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Title: Homebound: Exploring Environmental Storytelling in Spatial Virtual Reality to Breakdown Psychological Borders and Build Empathy.
Creator: Martinez, Brandon Christopher, Maraffi, Christopher, Florida Atlantic University, School of Communication and Multimedia Studies, Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters
Abstract/Description: The problem of immigration has been around since the dawn of man because humans cannot just stay in one place, especially if that place is not suitable for their lives and their families. It is a reasonable expectation of the human condition to want to feel free and safe because we do not live in a utopian society. There are social injustices, wars, and atrocities that threaten the most basic of human needs and freedoms in many countries across the globe. Homebound, the virtual reality...
Show moreThe problem of immigration has been around since the dawn of man because humans cannot just stay in one place, especially if that place is not suitable for their lives and their families. It is a reasonable expectation of the human condition to want to feel free and safe because we do not live in a utopian society. There are social injustices, wars, and atrocities that threaten the most basic of human needs and freedoms in many countries across the globe. Homebound, the virtual reality experience, which was developed in Unreal, aims to make sense of this crisis and shed light on the lives affected by this social ill. By using rich environments, virtual production and motion capture, to construct a place that captures the realism of the illegal immigration narrative, this manuscript will show how behavioral and gameplay psychology, when paired with environmental storytelling, can be utilized to craft impactful and empathetic, immersive stories and edutainment experiences for the player.
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Date Issued: 2020
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00013482
Subject Headings: Virtual reality, Immigrant experiences, Empathy, Digital humanities
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: An ideological critique of "BBC Online": The case of the Northern Ireland conflict.
Creator: Amesbury, Rebecca, Florida Atlantic University, Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters, School of Communication and Multimedia Studies
Abstract/Description: The British Broadcasting Corporation is generally considered a reliable source for international news. Their web site includes a Northern Ireland news page, which provides daily coverage of the province including extensive information on the ongoing peace process. This study examines the online coverage of the Northern Ireland conflict in the year 2000. Through a textual analysis of 21 articles, an ideological critique of the BBC's rhetoric is provided. To reveal the ideological perspective...
Show moreThe British Broadcasting Corporation is generally considered a reliable source for international news. Their web site includes a Northern Ireland news page, which provides daily coverage of the province including extensive information on the ongoing peace process. This study examines the online coverage of the Northern Ireland conflict in the year 2000. Through a textual analysis of 21 articles, an ideological critique of the BBC's rhetoric is provided. To reveal the ideological perspective of the BBC Online, the verbal text used in each article is carefully analyzed, the sources consulted are examined in terms of representation, and the images that accompany the article are studied to determine if the images match the stories or simply cater to browsers. The findings show that despite their promise of impartiality, the BBC presents a view of the Northern Ireland conflict that leans toward a unionist perspective.
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Date Issued: 2001
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/12807
Subject Headings: Journalism, Political Science, General, Mass Communications
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Gender, power, interpellation and body image: Creating consumer subjectivities in "Mode Magazine".
Creator: Bolla, Danielle D., Florida Atlantic University, Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters, School of Communication and Multimedia Studies
Abstract/Description: Images of beauty are social constructs that exist in historical contexts and are subject to change. A correlation may be made between social inequality and how images of beauty are used to maintain the status quo. Mode Magazine is an unique fashion magazine that depicts women of different sizes. This thesis examines how "realistically sized" images of women are represented, and whether representation challenges beauty hegemony. It critically examines both visual and non-visual textual...
Show moreImages of beauty are social constructs that exist in historical contexts and are subject to change. A correlation may be made between social inequality and how images of beauty are used to maintain the status quo. Mode Magazine is an unique fashion magazine that depicts women of different sizes. This thesis examines how "realistically sized" images of women are represented, and whether representation challenges beauty hegemony. It critically examines both visual and non-visual textual representations using Hall's encoding/decoding model to discern potential meanings. It evaluates advertisements and articles for how women are interpellated by the text. It concludes by asserting that although counter-hegemonic elements are present, Mode's message is hegemonic. Mode posits that women can be realistically-sized and beautiful as long as they participate in all other aspects of beauty consumption and culture by purchasing the products and fashions showcased in the magazine.
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Date Issued: 2001
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/12827
Subject Headings: Anthropology, Cultural, Women's Studies, Mass Communications
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Absence of intellect? Spike TV and a crisis in masculinity.
