A Structural Analysis of Television Advertising (open access)

A Structural Analysis of Television Advertising

This structural analysis examined fourteen television commercials using a method developed by Claude Levi-Strauss. The commercials were divided into two product groups, restaurant and cleaning products advertising, which made up the "myths" to be analyzed. Binary oppositions in each myth were identified and, according to the methodology, charted to reveal new relationships, and ultimately the hidden messages in the advertising. This study confirmed that television advertising does function in our society much the same as myth does in the primitive societies studied by Levi-Strauss. It offers answers to problems and upholds the existing order of things in that society, and it may function on more than one level to convey its messages.
Date: May 1981
Creator: Alpin, Suzanne Huston
System: The UNT Digital Library
Texas Outlaw Radio: the Prelude to United States v. Gregg et al. (1934) (open access)

Texas Outlaw Radio: the Prelude to United States v. Gregg et al. (1934)

Unlicensed radio stations in 1933 tested the Radio Act of 1927 as to whether or not the Federal Radio Commission (FRC) had the right to regulate radio stations whose signals were allegedly intrastate. The FRC believed it could regulate such radio stations and proceeded to confiscate equipment, charge individuals with violation of the law, and bring them to trial, either in an injunction hearing, a criminal trial, or both. The most formidable case was that of United States v. Gregg et al. The challenge was met by the FRC and the judge, whose decision is still quoted in legal documents. The decision upheld the Radio Act of 1927 and the FRC's right to regulate all radio stations, licensed or unlicensed.
Date: May 1983
Creator: Aipperspach, Mac R. (Mac Ray)
System: The UNT Digital Library
Types of Love in Selected Plays by Lillian Hellman (open access)

Types of Love in Selected Plays by Lillian Hellman

This study analyzed The Children's Hour, The Little Foxes, Watch on the Rhine, Toys in the Attic in terms of the forms of human love delineated by Erich Fromm in The Art of Loving. The motives and actions of one or more principal characters and their dramatic situations were studied. It was discovered that, in the plays that were examined, each character responded to his or her situation in a loving or a hateful manner and that these choices with regard to love provided the dramatic matrix of the play.
Date: August 1983
Creator: Beck-Horn, Debrah A.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Oral Interpretation as a Catalyst for Social Awareness Ann's Haven: Hospice of Denton County (open access)

Oral Interpretation as a Catalyst for Social Awareness Ann's Haven: Hospice of Denton County

This oral interpretation thesis studies the use of oral interpretation in social contexts. The context chosen was the Hospice movement, which deals with assisting terminally ill persons and their families through the stages of death and bereavement. A readers theatre script was compiled for "Ann's Haven: Hospice of Denton County," which was selected for the locus of this thesis. The script was presented to various civic groups for the purpose of informing the public and eliciting support for Ann's Haven. It was found that oral interpretation is a viable rhetorical tool and is well liked by audiences as a means of public enlightenment.
Date: August 1981
Creator: Cancilla, Carlajo
System: The UNT Digital Library
Oral Interpretation in a Public Awareness Campaign Denton County Probationer Education and Employment Program (open access)

Oral Interpretation in a Public Awareness Campaign Denton County Probationer Education and Employment Program

This study investigates the use of oral interpretation in social contexts. The context chosen was a community corrections program which provides education and employment assistance to adults on probation in Denton County, Texas. A solo interpretation script was incorporated into a public awareness presentation about the Denton County Probationer Education and Employment Program. The presentation was presented to a pilot audience to test the effectiveness of combining oral interpretation with public speaking to inform audiences about and elicit support for community corrections. It was determined that integrating an interpretative performance into an informational presentation is an effective method of employing oral interpretation outside the classroom and expanding its rhetorical dimensions.
Date: August 1982
Creator: Truitt, Gary
System: The UNT Digital Library
Prelude to Red Lion: History and Analysis of the Proposed Red Lion et al., v. FCC and Democratic National Committee Challenge of the Fairness Doctrine (open access)

Prelude to Red Lion: History and Analysis of the Proposed Red Lion et al., v. FCC and Democratic National Committee Challenge of the Fairness Doctrine

This study sets forth events surrounding a law suit filed by Red Lion Broadcasting Co. against the Federal Communications Commission and the Democratic National Committee in 1965. The study found these events were major factors in the decision by John M. Norris, president and owner of Red Lion, to pursue his objection to the FCC's Fairness Doctrine to the U.S. Supreme Court, resulting in the court's landmark decision in Red Lion vs. FCC (1969). Research methodology combined techniques of historical research and case study. On-site research of company records, personal letters and records are included as primary sources.
Date: May 1980
Creator: Sauls, Samuel J.|q(Samuel Joseph)
System: The UNT Digital Library
Shadows with Substance: Performing the Characters of Harold Pinter (open access)

