Professor Delta Quinn teams with investigative reporter Caleb Barthes to unravel the mystery of the zombie seed, the genetically-modified follow-up to the “terminator seed.” This fact-based fiction is an academic novel that relies on fast-paced action as well as theoretical insights. Using the cultural icon of the zombie to address work alienation and contemporary apathy is perfect for the purposes of having the reader examine corporate greed in a global world. The cast of characters brings this global aspect to life. In the backdrop of the novel, a history of the zombie unfolds—a history of the violence that Haiti and African diaspora have suffered. Yet, it is Delta’s research into narratives of partner abuse that lead her to grapple with her own tragic past and take brave steps toward ending the abuse of others. This social justice book is based on award-winning research in rhetorical ethnography and is being assigned for courses in rhetoric, ethnography, narrative, organizational communication, and diversity, but would fit with others (e.g., ethics, interpersonal, public relations, journalism, sociology, philosophy) where examining the individual’s role in the life-world is not only promoted but expected. If the novel doesn’t do it, then the facts found at the end of the book should “wake up” any remaining zombies. Robin Patric Clair is a Full Professor, Diversity Fellow and a Fellow to the Center of Creative Endeavors at Purdue University. She has won research awards in rhetoric, narrative, ethnography and organizational communication, including two ‘Outstanding Book of the Year’ awards, two ‘Best Research Article of the Year’ awards, the ‘Golden Anniversary Award’ and multiple ‘Top Paper’ Awards for her research.

Under the threat of climate change, corruption, inequality and injustice, Americans may feel they are living in a dystopian novel come to life. Like many American narratives, dystopian stories often focus on males as the agents of social change. With a focus on the intersections of race, gender, class, sexuality and power, the author analyzes the themes, issues and characters in young adult (YA) dystopian fiction featuring female protagonists--the Girls on Fire who inspire progressive transformation for the future.

This book considers the detrimental changes that have occurred to the institution of the university, as a result of the withdrawal of state funding and the imposition of neoliberal market reforms on higher education. It argues that universities have lost their way, and are currently drowning in an impenetrable mush of economic babble, spurious spin-offs of zombie economics, management-speak and militaristic-corporate jargon. John Smyth provides a trenchant and excoriating analysis of how universities have enveloped themselves in synthetic and meaningless marketing hype, and explains what this has done to academic work and the culture of universities – specifically, how it has degraded higher education and exacerbated social inequalities among both staff and students. Finally, the book explores how we might commence a reclamation. It should be essential reading for students and researchers in the fields of education and sociology, and anyone interested in the current state of university management.

"This book presents the first comprehensive introduction to arts-based research (ABR) practices, which scholars in multiple disciplines are fruitfully using to reveal information and represent experiences that traditional methods cannot capture. Each of the six major ABR genres/m-/narrative inquiry, poetry, music, performance, dance, and visual art/m-/is covered in chapters that introduce key concepts and tools and present an exemplary research article by a leading ABR practitioner. Patricia Leavy discusses the kinds of research questions these innovative approaches can address and offers practical guidance for applying them in all phases of a research project, from design and data collection to analysis, interpretation, representation, and evaluation. Chapters include checklists to guide methodological decision making, discussion questions, and recommended print and online resources"--

Ideal for courses in multiple disciplines, the third edition of this award-winning text has been revised and updated with new topics, examples, and guiding questions to introduce each chapter’s sections. Patricia Leavy presents a practical guide to the full range of arts-based research (ABR) genres--narrative inquiry, fiction-based research, poetry, music, dance, theatre, film, and visual art. Each genre-specific chapter is paired with an exemplary research article or online video link (at the companion website). Following a consistent format, chapters review how the technique was developed, explore its methodological variations and the kind of research questions it can address, and describe diverse sample studies. Checklists and practical advice help readers harness the power of these innovative techniques for their own studies or dissertations. New to This Edition *Covers additional ABR practices: concrete research poetry, musically enhanced narrative inquiry, community music projects, musical spoken word, scored transcripts, comics/graphic novels, wordless narrative research, and installation art. *Discussions of research design, collaborative ABR, and ways to overcome common ABR challenges, plus tips for getting started. *Numerous new research examples, including three new end-of-chapter exemplars. *Increased attention to the impact of research, with a heightened focus on ethics, public scholarship, and issues of audience. Pedagogical Features *Checklists of issues to consider when deciding how to use a particular method. *Discussion questions and activities for in-class use or assignment. *Annotated lists of suggested readings and websites, including links to online performance pieces. *Compelling research examples from multiple disciplines. *Chapters follow a consistent format and can be read independently or in sequence; new guiding questions introduce sections within chapters. Winner—2021 USA Best Book Awards, Art category

Qualitative Methods in Media and Communication offers a learning-centered guide to designing, conducting, and evaluating qualitative communication and media research methods. Drawing upon years of teaching qualitative research methods, Sandra L. Faulkner and Joshua D. Atkinson introduce and unpack qualitative communication research method design, analysis, representation, writing, and evaluation using extended examples and clear discussion. The authors use key terms, extended examples, discussion questions, student-tested writing and research activities, examples of student work and questions, and suggested resources to help readers design, do, and analyze qualitative research. As a textbook, its pedagogical goals for the student include: (1) becoming a critical reader of research studies by understanding the epistemologies and methodological assumptions used by researchers, (2) learning the various methods, strategies, and approaches for doing qualitative research, (3) developing a strong basic vocabulary and understanding of concepts relating to qualitative and humanistic research methods, (4) understanding special concerns related to particular research methods, and (5) designing, executing, and representing original qualitative research projects. With numerous elements intended to engage students and enrich the learning process, the book provides examples of how to do qualitative and critical analyses, including arts-based and media and textual analyses to understand, describe, and query communication and media research in a variety of communication areas. There is also an extensive discussion of ethics in qualitative research and spotlights with renowned researchers on hot topics in qualitative research.

The revised and updated new edition of the comprehensive guide to crisis communication research and practice The Handbook of Crisis Communication provides students, researchers, and practitioners with a timely and authoritative overview of the dynamic field. Contributions by an international team of 50 leading scholars and practitioners demonstrate various methodological approaches, examine how crisis communication is applied in a range of specific contexts, discuss the role of culture and technology in crisis communication, and present original research of relevance to the development and evaluation of crisis communication theory. Now in its second edition, the Handbook covers the latest advances in global crisis communication technology, current trends in research and practice, social media in crisis communication, and more. Each of the 38 chapters incorporate new material offering fresh insights into existing areas of crisis communication and explore new and emerging lines of research. A wealth of new case studies, practical scenarios, and in-depth analyses of recent crises are integrated throughout. Examines traditional applications, recent advances, and emerging areas in crisis communication Discusses communication approaches for organizational crises, disasters, political crises, and public health crises Provides up-to-date coverage of the latest terminology, methods, and research trends in the field Highlights how crisis communication theory and research can inform real-world practice Features detailed analyses of crisis communication in major events such as terrorist attacks, natural disasters, industrial accidents, and global pandemics The Handbook of Crisis Communication, Second Edition is an excellent textbook for advanced students in public relations and strategic communication programs, and a valuable reference for researchers and practitioners in fields such as crisis communication, public relations, and corporate communication.