Creator: Akers, Wesley R., Florida Atlantic University, Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters, School of Communication and Multimedia Studies
Abstract/Description: This study analyzes the programming, narrative structure and scheduling of Spike TV to reveal how this "first network for men" continues to support hegemonic masculinity through a strategy of gendered narrowcasting. Such representations mediate a crisis in masculinity by glorifying action-oriented males and, therefore, marginalize intellectual representations. The study suggests that such hegemonically masculine representations are contributing to the academic struggles currently plaguing...
Show moreThis study analyzes the programming, narrative structure and scheduling of Spike TV to reveal how this "first network for men" continues to support hegemonic masculinity through a strategy of gendered narrowcasting. Such representations mediate a crisis in masculinity by glorifying action-oriented males and, therefore, marginalize intellectual representations. The study suggests that such hegemonically masculine representations are contributing to the academic struggles currently plaguing young males in our culture.
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Date Issued: 2005
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/13286
Subject Headings: American Studies, Mass Communications
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: A rhetorical analysis of a feminine style and feminist research in scholarly communication journals.
Creator: Bifano, Diane Theresa, Florida Atlantic University, Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters, School of Communication and Multimedia Studies
Abstract/Description: Nine journal articles were analyzed in order to understand gendered composition and what makes writing an article feminine and what makes it masculine. The journals reviewed were Communication Monographs, Communication Theory, Critical Studies in Mass Communication, Human Communication Research, Quarterly Journal of Speech, and Women Studies in Communication. Categories were compiled to include the characteristics of a feminine style in feminist research, and a masculine style in traditional...
Show moreNine journal articles were analyzed in order to understand gendered composition and what makes writing an article feminine and what makes it masculine. The journals reviewed were Communication Monographs, Communication Theory, Critical Studies in Mass Communication, Human Communication Research, Quarterly Journal of Speech, and Women Studies in Communication. Categories were compiled to include the characteristics of a feminine style in feminist research, and a masculine style in traditional research. This analysis takes a rhetorical approach in order to address a more gender diverse perspective in research. As a result of many published articles reflecting a theme of a "dominant masculinist paradigm" in the publication process, this study examines some of the reasons why feminist scholarship in communication struggles for acceptance.
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Date Issued: 2000
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/12673
Subject Headings: Women's Studies, Speech Communication, Language, Rhetoric and Composition, Mass Communications
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: A step toward violence prevention: "Non-Violent Communication" as part of a college curriculum.
Creator: Blake, Susan M., Florida Atlantic University, Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters, School of Communication and Multimedia Studies
Abstract/Description: Structural hierarchies are deeply embedded in institutions such as our educational system. It can be argued that this type of model reinforces an aggressive worldview and fosters an atmosphere of violence. Teaching students to communicate compassionately should promote empathy, discourage verbal aggression and reinforce a more peaceful worldview. To accomplish this, educators need a means of replacing hegemony that assumes hierarchy and aggressive conflict are inevitable. Marshall Rosenberg's...
Show moreStructural hierarchies are deeply embedded in institutions such as our educational system. It can be argued that this type of model reinforces an aggressive worldview and fosters an atmosphere of violence. Teaching students to communicate compassionately should promote empathy, discourage verbal aggression and reinforce a more peaceful worldview. To accomplish this, educators need a means of replacing hegemony that assumes hierarchy and aggressive conflict are inevitable. Marshall Rosenberg's (2001) Nonviolent Communication (NVC) may provide educators with an appropriate tool. Rosenberg's model counters the prevailing hegemony making it an ideal candidate to explore in relation to these issues. This paper examines the impact of adding an NVC workshop to two types of communication courses and whether Rosenberg's model would be a useful addition to a college curriculum.
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Date Issued: 2002
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/12877
Subject Headings: Speech Communication, Education, Guidance and Counseling, Sociology, General, Education, Curriculum and Instruction
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Celebrity Avatars:A Technical Approach to Creating Digital Avatars for Social Marketing Strategies.
Creator: Molina, Ledis, Eason, Shane, Florida Atlantic University, School of Communication and Multimedia Studies, Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters
Abstract/Description: Avatars are growing in popularity and presented in many computer-mediated communication environments like social media, virtual 3D worlds, and augmented reality applications. With its incredible success in the Asian market, followed by the latest rapid increase in popularity for digital avatars in the Western market, it is necessary to look at the avatars' roots and their newfound use as celebrities. Virtual celebrities or influencers are digital characters consumed in digital mediums, with a...
