SU Undergraduate Student Collection

Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://hdl.handle.net/11603/97

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Online Dating: What Are Your Intentions?
(2019-05-18) Fears, Victoria; Dinkel, Lindsey; Grachik, Sierra
Dating in the 21st century is unlike any century before; as technology advanced so did the way people communicate with others. The purpose of this study was to analyze online relationships, intent of use, and the overall outcome of dating online. Data was gathered through survey distribution where surveys were e-mailed to all Salisbury University undergraduate students. Only students that have participated in any form of online dating were asked to complete the survey. Questions included which online dating forum the participant used as well as if a committed relationship resulted from it or not. No personal identifiers were attached to any survey. Results concluded that female upperclassmen were the most likely to use online dating services, and that upperclassmen are also the most likely to be looking for long-term relationships.
Government Monitoring: Are We Really Being Watched
(2019-05-20) Nehring, Bethany; Griste, Christopher; Heidelbaugh, Abby; Oman, Jordana; Egan, Chrys; Communication Arts
The purpose of this study was to better understand the methods and extent of technological monitoring that the national government and other national security agencies utilize in their daily operations. Data was gathered by examining pertinent research of professionals within the field and a survey distribution. Subject selection for the original Government Monitoring Survey was restricted to undergraduate students currently attending Salisbury University. The research professor sent the Consent and Disclosure forms with the survey link to the “all student” email list. No personal identifiers were attached to the information gathered. Efforts were made to have a stable data sample of the four primary undergraduate student statuses (Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, Senior) to adequately represent the undergraduate student population. All subjects of this study were at least 18 years of age. Results from the surveys showed that students believe the United States Government is monitoring what they search. While they are aware that agencies such as the National Security Agency are doing this, they understand that it is for their safety.
The Effects of Social Media on Women's Self-Image
(2019-05-19) Haigley, Julia; Timko, Grace; Gabbard, Justin; O'Ferrall, Sean; Egan, Chrys; Communication Arts
Understanding the correlation between social media and self-image is vital in today’s day and age, especially considering the pressure that is put on college students to display a picture-perfect life on their social media platforms. Data was gathered by having 100 different women attending Salisbury University complete an online survey, and by studying research by professionals in this field. The social media usage of the subjects was collected, and participants were also asked how social media has impacted their self-image as well as their friend’s self-images. Subject selection was restricted to undergraduate female students currently attending Salisbury University. All subjects were at least 18 years of age and no personal identifiers were attached to the information gathered. From the results of this study, it is evident that there is a correlation between social media and negative impact on a person’s self-image, although this relationship between social media and self-image is not a perfect correlation.
Cyber-bullying: The correlation between age and cyber-bullying
(2018-12-14) Bryce, Madison; Carty, Taylor; Bradshaw, Tyler; Sorohan, Emma; Egan, Chrys; Communication Arts
The purpose of this study was to research and evaluate the trends in cyber-bullying as it relates to age. Researchers gathered the findings by posting a link to a survey on multiple social media platforms. Researchers posted the link and had adults aged 18 years and over answer a series of questions that related to our research topic. Through these surveys, researchers were able to ask a large amount of people to anonymously answer questions that helped us determine their specific thoughts, attitudes, and behaviors surrounding the topic. By completing this research, a correlation between age and cyber-bullying was identified and researchers were able to gain a deeper understanding of the issue as a whole. The study showed that there is a relationship between age and those who experience being cyber-bullied. Those who experienced cyber-bullying did so between the ages of 10 and 17 years old.
Conspiracies: A look into the Denver International Airport and beyond
(2018-12-14) Sharkey, Emily; Twilley-Webster, Paige; Jones, Fisher; Barry, John; Egan, Chrys; Communication Arts
There are many ideas that surround some of the most important events and places that shape the culture of not only America, but the world. In the case of this study, we investigated one of the most intriguing conspiracies in the United States of America: The Denver International Airport (DIA). While some people may not know the theories behind this large transport center, there are also many believers that have research to support some terrifying scenarios that are supported by objects and images scattered throughout DIA. In order to gather information on this topic, the researchers gave out and collected written surveys with a series of questions based on the belief of theories and their impact on the country. The surveys were held on the campus of Salisbury University in Salisbury, Maryland on the date of November 16, 2018. The data collected showed that about half of those surveyed believed in conspiracy theories. The importance of this will help better understand the general campus population’s opinions on these theories.
Sports scandals
(2018-12-14) Meredith, Alec; Higgins, Emily; Netter, Sam; Beisser, Adam; Egan, Chrys; Communication Arts
The purpose of this study was to research and evaluate trends in sports scandals and illegal activity amongst college athletes. Through the method of studying court case outcomes, and through observing news reports and social media interactions, the goal was intended to discover why these activities occurred. The study also intended to find out what factors play a role into these athletes and coaches being involved. Throughout sports history, there has been many cases of sports scandals whether it be regarding money bribes, gambling, sexual assault, or other issues. The study aimed to find information on these cases and the key impact of these scandals happening with the athletes and organizations. In the end the study found most of the cases if not all lead to negative publicity, coaches and players being fined or fired and a threat to the termination of the programs. Punishments varied from case to case, depending on the severity of the illegal acts committed by both the athletes and coaches.