Shadows with Substance: Performing the Characters of Harold Pinter

This thesis considers first, the existence of a relatively new kind of characterization in the plays of Harold Pinter, and second, the need for the actor who performs Pinter to seek a new mode of acting. The purpose of the study is to identify the special problems or tasks which are thus imposed on the actor who plays a Pinter character. An examination of Pinter's dramaturgy reveals an emphasis on character relationships and a combination of the three different styles of characterization defined by Lorenz Kjerbuhl-Petersen: the type, the individual, and the shadow. This study concludes that the Pinter actor must simultaneously perceive a complex psyche in what seems a common human type, create an individualized concept of personality although information and behavior are misleading, and allow the actor's personality to color and expand that of the character.
Date: May 1980
Creator: Beckers, Teresa E.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Space--Our Future: A Script for Group Interpretation (open access)

Space--Our Future: A Script for Group Interpretation

The purpose of this thesis has been to prepare a group interpretation script based on the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and its major manned programs. The script is designed to inform high school students and the general public of the space program. Available literature on oral interpretation and readers theatre have been investigated with particular attention given to the value of readers theatre as a means of instruction. Questionnaires were circulated among aerospace professors throughout the country and companies involved in the space industry. In their responses, aerospace company officials indicate strong support of this thesis and indicate a pressing need for such an informative script.
Date: August 1983
Creator: Bishop, Laura M. (Laura Maria)
System: The UNT Digital Library
An Historical Analysis of the Macquarie Broadcasting Service Pty. Ltd., Sydney, Australia, 1938-1958 (open access)

An Historical Analysis of the Macquarie Broadcasting Service Pty. Ltd., Sydney, Australia, 1938-1958

Australia's dual system of broadcasting has provided national and commercial radio services to Australians in both urban and remote areas. Networks were formed to serve these areas, but advertising agencies tended to dominate smaller commercial networks on behalf of their clients. Most of these failed. The Macquarie Broadcasting Service Pty. Ltd. (MBS) network began in 1938 and offered network programming and sales representation to stations affiliating with them. Its subsidiary, Artransa Pty. Ltd., also produced and syndicated programs and provided sales representation both nationally and internationally. This study concludes that MBS' contribution to Australian commercial broadcasting was the development of networking and that it had the greater listenership of any commercial network in this time period.
Date: May 1981
Creator: Aipperspach, Ruth G.
System: The UNT Digital Library
An Examination of the Comedic Techniques Found in Selected Works of Neil Simon (open access)

An Examination of the Comedic Techniques Found in Selected Works of Neil Simon

Justification of Neil Simon's credibility as a comedic playwright by examining established principles of comedy and humor from Aristotle to Bergson to Bier, and their prevalence in The Star Spangled Girl, Last of the Red Hot Lovers, Promises, Promises, and Chapter Two.
Date: December 1980
Creator: Garrison, Gary
System: The UNT Digital Library
Country Music as Communication: A Comparative Content Analysis of the Lyrics of Traditional Country Music and Progressive Country Music (open access)

Country Music as Communication: A Comparative Content Analysis of the Lyrics of Traditional Country Music and Progressive Country Music

The purpose of this study was to determine whether the themes and values represented in lyrics of progressive country music are significantly different from those of traditional country music. Content analytical techniques were used to determine, first, themes and, second, attitudes reflected in those themes in each type of song. The chi square test of independence was u-ilized, and a difference significant to the .05 level was found between themes and attitudes of lyrics in the two song types.
Date: May 1980
Creator: Vanderlaan, David J. (David James)
System: The UNT Digital Library
A Test of the Degree of Association Among Selected Communication Characteristics and Innate Innovativeness (open access)

A Test of the Degree of Association Among Selected Communication Characteristics and Innate Innovativeness

The present study used regression procedures to investigate the relationships between selected communication variables and innate innovativeness. The three general types of variables examined in this study were communication anxiety, communicator style, and selfdisclosiveness. Ten hypotheses were tested together with a descriptive model which was based on the communication variables and their ability to predict innate innovativeness. Results of the tests of the model were confirmed as were the ten hypothesized relationships. The results of the regression analyses performed on the data indicated that receiver apprehension and honesty of self-disclosiveness were negatively and positively associated with innate innovativeness respectively, and were the variables which most significantly impacted the variance of innate innovativeness scores.
Date: May 1980
Creator: Judice, Steven C.
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Role of Television in the Development of Nigeria (open access)