Show moreAvatars are growing in popularity and presented in many computer-mediated communication environments like social media, virtual 3D worlds, and augmented reality applications. With its incredible success in the Asian market, followed by the latest rapid increase in popularity for digital avatars in the Western market, it is necessary to look at the avatars' roots and their newfound use as celebrities. Virtual celebrities or influencers are digital characters consumed in digital mediums, with a given personality, background story, and the first-person point of view of the world, accessible to different social media platforms. These virtual celebrities are now being used for various entertainment industries, with game companies currently leading the way in building their metaverse by attracting audiences to virtual experiences, fueled by the need to sell live content during the Covid-19 pandemic. This paper traces the complex history of the Hindu avatara to a digital representation. It will explain how it has been affected by the context of literature, virtual gaming worlds, films, and new trends, moving away from a God-centered culture to one centered on humans. This effect is caused by the need for people to create a virtual presence and express themselves in virtual environments. Since its early beginning, avatars have filtered into the mainstream, and different brands have taken advantage by adopting them to represent their values to attract more customers and appear more reliable. This adoption led them to partner up with the entertainment industry creating virtual avatars, virtual concerts, and merchandise all tied in the metaverse.
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Date Issued: 2021
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00013841
Subject Headings: Avatars (Virtual reality), Social marketing
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: AFRICAN OR AFRICAN AMERICAN?: AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION EXPERIENCES AND IDENTITIES OF AFRICAN INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS IN THE UNITED STATES.
Creator: Abidoye, Ronke, Poole, Deandre, Florida Atlantic University, School of Communication and Multimedia Studies, Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters
Abstract/Description: African international students continue to remain one of the least represented and studied groups of international students. In addition to the acculturative stress typically experienced by international students, African students inherit the marginalization of their racial/ethnic group in the United States. As such, scholars acknowledge the need for continued research into the experiences of African international students. Utilizing the Integrative Theory of Communication and Cross- Cultural...
Show moreAfrican international students continue to remain one of the least represented and studied groups of international students. In addition to the acculturative stress typically experienced by international students, African students inherit the marginalization of their racial/ethnic group in the United States. As such, scholars acknowledge the need for continued research into the experiences of African international students. Utilizing the Integrative Theory of Communication and Cross- Cultural Adaptation and elements of postcolonialism, this thesis explored the experiences of 10 African students in the United States. A qualitative analysis revealed that host receptivity, perceived cultural differences, expectations, and language/accents influenced intercultural communication. The challenges experienced in intercultural interactions allowed for the emergence of an intercultural identity such that the participants existed in a third space as intercultural Africans. This thesis adds to existing research on cross-cultural adaptation and negotiated identity, while also providing practical implications for schools.
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Date Issued: 2021
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00013717
Subject Headings: Students, Foreign, International students, African students--Foreign countries, Intercultural communication
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: ‘OK,’ IT’S AN AGE THING: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF MILLENNIAL AND BOOMER DISCOURSE.
Creator: Regutti, Kailin, Scodari, Christine, Florida Atlantic University, School of Communication and Multimedia Studies, Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters
Abstract/Description: Assigning stereotypical behaviors and traits associated with young people—selfabsorbed, narcissistic, lost, technologically dependent, disrespectful, financially unstable, etc.—to Millennials have become common practice in popular media and colloquial discourse and are not without consequence. Although the contemporary discourses circulating through society appear to be characteristically Millennial, similar discourses have historically appeared in conversations surrounding preceding...
Show moreAssigning stereotypical behaviors and traits associated with young people—selfabsorbed, narcissistic, lost, technologically dependent, disrespectful, financially unstable, etc.—to Millennials have become common practice in popular media and colloquial discourse and are not without consequence. Although the contemporary discourses circulating through society appear to be characteristically Millennial, similar discourses have historically appeared in conversations surrounding preceding generations. This thesis uses five popular culture case studies that capture the zeitgeist of both young Boomers and Millennials to compare discourses and critically examines the overlapping references between age groups and generational categories. This research also aims to bring visibility to the relevance of age getting lost amidst discourses about generations. Using textual analysis via discursive formations, this project reveals the reproduction of dominant power structures among generational discourses and poses implications to those power structures.
