Fall 2013

Film authorship has been a topic of debate in film theory since the Cahiers du Cinema critics first birthed auteur theory. The theory has been used to categorize directors based on their level of artistic authorship, solidifying the idea that a director is the author of a film. Others believe the writer creates the world of the movie and should be considered its author. Collaborative theories provide a more practical framework for studying film authorship. This research explores film authorship theory, then examines the production of two feature films (“Blade Runner” and “The Man Who Killed Don Quixote”) as case studies to observe theory in practice. Faculty mentors: Prof. Nicole Triche and Dr. Glenn Scott

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This study explores the college athletics landscape through a crisis communications perspective. Using image restoration theory as a framework, the study employs a case-study approach to analyze the image restoration strategies of three high-profile college football players following scandals (Terrelle Pryor of Ohio State, A.J. Green of Georgia and Cam Newton of Auburn). The study found a consistent use of traditional strategies such as mortification, corrective action, and denial from the athletes and associated parties, demonstrating the level of prominence accorded to college athletes and the use of crisis communications strategies. Faculty mentor: Dr. David Copeland

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he introduction of Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) into the eSports industry has caused an unprecedented growth in viewership and community involvement. As uses and gratifications theory suggests, individuals are actively seeking new media content that coincides with their interests. IPTV and live steams of video games provide a new web-specific genre of entertainment not available from traditional broadcasting. The convergence of multiple Internet technologies, social interaction and community-produced content has given birth to a web community with a vast and dedicated following of fans as in traditional sports, particularly among a core 18-34 male demographic. Faculty mentor: Dr. Vic Costello

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Through social media and advanced technology, participants in study abroad remain constantly connected. This study explores how smartphones and their ability to remotely access the Internet affect the study abroad experience. Results indicate that technology positively impacts the abroad experience through the convenience it offers users in communicating and finding information while on the go. However, the study found that the pervasiveness of social media negatively affects the abroad experience when users seem more interested in documenting an experience for the Internet instead of fully appreciating the moment while abroad. Faculty mentor: Dr. Byung Lee

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In every election cycle, some citizens contend the U.S. news media are ideologically biased, negatively shaping other citizens’ views of the American political system and impacting their willingness to participate in the electoral process. This study finds that the likely factors contributing to public perception of a liberal media bias are indicative of the ideological preferences of partisan individuals, rather than any blatant compromises of professional integrity by U.S. journalists. A meta-analysis of 2012 election coverage patterns found strong evidence to suggest an overwhelming conservative U.S. media bias within the 2012 election coverage. Faculty mentor: Dr. David Copeland

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The reality television genre increasingly is at the forefront of media and cultural studies. This study uses quantitative research to explore whether the portrayal of the American southerner is distorted. The frequency of commonly held southern stereotypes within three shows (“Duck Dynasty,” “Buckwild” and “Here Comes Honey Boo Boo”) across three networks were evaluated through content analysis. The researcher observed 100 minutes of each program, marking incidents of visibly unintelligent, crude, violent and unhealthy behavior. Results showed high frequencies of the “unintelligent,” “crude” and “violent” stereotypes. Faculty mentor: Dr. David Copeland

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The twenty-first century has seen a significant increase in environmental awareness and activism. Similar to previous societal trends such as cigarette smoking and fashion fads, environmentalism has recently entered the advertising world under the term “green advertising.” This research identifies the impact of green advertising by evaluating consumers’ connection to the environment, trust in advertising and willingness to purchase green products. An analysis of 107 online survey responses indicated that consumers are generally skeptical of green advertisements and have clear motivating and deterring factors when purchasing green products. Faculty mentor: Dr. Byung Lee

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This study analyzes advertisements in magazines targeting women readers and identifies the preferred types of appeals used by advertisers. The study analyzed 590 ads in three women’s interest magazines (Real Simple, Martha Stewart Living, and O, The Oprah Magazine) from October 2012 to April 2013. The top three product categories advertised were food and drink, personal care, and laundry and household products. The most frequently used appeals were performance, availability, and components/contents. This study provides details on the application of the Resnik-Stern Content Classification System. Faculty mentor: Dr. Byung Lee

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This study explores whether Generation Y women respond more to athletic ads that embody a second-wave feminist ideology or a third-wave, post-structuralist ideology. Findings of a focus group revealed that the women’s ideological preferences were not based on their generation, but their lifestyle. Generation Y women did not unanimously identify with one feminist ideology over the other. Instead, the ideology they responded to in the athletic ads was based on their athletic lifestyle. This indicates that Generation Y females are segmented, and each market segment responds to ads that present lifestyles and values similar to their own. Faculty mentor: Dr. Glenn Scott

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