An Analysis of Richard M. Weaver's Philosophy and Methodology as Applied to Two of Barbara Jordan's Speeches (open access)

An Analysis of Richard M. Weaver's Philosophy and Methodology as Applied to Two of Barbara Jordan's Speeches

This rhetorical thesis analyzes Richard M. Weaver's theories of rhetoric and his methodology for ranking argument types according to their perceived ethicality. Two keynote speeches by former U. S. Representative Barbara Jordan have been subjected to the Weaverian analysis. Ms. Jordan's argument types are characteristic of what Weaver considered ethical oratory. Weaver's axiological judgments and his dogmatic ranking of the hierarchy have generated some criticism from rhetorical scholars. Although this criticism is justified, Weaver's philosophy and methodology provide insight to a given's orator's philosophical perspective. The Weaverian analysis contributes to the understanding of not only the superficial aspects of an address, but also the underlying and sometimes hidden motivations of an orator.
Date: August 1979
Creator: House, Robert G., fl. 1979-
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Archetype of the Great Mother in Three Contemporary Films (open access)

The Archetype of the Great Mother in Three Contemporary Films

This thesis is designed to determine the impact of the archetype of the Great Mother on the plot, characterizations, and interpersonal relationships in three contemporary films. Chapter I describes the elements and applications of the archetype and the Jungian analysis employed in the study. Chapter II details the phases of the Great Mother archetype and discusses Jung's process of individuation and how the Great Mother controls this quest. Chapters III, IV, and V focus on The Heretic, Network, and Looking for Mr. Goodbar respectively. Chapter VI summarizes the existence and power of the archetype in the films and postulates that the image of women in film may be stereotyped due to the Great Mother archetype.
Date: August 1979
Creator: Harper, Sandra S.
System: The UNT Digital Library
An Analysis and Production of The Music Man (open access)

An Analysis and Production of The Music Man

This investigation was based on a production performed by the Irving, Texas, Community Theatre in March, 1978, directed by the author of this thesis. The paper concerned the problems of producing a play under adverse conditions, such as lack of money, inadequate technical equipment, and a small stage. Chapter I included an investigation of the reviews of the original production in order to establish criteria by which to judge the Irving production. Chapters II and III dealth with varied technical aspects and their application under the adverse conditions. Examples of the technical factors were included in Chapter IV, with a scene synopsis. Chapter V contained a primarily favorable analysis based on the critic's and the audience's judgments, indicating most production elements to be successful.
Date: May 1979
Creator: Drane, Sharon S.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Sacrificial and Expressive Value Systems in the English Neo-Classic and Romantic Movements (open access)

Sacrificial and Expressive Value Systems in the English Neo-Classic and Romantic Movements

This rhetorical study applies Clare W. Graves' "Level of Existence" or value systems theory to the English Neo-Classic and Romantic Movements. Graves' framework, which focuses on sacrificial (Tribalistic, Absolutistic, and Sociocentric) systems and expressive (Egocentric, Achievist, and Individualistic) systems~was utilized in analyzing the politics, society, religion, philosophy, and literature of the two periods. The Neo-Classic Period was dominated by sacrificial systems, especially Absolutistic, while the Romantic Movement was dominated by expressive systems, especially Achievist. This thesis suggests that man's cultural development, like his psychological development, appears to evolve in a spiraling, pendular motion between sacrificial and expressive systems.
Date: May 1979
Creator: Heflich, Debra L.
System: The UNT Digital Library
A Case Study in the Rhetoric of Resistance: Desegregation of the Dallas Independent School District During the 1975-1976 School Year (open access)

A Case Study in the Rhetoric of Resistance: Desegregation of the Dallas Independent School District During the 1975-1976 School Year

This thesis describes, classifies, analyzes and evaluates the rhetoric of resistance to forced busing to desegregate the Dallas Independent School District during the 1975-1976 school year. This thesis also applies the characteristics of social, protest and agitational movements to the antibusing movement in Dallas to determine the effectiveness of the resistance rhetoric. The findings of this case study demonstrate that, although the Dallas protesters did not achieve all of their goals, their resistance rhetoric did accomplish specific, effective results. However, this thesis also concludes that, in the American system of government, neither violent nor non-violent resistance can prevent implementation of court-ordered busing.
Date: December 1978
Creator: Krug, Paulinda A.
System: The UNT Digital Library
McCarthyism: an Analysis of the Leadership and Rhetorical Strategies of Agitation and Control (open access)

McCarthyism: an Analysis of the Leadership and Rhetorical Strategies of Agitation and Control

