9 minute read
Communication, Media & Theatre Arts
The Effects of α7nAChR Specific Conotoxins on the Secretion of Aβ and SLURP-1 in Cancer Cells
Asana Williams Deborah Heyl-Clegg, Hedeel Evans, and Jeffrey Guthrie, faculty mentors
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Amyloid beta (Aβ) and the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) have been implicated in both Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and cancer. Aβ is a peptide found in AD patients and is present in A549 and H1299 cancer cell lines. nAChR is involved in tumor progression and may contribute to AD via interaction with Aβ. Both Aβ and SLURP-1, a peptide with antiproliferative effects, bind to α7nAChR. In this study, we will synthesize conotoxins, bicyclic peptides from marine animals that inhibit α7nAChR, by solid phase synthesis and cyclize them via two disulfide linkages using a selective protection and oxidation protocol. Effects on secretion of Aβ and SLURP-1 and on cell viability will be determined.
Poster / Live Session 1 / 9:10 a.m.
“EMU: Return to the Canvas”: The Creative Process of EMU Artists during the Pandemic
Adrian Ace, Sydney Ferguson and Myah Gaither Susan Badger Booth, faculty mentor
The students in the Fall 2020 section of the Arts Management class proudly present their final project “EMU: Return to the Canvas,” a documentary following the story of five Eastern Michigan University student artists during the Covid 19 pandemic. This project was conceptualized, developed and produced by the students in this class. The Arts Management class is a part of Eastern Michigan University’s Arts Management & Administration Programs. Students from the class Branding, Marketing and Production groups will be presenting on how this project was developed.
Design Expo / Live Group A / 9:15 a.m.
The Construct of Gender and Sexuality: Using Oral History to Deepen Understanding Tre’vian Briscoe
Tre’vian Briscoe Anke Wolbert, faculty mentor
What do we define as gender, as sex? People often question these two terms so much that we find them becoming warped and lost in translation. For this oral history interview, I interviewed a young trans man, so I could better grasp on what gender and sexuality are, and how they affect our society. Oral history interviews allow us to tell the story of the interviewee and connect their story to society at large. The following conversation should support the conversation on gender and sexuality and can create a better understanding of others while loosening the grip that society has on the preconceived notions that we have created over time.
Oral / Q&A Session B
Gwenyth Deiter Susan Badger Booth, faculty mentor
This interactive exhibit presents accessible tools used in previous research to create an accessible model of another student’s design exposition. The exhibit includes educational infographics, access tools, and feedback stations. The purpose of this exhibit is to inform and share the functions and effectiveness of accessibility in an academic environment. In summary, this exhibit aims to raise awareness for accessibility and inclusivity in the academic sector within the EMU community.
Design Expo / Live Group C / 1:45 p.m.
Accessibility in the Arts
Gwenyth Deiter Susan Badger Booth, faculty mentor
This presentation will discuss my previous year’s research with Eastern Michigan University Theatre and connect the data found to implement accessible components to create an abstract for the 2022 Undergraduate Symposium. I will apply my research from last year, assessing the effectiveness of the accessible elements used, while also applying research to projects at this year’s symposium. The goal is to further develop potential guidelines that will assist future symposiums in creating an accessible environment.
Oral / Live Session C / 2:30 p.m.
Double-Sided Door as a Theatrical Shortcut
Kaite Genthner Brian Scruggs, faculty mentor
Part of the immersive Hush Haunted Attraction, this piece is a doublesided door that takes you from a dingy maintenance hall into the abandoned underground catacombs of Hush Falls. This handcrafted door acts as a shortcut for actors between two adjacent rooms without taking the audience out of the experience of the room they are in. Through video, this demonstration will show how a piece of lauan and 2x4’s are able to appear in two completely different styled rooms while acting as a single bridge to both. This is done with the use of theatrical faux painting techniques, resin casting, and foam carving.
Design Expo / Q&A Group A
Life Coaches: Their Content and Influence Analyzed Through Lacanian Psychoanalysis
James Graham Nick Romerhausen, faculty mentor
I am looking at life coaches, Aaron Marino and Corey Wayne, and their media influence. The literature relates to media influence on relationships, motivation, and behaviors. The theoretical approach used was Lacanian Psychoanalysis (Object of Desire, Jouissance, Symbolic Order, The Imaginary, and the Real). Implications found were promoting males to become alpha males, products for cash, and reinforcing hook-up culture. Limitations were making the paper more objective and looking at other life coaches. These limitations can be solved with future research with different methods. One reason for viewership on the videos is individuals never obtaining the Object of Desire.
Oral / Live Session C / 1:40 p.m.
Handmade for the Holidays: Transitioning from an In-Person Art Fair to a Virtual Event
Stephani Hicks and Isabel Barreto Susan Badger Booth, faculty mentor
For many years AMP! Student Org has presented a student art fair in December called “Handmade for the Holidays.” This year due to the pandemic we weren’t able to do this event in-person so we decided to do an online art auction. This presentation will talk about challenges and successes through this new process.
