Graduation Term

2018

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

School of Communication

Committee Chair

John F. Hooker

Abstract

This thesis is comprised of two studies. Study I is a qualitative exploratory analysis which attempts to uncover students’ experiences with instructors discussing alcohol in the university classroom and how the appropriateness of this behavior is determined. How this mention of alcohol affects the students’ perception of the instructor, as well as the relationship between perceived appropriateness of the behavior and change in perception, are also investigated. Study I found that students have experienced their instructors mentioning alcohol in the classroom as normative student behavior, part of the formal curriculum, and their instructor disclosing personal alcohol use. Participants determined appropriateness based on perceived relevance to students or class. Study II sought to determine out how instructors discussing alcohol in the classroom affects the way students perceive them. Specifically, Study II examines how an instructor mentioning alcohol while advocating for safe drinking behavior, discussing their personal alcohol use behaviors, alcohol as part of the curriculum, student future alcohol use, and student past alcohol use affect rapport, homophily, and credibility. The data indicated that instructors advocating for student safe drinking had the most positive impact on all three measures, whereas instructors who discussed their personal drinking behaviors in the classroom had significantly lower scores on rapport, homophily, and credibility.

Access Type

Thesis-Open Access

DOI

http://doi.org/10.30707/ETD2018.Brophy.N

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Communication Commons

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