Gonzaga University Repository
Not a member yet
2718 research outputs found
Sort by
Understanding The Role Of Communication Anxiety/Uncertainty Management (Aum) Among Female Teenage Bloggers
Get PDFThis study examines how and what female teenagers communicate through blogging; how they manage uncertainty and anxiety within their posts and/or comments; the role communication anxiety/uncertainty plays in self-presentation and self-disclosure for this population; and how, when faced with bullying, flaming and adverse responses, they express and manage anxiety and uncertainty online. Using both Buber’s (1970) I-It and I-Thou philosophy and Gudykunst’s (2005) Anxiety and Uncertainty Management theory, this study examined the blog sites of three female U.S. teenagers. Examining the five most recently published blog posts, the study analyzed the details and self-disclosure levels, from site design and development; post content themes; and identity and esteem levels of the bloggers, to the audience participation and engagement of site visitors. Research revealed this population is using blogging as a way to chronicle and communicate the anxiety and uncertainty that is prevalent in their day-to-day lives. The bloggers studied disclose intimate details, yet still maintain a certain level of anonymity as a method of self-preservation. In addition, while the bloggers may face adverse reactions in real life, there is a great deal of support and positivity within the feedback posted by site visitors. As there is limited research into the role communication anxiety and uncertainty plays within the female, teenaged blogger population, additional research is suggested
Indigenous Engagement And Resistance In The 21St Century: Empowering Indigenous Identity With Indigenous Film
Get PDFIndigenous people of the United States have historically been and continue to be objectified and misrepresented in art, history, science, literature, and mass media. This continued colonization contributes to loss of respect for culture, identity crisis among indigenous youth, health disparities of epidemic proportions, poor performance in education, substance abuse, violence and poverty. This qualitative study expands upon existing scholarship in media anthropology (Dilworth, 1996; Ginsberg, 1991 & 2008; and Prins, 2002) and indigenous studies (Rader, 2011; Singer, 2001; and Tuhiwai Smith, 2012) by analyzing the indigenous voice expressed through media practice, storytelling as a tool for empowering indigenous identity and creating solidarity. Teachings of the Tree People: The Work of Bruce Miller and Honor The Treaties are analyzed through Critical Discourse Analysis—Historical Approach to examine how these films address power imbalances, inequities, and encourage action capable of producing social justice. The study does not examine ways the dominant discourse oppresses but rather how the indigenous voice empowers. Themes that emerge are storytelling as self-determination, creating as resistance and survival, alternative collaborations to transform the gaze, dialogic/equal communication/partnerships, and recuperating and projecting traditions in film. What comes forth in the study is that producers and actors in indigenous media see this media as an important vehicle for the expression of indigenous voice, which might engage, challenge and transform oppressive structures and cultures. This challenges the debate about access, infrastructure, and technical skill which positions power outside of indigenous people and in external structures. Alternative media collaborations examined in this study reveal that it is possible to transform the gaze and allow the indigenous voice to emerge and be heard
Trayvon Martin: An Examination On How The News Is Presented To The Public
Get PDFIt is important to see how the news uses framing to structure a story for public consumption. This study seeks to understand how the news media framed the Trayvon Martin case through the use of racial cues. The study will closely examine the fetishization of racial roles by the media through the Trayvon Martin case. The researcher through the use of ethnographic research will examine how a news organization frames this high-profile event that resulted in the death of a young man. We often discuss bias or agenda in news without answering the question why. Trayvon Martin presents an opportunity to discuss framing in terms of race through the eyes of a news organization. The study determined advertising dollars drives the stories the media produces rather than racial or societal issues
An Assessment Of Relations Between The Alberta Government And The Nonprofit/Voluntary Sector Through The Critical Theory Of Organizational Communication
No full textThis thesis used Deetz’s (1982) critical theory of organizational communication to uncover problematic practices of engagement employed by the Government of Alberta (GoA) in its dealings with the Nonprofit Volunteer Sector (NPVS). Using the action research methodology, the project consisted of a survey and interview component. Surveys containing short answer and rating-based questions were distributed to 19 organizations within the nonprofit community that interact with government representatives (both elected and bureaucratic) on a regular basis. Upon completion of the survey collection period, five one-on-one interviews were conducted with members of the NPVS community. Questions were aimed to build off of the quantitative survey data, and provide a robust set on qualitative responses to bring communication issues to light. The researched revealed that not only do perceived gaps in communication exist, but also suggest that concerns surrounding a lack of transparency and trust in the decision-making process also influence engagement practices. Further, perceptions indicated there is great variation in engagement practice, which is dependent upon both the nonprofit agency involved in conversations and the level of government (elected or bureaucratic) to which it is communicating. The study reveals that issues of trust, openness, honesty, and transparency may be improved through a culture of inclusion, as described by the stakeholder engagement theory. It is proposed that by including multiple voices into decision process and routines, a more effective communication climate will develop
Collaboration: A Community Playbook
No full textCollaboration is fast becoming a buzzword in community development. More so, with greater research and understanding, it has become a cornerstone of communities across the U.S. to create greater and more effective social and political impact. It is often used, however, when there is a stalemate or out of frustration over a community issue. While the research on community collaboration is growing, the pressing question among already-busy community groups is: How do you foster collaboration among multi-interest groups to address community concerns? This thesis project, Collaboration: A Community Playbook, uses the Bona Fide Group Collaboration Model (BFGCM) and Deetz’ stakeholder democracy theory to understand group dynamics while approaching the process of collaboration through a dialogic lens. A pdf booklet, the playbook provides a primer on collaboration for community leaders and groups by outlining some key characteristics and principles for successful collaboration based on a solid history of research and communication theory