The effects of social media on undergraduate students
(2018-12-14) Blain, Charlotte; Callahan, Benjamin; Birchfield, Jacob; Cashen, Brendan; Egan, Chrys; Communication Arts
Understanding the correlation between social media usage in undergraduate students of varying class statuses (freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior) and academic performance is extremely important. Data was gathered by examining pertinent research of professionals within the field as well as survey distribution. The amount of time that most people spent on certain apps such as Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter and Facebook was collected. Subject selection for the original Social Media Usage Survey (SMUS) was restricted to undergraduate students currently attending Salisbury University. The objective was to have a stable data sample of the four main undergraduate student class statuses to adequately represent the undergraduate student populace. All subjects of this study were at least 18 years of age. Those who completed the SMUS were randomly selected students. No personal identifiers were attached to information gathered. Original research questions were answered. No discernible correlation between social media usage and overall student GPA was observed. An unexpected correlation between student class designation and social media usage was discovered.
Censorship in the news: College students’ perspectives
(2018-12-14) Prouse, Hannah; Marshall, Ashley; Frazier, Alyson; Meehan, Lindsay; Egan, Chrys; Communication Arts
The purpose of this study was to analyze college students’ perspectives on censorship in the news. More specifically, the research team studied the extent to which students trust the news and how they perceived different types of censorship. Subjects were all students of Salisbury University over 18 years old. The research team used Google Forms to create an anonymous survey so that the information could not be traced back to the subjects. Subjects were sent an invitation to fill out the electronic survey via Salisbury University email, which made it completely voluntary for those who chose to participate. The survey asked the subjects to reflect on their opinions about different news sources and modern occurrences of censorship. Through this survey, researchers obtained more evidence on how students defined and identified censorship. With the data, the research team was able to gain a better understanding of how college students evaluate their news sources. The researchers recorded the responses from the 106 students who completed the survey. The results displayed that the majority of college students at Salisbury University use social media to get their news. Most of the respondents believe they can sometimes trust the news but do think that news outlets leave out important details. Students appeared less likely to use news sources that exhibited bias, but the subjects had mixed reviews about when information should be allowed to be censored.
Google domination: Is privacy over?
(2018-12-10) Tree, Margaret-Alice; Booker, Nakiya; McSweeny, Cassidy; Marshall, Colin; Communication Arts
The purpose of the study was to research and evaluate the privacy policies of Google and the company's overall impact in today's society. More specifically, the researchers looked into the policies placed within Google and everyday users’ opinions on the use of their information to third parties. In order to gather information, researchers sent out a SurveyMonkey link to the undergraduate students at Salisbury University on October 31st, 2018. The purpose of the survey was to understand the general public’s opinion on their information being used and if they are already known of these Google policies. Researchers gathered the findings by looking into use of formal language and Google’s impact on society as a whole. Through this method of using a survey, researchers obtained more evidence on the general public’s opinion of third party usage of data. By completing research on the corporation of Google and the third parties’ involvement with exchanging of the public’s information, we can have a better understanding of the impact Google has had on society and the public’s view of this impact.
Bodies and Binaries in "Black Swan"
(2016) Jones, Hannah; Walker, Elsie; English
The horror film, like other genres, has its characteristic conventions—a strong female protagonist, a sort of “monster,” gory spectacles, emphasis on sound, and the prominence of sex or sexuality, to name a few. However, genres are also constantly evolving and taking on new subject matter, and this is evident in the 2010 film Black Swan. Black Swan tells the story of Nina, a professional ballerina who has just landed the role of the Swan Queen in her dance company’s version of Swan Lake. Nina perfectly embodies the purity of the White Swan, but she struggles to portray the seductive nature of the Black Swan. The film unfolds Nina’s transformation from the white swan to the black swan while also highlighting the extreme binaries symbolized by the role: vulnerability versus strength and virgin versus whore. Black Swan manipulates, and at times refutes, the conventions of the horror genre in order to critique these binaries within a social context. Thus, through its focus on the vulnerable-strong binary of the female body as well as the virgin-whore binary of female sexuality, Black Swan establishes itself as a feminist horror. In the following analysis, I will concentrate mostly on Nina’s final two dances to show how the film encourages a feminist reading.
Marcuse and education today
(2015) Norwood, Karina R.