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Date Issued: 2021
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00013680
Subject Headings: Generations, Generation Y, Baby boom generation, Discourse
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: INSTAGRAM’S LIMINAL SPACES FOR ONLINE IMPRESSION MANAGEMENT: AN INVESTIGATION OF FINSTA ACCOUNT USAGE.
Creator: Amaral, Joshua, Veenstra, Aaron, Florida Atlantic University, School of Communication and Multimedia Studies, Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters
Abstract/Description: This thesis examines the multifarious presentation of one’s identity on a singular social network site through their usage of both “finsta” and “rinsta” accounts on Instagram. A rinsta is one’s primary and more public Instagram account. A finsta is a highly privatized secondary Instagram account that functions as a liminal space for users’ impression management engagements. In-depth interviews were conducted with participants who identified as having created a finsta account and thematic...
Show moreThis thesis examines the multifarious presentation of one’s identity on a singular social network site through their usage of both “finsta” and “rinsta” accounts on Instagram. A rinsta is one’s primary and more public Instagram account. A finsta is a highly privatized secondary Instagram account that functions as a liminal space for users’ impression management engagements. In-depth interviews were conducted with participants who identified as having created a finsta account and thematic analysis was subsequently employed to understand how they conceptualized their motivations and behaviors within their constructed networks. It was found that users were motivated to create and maintain a finsta by a desire for privacy, social inclusion, and the freedom to generate content that would be considered socially unacceptable on rinsta. This socially unacceptable content was often humorous or emotionally expressive. Finstas are also characterized by in-depth communal interactions in comparison with the more superficial interactions on rinsta.
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Date Issued: 2021
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00013702
Subject Headings: Finsta, Instagram (Online social network), Privacy
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: FROM INK TO SCREEN: GENDER AND RACE IN AGENT CARTER, JESSICA JONES, AND WYNONNA EARP.
Creator: DiBlasi, Samantha, Scodari, Christine, Florida Atlantic University, School of Communication and Multimedia Studies, Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters
Abstract/Description: Throughout history, women in comics have played subordinate or lesser roles compared to males and were stereotyped. Today, representations have improved in comic-based tv shows. This thesis is answering three research questions: How does one define a “strong female character” within the comic-based and comic-styled genres, specifically in the TV shows Jessica Jones, Agent Carter, and Wynonna Earp? How does race/gender intersectionality affect the ways in which the non-white characters express...
Show moreThroughout history, women in comics have played subordinate or lesser roles compared to males and were stereotyped. Today, representations have improved in comic-based tv shows. This thesis is answering three research questions: How does one define a “strong female character” within the comic-based and comic-styled genres, specifically in the TV shows Jessica Jones, Agent Carter, and Wynonna Earp? How does race/gender intersectionality affect the ways in which the non-white characters express masculinity or femininity compared to the white characters? How do the videos made by fans of the three tv series define a “strong female character?” This study applies textual and participatory cultures analyses. It is interdisciplinary and uses theories from different areas. This research finds that Agent Carter, Jessica Jones, and Wynonna Earp simultaneously reinforce and challenge stereotypes such as emphasized femininity, hegemonic masculinity and the “Black Buck.” Future research might examine white stereotypes with the white heroines.
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Date Issued: 2021
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00013676
Subject Headings: Comics, Gender, Race
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Soul Bubba: President Clinton's use of the rhetoric of inclusion to ensure the loyalty of the Congressional Black Caucus.
Creator: Bernard-Bastien, Sandra Elizabeth, Florida Atlantic University, Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters, School of Communication and Multimedia Studies
Abstract/Description: Clinton's success in engendering loyalty in the African-American, despite his failure to deliver socio-economic and political benefits, presents us with an apparent paradox. The contention is that the answer to this paradox could be found in the rhetorical style and strategies habitually employed by Clinton when speaking to African-Americans. What Clinton said to black America is important, but how he said it, is even more so. Through a critical examination of his eight speeches to the...
