Reality Television And Its Effect On The Academic Achievement Of Inner-City High School Students,
2012
Gonzaga University
Reality Television And Its Effect On The Academic Achievement Of Inner-City High School Students, Natifia Mullings
Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses
The impact of heavy television viewing and the effects it has on young viewers has been a dominant topic since the 1960s. With the ever-changing landscape of television programming, reality television has become increasingly popular, especially among the pre-teen and teen audiences. This study explores George Gerbner‘s Cultivation Theory (1998), which assumes that television has the ability to influence the attitudes and perceptions of its viewers, and uses it as a foundation to determine if there is an association between reality television consumption and the attitudes inner-city high school students have towards education. A total of 251 inner-city high school …
Communication Techniques: Promoting Corporate Social Responsibility,
2012
Gonzaga University
Communication Techniques: Promoting Corporate Social Responsibility, Laurie Beth Fried
Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is increasingly important for businesses and their stakeholders. Successful communication ofa companies' CSR program remains a huge challenge. It is important for business leaders to understand how to build customer awareness of CSR efforts, and identify the factors that positively impact customers' beliefs and purchasing behavior, and thus the bottom line. Research for this study was both quantitative and qualitative. The quantitative analysis utilized data from a recent e-mail customer survey conducted by a national retailer. Top CSR Communicators were identified and then a qualitative analysis was applied with in-depth employee interviews. The results revealed that …
Source Credibility And How New Churchgoers Choose A Church,
2012
Gonzaga University
Source Credibility And How New Churchgoers Choose A Church, Stephanie Araujo
Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses
The church as a faith community seeks to expand interpersonal and ethical communication by inviting new members. However, much of the effort to successfully communicate with non-attenders has fallen on deaf ears as the church in the United States has seen stagnant growth over the last few decades. This study considers the various tactics employed by the faith community to overcome this malaise and attract new people by asking how new churchgoers choose a church. Using source credibility as the theoretical basis, this study attempts to show that most churchgoers choose a faith community based on the pastor’s source credibility; …
Public Speaking: Breaking Down Barrier And Building Confidence,
2012
Gonzaga University
Public Speaking: Breaking Down Barrier And Building Confidence, Cameron Scott Knauerhaze
Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses
This paper is a consulting project for prospective public speakers. This project is intended to help break down barriers and build confidence of students when faced with public speaking situations. The project is designed for adult students. Students will be introduced to public speaking from a historical perspective with the hope they will build a foundation for accepting the remaining course material. The theory of Communication Apprehension (CA) is identified and discussed throughout the paper. As students start to recognize what barriers they possess in public speaking, they will learn simple methods in how to create and deliver a speech. …
Critical Analysis Of Hiv/Aids Communication Messages,
2012
Gonzaga University
Critical Analysis Of Hiv/Aids Communication Messages, Charli Marie Wilson
Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses
For the last thirty years HIV/AIDS has affected the lives of many people in the United States. Since the first introduction of the disease to America, healthcare officials have implemented several methods in various disciplines to prevent new cases. The information in this thesis examines how public health campaigns have contributed to the prevention of HIV. The research method in this thesis assumes a critical discourse analysis (CDA) of three HIV/AIDS prevention campaigns and how these media educate men who have sex with men (MSM) about prevention. The CDA method is useful in identifying consistent emerging themes in the campaigns …
"Dear Jane": An Examination Of Female Combat Warriors, The Communiaction Styles Used During War Vs. The Communication Used In The Home,
2012
Gonzaga University
"Dear Jane": An Examination Of Female Combat Warriors, The Communiaction Styles Used During War Vs. The Communication Used In The Home, Renee Humphrey
Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses
War has been happening for centuries. Women have been in the United States Armed Forces since the War of Independence in 1775, with very little research done on how war affects these women once on the home front. The purpose of my research is to evaluate the role of communication because of being a female in a combat zone at a time of war, and how it has affected the female‘s life back home once returned. Specifically, I used Relational Dialectic Theory and Expectancy Violations Theory as a basis of ethnographic research and one on one interviews to research the …
Exploring The Use And Effectiveness Of Mediated Communication By Churches,
2012
Gonzaga University
Exploring The Use And Effectiveness Of Mediated Communication By Churches, Sarah Christine Syptak Hinrichs
Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses
In an era categorized by a decline in traditional religious participation, Protestant church leaders in the United States are utilizing computer mediated forms of communication to attract and retain members. Research shows, however, that many churches lack the resources or knowledge to communicate effectively online. To aid in a greater understanding of webbed communication tools, this thesis looks at the ability of dialogic mediated communication to contribute to satisfaction with communication in the church as well as overall organizational satisfaction and involvement. Rooted in the phenomenological tradition and in relationship management theory, the study focuses on mediated communication as a …
