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Robert Woods

By on March 27, 2017 in Faculty Publications

Healey, Kevin, and Robert H. Woods. “Processing Is Not Judgment, Storage Is Not Memory: A Critique of Silicon Valley’s Moral Catechism.” Journal Of Media Ethics 32, no. 1 (January 2017): 2-15. doi:10.1080/23736992.2016.1258990

Abstract: This article critiques contemporary applications of the computational metaphor, popular among Silicon Valley technologists, that views individuals and culture through the lens of computer and information systems. Taken literally, this metaphor has become entrenched as a quasi-religious ideology that obscures the moral and political-economic gatekeeping power of technology elites. Through an examination of algorithmic processing applications and life-logging devices, the authors highlight the inequitable consequences of the tendency, in popular media and marketing rhetoric, to collapse the distinctions between processing and judgment, storage and memory. Such distinctions are necessary for an ethical development of more equitable digital environments.

Robert Woods & Caleb Chan

By on May 11, 2016 in Faculty Publications

Woods, Robert H., Kelly Skarritt-Williams, Caleb Chan, Ken Waters, and Divine Agodzo. “Motivations for Reading the Left Behind Book Series: A Uses and Gratifications Analysis.” Journal Of Media & Religion 15, no. 2 (April 2016): 63-77.

Abstract: This uses and gratifications study investigates motivations for reading theLeft Behindbook series and their correlation to media use patterns; religious commitments; and the Conservative Protestant, Mainline, or Catholic Christian background of readers. The survey of 1,188 readers found that sanctified entertainment and “end times” teaching were the top reasons for reading the series. There was a significant positive relationship between religious media use and spiritual growth/development, content reaction, and accuracy. A significant positive relationship was found between religious commitment and content reaction, and religious commitment and biblical accuracy reading motivations. The study revealed different reading motivations among the various denominations, especially Catholics.

Robert Woods

By on December 3, 2013 in Faculty Publications

Woods, Robert  and Kevin Healy, eds. Prophetic Critique and Popular Media: Theoretical Foundations and Practical Applications, New York: Peter Lang , 2013.

Prophetic CritiqueThis book positions the «prophetic» as an organizing concept that can bridge religious and secular criticism of popular media. Drawing from philosophical ethics and moral psychology, the book argues that prophetic critique engages a complex set of universal human capabilities. Whether religious or secular in origin, prophetic critique requires developmentally complex modes of critical reflection, imagination, empathy, and communication. Although this book is diverse in perspective, each author seeks to expose how the content, institutions, and technologies of popular media alternately support – or undermine – the basic values of equality, human dignity, and social justice. By foregrounding such universal principles, the authors distinguish their arguments from critical/cultural scholarship that fails to acknowledge its own normative foundations and implicit theology of culture. The authors demonstrate the efficacy of this framework by applying it to specific case studies in popular media including theater, film, music, journalism, and digital culture. The book argues that the prophetic critique of mass media is essential to maintaining a productive tension between religious communities and the institutions of secular democracy. More broadly, in outlining an inclusive understanding of prophetic critique, this book builds bridges between religious and secular scholarship and generates a unique vision for a revitalized, mass-mediated public sphere.

Robert Woods

By on January 9, 2013 in Faculty Publications

Woods, Robert H. ed. Evangelical Christians and Popular Culture: Pop Goes the Gospel. Santa Barbara, Calif: ABC-CLIO, 2013.

Shepherds of the EmpireEvangelical Christians and Popular Culture: Pop Goes the Gospel addresses the full spectrum of evangelical media and popular culture offerings, even delving into lesser-known forms of evangelical popular culture such as comic books, video games, and theme parks. The chapters in this 3-volume work are written by over 50 authors who specialize in fields as diverse as history, theology, music, psychology, journalism, film and television studies, advertising, and public relations. Volume 1 examines film, radio and television, and the Internet; Volume 2 covers literature, music, popular art, and merchandise; and Volume 3 discusses public figures, popular press, places, and events. The work is intended for a scholarly audience but presents material in a student-friendly, accessible manner. Evangelical insiders will receive a fresh look at the wide variety of evangelical popular culture offerings, many of which will be unknown, while non-evangelical readers will benefit from a comprehensive introduction to the subject matter.

Diane Badzinski & Robert Woods

By on September 16, 2012 in Faculty Publications

Morgan, Tanja N., Cheryl A. Hampton, Shanise Davenport, Ellen Young, Diane M. Badzinski, Kathy Brittain Richardson, and Robert H. Woods. “Sacred Symbols with a Secular Beat? A Content Analysis of Religious and Sexual Imagery in Modern Rock, Hip Hop, Christian, and Country Music Videos.” Journal of Religion and Popular Culture 24, no. 3 (Fall, 2012): 432-448.