Show moreClinton's success in engendering loyalty in the African-American, despite his failure to deliver socio-economic and political benefits, presents us with an apparent paradox. The contention is that the answer to this paradox could be found in the rhetorical style and strategies habitually employed by Clinton when speaking to African-Americans. What Clinton said to black America is important, but how he said it, is even more so. Through a critical examination of his eight speeches to the Congressional Black Caucus' Annual Dinner, using rhetorical theory, this research examines how Clinton said what he said. In utilizing the critical approach that examines stylistic techniques, it analyzes his rhetorical strategies within the framework of what I term a "rhetoric of inclusion." This concept embraces six rhetorical strategies that enhance identification and authority. Scanned through the prism of these strategies, the research shows that Clinton's rhetoric provided him with a distinct voice that was very effective in ensuring the loyalty of the Congressional Black Caucus.
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Date Issued: 2001
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/12786
Subject Headings: Biography, Black Studies, Political Science, General, Language, Rhetoric and Composition
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: CONTEMPORARY ARCHEOLOGICAL VISUALIZATION: ANCIENT PALIKÉ IN THE DIGITAL AGE.
Creator: Babcock, Catherine J., Bargsten, Joey, Florida Atlantic University, School of Communication and Multimedia Studies, Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters
Abstract/Description: Exploring the intersection of archeological and artistic visualization and the impact of digital technologies on these disciplines, the author details an endeavor to communicate the essence of the sanctuary of Paliké in Catania, Sicily through digital reconstruction and animation. Emulating the creative process of the famous panoramic artist Yadegar Assisi, and drawing upon first-hand observation and research of the archeological site Rocchicella di Mineo, the author recounts the artistic...
Show moreExploring the intersection of archeological and artistic visualization and the impact of digital technologies on these disciplines, the author details an endeavor to communicate the essence of the sanctuary of Paliké in Catania, Sicily through digital reconstruction and animation. Emulating the creative process of the famous panoramic artist Yadegar Assisi, and drawing upon first-hand observation and research of the archeological site Rocchicella di Mineo, the author recounts the artistic journey of creating impactful archeological visualizations which, although driven by rapidly evolving technology, can remain relevant. This manuscript chronicles the process and describes the production methods used to convey the essence of the ancient city of Paliké both accurately and expressively.
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Date Issued: 2023
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00014169
Subject Headings: Archaeology, Visualization
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: THE LOOSE-LINE AESTHETIC: VISUAL STYLES AND CONTEMPORARY FUSION.
Creator: Henry, Alex, Bargsten, Joey, Florida Atlantic University, School of Communication and Multimedia Studies, Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters
Abstract/Description: Loose-line is a visual style where dramatic lines are created with quick, swift strokes, often randomly overlapping each other. Loose-lines can be used to depict a subject and emphasize its actions. They capture the viewer's attention and provide them with an understanding of the narrative depicted through its implication or suggestion of action. In this thesis I will examine, the loose-line technique and its components. I will show how loose-line has been used as a foundational technique for...
Show moreLoose-line is a visual style where dramatic lines are created with quick, swift strokes, often randomly overlapping each other. Loose-lines can be used to depict a subject and emphasize its actions. They capture the viewer's attention and provide them with an understanding of the narrative depicted through its implication or suggestion of action. In this thesis I will examine, the loose-line technique and its components. I will show how loose-line has been used as a foundational technique for pre-visualizing painting, sculpture, and architecture throughout art history, and especially with regard to its role in the development of cinema and animation. And finally, I will apply the loose-line technique to contemporary visual compositions and reveal how merging rough sketches with 3D renders contributes to an innovative aesthetic style.
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Date Issued: 2023
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00014180
Subject Headings: Aesthetics, Art
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: THERE’S SOMETHING IN THE WATER: JAWS AND THE ENVIRONMENT.
Creator: Carr, William, Charbonneau, Stephen, Florida Atlantic University, School of Communication and Multimedia Studies, Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters
Abstract/Description: This thesis presents an analysis of Steven Spielberg’s Jaws and the film’s depiction of nature. This analysis will show that the film derives horror from the depiction of nature encroaching on human spaces. Through the film’s depictions of shark attacks, it forces viewers to confront their own edibility. The filmmaking techniques place humans on the other side of the eater/eaten binary, and present humans a prey. Similarly, the depictions of environments show the presence of nature as a...
Show moreThis thesis presents an analysis of Steven Spielberg’s Jaws and the film’s depiction of nature. This analysis will show that the film derives horror from the depiction of nature encroaching on human spaces. Through the film’s depictions of shark attacks, it forces viewers to confront their own edibility. The filmmaking techniques place humans on the other side of the eater/eaten binary, and present humans a prey. Similarly, the depictions of environments show the presence of nature as a disruption to the film’s established visual style. This thesis asserts film analysis as a necessary tool in understanding the nature/culture binary and how film narratives can contribute to this division.
