FICS Theses and Dissertations

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https://repository.upou.edu.ph/handle/20.500.13073/2
Theses and dissertations by graduate students from the Faculty of Information and Communication Studies.

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    Understanding the Child Marriage Practice: A Rhetorical Study of Child Marriage Facebook Posts
    ( 2024-09-11) Bello, Maria Carolina R.
    Various efforts advocating to end child marriage practice have been focused on finding evidence for its harmful effects and ways for development actors to fight against it. While the strategies include key messaging, there is a lack of focus on engaging communication as a social science (Calhoun, 2011). This dissertation utilized the Rhetorical Tradition in Communication Theory to answer this question: What are the rhetorical acts of the defenders and opposers of child marriage? By combined coding of themes and speech acts, and analysis of rhetorical appeals, devices and strategies performed in comments in Facebook posts on child marriage, it finds that the defenders of child marriage assert a collaborative and unified adherence to a belief in the superior form of religion. In contrast, opposers of child marriage vary in their acts, some with anti-religious rhetoric. Overall, combining the speech acts brought the study to the conclusion that the overarching rhetorical act of defenders is religious superiority in matters such as child protection and religious living. In contrast, the speech acts of opposers are scattered. Advocates to end the child marriage practice have the rhetorical space of situatedness of child welfare as a common ground with defenders. As a precaution, advocates should consider politeness by being selective when calling child marriage a “practice.” For the defenders, the girl’s marriage is mainly a sacred act towards religious perfection under divine law, which is above any material, social, and other worldly concerns.
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    Communicative Competence Approach for Developing Alternative Learning System Learners' English Communication Skills
    ( 2024-09-27) Basilan, Jacquelyn H.
    One hundred fourteen ALS secondary respondents from Pasig City were surveyed to analyze how can the Communicative Competence Approach be used to develop English communication skills in learners of the Alternative Learning System. Thus, the study determined their level of communicative competence, the effective communication-based approach, and factors that influence their English language use in different communication contexts. Guided by Canale and Swain’s Communicative Competence Framework (1980), results of the study revealed that the ALS secondary learners’ level is between the needs improvement and basic levels. The Communicative Competence Approach was identified as effective for developing their communicative competence, encouraging participation in authentic communication scenarios and practices. Using Spearman’s Rank Correlation Coefficient and data triangulation, results showed no significant relationship between the dimensions of communicative competence: (1) grammatical competence and strategic competence and (2) sociolinguistic competence and discourse competence. However, other dimensions, such as technological competence, digital literacy, and establishing clear communication between teachers and learners, emerged as important aspects of language use and competence. As presented in the study, the respondents’ level of English communicative competence and use of the language in different communication settings were influenced by several factors such as age, employment status, learning experience, stage of development, exposure to the native language (Filipino and other dialects or Philippine languages) and English, and access and familiarity with ICT tools.
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    Multimodal Inquiry of Special Religious Developmental (SPRED) Program: Towards A Friendship Model of Inclusive Catechetical Communication
    ( 2024-08-09) Vargas, Marlon Bobier
    This multimodal inquiry investigates inclusive catechetical communication within the Special Religious Development (SPRED) program in the Archdiocese of Chicago, focusing on persons with developmental and intellectual disabilities (PDID). The central research question examines how catechists implement and refine inclusive catechetical communication to engage and support PDID effectively. Existing research highlights significant gaps in catechetical programs tailored for PDID, often due to the limitations of traditional methods and materials. This research addresses these gaps by employing a triangulation approach, integrating content analysis, artifact analysis, and socio-spatial analysis. The study utilized SPRED newsletters, educational materials, religious artifacts, and observations of the catechetical environment to gather comprehensive insights. This multifaceted methodology ensures a robust understanding of the dynamics involved in inclusive catechetical praxis. Findings reveal the critical importance of adapted communication methods, accessible educational materials, and supportive physical environments. Key themes include the necessity for continuous adaptation of materials to meet PDID needs, the positive impact of sensory-friendly features, and the role of community support in fostering inclusivity. The socio-spatial analysis highlights the importance of well-organized, accessible environments that enhance engagement and interaction. This research highlights the significant benefits of inclusive catechetical communication, such as enhanced spiritual and personal growth, deeper emotional connections, and