Dissertation
The persuasive power of energy independence
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Drexel University
Nov 2013
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/etd-4316
Abstract
The dissertation examines the public usage of the phrase "energy independence" during the years 1973 to 2010. More than 1600 separate articles that reference the phrase were identified in four content sources, the New York Times, the Washington Post, the Christian Science Monitor, and the Wall Street Journal. The study methods include content analysis and discourse analysis. The content analysis examined and coded 400 articles, recording observed instances of frames, communicative functions, and comment sources to identify frequency patterns. The discourse analysis applied a range of strategies and tactics to a subset of 16 articles, including examinations of lexical choices, tropes and metaphors, and cultural understandings. Findings include the identification of three myths related to the phrase "energy independence:" the indomitable America Spirit, which asserts that Americans, individually or collectively, can achieve anything they set their minds to; America as a self-delusional addict, which suggests undesirable American behaviors have resulted in destructive addictions; and oil-producing nations represented as villains.
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Details
- Title
- The persuasive power of energy independence
- Creators
- Robert Devito - DU
- Contributors
- Rachel R. Reynolds (Advisor) - Drexel University (1970-)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Resource Type
- Dissertation
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- College of Arts and Sciences; Communication; Drexel University
- Other Identifier
- 4316; 991014632831204721