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Date Issued: 2023
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00014175
Subject Headings: Nature in motion pictures, Motion pictures--Study and teaching, Media studies
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Immersive Journalism: An overview.
Creator: Barmaiya, Palak, Bargsten, Joey, Florida Atlantic University, School of Communication and Multimedia Studies, Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters
Abstract/Description: This thesis provides an overview of immersive journalism (IJ), focusing on its theoretical and conceptual framework, objectives, ethical concerns, and evolving landscape. IJ is defined as the production of news in a form in which people can gain first-person experiences of the events or situation described in news stories through the use of immersive technologies, including virtual reality, augmented reality, and mixed reality. While the initial objective of IJ was to enhance empathy and...
Show moreThis thesis provides an overview of immersive journalism (IJ), focusing on its theoretical and conceptual framework, objectives, ethical concerns, and evolving landscape. IJ is defined as the production of news in a form in which people can gain first-person experiences of the events or situation described in news stories through the use of immersive technologies, including virtual reality, augmented reality, and mixed reality. While the initial objective of IJ was to enhance empathy and transport users to distant places, recent scholars note the limitations and challenges of this approach. Therefore, media outlets are shifting from empathy-based journalism to other objectives. The thesis also discusses the ethical concerns that come with such a degree of immersion and reviews principles of traditional journalistic forms such as objectivity and accuracy in the context of IJ. The last section explores the process of creating a 360-degree project and the required skill set and production process. Overall, the thesis provides insights into the evolving landscape of IJ and its potential to reshape journalism.
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Date Issued: 2023
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00014273
Subject Headings: Immersive journalism, Multimedia communications
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: THE ANIMATED SCREENDANCE: CINEMA, BODY, CHOREOGRAPHY, AND DISNEY’S FANTASIA.
Creator: Elfenbein, Matthew Ari, Charbonneau, Stephen, Florida Atlantic University, School of Communication and Multimedia Studies, Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters
Abstract/Description: The animated screendance presents a meaningful experience through the medium of cinema as seen emerging from Mickey Mouse’s early cartoons, Silly Symphony’s experiments, and Fantasia (1940). The core focus of this research investigates the emotional and affective identifications of the audience engendered through the qualities of animation and the screendance. Drawing from the theories of the animated screendance, a term that shows how cinema can construct affective characters across the...
Show moreThe animated screendance presents a meaningful experience through the medium of cinema as seen emerging from Mickey Mouse’s early cartoons, Silly Symphony’s experiments, and Fantasia (1940). The core focus of this research investigates the emotional and affective identifications of the audience engendered through the qualities of animation and the screendance. Drawing from the theories of the animated screendance, a term that shows how cinema can construct affective characters across the artistry of their inherent dance, I argue that these films elicit new understandings of the choreographed body. This is derived through the lens of artistic cartoon animation along with the emotional experience of the spectator by examining the critical body, dance, and film practices that form these bonds. Taking a qualitative approach by analyzing the many films in question through robust textual analysis while including theory on mythological narrative and physiognomy brings us to associate the elements of the body and screendance that influence culture and society. The reason for this approach leads us to recognize the importance of the animated dancing body as an imaginative form that can be controlled and manipulated by the pre-conceived ideas of the animators and human labor dictating these images. The screendance also provides additional layers of signification by including the construction of narrative and psychology through the processes of cinematography and editing, which is further placed onto these characters to increase their believability and emotional connection. All the bodies in question have similar elements that refer back to the human referent and focus on the choreographies that create meaning for these beings. The findings indicate that audiences are emotionally connected to the animated dancing characters on the screen through the importance placed on the representation of human form and cinematic structure to create memories and magic.
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Date Issued: 2023
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00014305
Subject Headings: Animation (Cinematography), Choreography, Animated films, Screendance
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: CARIBBEAN MOTHERS AND THEIR ROLE IN MOTHER AND DAUGHTER CONVERSATIONS ABOUT SEX: CHALLENGES IN COMMUNICATION STYLES.