The Culture of White Privilege in Medicine
No full textThe Culture of White Privilege in Medicine was necessary to conduct as this is an issue that has been largely ignored by the medical community to date. The objective of this study was to determine what is occurring to continue the culture of white privilege in the healthcare industry today and what measures can be taken to minimize this impact. The methodology of the study includes participant observation and Behavior Oriented Research that focuses on the actions, attitudes and mannerisms of the group members along with Message- or Artifact-Oriented Research to interpret symbols and representations of each individual’s view points and ethics. Additionally, Archival/Documentary Research was one key to understanding the past and what occurred to build this culture of white privilege. Ernest Bormann’s Symbolic Convergence Theory and Fantasy-Theme Analysis were utilized to understand the two separate groups. These rhetorical theories were an aid to understanding what brings each group together by doing a comparative analysis and why white privilege exists The findings concluded that the path to medicine starts with the family and exposure to role models. Programs that increase exposure to African-American physician role models, as well as financial support options for the underprivileged, would greatly increase interest level of these youths
School Choice as Means Of Social Change
No full textParents and politicians have debated the topic of school choice for more than 20 years. The argument has changed slightly while also allowing more options to families. Rather than require students to be subject to de facto segregation, school choice offers the opportunity for students to interact with a more diverse population of students. As students interact with other students of diverse background they develop a better understanding of the world. Research suggests these students are also more likely to attend higher education and ultimately upgrade their socio-economic class. These interactions coupled with access to greater resources allow minority students the opportunity pursue careers where they may have previously have not been presented. This thesis suggests that school choice is a needed agent to encourage social change. It further suggests that through the coordinated management of meaning theory students gain understanding of the world around them through their interactions with other students. Taking a egalitarian approach, the thesis also suggests that without equal access to quality education there will always be inequalities in socio-economic class. Through surveys, personal interviews and previous research, the research found that although school choice is not the only agent of social change it vital to add diversity to the campus and class room. The people oriented study, looked at parents current beliefs of public education as it compares to school choice options
Spite as Pedagogy: Finding the Optimal Relationship Between This, That, and the Other
No full textThis thesis is a qualitative, meta-analysis and philosophic study of spite. It attempts to answer the question: Does mirth require stigma, i.e., Can bootstrap heroism exist in an inclusive society? It is built upon the philosophical foundations of Aristotle, Sartre, Buber, and Friere and the communication theory of social identity. One thing can be said for certain: abuse creates a callous over undesirable behavior, and those in power decide where the masses get hit. Therefore, the poor and marginalized exist as exemplars and threats to the upwardly mobile, who live to endear themselves and better their position in proximity to those in power. Spite isn\u27t a process exclusive to religion any more than finding the consensus is to politics. It is horded resources that drive humans to destroy each other. Creed is brand recognition. It is not necessarily money matters either, but access to what is scarce in any particular place and time. Humans manufacture horror in order to gain and maintain control of the also manufactured sources of their comfort. Those spite callouses are gifts only in the sense that they are taken as training that will please those brand sustainers. Touted as survival skills, each teaching is only as valuable as its ability to fulfill its own prophecy. Teamwork can create great things, but it can only ever do so with the use of scapegoating, or damning someone for not playing along. Without threats leadership must rely on something already within the other to drive success. That means use of the cultivation approach, better known as servant leadership, and the sharing of hints to the location of the spoils. In a world of manufactured scarcity we can only wonder why such behavior is rare. The art of the storyteller involves wrapping the callousing process of spite in sentiment and selling it as culture. This thesis lays the spite process bare so shapers of the narrative become stewards of their culture, using precision, cultivation, and careful grooming, and establishes the argument that all things, including humans, are media and like the monster created by Dr. Frankenstein each person must be considered as equally impactful on society as a whole
Applying Media Literacy to the Past: Impact of Media Literacy on Teaching Controversial History
No full textThis study examines how media literacy supports students’ understanding of controversial topics in history, and whether or not improving instructors’ understanding of how media literacy strengthens historical analysis impacts instruction. To identify the current application of media literacy to history education and if cultivating instructors’ understandings impacts instruction, history teachers were surveyed both before and after receiving media literacy training. Their responses to both surveys were reviewed for notable changes in the participants’ understandings of media literacy and its applications to historical analysis. This study uses cultivation theory to further examine the impact controversial topics in history can have on students. The possible impact of controversial topics in history necessitates that both students and instructors develop media literacy skills to better analyze and understand historically sensitive content. The results of this study show that changes in instructors’ understandings of media literacy affects their perceptions of the role media literacy has in the history classroom. By improving instructor understanding of media literacy, new skills can be included in history lessons that will give students an additional tool for analyzing controversial historical topics
NOW 2014-10 October
No full textCorpus of News on the Web data for October 2014.
The TAR folder contains linguistic data in three formats: Database: This is the format allows for the most robust searches and allows for powerful JOINs across corpus, lexicon, and source tables but requires knowledge of SQL. See Full-text corpus data for more information on how to use the database format. Linear Text: This format provides a textID for each text, and then the entire text on the same line. In this format, words are not annotated for part of speech or lemma. In addition, contracted words like can\u27t are separated into two parts (ca n\u27t) and punctuation is separated from words (eye level . As her). Word, Lemma, Part of Speech: Texts are separated by a line with ## and the textID