The Role of Television in the Development of Nigeria

The purpose of this study is to show how television has affected the politics, education, economy, and religions of Nigeria. The background of each area is outlined to lay the groundwork for showing the influence of television on these aspects of the lives of Nigerians. A brief history of the development of radio and television in Nigeria is presented. Although government control of Nigerian television precludes unbiased political reporting, the medium has raised the consciousness and interest of Nigerians in political activities; education, however, is the area in which television proves its worth and potential. Under the direction of the government's unification goals, Nigerian television has been an informative, moderating, and conciliatory influence on the divisive elements in Nigeria.
Date: August 1983
Creator: Onwumere, Emmanuel Chukwuma
System: The UNT Digital Library
A Chamber Theatre Adaptation and Analysis of Arthur Schnitzler's "The Blind Geronimo and His Brother" (open access)

A Chamber Theatre Adaptation and Analysis of Arthur Schnitzler's "The Blind Geronimo and His Brother"

This oral interpretation thesis describes and analyzes Chamber Theatre as a technique for the presentation and critical understanding of narrative prose. Arthur Schnitzler and his work are analyzed, and his short story, "The Blind Geronimo and His Brother," is adapted to Chamber Theatre script form. It was discovered that Schnitzler's work is well suited to and would probably benefit from Chamber Theatre productions.
Date: December 1980
Creator: Smith, Albert Len, 1954-
System: The UNT Digital Library
A Society Under Foreign Rule, the Characters of Kuan Han-Ch'ing as Critical Statements About the Yuan Dynasty, 1280-1368 (open access)

A Society Under Foreign Rule, the Characters of Kuan Han-Ch'ing as Critical Statements About the Yuan Dynasty, 1280-1368

This study sought to discover how Kuan Han-Ch'ing portrayed the Yuan Dynasty (1280-1368 A.D.) and the Confucian view of women by means of the characterization in Kuan's plays. Eight female characters, three male public officials, and three male villains were selected for study. It was discovered that Kuan portrayed the ordinary people of his time with outstanding skill; that the characters selected for study provided ways of life contrary to Confucianism, the prevailing philosophy; that Kuan's characterization satirized the Mongol ruling class; and that Kuan depicted women more favorably than Confucian philosophy would have allowed.
Date: August 1982
Creator: Tsai, Yean
System: The UNT Digital Library
Public Safety, D/FW Style: Production of an Informational Videotape (open access)

Public Safety, D/FW Style: Production of an Informational Videotape

This study consists of two parts, the completed videotape production and the production book. The videotape explores the history, organizational structure, and training requirements of the Dallas/Fort Worth Airport Department of Public Safety. A copy of the videotape is shelved in the North Texas State University Media Center Library. The production book describes background preproduction, production, and postproduction of the videotape. Problems, their effects, and solutions are described. The study concludes that an effective videotape can be produced in-house with limited time, equipment, and personnel, at a cost far less than commercially produced films. The study makes specific recommendations for guidelines and planning of future productions.
Date: August 1981
Creator: Holland, Marvin Glyn
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Impact of Hearing Impairment upon Communication Apprehension and Self-Disclosure (open access)

The Impact of Hearing Impairment upon Communication Apprehension and Self-Disclosure

The present study used a variety of procedures to investigate which selected communication factors interfered in the interpersonal communication process between hearing-impaired and hearing persons. Three hypotheses were tested and all of them were confirmed. The results of the analyses of responses to the variables revealed that hearing-impaired subjects had greater communication problems when interpersonally interacting with hearing targets than with deaf targets. The hearing subjects reported a higher level of state communication anxiety and an overall lower level of self-disclosure when interacting with deaf targets than with hearing targets.
Date: December 1980
Creator: Gonzalez, Teresa Dennett
System: The UNT Digital Library
The American Federation of Musicians' Recording Ban, 1942-1944, and its Effect on Radio Broadcasting in the United States (open access)

The American Federation of Musicians' Recording Ban, 1942-1944, and its Effect on Radio Broadcasting in the United States

James Caesar Petrillo, President of the American Federation of Musicians, called a strike effective July 31, 1942, prohibiting union members from making any disc recordings or electrical transcriptions. The present study recounts the history of that strike, including efforts to end it, reactions to it by various government and trade organizations and the circumstances under which it finally did end. The study focuses on the effect of the strike on radio broadcasters, both directly (through recordings they used) and indirectly (through the strike's effects on the recording and related industries), and concludes that it changed the character of radio's music somewhat, but had little detrimental effect on radio's profits.
Date: May 1980
Creator: Austin, Mary M.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Sex-Talk Radio Programming, 1971-1973 (open access)

