Communication Commons^™

From Screen To Classroom: The Role Of Televised Narratives In Enhancing Educational Belongingness For Black American Students, Feyi Oshinyemi

Masters Theses

This creative thesis examines the influence of televised narratives on shaping the educational experiences of Black American students, exploring the interplay between media representation and educational belonging. It proposes how televisual narratives can better reflect and support the educational identities of Black American students, aiming to foster a greater sense of belonging and representation in educational media. This document serves as an accompaniment to the center of this work, a twelve minute pilot episode that explores the challenges and triumphs of students navigating their educational journeys. This work not only provides a detailed breakdown of the episode's narrative and production …

“What Planet Are You On” - Making Meaning Of Sustainability Through Storytelling, Nancy T. Ladeinde

Masters Theses

The term “Sustainability” has come to stay as it is deeply integrated into our everyday life, although it seems complex to understand and engage with. The purpose of this thesis is to know how Unilever, a global consumer goods organization, makes meaning of its sustainability efforts. The method used to achieve this is a thematic analysis of Unilever’s campaign “What Planet Are You On?” a brand campaign documenting their sustainability efforts. Building on storytelling as a theoretical framework, it delves into the strategic use of stories as a communication tool for sustainability efforts, emphasizing its impact on brand narrative, stakeholder …

Exploring International Graduate Students’ Internship Experiences In The Usa: A Case Of Eastern Illinois University Students, Wale Ishola

Masters Theses

International graduate students in the United States begin their academic journey with the goal of professional growth, but they frequently struggle to secure internships due to bureaucratic barriers and competitive marketplaces. This study explores Eastern Illinois University's international graduate students' experiences through the perspective of sensemaking theory, with the goal of understanding how they make sense of the internship process. In-depth qualitative interviews with ten students revealed that students make sense of their internships in two ways: on one end, the struggles, and on the on the other end, how they are strengthening. Through sensemaking, students analyze and adapt to …

The Influence Of Youtube Advertising Value On Consumer Responses, Ratanak Sophal

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

The objectives of this research are to explore the values of YouTube advertising—namely entertainment, informativeness, credibility, and irritation—and their influence on consumer responses, including perceived advertising value, attitude towards YouTube advertising, and shopping intention. Additionally, the study examines the relationships between perceived advertising value, attitude towards YouTube advertising, and shopping intention. Data were collected via an online survey from 291 Thai respondents, aged 18–55 years, who had been exposed to YouTube advertisements. The results show that YouTube advertisements were perceived as neither highly entertaining (M = 2.75), informative (M = 2.99), nor credible (M = 2.89), and were viewed as …

User Generated Content (Ugc) On Douyin And The Great Wall Cannon Branding Strategy, Runzhi Shi

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

This study investigates the impact of User-Generated Content (UGC) on brand communication, focusing on the viral "Great Wall Cannon" case on Douyin, a leading short-video platform in China. Existing research predominantly emphasizes Western platforms and lacks in-depth analysis of UGC's role within China's unique cultural and regulatory framework, leaving a gap in understanding its potential for brand marketing. Using qualitative methods, including content analysis, semi-structured interviews, and secondary data review, this research examines how UGC enhances brand visibility, shapes consumer perceptions, and builds emotional connections. The proposed approach highlights the strengths of leveraging Douyin's algorithm-driven content dissemination and authentic user …

An Exploration Of Affective Influences Of Mediation And Instructional Delivery Styles In The U.S. Adult Media Literacy Learning Context, Joe Huber

Theses and Dissertations--Communication

This dissertation explores how varied delivery strategies may influence college student affective learning in a mediated setting. I employed a hybrid-grounded approach to the exploration of student-participant interviews wherein student-participants engaged with one of two online media literacy learning modules. The results of this study illustrate that students at varying points of their epistemological development (Perry, 1968) may face different affective hurdles depending on how media literacy curriculum is presented. We may anticipate that: (1) students who are less epistemologically developed (those featuring dualistic attitudes) may struggle to receive content, especially in the case where a teacher-centric delivery-style is employed; …

"Spreading Inoculation": The Effects Of Direct And Indirect Inoculation And Postinoculation Talk (Pit) On Graduate Students' Sense Of Belonging And Social Network Development During Socialization, Amanda Ruth Slone

