Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Review Method: Peer Reviewed
Abstract: In December of 2002, Senator Trent Lott (R-MS) resigned his
position of Senate Majority Leader under pressure from the media, his own
caucus and the White House. This pressure was the result of comments Lott
made at a birthday party for retiring Senator Strom Thurmond's 100th
birthday party in which Lott seemed to wax nostalgic about segregation.
But that's not the whole story. Coming on a busy news day, the story was
pushed aside by other news and not initially covered by the mainstream
media. Kept alive, promoted, linked and sourced, among on-line "bloggers"
- writers of weblogs, or frequently updated web sites with links and
commentary - the mainstream media eventually came on board too. In this
paper I use the Lott incident as an example of growing blogger influence
in American politics and political communication.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: The purpose of this investigation is to develop a new understanding of the spiral of silence theory as it functions within computer-mediated communication (CMC). CMC is often touted for being an empowering medium as it affords its users anonymity. This finding could have an impact on whether the spiral of silence occurs within CMC. This piece serves as an investigation within the current state of the theory and offers new directions for future research.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: A five-day diary study of 207 students who were to perform a speech was conducted to determine if there was a difference in motivation, practice, alcohol use, trait anxiety and state anxiety among three types of students. The three types of students examined were those that under-estimate the quality of their speeches (those that report their anticipated grade as lower than the grade they actually receive), those that are on-target with their estimations (those that accurately assess their speech grade), and over-estimators (those that report their anticipated grade as significantly higher than the grade they actually achieve). Differences among the three groups were found for reported alcohol consumed and reported state anxiety. No differences among the groups were found for the traditional variables of motivation to perform, practice for the speech, nor for trait anxiety.

Publication Type: Individual Paper
Abstract: Unbeknownst to most individuals, the roots of William Henry Hastie, Jr., one of the most prominent African-American figures in United States history, extend to Alabama. One of his ancestors, the Reverend James Childs, was a cofounder of the Lincoln School of Marion in Perry County, a quaint, predominantly Black community nestled in the racially divided and often violent Black Belt subregion of the state. Childs, a crippled, one-time slave, and minister, was instrumental in the development of Lincoln, which ultimately became Alabama State University. Childs also delved into education and worked diligently to help erase the color line that separated much of Alabama during the nineteenth century. By doing so, he planted the seeds for one of Alabama, the South, and the nation’s most prominent families, the Hasties of Nashville, Tennessee, and later Washington, D. C. This paper seeks to examine the legacy of Childs by exploring the academic and professional accomplishments one of his most recognized descendants, William Henry Hastie, Jr.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Review Method: Peer Reviewed
Abstract: In December of 2002, Senator Trent Lott (R-MS) resigned his
position of Senate Majority Leader under pressure from the media, his own
caucus and the White House. This pressure was the result of comments Lott
made at a birthday party for retiring Senator Strom Thurmond's 100th
birthday party in which Lott seemed to wax nostalgic about segregation.
But that's not the whole story. Coming on a busy news day, the story was
pushed aside by other news and not initially covered by the mainstream
media. Kept alive, promoted, linked and sourced, among on-line "bloggers"
- writers of weblogs, or frequently updated web sites with links and
commentary - the mainstream media eventually came on board too. In this
paper I use the Lott incident as an example of growing blogger influence
in American politics and political communication.