Sex-Talk Radio Programming, 1971-1973

In 1971, radio station KGBS, Los Angeles, developed a format featuring a male host taking telephone calls from females only who discussed explicit sexual experiences over the air. Many other radio stations in the United States programmed this "sex-talk" format until 1973, when the Federal Communications Commission took steps to eliminate it. This study examines the origin, development, success, causes for eventual demise, and impact upon the broadcasting industry of the sex-talk format. The United States Congress pressured the FCC to act on the sex-talk format, and the study concludes that broadcasters would not have succumbed to government pressure if they had not feared governmental intrusion in programming and Congressional rejection of license renewal legislation.
Date: May 1980
Creator: Sybert, Pamela Johnson
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Development of Television Broadcasting in Taiwan, The Republic of China (1949-1982) (open access)

The Development of Television Broadcasting in Taiwan, The Republic of China (1949-1982)

This study reviews the evolution of television broadcasting in Taiwan from 1949 to 1982, with emphasis on the period from 1970 to 1982. The problem was to examine the development of the television industry in Taiwan as influenced by law and regulation, politics, and social customs. This study concludes that the development of the television industry in Taiwan was indeed greatly influenced by the above three factors. Future growth of the industry, however, may be greatly hindered unless the government relaxes its close control of the medium in the future.
Date: August 1983
Creator: Li, Fulchu
System: The UNT Digital Library
Twenty-one Original Prose Selections for use in Teaching Oral Interpretation in Junior High and High School (open access)

Twenty-one Original Prose Selections for use in Teaching Oral Interpretation in Junior High and High School

Twenty-one original prose selections were written for use by junior high school students of oral interpretation. A survey of textbook publishers and junior high school teachers revealed a need for material of appropriate length and of suitable reading and interest levels for oral reading in the junior high school classroom. The selections were read and evaluated by a group of junior high students and a junior high teacher of speech. The responses indicate that the selections are effective and usable as an instructional aid in teaching oral interpretation in junior high school.
Date: May 1982
Creator: Bohlcke, Diane
System: The UNT Digital Library
Effects of Gender and Self-Monitoring on Observer Accuracy in Decoding Affect Displays (open access)

Effects of Gender and Self-Monitoring on Observer Accuracy in Decoding Affect Displays

This study examined gender and self-monitoring as separate and interacting variables predicting judgmental accuracy on the part of observers of facial expressions of emotional categories. The main and interaction effects failed to reach significant levels during the preliminary analysis. However, post hoc analyses demonstrated a significant encoder sex variable. Female encoders of emotion were judged more accurately by both sexes. Additionally, when the stimulus was limited to female enactments of emotional categories, the hypothesized main and interaction effects reached significant F levels. This study utilized 100 observers and 10 encoders of seven emotional categories. Methodological considerations and alternatives are examined at length.
Date: December 1982
Creator: Spencer, R. Keith (Raymond Keith)
System: The UNT Digital Library
Application of a Vibrotactile Aid in Improvement of Speech Production in Deaf Children (open access)

Application of a Vibrotactile Aid in Improvement of Speech Production in Deaf Children

The SRA-10 is a tactile instrument which provides hearing impaired subjects with acoustic transforms that can be easily discriminated on the skin. Whether or not the SRA-10 is an effective means of training speech-language skills in profoundly hearing impaired subjects was the focus of this investigation. Two profoundly hearing impaired subjects were trained on phonetic reception/production tasks and on discrimination of multisyllabic words. Each subject served as his own control, wearing the SRA-10 for 14, 30 minute sessions, and a Bioacoustics 70-B auditory training unit for the same period of time. Results indicated a greater correct performance gain function with the SRA-10 than with the 70-B, suggesting that speech perception/production training using the SRA-10 or similar device would be superior to training using acoustic amplification.
Date: December 1981
Creator: Hunt, Sherrie L. (Sherrie Lynn)
System: The UNT Digital Library
Twenty Years of Nigerian Television: 1959-1979 (open access)

Twenty Years of Nigerian Television: 1959-1979

This study reviews the evolution of Nigerian broadcasting from 1935 to 1979, with emphasis on the development of Nigerian television broadcasting. The problem was to discern how Nigeria's social and political structures have affected its radio and television system. The study concludes that both the heterogeneity of Nigerian society and the country's continued political unrest pose a threat to either private or government ownership of television stations. Today, approximately 1.5 million television sets serve over 80 million Nigerians, and this imbalance should be corrected before Nigerian television can be considered a mass medium. Nigeria's present administration maintains that its control of the country's television is necessary; critics feel, however, that federal control restrains television from developing its potential, especially in promoting national unity.
Date: August 1981
Creator: Inwang, Mbuk J. (Mbuk Joseph)
System: The UNT Digital Library