Teleconferencing In Large Corporations,
2012
Gonzaga University
Teleconferencing In Large Corporations, Thomas E. Howard
Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses
Technology based communication tools in business represent an area that has been intensely researched. Of all the available tools, teleconferencing remains the most widely and frequently used in business communication. This case study explores whether teleconferencing is a useful communication tool for leadership to express objectives to the organization’s members. Philosophical assumptions in this paper are based on Aristotle’s components of rhetoric: ethos, pathos, and logos. Media Naturalness (Kock, 2004) and Social Presence Theory (Short & Williams, 1976) provide the theoretical basis for this paper. The study is based on qualitative data gathering and analysis surrounding the 3rd Quarter Organization-wide …
Determining Cultural Influence On Crisis Communications,
2012
Gonzaga University
Determining Cultural Influence On Crisis Communications, Adam Thomas Holst
Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses
This study implemented an interpretive social science approach with an egalitarian perspective. It explores the relationship between culture and crisis communication. The researcher created a fictitious organizational crisis, then surveyed participants to gather their insights and guidance as they related to organizational response. The literature reviewed in this study provides detailed examination of crisis and culture. It calls for examination of how the two impact one another in communication settings. Survey questions were derived from Hofstede’s dimensions of cultural variability, which was the theoretical framework for this study. Efforts were made to include broad participation and incorporate simple random probability …
The Facebook Effect: Considering The Influence Of Facebook On The User's Sense Of Community,
2012
Gonzaga University
The Facebook Effect: Considering The Influence Of Facebook On The User's Sense Of Community, Stephanie Jo Hansen
Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses
A recent report on the impact of social media on children, adolescents and families cautioned that parents should now be concerned about Facebook Depression. This alleged new condition has been gaining popularity in social commentary regarding the effects of social networking websites, such as Facebook.com. Thus, it is critical that the potential effects of this social networking site be studied to counteract under-researched claims. This thesis focused on how the observable community construct created by Facebook may or may not have an effect on the user’s sense of community. Specifically, this paper used Walther’s Social Information Processing theory to explain …
Analyzing Espn And The Agenda-Setting Theory,
2012
Gonzaga University
Analyzing Espn And The Agenda-Setting Theory, Justin John Kischefsky
Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses
This thesis initially discussed the agenda-setting theory and framing and then examined how the two concepts related to the presentation of the lead stories on a trio of ESPN outlets in comparison to a pair of non-ESPN sports media outlets. This study was achieved by conducting a content analysis of the lead stories appearing on ESPN's SportsCenter and The Highlight Express televisions shows, ESPN.com, SportsIllustrated.com and CBSSports.com daily for four weeks. While the ESPN outlets made similar decisions to that of the non-ESPN outlets on the priority of story placement, there were enough instances to show that ESPN did frame …
Actor Skills In Managerial And Professional Development: Effective Leadership Training For The Information Age,
2012
Gonzaga University
Actor Skills In Managerial And Professional Development: Effective Leadership Training For The Information Age, David Hendrik De Vries
Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses
The knowledge-based economies of today’s information age demand a higher level of communication skills in the workplace. One viable method of teaching communication skills leverages the techniques found in actor training. This thesis explores the use and effectiveness of actor training in the training and development of managers and professionals. The theories of Aristotle, Burke, Dewey and Ong are referenced to understand the value of the performance metaphor—“As a leader, you’re always onstage”—as an underlying approach, while the theories of Wiener, Watzlawick, Baxter, Ting Toomey and others reinforce the viability of actor training in the field of communication. A review …
Computer-Mediated Communication And Educational Games,
2012
Gonzaga University
Computer-Mediated Communication And Educational Games, Stacy Lee Keller
Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses
The continuous development of technology has made Computer-mediated communication the normal means of communication in many organizations. Many educators are beginning to use resources designed to prepare their students for the global world of computer-mediated communication. Even though computer-mediated communication is different from face-to-face, it does not necessarily inhibit collaboration. This study examined the success of a non-collocated team playing MoonWorld using only computer-mediated communication versus the success of a team that was collocated and able to use face-to-face communication. The data showed that there were differences in the collaboration between the two teams, but that both teams were successful …
Authentic Blackness And The Portrayals Of African Americans In Prime Time Television Commercials,
2012
Gonzaga University
Authentic Blackness And The Portrayals Of African Americans In Prime Time Television Commercials, Dari L. Rogers
Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses
