Thesis (M.A.)--Brigham Young University. Dept. of Communications, 2008. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 71-79).

Thesis (M.M.) Florida State University, 2008. / Advisor: Jayne Standley, Florida State University College of Music. Title and description form dissertation home page (viewed 4-7-2009). Document formatted into pages; contains 47 pages.

This thesis attempts to understand how American hegemony is reproduced. Despite heavily criticizing American military expansion, the foreign policy elite still abet the expansion of the American military apparatus. I argue that international liberalism is used to capture the hearts and minds of the professional-managerial class. Specifically, the framings of the democratic peace theory, multilateralism, and international law soften the violent and deleterious interventionist decisions made by the foreign policy elite. Furthermore, these framings are used to academically bolster liberalism and add to their cultural legitimacy and saliency in civil society. By interrogating a podcast made by foreign policy elites, I show how podcasts function as a key site of hegemonic reproduction. / Master of Arts / It is not uncommon for foreign policy diplomats, strategists, and advisors to become media pundits after they finish their careers in foreign policy. As foreign policy careerists filter into the media apparatus, they also transfer their ideological beliefs through the media outlets that they operate. First, this thesis investigates the international actions and ideological assumptions of foreign policy careerists. Subsequently, this thesis argues that foreign policy careerists spread their ideological positions through podcasts to make their preferred policy decisions seem commonsensical and benevolent. They have the power to do this, in part, because they have successfully associated themselves with the authority of intellectual thought.

As growing numbers of people access the internet, it has also grown as a medium for white nationalists. Podcasts in particular present a unique media form for misinformation and white nationalist ideology to spread as they are not regulated by the Federal Trade Commission in the United States. As a result of this lack of regulation, the following questions are central to this paper: what role does misinformation play in influencing white nationalist ideology? What are the consequences? How do podcasts serve as a medium for white nationalist ideology and misinformation to spread online? This research project reveals how white nationalism has become more attractive and mainstream over the past ten years, largely around the Presidency of Donald Trump. Analyzing and researching white nationalism in the present is necessary to better understand and tackle the issue at large. To fully understand these questions, I engage in a summative content analysis of several prominent conservative podcasts and conclude interviews with leading scholars of global studies and global communications, all while using a feminist lens of analysis. While these podcasts differ on the extremity of their views, I find that they share a similar sentiment of resentment and the dear of a loss of identity as a white race, while utilizing and relying on misinformation. The themes shared among all of the shows are identified as: (1) a distrust in institutions, (2) fear-mongering, and (3) a belief that white people - need to “regain their power”. The implications of this loom large due to the sheer number of listeners among the podcasts. Certainly, future research is necessary to fully understand exactly how podcasts impact listeners, yet preliminary evidence is clear that podcasts with a white nationalist ideology presents a danger. White nationalists believe they, as white people, hold an inherent power over people of color, and need to take this power back; the dissemination of this ideology through podcasts only amplifies this message.

Online and other forms of distance learning are a permanent fixture in the educational landscape. Mathematics taught in distance formats pose an even greater challenge to students and teachers alike. As mathematics is a skill subject, demonstration of concepts and processes is crucial, if not critical, to learning, particularly to visual and kinesthetic learners. Video podcasts and screencasts are the answer to distance students’ need for demonstration and explanation of mathematical topics. In the current economic climate, however, expensive audio/video capture software and hardware, as well as a lack of technical media support, make it virtually impossible to create such course materials. Also, there is the question of ownership of intellectual property if created with institutional funds and/or resources. Free capture software and internet video hosting sites make it possible for an individual to create his or her own podcasts and screencasts for student use, retaining ownership of the created materials.Materials developed for online students can be made available to students in seated class. This benefits students who are unable to attend class, but can be made available to the entire class.

Online and other forms of distance learning are a permanent fixture in the educational landscape. Mathematics taught in distance formats pose an even greater challenge to students and teachers alike. As mathematics is a skill subject, demonstration of concepts and processes is crucial, if not critical, to learning, particularly to visual and kinesthetic learners. Video podcasts and screencasts are the answer to distance students’ need for demonstration and explanation of mathematical topics. In the current economic climate, however, expensive audio/video capture software and hardware, as well as a lack of technical media support, make it virtually impossible to create such course materials. Also, there is the question of ownership of intellectual property if created with institutional funds and/or resources. Free capture software and internet video hosting sites make it possible for an individual to create his or her own podcasts and screencasts for student use, retaining ownership of the created materials.Materials developed for online students can be made available to students in seated class. This benefits students who are unable to attend class, but can be made available to the entire class.