This study analyzes the leadership qualities of Joseph McCarthy and the rhetorical qualities of agitative and control forces in a specific social movement. The methods used are founded upon various theories outlined by sociologists, historians, and rhetoricians. This investigation is organized around the climate of the times, McCarthy's leadership development, agitative strategies, control group responses, and support and opposition groups. It was found that the movement's success was probably due to McCarthy's position of attack and offense and to the control group's failure to neither strongly confront McCarthy nor to maintain its preparedness and superiority. It is theorized that had the control group engaged earlier in strategies other than adjustment and avoidance, the movement might have been halted sooner.
Date: December 1978
Creator: Palmer, Deborah K.
System: The UNT Digital Library
A Comparison Between the Programming Processes of the Instructional Services Division, KERA-TV, Dallas, and the Instructional Television Center, Israel (open access)

A Comparison Between the Programming Processes of the Instructional Services Division, KERA-TV, Dallas, and the Instructional Television Center, Israel

This paper compares the different approaches to programming taken by KERA--TV Instructional Services Division and by Israel's Instructional Television Center This study first examines the historical development of instructional television in the United States, particularly in Dallas, and in Israel, Next examined are the differences and the similarities between the stations' programming processes. Finally, the study examines the perceived achievements of programming goals set by each station. This report concludes that the stations' differences in their approach to programming are rooted in their historical developments, and discusses the opposite directions which the stations' programming processes are currently developing,
Date: August 1978
Creator: Molad, Clarisse
System: The UNT Digital Library
A Factor Analytic Study of the Construct Validity of Three Value Analysis Instruments (open access)

A Factor Analytic Study of the Construct Validity of Three Value Analysis Instruments

This study used component R-analysis factor technique with orthagonal rotation to investigate the construct validity of the Values for Working, Values for Teaching, and Values for Helpers value system analysis instruments, by a factor analysis of the items on each. Random selection was used to compile a sample of 100 for each. Items measured tribalism, existentialism, sociocentrism, egocentrism, and manipulativeness on the first test, egocentrism and existentialism on the second, and only two items, measuring egocentrism, on the third. The study recommends that other items be eliminated or revised, and that data be reanalyzed for the presence of higher order or obligque factors corresponding to the value systems.
Date: August 1978
Creator: Evans, Ann Marie
System: The UNT Digital Library
A Group Interpretation Script, "Sinclair Lewis, a Biographical Portrait" (open access)

A Group Interpretation Script, "Sinclair Lewis, a Biographical Portrait"

The purpose of this project was to prepare a group interpretation script based upon the life of Sinclair Lewis and to direct a production of the script. Major sources for the script are Mark Schorer, Sinclair Lewis: An American Life; Grace Hegger Lewis, With Love From Gracie; and Vincent Sheean, Dorothy and Red. The script employs five readers and has a performance time of approximately fifty-five minutes. The thesis includes a biography of Lewis, a justification for the project, the purpose and procedures followed, as well as discussions of the production concept, adapting material for group interpretation, direction, rehearsal procedures, and evaluations of the script and the performance. The complete script is also included in the thesis.
Date: August 1978
Creator: McNabb, Michael L.
System: The UNT Digital Library
The History of the Granbury Opera House, 1886-1978 (open access)

The History of the Granbury Opera House, 1886-1978

This study of the history of the Granbury Opera House in Granbury, Texas, includes three divisions. The first division is the compilation of the early history of the Opera House, 1886 to 1911. The second division is the renovation of the Granbury Opera House, 1970 to 1975. The final division treats the production methods of the Granbury Opera House Stock Company, including choice of seasons and personnel involved. This study was drawn from newspaper clippings, histories, memoirs of the period, a traveling Shakespearean actor's diary of the period, Granbury's application for a Texas historical marker, interviews, releases, and theatre annual reports. A projection into the future is offered as a conclusion of the study,
Date: August 1978
Creator: Kemplin, Carolyn Ann
System: The UNT Digital Library
A Burkeian Analysis of the Rhetoric of Rebirth in Selected Television Commercials (open access)

A Burkeian Analysis of the Rhetoric of Rebirth in Selected Television Commercials

The purpose of this study was to analyze the content of selected television commercials according to Kenneth Burke's theory of the rhetoric of rebirth. A supplementary Burkeian method called cluster analysis was also used. The analysis revealed, that the rhetoric of rebirth was incorporated in the commercials to stimulate guilt in the television audience. The products offered in the commercials supposedly purged this guilt, transforming the person to a new way of life. The analysis revealed meanings inherent in the word choices for various commercials as well as the potential impact of those words. The study isolated several underlying motifs in the substance of the commercials. The effect of the visual message may cause the audience to overlook the message of the words. Experimental research cited in this study confirms this hypothesis.
Date: May 1978
Creator: Thetford, Tony R.
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Contemporary Native American: a Group Interpretation Script Based upon Vine Deloria, Jr., "God is Red", N. Scott Momaday, "The Way to Rainy Mountain", and Hyemeyosts Storm, "Seven Arrows" (open access)