Though each African American person holds unique experiences, beliefs and preferences that are molded by his or her background, education, gender, sexual orientation and religion, he or she is often defined by superficial characteristics, such as how a person behaves, speaks and dresses, that determine his or her degree of authentic blackness. This thesis explores authentic blackness within the African American community and how television commercials help define what is considered authentically black. Based on the Social Cognitive Theory, Hall’s Theory of Encoding and Decoding, the Cultivation Theory and the Social Construction of Reality Theory, this thesis explores how African …
President Barack Obama's Speech In Cairo: A Metaphor Analysis,
2012
Gonzaga University
President Barack Obama's Speech In Cairo: A Metaphor Analysis, George Ebimobowei Oti
Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses
This study investigates the metaphors embedded in President Barack Obama’s speech in Cairo, delivered on June 4, 2009. Mr.Obama delivered his speech at a time when the dissonance between the Muslim world and the West expanded. The rhetor’s motive was to arrest the increasingly compounded atmosphere of rapprochements between the two worlds. The study employed two philosophical foundations, Burkean identification- consubstantiation and Buber’s I-thou personality theory. The two philosophies promote the notion of humankind’s sharing of a bond. The study categorizes the deployment of metaphors into archetypal and transcendent metaphors; the results show that both types of metaphors serve a …
Incorporating Aspects Of The 'Emotional Intelligence' Theory To Tactical Fundraising Strategies For Non-Profit Organizations (Npo's) In Recessive Economic Times "Vision Of Hope: Fundraising In Recessive Economic Times",
2012
Gonzaga University
Incorporating Aspects Of The 'Emotional Intelligence' Theory To Tactical Fundraising Strategies For Non-Profit Organizations (Npo's) In Recessive Economic Times "Vision Of Hope: Fundraising In Recessive Economic Times", Marc Knutson
Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses
The global economic picture over the past decade has created tough financial times for nations, individuals, and industry in general. With respect to organizations, there is no one single area more affected by devastating economic stress than non-profits. In economically prosperous times, philanthropists and other donors to non-profit organizations are open to, and regularly schedule, donations. However, as financial situations require belt-tightening and acute frugality, donations to non-profits are reconsidered. In light of the slumping economic times, I suggest that non-profit organizations, specifically those supporting laboratory research of debilitating diseases, review their fundraising strategies defining a differentiation strategy that sets …
This Just In: Breaking News With Social Media By The Newspaper Organizations In The Southwestern Corner Of New York State,
2012
Gonzaga University
This Just In: Breaking News With Social Media By The Newspaper Organizations In The Southwestern Corner Of New York State, Chris Chapman
Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses
Social media is the newest form of technology to tempt journalists. What is it? How can it be used to bring their information to the consumers? This thesis examines the ability of eight papers in the southwestern corner of New York state to break news on social media like Facebook and Twitter. The study, conducted by a survey of the journalists working for those papers, takes a look at the policies that govern social media within their organization. Through the lens of the agenda-setting theory, the data shows that the rural region of New York state has yet to find …
The Prettiest President I Ever Saw: Cold War Film Portrayals Of Women Political And Military Leaders,
2012
Gonzaga University
The Prettiest President I Ever Saw: Cold War Film Portrayals Of Women Political And Military Leaders, Michael Flannery Hatchett
Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses
This thesis offers generic criticism of the portrayal of women political and military leaders in Cold War films. The study uses textual analysis of several films to judge certain factors, including ethical, philosophical, and aesthetic concerns. The films examined in this thesis are: Project Moonbase, The Manchurian Candidate, Kisses for My President, and By Dawn’s Early Light. This thesis traces the evolution of attitudes about women leaders, identifies qualities that are shown to be important to leaders during the Cold War, and examines the ways in which these leaders manage to defy stereotypes in each of their films. It also …
Impact Of Improvisation On Interpersonal Communication,
2012
Gonzaga University
Impact Of Improvisation On Interpersonal Communication, Brooklin Green
Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses
Improvisational games have grown outside the scope of performance to become tools to enhance, creativity, and communication. Recently, people have begun to use these games in a variety of fields including psychology, public speaking, corporate businesses, medicine, and education. Improvisational games help people learn through play. It shows that the use of these games can create an environment that opens communication to achieve learning and innovation. It is a positive tool in promoting confidence, empathy, listening skills, self-awareness, group awareness, quick thought and focus in the moment. While research on the benefit of improvisation does exist, few concentrate on the …
What Impact Does Social Media Have On Knowledge Transfer?,
2012
Gonzaga University
What Impact Does Social Media Have On Knowledge Transfer?, Michael Walgren Showalter
Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses
Knowledge management and knowledge transfer is vital to the long-term success of any organization. Social media is connecting people in a way never before possible. Previous research has concluded that knowledge transfer is more likely to take place between individuals in an organization who have built a relationship with each other. In parallel, social media is compared to Roger‟s Diffusion of Innovations Theory and his Technology of Acceptance Model. This thesis contains the results of focus groups conducted with engineers from an international aerospace corporation and examines the likelihood of knowledge transfer taking place based on social media relationships. This …
