Communication Commons^™

Researcher Engagement With Web Archives: State Of The Art, Meghan Dougherty, Eric T. Meyer, Christine Madsen, Charles Van Den Heuvel, Arthur Thomas, Sally Wyatt

School of Communication: Faculty Publications and Other Works

No abstract provided.

The Enthymematic Model Of Meaning-Making In Video Games: Towards Narratively Designed Transmedia Texts, Kevin Human

All Theses

After introducing the ludological and narratological sides of modern video game theory, we explain Ian Bogost's concept of procedural rhetoric. We go on to argue that procedural rhetoric in practice is a form of what Stephen Dinehart and others have called narrative design. Furthermore, we argue that narrative design principles fall into the Aristotelian, enthymematic form of knowledge creation. We then cite examples of effective narrative design in video games and show how they fit the enthymematic model. We conclude with a discussion of how the epistemic principles of narrative design are applicable to a transmedia design context and how …

Introducing Writing Across The Curriculum Into China: Feasability And Adaptation, Dan Wu

All Dissertations

Writing Across the Curriculum (WAC) is a successful educational movement initiated in the US in the 1970s to promote better teaching and learning. It has developed to incorporate writing, speaking, digital educational technologies, and other communication modalities in the past several decades. WAC initiatives have now been successfully transplanted outside of the U.S. in nations and areas such as Australia, Sweden, Germany, and Hong Kong, yet one country that has not endorsed a WAC approach is China. Given the current tension between access and quality for Chinese higher education after an unprecedented enrollment expansion, incorporating WAC approaches is currently a …

Journalism In Second Life, Bonnie Brennen, Erika Dela Cerna

College of Communication Faculty Research and Publications

Our research seeks to understand the emerging journalism practiced in Second Life—a computer-generated alternative reality. Framed by postmodernism, this study uses an ideological analysis to evaluate the three Second Life newspapers: the Alphaville Herald, the Metaverse Messenger and the Second Life Newspaper. We suggest that journalism in Second Life focuses on community building and education, considers the influence of the on-line world to resident members' off-line lives and raises important questions about freedom of expression.

An Ardent Flame: Witness To Distant Suffering, Human Rights And Unworthy Victims In The Coverage By The New York Times And Two Journals Of The Religious Left Of The 1980s Civil Wars In El Salvador And Nicaragua, Charles A. Flowerday

College of Journalism and Mass Communications: Theses

Scholars have investigated witness to distant suffering (WTDS) almost entirely in visual media. This study examines it in print. This form of reporting will be examined in two publications of the religious left as contrasted with the New York Times. The thesis is that, more than any technology, WTDS consists of the journalist’s moral commitment and narrative skills and the audience’s analytical resources and trust. In the religious journals, liberation theology provides the moral commitment, the writers and editors the narrative skills and trust and the special vision of the newly empowered poor the analytical foundation. In bearing witness to …

Examining The Relationship Between Ethnic Identity And Spanish-Language Media Use Among Bilingual Hispanics, Using The Media Gratifications And Social Identity Theories, Arminda Munoz

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between Ethnic Identity and Spanish-language media use among bilingual Hispanics following the Media Uses and Gratifications Theory. Participants in survey included 83 undergraduate university students enrolled in entry-level communication courses. Relationships between participants’ bilingual skills, ethnic identity, Spanish-language media use and gratifications outcomes were examined. Research questions focused on participants’ use of English and Spanish media use. Hypotheses focused on testing relationships between ethnicity, bilingual skills and media use. Results of the study are discussed. Conclusions, limitations and topics for further research are addressed.

The Promise Of Gangster Glamour: Sinatra, Vegas, And Alluring, Ethnicized, Excess, Laura Cook Kenna

Occasional Papers

Las Vegas has been linked with Frank Sinatra since the 1950s. The highly‐publicized performances of the Rat Pack (consisting of Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis, Jr., Joey Bishop, and Peter Lawford) at the Sands crystallized the image of Las Vegas as a place that mingled economic mobility with excess. This excess was often associated with ethnicity and frequently linked to crime. It was, however, the excess that made Las Vegas and Sinatra glamorous to many audiences.