a profound sense of belonging for PDID. The study underscores the necessity of strategies like non-verbal communication, emotional support, sensory friendly materials, and community integration. Catechists’ reflections and artifact analyses reveal that inclusive practices foster mutual enrichment, reduce social exclusion, and celebrate unique contributions, thereby promoting a more inclusive and supportive faith community. Central to this study is the Friendship Model of Inclusive Catechetical Communication, which encompasses three key dimensions: intimacy, inter-animating collaboration, and interculturality. Intimacy involves creating supportive relationships through personal engagement and emotional support. Catechists use gestures, facial expressions, and symbols to communicate effectively with individuals who may have difficulty with verbal communication. This dimension fosters trust and meaningful engagement, ensuring participants feel valued and supported. Inter-animating transformation focuses on mutual growth and learning through reflective practice and empowerment. Catechists and participants engage in activities that promote mutual learning and spiritual connections. This collaborative environment allows both catechists and participants to gain insights from each other, leading to deeper spiritual enrichment. Interculturality ensures that catechetical practices respect and incorporate diverse cultural backgrounds. Catechists demonstrate cultural sensitivity and adapt practices to be culturally appropriate, creating a welcoming environment for all participants. This dimension promotes social inclusion and mutual respect, enhancing the quality of friendships and community bonds. In conclusion, this study contributes to the field of religious education by providing practical recommendations for enhancing inclusivity in catechetical communication. It advocates for the adoption of adaptive communication methods, continuous refinement of educational materials, and strategic modifications to the physical environment. These findings offer valuable insights for improving catechetical practices and fostering a more inclusive community within SPRED and similar settings.
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    Digital Social Marketing in Philippine Mission-Centric Social Enterprises: Exploring Founders' Influence and Strategic Approaches
    ( 2024-11-20) Santos, Joseph Emil N.
    This dissertation examines how founders' cultural-cognitive orientations and communication practices shape digital social marketing strategies in Philippine mission-centric social enterprises. The research introduces the Founder-Driven Authentic Digital Storytelling Framework through digital ethnography and case studies as a novel theoretical contribution integrating cultural sensitivity with strategic communication in digital spaces. The study reveals that effective digital social marketing emerges from founders' ability to authentically adapt communication while aligning with their cultural values and social missions. The research demonstrates that successful digital engagement requires founders to balance cultural understanding with strategic storytelling across digital platforms. The findings establish authentic digital storytelling as the primary mechanism for building trust and fostering meaningful connections with target communities. The introduced framework provides a structured approach to understanding how founders' personal narratives and cultural backgrounds influence their digital marketing strategies. This work makes significant theoretical contributions by synthesizing authentic digital storytelling with cultural-cognitive and communication accommodation perspectives in social enterprise marketing. The practical implications offer actionable insights for social enterprise founders seeking to enhance their digital marketing impact while maintaining mission alignment.
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    Digital Communication, the K-pop Army, and the Filipino Collective Psyche
    ( 2024-08-12) Ligeralde, Karina Angela B.
    The arrival of the Hallyu Wave made a big impression globally and was warmly received by Filipinos. South Korean pop culture introduced K-pop, a music genre famously known for its impressive lyricism and deliberate production, which captured the interest of listeners. As literature suggests, music is a powerful driving force that has the ability to enable a group or community to move or think as one unit, such as how jazz musicians harnessed the power of music to communicate their social struggles. Deriving from this premise, the question this study aimed to answer was “How does digital communication shape the K-Pop Army that translates to the Filipino Collective Psyche?” I explored my lived experience as a member of the K-pop army by employing an autoethnographic study. I used vignettes to synthesize what it meant to be a member of the K-pop army, acclimatized its culture, and made sense of my K-pop journey. Each experience discussed in vignettes showed a clear picture of the journey that thickened the discussion throughout the research. The vignettes served as an example of how the Filipino Collective Psyche was shaped. More than the provision of world-class entertainment and global popularity, the K-pop Army follows their K-pop idols because of their altruism and actions to address social issues which have always been evident in digital communication platforms. With the proliferation of social media and the K-pop Army’s exposure to these communication platforms especially during the time where being “connected online” was the norm, it was evident that the fandom moved as if with one mind, reflecting the very essence of the Filipino Collective Psyche.