Creator: Frost, Samantha, Marin, Noemi, Florida Atlantic University, School of Communication and Multimedia Studies, Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters
Abstract/Description: Taking into account: [a] the traditional mother; [b] cultural pressures/expectations; [c] religion; and [d] distinct communication differences in native vs. north American diaspora – the role of mothers when discussing sex with their daughters in Caribbean cultures has a multifaceted set of communication challenges that continue to face mothers and daughters today. When they do communicate, the conversation is predominantly about abstinence and in some cases, condom use completely excluding...
Show moreTaking into account: [a] the traditional mother; [b] cultural pressures/expectations; [c] religion; and [d] distinct communication differences in native vs. north American diaspora – the role of mothers when discussing sex with their daughters in Caribbean cultures has a multifaceted set of communication challenges that continue to face mothers and daughters today. When they do communicate, the conversation is predominantly about abstinence and in some cases, condom use completely excluding information about STDS and methods of birth control. The cultural and religious pressures that mothers adhere to may thwart the decision to give their daughters an informative safe sex talk. To truly have effective mother-daughter sexual communication, mothers need to craft educative safe sex messages and communicate that with their daughters. Failure to do so will only increase the likelihood of daughters engaging in risky sexual behavior.
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Date Issued: 2022
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00013897
Subject Headings: Caribbean culture studies, Mother-daughter relationship, Communication, Sexuality
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: CARBON MOUNTAINS AND SILICON VALLEYS: REALITY IMAGINED IN THE AGE OF TECHNOLOGICAL REPRODUCIBILITY.
Creator: Doyle, Raven, Charbonneau, Stephen, Florida Atlantic University, School of Communication & Multimedia Studies, Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters
Abstract/Description: Realism, defined by its most influential theorist André Bazin has been, and continues to be, a dominant and defining cinematic discourse. However, the lack of regard for animation is in need of retrospection. No genre of film adheres more to the original principles of cinema’s intention than animation, yet it is discredited because of its derivative form. The purpose of this paper is to propose a redefinition of the impression of reality in cinema to create inclusion and space for animation...
Show moreRealism, defined by its most influential theorist André Bazin has been, and continues to be, a dominant and defining cinematic discourse. However, the lack of regard for animation is in need of retrospection. No genre of film adheres more to the original principles of cinema’s intention than animation, yet it is discredited because of its derivative form. The purpose of this paper is to propose a redefinition of the impression of reality in cinema to create inclusion and space for animation and new, emerging technologies. This reality, redefined, is divided into two categories: the carbon and the constructed. Analyzed through three key identifiers of film—photography, motion, and physical mechanisms—animation is a modern example of early filmmakers’ intent, demonstrated by my short film, Libby.
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Date Issued: 2019
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00013369
Subject Headings: Cinema, Film, Realism in motion pictures, Animation, Bazin, André, 1918-1958
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: ENTER THE LABYRINTH: A VR PROCEDURAL PSYCHOLOGICAL NIGHTMARE.
Creator: Horvath, John, Maraffi, Christopher, Florida Atlantic University, School of Communication & Multimedia Studies, Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters
Abstract/Description: This thesis explores the history of virtual reality and how the medium can help make psychological horror adventure games become a more immersive experience. Project Labyrinth takes inspiration from psychological horror adventure games, Greek mythology, and experimental music to immerse the player in a VR dream/nightmare. Appealing to the senses of sight and sound, the moody visual effects and haunting music, along with the use of procedural generation, create an eerie atmosphere in which the...
Show moreThis thesis explores the history of virtual reality and how the medium can help make psychological horror adventure games become a more immersive experience. Project Labyrinth takes inspiration from psychological horror adventure games, Greek mythology, and experimental music to immerse the player in a VR dream/nightmare. Appealing to the senses of sight and sound, the moody visual effects and haunting music, along with the use of procedural generation, create an eerie atmosphere in which the player must explore and problem-solve in order to find their way through the labyrinthine game. The environment changes and evolves as the game is replayed, creating a dream or nightmare-like setting, stirring the sensation of déjà vu. The game was developed in VR using the Oculus Quest, a device that allows the player to freely move about without being tethered to a computer. The Quest’s ability to use hand, body, and room tracking significantly improves an already immersive experience.
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Date Issued: 2020
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00013471
Subject Headings: Virtual reality, Games, Computer adventure games--Interactive multimedia
Format: Document (PDF)

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