Theses and Dissertations--Communication

During their first semester in graduate school, graduate students, many of whom are also employees of the university (BLS, 2019), encounter multiple challenges to successful socialization (Council of Graduate Schools, 2010; Weidman et al., 2001) —several of which are related to their sense of belonging (O’Meara et al., 2017; Pascale, 2018) — and if left unaddressed, these challenges can contribute to high attrition rates (Cassuto, 2013; Gardner & Barker, 2020), with one in four graduate students typically failing to graduate within ten years, even under favorable circumstances (Baum & Steele, 2017). Since the best time to influence an individual’s sense …

The Effects Of Controlling Language And Source Social Group Membership On Resistance To Persuasion, Zane A. Dayton

Theses and Dissertations--Communication

Persuasive attempts often fail. One theory that attempts to explain when and why people resist persuasion is psychological reactance theory (PRT; J. W. Brehm, 1966; S. S. Brehm & J. W. Brehm, 1981). According to the theory, people have an inherent desire to maintain their autonomy, or freedom. When they perceive that a persuasive message threatens their freedom, they experience psychological reactance, an aversive motivational state, which motivates them to restore their freedom by resisting the persuasive message. Whereas past studies have demonstrated that various message features (e.g., controlling language) and source characteristics (e.g., social group membership) can, individually, influence …

Examining The Effects Of Restorative Narratives On Prosocial Behavioral Intentions: A Sem Analysis, Mehroz Sajjad

Theses and Dissertations--Communication

Society grapples with an array of intricate and intertwined social challenges, often characterized as wicked problems due to their multifaceted, persistent nature. The refugee crisis and food insecurity stand as poignant examples of these complex issues, with millions affected worldwide. In response to these challenges, there is a pressing need for individuals to engage in prosocial behaviors, aiming to alleviate the impacts of these crises.Against this backdrop, this dissertation delved into the realm of narrative persuasion to examine the effectiveness of restorative narratives and framing strategies as potential drivers of greater behavioral intentions. To address the hypotheses and research question, …

Breaking The Silence: A Mixed Methods Study On Opioid Education, Overdose Risks, And Treatment Education Among College Students, Anita Silwal

Theses and Dissertations--Communication

The opioid crisis is a national public health emergency in the United States. Opioid education, naloxone training, and medication for opioid use disorder treatment (MOUD) are evidence-based practices to mitigate opioid overdose. The opioid crisis is affecting people of all ages, including college students. Research indicates the gap in research among college students on how they perceive this public health emergency and how it is affecting them; thus, this dissertation aims to address the gap by examining college students' knowledge, attitude, and behavioral intentions toward opioid education, naloxone training, and referral to MOUD to those struggling with opioid addiction. The …

Crisis Negotiation Techniques In Interactional Context: Managing A Suicide Threat In An Emergency Service Call, Angela Garcia

Natural & Applied Sciences Faculty Publications

Previous research reveals that standard crisis negotiation techniques are useful in assisting suicidal persons, but how routine interactional procedures impact their implementation has not yet been sufficiently examined. Aim: This paper investigates how routine interactional procedures impact the effectiveness of crisis negotiation techniques in an emergency services call involving a suicide announcement. Methods: A publicly released emergency service call was transcribed and analyzed using the qualitative technique of conversation analysis. Results: The call taker used crisis negotiation techniques such as maximizing autonomy, displaying active listening, and distracting the caller to keep them on the phone. These techniques were implemented successfully …

News Media Coverage Of Court Matters Involving Children In Kenya., Lenox Omondi Otieno

Master of Arts in Digital Journalism

The pivotal role of news media as the fourth estate in society cannot be overstated; it profoundly influences public opinion, shapes perceptions, and mirrors a nation's values. Much like in other countries, in Kenya, media assumes a central role in reporting legal proceedings, especially those involving children. The manner in which these events are covered carries significant consequences, directly impacting the welfare and rights of the children concerned. This study critically examines the news media's coverage of court proceedings involving children in Kenya, focusing on mainstream television channels, namely Citizen TV, NTV, and KTN News, owing to their substantial viewership. …

Examining Audience Perceptions And Role Of Cookies In Select News Websites In Kenya: A Case Of Nation Africa And The Standard, Isabel Mwendwa Radoli

Master of Arts in Digital Journalism

This thesis investigates the audience perceptions and the role of cookies in the user experience of selected news websites in Kenya. In an era dominated by digital media consumption, understanding how users interact with online news platforms is crucial for media practitioners and technology developers. The study focuses on the Kenyan context, exploring the unique dynamics that shape user engagement with news content and the impact of cookies on their online experience. The research employed a mixed-methods approach, combining a quantitative survey focused on audience perceptions of cookies and interactions with cookie consent notices and in-depth interviews with commercial website …