This study sought to determine the effectiveness of using Content Acquisition Podcasts (CAPs) to teach children with learning disabilities scientific vocabulary. CAPs are multimedia instructional podcasts that combine images and sound to teach supplemental vocabulary. Four children ages 9 to 10 with learning disabilities were taught vocabulary words to prepare them for end-of-year testing. Words were taken from units about rocks, soil and fossils. This study used a multiple probe multiple baseline across units design. Data analysis showed that three of four participants experienced significant improvement in at least one of three units. Social validity questionnaires showed that all four participants enjoyed being a part of the study and felt like they had learned important information. These results indicated that CAPs can be another method for delivering science instruction. They are easy to make, have an impact on learning and incorporate a modality of learning that is appealing to children.

The media are experiencing a digital revolution. Substantial research has been conducted on digital technologies as they change television, print, and commercial radio. However, very little is known about the current digital adaptation in college radio. From increased online consumption, to podcasts and social media, college radio is also embracing digital technologies. Educational engagement is important in college radio. Alternative and academic structures are being significantly influenced today through digital transformation. The college radio system has faced a number of funding and administrative tensions between stations and their universities. As these tensions continue to affect the growth and development of college radio, they should be studied. This study investigates the use of digital technologies in two college radio station case studies. The Kotter Eight Steps of Organizational Change Model is used to analyze the change process. This model is used to analyze an urgency to create change, the role of group collaboration, and how organizational visions are established, communicated, and used to create and anchor change. Issues of leadership, decision-making, and personal and group agency are also examined as part of each station’s theoretical implications. Through qualitative in-depth interviews and college radio station in-person and social media observations, this dissertation seeks to answer the question of how administration, staff, and management have incorporated digital media into college radio. This research also serves as a platform for a current look into how college radio is changing and can guide future research about station digital use and organizational change.

Abstract available from the print copy or the electronic version of the thesis. / Thesis (M.Com.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville, 2010.

Background: Podcasts are an emerging medium with a steadily growing audience, which is particularly popular among younger generations. This makes them a promising advertising tool that companies can use to reach potential target groups. Therefore, it is crucial to understand how to successfully reach the audience through podcast advertising. Specifically, the listener’s perception of the advertisement and the design of the advertisement are relevant factors. The current market situation with its strong competition calls for special measures, such as celebrity endorsements. People often imitate celebrities and rely on their recommendations. This study applies the concept of celebrity endorsement to podcast advertising as a relationship develops between the listener and the podcast hosts. The host becomes a trusted and valued person to their audience during podcast consumption, which can have a significant impact on the listenership. Purpose: Only a limited number of prior studies did research on the podcast listener’s perception of podcast advertising. Additionally, there is a lack of understanding about the specific design elements of podcast advertising that lead to positive outcomes. Furthermore, there is a gap in academic literature when it comes to exploring the host-listener relationship within the context of podcast advertising. Consequently, the purpose of this study is to investigate how individuals perceive podcast advertising, identify the key design elements that contribute to positive podcast advertising effects, and comprehend the role and influence of podcast hosts in podcast advertising. Method: To achieve this purpose, qualitative research methods are employed. Individual interviews and a focus group are conducted with 20 participants who belong to the younger generations, namely Generation Y and Generation Z, and listen to podcasts at least once a week. Thematic analysis is used to structure the data, which involves coding, analyzing, and interpreting the data. Conclusion: The study concludes with the conceptual framework “Podcast Advertising Evoking Positive Effect”, which is based on the concept of celebrity endorsement, specifically the meaning transfer model. This framework highlights the various aspects that lead to positive advertising effects. These include the attributes of podcast hosts as well as the perceived relationship between the audience and the podcast host. Furthermore, the framework clarifies listeners advertising demands and how commercial messages within podcasts should be presented to achieve favorable advertising outcomes such as a positive change in attitude, purchasing behavior, brand recall, and acceptance of the advertisement.