices For Maternal Care In Middle Georgia, Kristen M. Simpson

Theses and Dissertations

Compared to other high-income countries, women in the United States are more likely to die from problems related to pregnancy and childbirth. In Georgia, maternal mortality is particularly acute. Midwifery models of maternal care have been shown to produce positive pregnancy and childbirth outcomes for patients, but these services are underutilized in Georgia. This study sought to identify women’s attitudes toward midwifery, what contributed to those attitudes, and what influenced women in Middle Georgia to seek midwifery services using a qualitative, Grounded Theory approach. Three participants who self-identified as having used a midwife before were interviewed using a semi-structured protocol. …

Boosting Three Dog Bakery’S Social Media Presence Through Short-Form Vertical Videos, Mary Litz

Theses and Dissertations

This professional project explores how consistent, short-form vertical video content can enhance the social media performance of Three Dog Bakery, a boutique pet store in Columbus, Georgia. As the bakery’s social media manager, I implemented a one-month video campaign using storytelling-based, behind-the-scenes videos featuring the owner and the baking process. Drawing on transformational message strategy and best practices in social media marketing, the campaign aimed to increase reach, views, engagement, and viewer retention on Instagram.

Throughout the campaign, six videos were posted and various strategies were tested, including optimal posting times, video lengths, and hooks. Results showed a 45.4% increase …

Exploring Career Advancement Experiences Of Black Women In The National Used Car Industry, Christina Anderson

Theses and Dissertations

Black women’s workplace experiences in the national used car industry affect their career advancement opportunities. How can we account for these experiences and outcomes? Using intersectionality as a theoretical framework, this thesis examines how overlapping identities, such as race and gender, intersect to create unique experiences of oppression or privilege. Intersectionality as a theoretical framework can also explain the double marginalization that Black women often experience in specific industries, as the stereotypes associated with their race and gender combine and contribute to fewer opportunities for career advancement. As a result, Black women must be diligent when confronted with the stereotypes …

Cultivating The Competitor: Advocacy, Competition And Education, Vanessa Fowler

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

This thesis explores the intricate balance between advocacy, competition, and education within collegiate forensics, aiming to understand how these elements coexist and influence the experiences of students and coaches. The literature review highlights the multifaceted nature of student success, emphasizing the importance of a holistic approach that includes personal development, emotional well-being, and societal contributions. The research examines the critical role of self-efficacy and motivation, both intrinsic and extrinsic, in driving student achievement. It also addresses the tension between competition and education, advocating for a balanced approach that supports holistic student development. Through semi-structured interviews with current competitors, coaches, and …

“Promoting Safe Firearm Storage Through Media-Based Interventions”, Abigali Bordelon

2025 Honors Symposium

Although often underrepresented in public discussions of gun violence in the United States, unintentional pediatric shootings contributed to the ongoing gun violence endemic. These shootings routinely share characteristics which make them an ideal target for public health and injury prevention efforts. As individual's often learn about unintentional pediatric shootings and form opinions based on media reports of these incidents, it is crucial that we explore how the mainstream media is framing these events and what must be changed in order to better support prevention efforts. This project examines safe firearm storage patterns and attitudes within the U.S. and mainstream media …

The Past, Present, And Future Of Adaptive Selling: Toward An Integrative Framework, Nawar N. Chaker, Rhett T. Epler, Gabriel Moreno, Dana Amiri, Elizabeth G. Mcdougal

Marketing Faculty Publications

Adaptive selling represents a notable and influential concept in the marketing literature. Despite being discussed in scholarly research and managerial practice for over forty years and mixed findings about its impact, a comprehensive understanding of the construct of adaptive selling remains missing. To remedy this critical knowledge gap, we conduct a comprehensive review of 188 articles across twenty-seven journals. We combine three approaches in our survey of the literature, including a systematic review, a main path analysis, and a bibliographic analysis. Together, this three-prong review offers profound insights into the state of adaptive selling research by (1) mapping the key …

The Kids Aren't Alright: "Indie Sleaze Revival" And The Commodification Of Subcultures On Social Media, Lauren Mar

Scripps Senior Theses

In 2012, the “indie sleaze” subculture is accepted to have “died” — the same year Facebook bought Instagram. Named retroactively by social media in 2021, the “indie sleaze” subculture and its “revival” online provides a rich ground for investigating how and why social media converts subculture into aesthetics. Drawing on Dick Hebdige’s 1979 theory of subculture, this project considers new understandings of the political, aesthetic, and affective relationships between digital media and subcultures. In examining the evolution of “indie sleaze” from its origins and manifestations in an escapist party scene of the aughts to its online simulations from 2021 to …

The Ascendance Of Influencers: Saints Of Capitalism In The Digital Age, Riley R. Hourihan

Master of Liberal Studies Theses

This thesis examines the rise of social media influencers as modern-day saints within the cultural and economic framework of late capitalism. Drawing on interdisciplinary scholarship from religious studies, media theory, and cultural criticism, it argues that influencer culture does not replace religion but retools its structures—ritual, authority, devotion, and community—for the digital age. Through detailed case studies ranging from Hailey Bieber and Taylor Swift to Ballerina Farm and MrBeast, the paper explores how influencers shape identity, mediate ethics, and mobilize affect through algorithmic rituals and parasocial relationships. Influencers perform a form of digital sanctity that parallels traditional hagiography, guiding followers …