Investigating The Impact Of Digital Transformation On Legacy Media In Uganda: The Case Of New Vision Newspaper., Francis Kagolo

Executive Masters in Media Leadership and Innovation

This study sought to investigate the impact of digital transformation on legacy media in Uganda, using the leading English newspaper, New Vision, as a case study. Employing qualitative methods, including documentary analysis and interviews with 13 senior editors, circulation and finance managers, and media scholars, the study evaluated the impact of digital transformation on New Vision, examined revenue streams, and assessed the newspaper’s content strategy effectiveness. Findings reveal that while digital technology enhanced news gathering and distribution efficiency, it diminished the newspaper's ability to break stories, leading to declining sales and revenue. New Vision's attempts to monetise digital content face …

Organizational Culture's Impact On Job Satisfaction: A Reconceptualization Of The Competing Values Framework, Isaac Thor Erickson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Academic job satisfaction has been decreasing in the U.S. which has profound negative impacts such as burnout and decreased well-being of employees. One way that job satisfaction can be increased is through understanding and changing organizational cultures through better communication. The Competing Values Framework (CVF; Quinn & Rohrbaugh, 1983; Belasen & Frank, 2010; Lund, 2003) has been used to understand how organizational cultures and their communicative norms relate to job satisfaction. However, the CVF relies on categorical measures sitting on two axes that are not orthogonal. As such, the study posits breaking these two axes into four dimensions of organizational …

Advancing Karl Jaspers: The Connection Between The Theory Of Existential Communication And Mentoring Satisfaction, Nolan Patrick Bowers

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Existential philosopher Karl Jaspers’s theory (1932/1970; 1935/1971b) of existential communication is understood to be his most important contribution to existentialism. Additionally, this theory has unique ties to the phenomena of communication, begging its use as a dialogic theory. However, Jaspers’s theory has been relatively untouched by academia. This thesis understands the theory of existential communication through an operationalization of its aspects and explicitly connecting them to communicative behaviors. These aspects of existential communication are (1) vulnerability, (2) open-mindedness, and (3) equality. This study set out to determine whether these aspects could be found within mentoring relationships and support the aspects …

From Conspiracy To Normalcy: The Mainstreaming Of Qanon In “Disney Grooming” Messages Online, Daniela Peterka-Benton, Bond Benton, Joel Penney

College of Communication and Media Scholarship and Creative Works

In March of 2022, The Walt Disney Company voiced opposition to Florida’s "Parental Rights in Education" (“Don’t Say Gay”) in support of LGBTQ+ stakeholders within in the company and the public. This research studied a dataset of 68,481 tweets where the company’s stance was constructed as “grooming” children, i.e. manipulating children for sexual abuse. Tweets were collected from March 13, 2022 to May 16, 2022 representing a two month period from Disney’s stance against "Parental Rights in Education.” As grooming is a term often associated with human trafficking and Disney is a major media company, this study is interested in …

From Memes To Message To Mario Kart: An Analysis Of The Reach Of Social Media Content Related To Kamala Harris, Yi Luo, Jin-A Choi, Bond Benton

College of Communication and Media Scholarship and Creative Works

A daunting challenge in political engagement lies in connecting with the younger demographics who are the digital natives. Especially, the 18-24 age group has some of the lowest turnout rates amongst eligible voters. After her sudden ascendence to be the presumptive presidential candidate for the Democrat Party, a tidal wave of meme posts, largely from young Americans, playfully associated Kamala Harris with coconut tree. These coconut-themed memes ignited an unprecedented surge of energy and engagement among young voters on social media platforms, which provides an ideal context to examine their reactions toward these memes in light of a high-stake presidential …

Promoter Or Barrier? Assessing How Social Media Predicts Covid-19 Vaccine Acceptance And Hesitancy: A Systematic Review Of Primary Series And Booster Vaccine Investigations, Christopher J. Mckinley, Yam Limbu

College of Communication and Media Scholarship and Creative Works

Abstract

Rationale

Prior research indicates that social media is primarily a negative contributor to Covid-19 vaccine outcomes.

Objective

The current systematic review of Covid-19 primary series and booster vaccine investigations provides a more nuanced and comprehensive assessment of this association by exploring a) how distinct social media judgmentsand actions predict different vaccine-related outcomes - perceptions and intentions/uptake, b) both primary series and booster findings, c) types of social media, and d) comparisons across different populations.

