MA Capstone Information
Master of Arts students in Communication Studies conclude the program with a capstone, or independent research project, that reflects their individual interests and areas of expertise.
2013 CAPSTONE RESEARCH PROJECTS
Mark Congdon, Jr., “What’s wrong with me?: An autoethnographic investigation of the co-cultural communicative practices of living with Tourette Syndrome during adolescence”.
Jacqueline Downing, “Finding her strength: A qualitative narrative analysis of strong families’ experiences with cancer”.
Tessa DuBois, “Running dialogue: The social and communicative experience of running together”
Crawford Miller, “Connecting social support and socialization through an ethnographic lens of a CrossFit community”.
Gabriel A. Cruz, “The Mexican in the media: How Mexican immigrants are portrayed in the news”.
Justin Dorazio, “Like the chatter of a beggar's teeth: Performing rupture against the simulation of politics”.
JT Hosack, “Learning to riff: Communicative effects of military life on a dependent (Or how I learned to embrace the Ramblin’ Man)”.
Patrick Sawyer, “The synergy of self, voice, work, and the world”.
2012 CAPSTONE RESEARCH PROJECTS
Barnes, B. “Deinstitutionalization: A rhetorical and political policy analysis concerning the treatment of the mentally ill via legislative, executive, and judicial acts.”
Davis, A. “Collaboration, competence, or conquering: A study of the definition of empowerment at a speaking center.”
Eberhardinger, M. “A semiotic analysis of iconicity in Japanese manner posters.”
Niles, B. “Male-male intimacy in close non-romantic friendships.”
Oldham, C. “Home is where The Voice is: Cultivating community through a street newspaper.”
Samsell, A. “Dog as metaphor: Passing Susie’s Law.”
Szabo, A. “What money can't buy: Wealth creation through a love economy amongst the homeless.”
Walker, D. “Smart Girls: The effects of social support on female body image.”
Yarbray, K. “Intentionality and inclusion: A grounding for democracy.”
2011 CAPSTONE RESEARCH PROJECTS
Bond, M. “ Sustainable conversation: The communication of nature through food.”
Ellis, E. “ A dilemma for African American women in broadcast journalism.”
Johnson, D. “We don't hold the golden ticket”: Black male college students negotiating voice and silence at a predominantly white institution (PWI). ”
Murphy-Keith, R. “ Living Lolita: Embodying, embracing, and escaping a feminine archetype”
Nxumalo, Z. “ Tilling and talking: Community-based food programs as social support.”
Williams, C. “The fourth age: Experiences with Grandma.”
Williams, M. “ Celebrating lifelong friendship through the heart of dialogue.”
2010 CAPSTONE RESEARCH PROJECTS
Avery, A. "The communicative challenges and likelihood of cross-race friendship between black and white.”
Baker, J. " A structurational view of the patients advocate role in the health care system: filling the gap ."
Bledsoe, J. "Service learning is acting: An exploration into the stereotypes of the service learning student."
Blizzard, S. "What it means to be a lesbian: Exploring multiple identities through articulation."
Fielders, S. " Discursive leadership in non-profit organizations ."
Fussell, R. "Dialectics and ethics in a small group friendship."
Greene, S. "More of me than what you see: How communication functions within the experiences of graudate parents/students."
Ladd, S. "Unlearning racism."
Miller, A. "Disney and the new economy: the box office and beyond."
Mackowski, L. "Nurturing leadership + engaging leadership + rewarding engagement + cohesive leadership = creating ethical leadership."
Shaw, D. "And be a simple kind of man: A case study of white masculinity in the North Carolina piedmont."