Institutionalization, Technology, And Power: The Ideological Context Of Style Organizations, Dustin Wilson

All Theses

Organizations have the power to establish the norms of discourse within various fields through organizational style guides. These style guides determine the conventions of discourse that professionals use every day. In this thesis, I explore and articulate the ideological context of some style guides in prominent professions. The institutionalization of discourse is seen through the history of style manuals and is particularly noted within the discourse of contemporary organizations that create style guides. Through an application of the theories of Foucault and Habermas, I discuss how these organizations institutionalize discourse and perpetuate a system of purposive-rational action. In this thesis, …

Cultural Variation In The Visual Aspects Of Television Commercials: Comparing The Use And Effect Of Field Information In Chinese And Us Television Commercials, Jin Liu

All Theses

Cross-cultural psychology literature demonstrates cultural variation in visual perception patterns and field information inclusion in static visual designs between Chinese and American cultures. This study attempts to empirically investigate whether such variation exists in these two cultures' video images such as television commercials, and whether the commercials customized to cultural preference are more effective than others as previous research suggests. The research results correspond to previous claims about the visual design patterns in Chinese and American cultures, based on which suggestions for cinematic practice are provided. This research contends that variation in information inclusion and exclusion rules manifests differences in …

A Linguistic Analysis Of The Entrepreneurial Pitch, Laura Cunningham

All Theses

An entrepreneur faces many challenges in the quest to bring an idea to fruition, and the first step in gaining financial support most commonly comes in the form of a pitch. The goal is always ultimately to persuade investors in the validity and profitability of a product or idea. A wealth of information currently exists in helping entrepreneurs create pitch content as well as giving advice on presentation skills. While this information is important for consideration, the vast majority of available knowledge hovers in the intuitive realm.
Little to no quantitative, academic research exists on the actual use of language …

Fantasy Football: Analyzing Fantasy Themes In America's Rhetorical Pastime, Frankie Christ

All Theses

Fantasy football has emerged as a male-bonding experience of our online age. In understanding the formation of a rich rhetorical community, a close examination of how these fantasy football communities represent the larger culture is required. This thesis uses Ernest Bormann's theoretical framework of fantasy theme analysis to examine how the sharing of group fantasies creates a symbolic convergence. Once symbolic convergence has occurred, group members are then able to share rhetorical visions that shape their world's view. In the case of this thesis, Bormann's methods have been modified to better understand the small group dynamics of fantasy football participants. …

Researcher Engagement With Web Archives: Challenges And Opportunities For Investment, Arthur Thomas, Eric T. Meyer, Meghan Dougherty, Charles Van Den Heuvel, Christine Madsen, Sally Wyatt

School of Communication: Faculty Publications and Other Works

No abstract provided.

Cascading Simulation: A Critical Perspective On Barack Obama‘S Foreign Policy During The 2008 Presidential Election, Ian P. Beier

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Entering the 2008 presidential election, Barack Obama had little to no foreign policy experience. On face, this would seem to make Obama an unlikely choice for President. Yet, he was able to defeat Hilary Clinton and John McCain, the two candidates with significant foreign policy experience. My thesis examines Barack Obama's speech "A World That Stands as One" as a case study for understanding how simulation operates in the context of presidential campaigns. Using Robert Entman's theory of "cascading activation," I develop a theory of "cascading simulation," arguing that image construction descends downward from the president through the media. In …

The Advisor-Advisee Relationship: A Qualitative Study Of Advisee Perspectives, Paula M. Emke-Francis

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Attempts to understand the nature and course of advising relationships in clinical psychology doctoral training have been limited in number and scope. Furthermore, they have almost universally applied theoretical models derived for the explanation of different types of relationships, with very little empirical inquiry aimed at examining the advising relationship as it actually exists. The present study sought to better understand advisory relationships in clinical psychology doctoral training and propose a theoretical model related to the dimensions of the relationship that emerged.

This was accomplished via semi-structured interviews with 18 clinical psychology Ph.D. candidates from training programs across the United …

Beragam Islam, Beragam Ekspresi: Islam Indonesia Dalam Praktik, Oki Rahadianto Sutopo

Masyarakat: Jurnal Sosiologi

No abstract provided.

Pluralisme Dan Masyarakat Pasca-Politik, Fransisca Sse Seda

Masyarakat: Jurnal Sosiologi

No abstract provided.

Central Florida Future, Vol. 42 No. 49, July 29, 2010

Central Florida Future

Social work class gives back; Uncover Thursdays; Bringing the heat; Plus: Jersey eyesore; Full Circle; Blood drive pits police against firefighters; Guns and hoses blood drive; Shooting behind a different lens.

Central Florida Future, Vol. 42 No. 48, July 26, 2010

Central Florida Future

One year later, cuts still hurt; New-look housing; Admins, Hitt get delayed bonuses; Removal hearing for Pozin pushed back.

Central Florida Future, Vol. 42 No. 47, July 22, 2010

Central Florida Future

Sen. Pozin claims vendetta; Uncover Thursdays; Europe on the cheap; Plus: Fine dining; Inception review; Students and faculty feel the impact of perking fees; Parking prices; A Hollywood homecoming.

Counterterrorism Intelligence Analysis: Language As Threat, Vulnerability, And Risk, Ibpp Editor

International Bulletin of Political Psychology

The author discusses the role of language in describing possible membership in or connection to al Qaeda.