Method

We conducted a systematic reviewof published research examining the link between social media and COVID-19 vaccine outcomes – judgments, intentions, and uptake. …

Ua12/2/84 Sigma Chi, Wku Archives

WKU Archives Collection Inventories

Records created by and about Sigma Phi Alpha fraternity and it's forerunner Sigma Chi.

Ua12/2/85 Sigma Gamma Rho, Wku Archives

WKU Archives Collection Inventories

Records created by and about Sigma Gamma Rho sorority.

Ua94/6/18 Stephen Flora Student / Alumni Papers, Wku Archives

WKU Archives Collection Inventories

Records created by and about Stephen Flora during his years as a student at Western Kentucky University.

Ua1c11/127 Stephen Flora Photo Collection, Wku Archives

WKU Archives Collection Inventories

Photographs donated by WKU alumnus Stephen Flora, taken for class and College Heights Herald.

A Rhetorical Analysis Of 13 Going On 30, Brynn Olverson

Schultz-Werth Award Papers

The film 13 Going on 30 is an iconic and nostalgic film for many, but more specifically for young women emerging into adulthood. This film is best classified as a coming-of-age film. Thirteen-year-old Jenna goes through the process of turning thirteen years old and emerging into middle school. Jenna craves to be accepted by the cool girls and is blinded by the idea of popularity which in turn ruins her lifelong friendship with her neighbor and best friend Matt. Jenna’s life was turned upside down when she woke up thirty years old, living in her thirty-year-old body, and working her …

External Funding Bulletin, January - June 2024, Uno Office Of Research And Creative Activity

Sponsored Programs Bulletins

No abstract provided.

Nbc Peacock North Winter 2024 Newsletter, Peacock North Staff

NBC Peacock North Newsletter

Highlights include: Marilyn's Page -- History of the National Association of Black Journalists -- Al Roker Returns to the Macy's Parade -- Joe Klimovitz Hosts Photo Exhibition -- Martin Fletcher at Sacred Heart University -- Silent Microphones

Mental Health Challenges And Resilience Among International Graduate Students In The United States, Md Rejaul Haque

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

This research examines the experiences of international graduate students in the United States. It focuses on the challenges they face that can lead to mental health issues. I conducted in-depth focus group interviews through Zoom. Participants shared their stories, highlighting the stigma around mental health. I transcribed the interviews and analyzed them for themes. The findings show that international students deal with various difficulties, such as cultural differences and homesickness. They often find better support from informal peer networks rather than from institutional resources. The study highlights the importance of community engagement and cultural exchange in helping these students build …

Improving Spiritual Care Competency Among Intensive Care Unit Nurses: Promoting Holistic Patient Care Towards End-Of-Life, Joanne Nguyen, Dana Bagis

Nursing | Senior Theses

Intensive care unit (ICU) nurses play a crucial role in providing physiological stabilizing care in a dynamic and fast-paced environment, often marked by constant changes and variability in complex patients. Despite their specialization, the aspect of spiritual care tends to be overlooked, particularly in the context of end-of-life care. This is significant because previous studies have shown that a lack of spiritual care leads to poorer health outcomes, decreased coping, increased depression, and diminished quality of life for patients. This research proposal aims to investigate the spiritual care competency among ICU nurses who partake in spiritual care-based training, with the …

An Examination Of Scientific And Technical Communication For Forensic Engineering And Forensic Pathology., Tori C. Reeder

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Police communication sits at the unique intersection of risk communication, scientific and technical communication, and medical communication, as we see in forensic reports. In this dissertation, I examine the communicative underpinnings of forensic pathology and forensic engineering reports. I argue that there is not only an inherent link between the unpredictability of a written text and the reception of said text by both its intended and unintended audience, but also a link to the broader socio-cultural contexts. I will examine an atypical forensic pathology report (autopsy report) of George Floyd, a more standard forensic pathology report of an inmate who …

Nlp Analysis Of Environmental Themes In Phish Lyrics Across Concert Locations And Years, Anna Farzindar, Jason L. Jarvis

Communication Studies Faculty Works

This work studies the application of advanced AI and natural language processing (NLP) techniques, to analyze the lyrics of Phish, a renowned American jam band known for their groundbreaking improvisational live shows and eclectic lyrics. Focusing on environmental themes within their extensive repertoire, this paper aims to uncover latent topics pertaining to environmental discourse, by using the topic modeling and environmental classifier to filter out the list of topics present within their songs. Through meticulous preprocessing, modeling, and interpretation, our findings shed light on the multifaceted portrayal of environmental issues in Phish’s lyrics. In this study, our primary contribution lies …