The Contemporary Native American: a Group Interpretation Script Based upon Vine Deloria, Jr., "God is Red", N. Scott Momaday, "The Way to Rainy Mountain", and Hyemeyosts Storm, "Seven Arrows"

The purpose of this project was to prepare a group interpretation script which is derived from the books cited in the title. An effort was made to prepare a unified script reflecting contemporary American Indian concepts of mysticism, philosophy, ecology, psychology, and education by selecting appropriate portions from the three books. The thesis includes a production concept, production procedures, the rationale for selection of excerpts, and the finished script, It is designed to employ seven readers and is divided into six parts. Those elements may be altered to fit various physical arrangements and program lengths.
Date: May 1978
Creator: Hudson, Jo Gayle
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Development of Congressional Concern with Violence in Entertainment Media (open access)

The Development of Congressional Concern with Violence in Entertainment Media

This investigation deals with a change of congressional attitude concerning violence in entertainment media, from noninterference to investigation to initiation of research. The data are primarily from official government records. This study first examines a period of congressional reluctance to interfere with the violent content of movies and radio in 1929-45. Next examined is the period 1945-68, when Congress actively investigated media violence,, focusing on television. Finally, the study examines congressional activity concerning television violence in 1968-74 and the Surgeon General's report on television violence. This report concludes that, by 1955, the pattern of congressional interest in media violence had turned from reluctance to activity, -and discusses the likelihood of future control of television program content.
Date: December 1977
Creator: Butt, Charles H.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Effects of Forced Compliance Situations on Neutral, Unfavorable, and Extremely Unfavorable Subjects Toward Oil Companies (open access)

Effects of Forced Compliance Situations on Neutral, Unfavorable, and Extremely Unfavorable Subjects Toward Oil Companies

This study tested effectiveness of a film in forced compliance situations on neutral and negatively predisposed individuals. Subjects (N = 48) were administered an attitudinal questionnaire, subjected to a no (control), low, moderate, or high dissonance-producing situation, and retested for attitude change. Analysis of variance for repeated measures, Scheffe's F tests, and t tests were used for analysis. Results indicated attitude change was greatest under a low dissonance-producing situation for all subjects. The moderate-dissonance situation moved unfavorable subjects toward favorability while the high dissonance situation moved extremely unfavorable subjects toward favorability. No relationship was found between degrees of dissonance and attitude change for netural subjects.
Date: December 1977
Creator: Kosinski, Stanley
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Effects of News Commentary on the Image of Political Debaters: An Experimental Study (open access)

The Effects of News Commentary on the Image of Political Debaters: An Experimental Study

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of news commentary on the image of political candidates. Subjects were exposed to a political debate, which was followed by three experimental manipulations of a news commentary. One group saw a commentary biased toward one candidate and against the other. In a second group the bias was reversed. A third experimental group saw a neutral commentary and the control group viewed the debate but no commentary. The primary statistical analyses used were a multivariate analysis of variance, a multiple discriminant analysis and a factor analysis. The results indicated that the commentary did have some effects on the perception of the candidates' images. Furthermore, the commentaries affected the amount of the candidates' message which was recalled by the subjects, and cued the subjects to recall specific issues which were mentioned in the commentaries. Finally, the factor analysis indicated certain characteristics of the images of political candidates.
Date: December 1977
Creator: Hertzog, Robert L.
System: The UNT Digital Library
A Group Interpretation Script Based on the Life, Works, and Times of Dante Alighieri (open access)

A Group Interpretation Script Based on the Life, Works, and Times of Dante Alighieri

The purpose of this thesis has been to prepare a script based on the life and works of Dante Alighieri, with special attention to the effects of medieval culture and politics on him and his works. Chapter I includes a discussion of the reputation and poetry of Dante, as well as the purpose and procedure followed in this thesis. Chapter II describes the historical and cultural background of Medieval Europe during Dante's time. Chapter III describes Dante's life and works. Chapter IV contains the script and a production concept that offers ideas and suggestions concerning the production of the script.
Date: December 1977
Creator: Lambert, Larry Lee
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Theatrical Director's Application of the Value Systems Analysis to the Characterization of Roles (open access)

The Theatrical Director's Application of the Value Systems Analysis to the Characterization of Roles

The purpose of this thesis was to determine if the Value Systems (Tribalistic, Egocentric, Absolutistic, Achievist, Sociocentric, and Individualistic) based on the "Levels of Psychological Existence" developed by Clare W. Graves, could be applied to analysis of a role in a play script. Characters in four scripts were analyzed: The -Rainmaker, by N. Richard Nash; The Lark, by Jean Anouilh, adapted by Lillian Hellman; Fiddler on the Roof, book by Joseph Stein, music by Jerry Bock, lyrics by Sheldon Harnick; and The Taming off the Shrew, by Shakespeare. The results showed that the system could be applied practically and effectively.
Date: December 1977
Creator: Schronk, Janice R.
System: The UNT Digital Library
"Alienation in Contemporary American Poetry:" a Group Interpretation Script (open access)