Unlike other significant contributors to political theory, such as Karl Marx, C. Wright Mills, and W.E.B. Du Bois, the critiques of Herbert Marcuse remain trapped in the 1960s era of radicalism with his work referenced by few today. Although scholarship evaluating post-industrial societies largely neglects Marcuse’s claims, many of his notions appear more relevant than ever. Particularly, Marcuse’s concerns involving the one-dimensionality of education, which neglects critical thinking, increases scholastic standardization, and condemns individuality, encompass the reality of American education today. Granted that Marcuse, a professor himself, participated in various demonstrations with student movements throughout the sixties, modern critiques of education require his expertise in the field. Additionally, given that the student movement slowly disintegrated throughout the seventies and eighties with a majority of the students’ demands unaddressed, Marcuse’s apprehensions never lost their credibility over the years. Therefore, an evaluation of the current educational system in America through the lens of Marcuse proves crucial.
"An Inconvenient Truth:" A Documentary Film Where the Ethos, Logos, and Pathos All Depend on One Man
(2015) Booker, Dacey; Johnson, Dave; English
An Inconvenient Truth, 2006’s Oscar-winning documentary on global warming, is arguably one of the most popular films of its kind in the last decade. Among the highest grossing documentaries of all time, the movie centers on former Vice President Al Gore traveling around America and giving a slideshow on climate change, with arguments surrounding its causes, how it’s not a myth (as some politicians would claim it is), and what can be done to try to stop it before it’s too late. Subtitled A Global Warning, the documentary’s main and most obvious goal is to arouse its audience with enough alarming information in order to get them to take action as soon as the end credits roll. But while many documentaries of this sort would center themselves around talking heads in order to make their points, An Inconvenient Truth has no outside interviews, instead placing almost everything on the shoulders of Gore. “Just like the orator or public speaker who uses his entire body to give voice to a particular perspective,” Bill Nichols writes in his textbook Introduction to Documentary, “documentaries speak with all the means at their disposal.” (67) In the case of this film, however, the speaker is the documentary, mostly consisting of Gore giving an extended speech that he claims he’s given hundreds of time. In this sense, the movie bases the use of the so-called “Rhetorical Triangle” entirely on its central figure, using ethos, pathos and logos in order to make Gore into a figure that we as an audience can trust on the film’s subject matter.
The role of editing in the success of Steven Spielberg's "Jaws"
Reynolds, Kevin
Editing presents a great opportunity for filmmakers to construct their films in a variety of ways. According to David Bordwell and Kristin Thompson, the decisions made during the editing period help to “build the film’s overall form.” In the case of Steven Spielberg’s 1975 blockbuster, _Jaws_, the editing serves as an integral part of its success. The precision of the cuts created by Spielberg and Editor Verna Fields have been studied and imitated many times over, but what cannot be replicated is the manner in which the editing guides the film’s narrative. Upon examining the iconic opening sequence of a lone skinny dipper being attack by a great white shark, it becomes apparent how the editing shapes every facet of the film. From its relationship with the music and actor performances to the suggested themes, the editing is the success of _Jaws_.
“If you can’t fix it, you gotta stand it”: "Brokeback Mountain" and the western genre
Swinney, Jake
There are many common associations that come with the western genre: cowboy hats, boots, spurs, horses, and a rugged hero, just to name a few. Classic westerns, like John Ford’s _Stagecoach_, have programmed us to have certain expectations for the genre. While associations and expectations may vary from viewer to viewer, one is surely not to expect a tale of two cowboys falling in love with one another. Ang Lee’s _Brokeback Mountain_ takes full advantage of our preexisting expectations of the western as it uses them against us in his queering of the genre. The film contradicts its genre, and even self-consciously contradicts itself, through its portrayal of the mythology of the western frontier and its depiction of the cowboy as an icon.
The aural identity of George in Tom Ford’s "A Single Man"
Reeb, Celeste
Tom Ford’s directorial debut, _A Single Man_ (2009), was widely acclaimed at film festivals across the globe. The film earned him several nominations, including Best Original Score at the Golden Globes, and The Golden Lion at the 66th Venice Film festival where he would also win the Queer Lion. Surprisingly, the critical attention and success of the film has not translated into an outpouring of scholarly attention. Most of the academic articles focusing upon the film, thus far, are in the field of adaptation studies. Articles, like “Tom Ford and His Kind” by Lee Wallace, focus heavily on the film’s relation to Christopher Isherwood's 1964 novel, _A Single Man_, which the film is based upon. Outside of adaptation studies, the other common topic written about is the director himself. His status as a fashion-world, homosexual icon has overshadowed the perception of his film. It appears easier to discuss the director’s own status than to delve into the complex inner workings of the film. The portrayal of George (Colin Firth), a homosexual professor in the late 1960’s, is done with careful consideration of the character’s interior life. The film beautifully communicates the inner pain George suffers after the death of his partner, Jim. George is unable to outwardly speak about his loss and must mourn in isolation. The isolation and disconnect from the world around him is largely communicated though the film’s sound track which is composed by Abel Korzeniowski and Shigeru Umebayashi. The sound track becomes an extension of George’s interiority and speaks for him in a way he does not, and cannot, verbally speak for himself.

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