Undergraduate Honors Showcase Spring

Every spring, the School of Communication holds an Honors Showcase where honors students have the opportunity to present and share their projects with peers, advisors and faculty. This year, we have three students who will offer a 15-20 minute presentation after which there will be an opportunity for discussion and a question/answer session.

Anita Gao (2018) The Image of the Journalist in Silent Film (Part One). Adviser: Joe Saltzman

Abstract: This study is the first comprehensive review of depictions of journalists and journalism found in silent film. 1,937 silent films from 1890-1919 containing journalist depictions were found and sorted into 11 appendices, categorized by year, genre, gender, ethnicity, media category, job title and description (subjective evaluation of the image of the journalist from very negative to very positive), and reviewed for accuracy and relevance. The data was organized into 10 tables comparing the encodings by year and other categories. The findings reveal that many journalist stereotypes found in the 20th century originate from the silent film era.

Eric Loeb (2018) Racial Stereotyping in NBA Commentary: An Analysis of Comments Related to Mental Skill, Physical Skill and Aggression of White and Black Athletes. Adviser: Carmen Lee

Abstract: The basis of sports commentary is often taken to be objective coverage of the game, but commentators also produce subjective opinions throughout. Announcers represent players’ physical or mental skills and player aggression. Routine coverage reflects established racial stereotypes about white and black males, research indicates. This study employs cultivation theory and conducts a content analysis. The frequency and valance of select subjective sports comments reveal ethnic representations of players for the Western Division NBA games. 

Luke Southwell Chan (2018). Use and Abuse of Executive Directive: Lasting Effects on the United States’ System of Governance as Demonstrated Through DACA. Adviser G.T. Goodnight

Abstract: Immigration has become a political issue. The debate over DREAMERS is at its core. The DACA repeal raises issues of federal governance in the United States. Questions around Executive Orders, federalism and the limits of power were featured in the 2017-2018 debates over repeal and a fix. So, relation of federal to state power became challenged. The study maps arguments entangling federal/state relations and the presidency, congress and the courts. The 21st century debate over immigration is developed as context and the politics of reform identified from the fall of 2017 to the spring of 2018.

Please join us to hear their presentations and congratulate them on their hard work. Refreshments will be provided.

Please RSVP to Ally Arguello at aarguell@asc.usc.edu.