Minnesota School Boards Association Communications Internship, Anna Houston

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

My internship at Minnesota School Boards Association allowed me to gain more experience within the communications field. This internship allowed me to see how current communications professionals are working within the non-profit sector that isn’t directly related to environmental matters. It was beneficial to learn from these experts while improving on my hard and soft skills within the communications field. This will help show future employers that I didn’t just study communications, but I actively practiced this work within the communications field. The Minnesota School Boards Association is a private, nonprofit organization founded in 1920 in St. Peter MN. The …

College Students' Identity Differences In Offline And Online Learning Environment And Their Effects On Achievement Motivation, Sang-Soog Lee, Jinhee Kim, Seung Won Yu, Na Li

STEMPS Faculty Publications

The unprecedented evolution of educational technologies has transformed the learning landscape, creating distinct experiences in offline and online learning environments (OLE). However, little attention has been given to exploring students’ identities in the online learning context and how they can influence academic trajectories, limiting the development of a holistic understanding of the nature, effects, and areas of improvement in students’ identity formation in OLE. This study aims to investigate how students’ identity subcomponents differ among offline and OLE students via propensity score matching (PSM) in China, which allows us to find a doppelganger to estimate the counterfactual situation for making …

Lights, Camera, Action: A Student's Perspective On Reimagining Film Production Opportunities, Ma'lon I. Lane

Theses and Dissertations

The pursuit of a crew job in the film industry is a multifaceted endeavor, offering various pathways that cater to diverse aspirations and circumstances. Central to this exploration is the question of whether attending a university and obtaining a degree in film is essential for success. I was determined to answer the following: What is the likelihood that a higher education in Film Production leads to more efficient job acquisition in the film industry? The project is considered narrative, originating from the personal quality of the research questions. I used my resources to gather qualitative data through interviews of film …

World As Other, World As Self: Beyond Dualism In Environmental Narratives, Tamara Wallace Ramirez

CGU Theses & Dissertations

Stories of place matter to the way we live with the Earth. A dualistic perspective that pits "culture" against "nature" enables environmental degradation on small and large scales. Conversely, understanding humans and nonhumans as entwined allows us to think and act differently with our planetary community. This view entails integrating the "self" and the "other." Instead of being antithetical to the other, the self arises through engagement with others, human and nonhuman. Understanding our mutuality with others while respecting their alterity and agency fosters caring and dedication. Our sense of connection with the more-than-human world inspires our compassion. However, such …

Audience Attention: A Lesson In Confident Public Speaking, Leah F. Stein

ENGS 15.11: Design and Education

We’ve all sat through a speech that lost our attention. This lesson helps students ensure their own isn’t one of them. This lesson serves as an introduction or a supplementary lesson in the art of public speaking. Many people have nerves about public speaking, so this lesson will provide students with tools to grow more confident in public speaking, specifically in keeping their audience engaged. Through discussions, a mini-lecture, and interactive speeches, students explore how rhetorical appeals (ethos, pathos, and logos) and the concept of identification help build a stronger connection with their audience. The lesson begins with a discussion …

Designing Your Next Read: How Psychology Shapes The Way We Choose Books, Stephanie M. Xu

ENGS 15.11: Design and Education

Designing Your Next Read invites students to explore the psychology behind everyday choices through the familiar act of picking a book. Using the lens of design psychology, the lesson examines why decision-making often feels overwhelming and how small shifts in perception, environment, and heuristics can make choices easier and more enjoyable. Students engage in interactive exercises, including a book-browsing activity, mini-lectures on choice biases, and a “Book Blurb” exercise, to reveal how heuristics such as availability, affect, and familiarity shape responses.

Through guided discussion and reflection, students connect psychological theories like the paradox of choice and decision paralysis to their …

Your Words Matter, Sophie Thai

ENGS 15.11: Design and Education

This lesson focuses on helping students understand the profound impact that affirmations and gratitude can have on their mindset and well-being. Applicable for everyone, students are encouraged to take their learnings and practice them in real life, hoping to promote a shift in perspective. Students will be able to recognize the benefits of their words and the way they speak to themselves, and understand how they can make changes in their lifestyle.

In this lesson, students will have a chance to reflect and learn about the science behind affirmations and gratitude while being introduced to strategies used to implement them …

Casd 2482 Introduction To Rehabilitative Audiology, Rosette Reisman

Open Educational Resources

Auditory intervention for children and adults; implications for early hearing detection and intervention; assessing communicative needs. Amplification devices, cochlear implants, hearing assistive technology, hearing protection and modes of communication. Experiential clinical-related activities.

Introduction To Communication Disorders, Anne Therese Frederiksen

Open Educational Resources

In this course, students will get an overview of the field of Communication Disorders and gain an understanding of the distinction between communication differences and disorders. We will discuss multicultural concerns in the professions of speech-language pathology and audiology, as well as the following: roles, responsibilities in professional practice across the lifespan and work settings; scope of practice related to speech, language, communication, and swallowing disorders; interprofessional practice; prevention, assessment, and intervention from an evidence-based perspective.