"Alienation in Contemporary American Poetry:" a Group Interpretation Script

The purpose of this project was to prepare a script for group interpretation based upon the theme of "alienation" as it occurs in selected works of contemporary American poets. The script was produced for an audience on the North Texas State University campus under the direction of the writer. The thesis includes the script, a discussion of the process of adaptation, and an evaluation of the production. The evaluation is based, in part upon the written critiques of four expert guest critics.
Date: August 1977
Creator: Farnsworth, Gregory Lee
System: The UNT Digital Library
A Descriptive Comparison of the Values for Living Test and the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (open access)

A Descriptive Comparison of the Values for Living Test and the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory

The purpose of this study was to determine the correlation between the Values for Living Test and the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory. The values systems (Tribalistic, Egocentric, Absolutistic, Achievistic, Sociocentric, and Individualistic) based on the "Levels of Psychological Existence," developed by Clare W. Graves, provided the framework for the Values for Living Test. The two tests were administered to 188 subjects. The Pearson product-moment correlation was the statistical measure employed to correlate the data. The scales of egocentrism, sociocentrism and individualism on the Values for Living Test correlated significantly to several of the scales of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory.
Date: August 1977
Creator: Books, Phyllis Beck
System: The UNT Digital Library
Directorial Roles: a Study in Theatrical Communication (open access)

Directorial Roles: a Study in Theatrical Communication

This study examines the process of theatrical direction as a communication system. Its components are described in terms of their function as elements of a communication process. The communication activities within the theatrical process are analyzed by means of four categories of theatrical communication networks: conceptual, aesthetic, observational, and social. Theories of communication have been surveyed and then applied to the theatrical process. Particular attention is paid to role functions of the director within the social and the aesthetic networks. The conclusion reached in the study is that the effectiveness of the communication networks used in theatrical directing is determined by the functional roles and the leadership styles adopted by the director as he participates in these networks.
Date: August 1977
Creator: DeVore, Brenda K.
System: The UNT Digital Library
An Experimental Course in Movement Preparation for Beginning Performers (open access)

An Experimental Course in Movement Preparation for Beginning Performers

This is a course outline for the first semester of movement training for beginning performers in theatre, part of a two-year course of study based on the Becque-Todd method of movement development. Emphasis is on a psychophysiological approach to developing new motor habits. The introduction presents the history, background, basic premises on which the course is based, and the techniques and tools used. Each subsequent chapter represents a unit of work on a specific problem, each taking one or more class periods.
Date: August 1977
Creator: Murphy, Martha F.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Films in the Library: A General Catalog with Film and Broadcasting Filmography of North Texas State University Library Films (open access)

Films in the Library: A General Catalog with Film and Broadcasting Filmography of North Texas State University Library Films

The purpose of the study was to compile a catalog of two sections: (1) a comprehensive, alphabetic, annotated list of North Texas State University (NTSU) Library films (the general catalog); and (2) a classified and cross-referenced film and broadcasting filmography of NTSU Library films. The catalog represents all films available for distribution from the NTSU Library as of July, 1976. The cataloging and compilation process is described. An analysis is made of the NTSU Library film collection. The titles of 13 films are recommended for addition to the collection.
Date: August 1977
Creator: Saltarelli, Carl A.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Helen, Later: An Original Play (open access)

Helen, Later: An Original Play

The purpose of this play is to dramatize the change of government in ancient Greece from a matriarchy to a patriarchy and from rule by the Ionian to rule by the Dorian Greeks through the last years of Helen of Troy. Faced with a challenge by her husband, Menelaus, who wants his sons to rule, Helen manages through intrigue to arrange for her daughter to gain the throne. Helen herself becomes a "goddess."
Date: August 1977
Creator: Throop, Cheryl Ann
System: The UNT Digital Library
A Readers Theatre Script Based on the Writings of William A. Owens (open access)

A Readers Theatre Script Based on the Writings of William A. Owens

This study includes an analysis of the autobiographies of William A. Owens, a contemporary writer, educator, and Texas folklorist; a discussion of Owens' educational experiences and attitudes; an explanation of Readers Theatre requirements; and a fifty to fifty-five minute Readers Theatre script, "Lighting the Lamp: William A. Owens' School Days in Pin Hook." The script portrays Owens as a Texas schoolboy and country schoolteacher and it conveys some of Owens' attitudes about education. The script was adapted from Owens' two autobiographies, This Stubborn Soil and A Season of Weathering, to be performed by junior and senior high school students.
Date: August 1977
Creator: Trantham, Ann Caldwell
System: The UNT Digital Library