Design Expo / Live Group C / 1:30 p.m. Liberty and Freedom: An Ideographic Analysis of This is America
Anthony Muradian Jonathan Carter, faculty mentor
This project performs an ideographic criticism of Childish Gambino’s song and music video This is America. My analysis demonstrates how Gambino showcases the United States’ proudly defined term of liberty, and flips it by showing the detriments of America’s so-called freedom. This rhetorical redefinition reframes political controversies around controversial issues of gun violence and race by raising the questions of the role of the ideograph of liberty in contemporary America. Through a close reading of the song and video’s intricate yet “in-your-face” style, I explore how the lyrics and explosive visuals call America to be accountable for its past and present.
Oral / Live Session B / 11:10 a.m.
Narrative Analysis of Sylvia Rivera’s 1973 Speech, “Y’all Better Quiet Down”
Georgia Nagel Jonathan Carter, faculty mentor
Using narrative analysis, this project examines Sylvia Rivera’s 1973 speech at the Christopher Street Liberation Day Rally in New York City. Based on a close reading of this speech, I argue that Rivera challenged existing narratives regarding the worth of different queer identities. Centering on foregrounding value of transgender people, despite their exclusion from the gay power movement, Rivera builds a new and inclusive story of gay power as she speaks to an audience which she sees as drenched in privilege and villainy. Based on this analysis, this project works to encourage a deeper understanding of her rhetoric and its impact on larger narratives of queer experience.
Oral / Q&A Session B
Black Business Owners and the Covid 19 Pandemic in Washtenaw County
Bianca Ramsey Sadaf Ali, faculty mentor
This research project focuses on how local Black businesses were affected by Covid 19 in Washtenaw County, particularly downtown Ypsilanti. Throughout my research, I gathered data by arranging one-on-one interviews with five local Black business owners and analyzed statistics regarding small businesses in Michigan. Throughout the interviews, I asked how the pandemic affected their businesses in terms of rent, clients, and income. Many Black business owners discussed how their business made a positive impact on residents in the community. This research project will bring more awareness to how African American businesses promote unity during a time of crisis.
Design Expo / Live Group C / 2:00 p.m.
Striking a Balance: Transforming EMU Arts Management & Administration’s Social Media Platforms
Olivia Robinson Susan Booth, faculty mentor
EMU Arts Management & Administration Programs have the privilege of graduating leaders with diverse & enriching experiences. After analyzing our past social media platforms, promoting the arts overwhelmed our social media outreach, stealing the spotlight from our management & business curriculum. This oral presentation intends to promote our new balance, displaying both arts and management equally. Included is an overview of the initial evaluation, an explanation of our branding, & our new ideas moving forward. We hope sharing the progress, passion, & plans of our students & faculty through Instagram, Facebook, & LinkedIn will connect the AMA community & increase campus visibility.
Oral / Live Session C / 1:30 p.m.
Framing Theory: A Textual Analysis of News Coverage of Breonna Taylor
Katrina D. Seals Nick Romerhausen, faculty mentor
During a prolonged uproar of life-changing events within the African American community, Breonna Taylor who identified as a Black woman in America was fatally shot in her home by a Louisville Metro police officer. This tragic incident took place on March 13, 2020, in Louisville, Kentucky. Coverage from media outlets stated the actions taken by the police department were sloppy and reckless. This study uses framing theory to understand the different ways that these news outlets covered Breonna Taylor’s murder. There are three types of frames that will be examined throughout this paper. After examining more than 100 headlines from CNN, ABC News, MSNBC News, and Fox News the study sought to understand this tragedy from a communication perspective.
Poster / Q&A Session 2
The Shared Human Experience and Universal Themes in Global Cinema
Alexander Smith Brooke Dagnan, faculty mentor
Cinema as an artform is positioned to reflect the values and struggles of a given culture. At the same time, cinema shows us that despite our perceived cultural differences, there are commonalities among all people, from the everyday struggles of the working class to grappling with the inevitability of death. Whether a film presents a young Saudi Arabian girl struggling with her place in society or a displaced family in China, global cinema shows us deep, universal human truths. By doing so the filmmakers create a sense of realism that is accentuated by using non-actors and shooting on location. Together these elements present a reflection of reality and a shared human experience.
Oral / Q&A Session C
Feel the Bern: Bernie Sanders and <Socialism> in the 21st Century
Valentyna Stadnik Jonathan Carter, faculty mentor
In order to understand the rise in popularity of democratic socialism, I analyze Bernie Sanders’s 2019 speech on ideology. Specifically, I discuss the use of <socialism> as an ideograph, an abstract noun used to justify displays of power or lack thereof. The presentation details Sanders’s use of American ideographs such as <justice> and <freedom> to understand how Sanders fights the negative connotation of <socialism> in favor of a more positive one associated with community wellness. From this analysis , I highlight how Sanders’s speech has affected American politics and offer predictions for future changes.
Oral / Live Session C / 1:30 p.m.
Representation of Colorism in Hollywood
Rhy’ss C. Taylor You Li, faculty mentor
This research examines Hollywood’s representation of people of color and its impact on adolescence. First, it uses critical discourse analysis to compare and contrast how white directors and non-white directors represent people of color in race-themed movies through the use of setting, dialogue, clothing, and other factors. Second, it interviews African American teenagers on their self-perception after viewing those movies. The results will shed light on the stereotypes and colorism used in those movies to portray people of color and how such representation may affect audiences’ self-esteem.