Abstract: A content analysis of music videos for the 2008 top-rated songs in four musical genres was conducted in order to gauge change in the presence of religious and sexual symbols since the mid-1990s and to determine if sexual and religious images were prevalent in the increasingly popular hip hop genre. Religious images appeared in about one-third of videos across genres, and sexual images appeared in more than half the videos and in all of the hip hop videos. Hip hop and country videos had the highest co-occurrences of religious and sexual imagery, although there was co-occurrence in each genre. The significance and possible interpretations of the symbols and their co-occurrence are discussed.

Robert Woods & Diane Badzinski

By on July 2, 2012 in Faculty Publications

Woods, Robert H., Diane M. Badzinski, Janie M. Harden Fritz, and Sarah E. Yeates. “The ‘Ideal Professor’ and Gender Effects in Christian Higher Education.” Christian Higher Education 11, no. 3 (July 2012): 158–176.

Abstract: A survey was administered to 451 undergraduate students at a private liberal arts Christian university to identify students’ perceptions of the ideal professor. The survey revealed that the ideal professor places great emphasis on the integration of faith and learning, is flexible (and even easy), maintains high academic standards, encourages students, and has an adaptive teaching style. Findings also highlighted gender differences in student perception of the ideal professor. Women perceived an adaptable teaching style, encouragement, and integration of faith and learning as slightly more important than men did in defining the characteristics of an ideal professor. Implications are framed in terms of student expectations for content and relationship dimensions of learning associated with Christian colleges and universities.

Robert Woods & Diane Badzinski

By on July 16, 2009 in Faculty Publications

Hirdes, Wendy, Robert Woods, and Diane M. Badzinski. “A Content Analysis of Jesus Merchandise.” Journal of Media and Religion 8, no. 3 (2009): 141-157. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/15348420903091030.

Abstract: Despite the growing popularity of Jesus merchandise in Christian retailing, little attention has been given to nontraditional religious media such as Jesus merchandise. The present study examined the persuasive appeals associated with various forms of Jesus merchandise and the primary communication functions that such merchandise fit. A content analysis of 982 pieces of Jesus merchandise revealed that informational and “good times” appeals are the two most common appeals used to promote Christianity. Jesus’ name is used in logical or rational appeals designed to change beliefs and promote positive attitudes toward the Christian faith, while Jesus’ image is used in emotional appeals. Edification is the most common communication function that fit Jesus merchandise analyzed in this study, with evangelism and public relations finishing a distant second and third, respectively. Implications of using certain persuasive strategies and associating particular values with Jesus merchandise were considered.

Robert Woods

By on April 16, 2008 in Faculty Publications

Woods, Robert H., Jr. “Review of Communication, Media, and Identity: A Christian Theory of Communication.” Journal of Media and Religion 7, no. 3 (2008): 190-194. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/15348420802223213.

Abstract: Reviews the book, Communication, Media, and Identity: A Christian Theory of Communication by Robert S. Fortner (2007). Throughout this scholarly book, which culls from a wide range of literature on the philosophy and theology of communication, Fortner defines some of the basic characteristics or norms of Christian communication. He nicely summarizes these characteristics in chapter 11 on “Implications,” which reads like a manifesto of Christian communication. Readers could begin with chapter 11 before tackling chapters 1-10 as a way to keep the “big ideas” in mind throughout the chapters; it makes for a great introduction to the major issues. The author’s work is ideally suited for anyone teaching communication from a biblical perspective or for those interested in critiquing or conducting faith-based scholarship.

Robert Woods

By on September 29, 2007 in Faculty Publications

Ebersole, Samuel, and Robert Woods. “Motivations for viewing reality television: a uses and gratification analysis.” Southwestern Mass Communication Journal 23, no. 1 (September 2007): 23-42.

Abstract: This survey research examines motives for viewing Reality TV programs. Employing a uses and gratifications approach, this study found five factors that explain program choice preference: personal identification with real characters, entertainment, mood change, pass time, and vicarious participation. The relationships of the aforementioned factors to viewers’ level of TV viewing, affinity for viewing, perceived realism, and parasocial interaction were examined. The study found that Reality TV viewers expand previous notions of ritualized or instrumental viewing categories identified by earlier TV viewer research, and that the interactive nature of Reality TV programming may contribute to the strong sense of personal identification that many viewers experience.

Robert Woods and Brian Walrath

By on January 13, 2007 in Faculty Publications

Woods, Robert, and Brian Walrath. The Message in the Music: Studying Contemporary Praise and Worship. Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press, 2007.

The Making of an Ordinary Saint The definitive guide to the meaning of today’s most popular praise and worship songs. Few things influence Christians’ understanding of the faith more than the songs they sing in worship. The explosion of praise and worship music in the last fifteen years has profoundly affected our experience of God. So what are those songs telling us about who God is? In what ways have they made us more faithful disciples of Jesus Christ? In what ways have they failed to embody the full message of the gospel?

Working with the lists of the most frequently sung praise and worship songs from recent years, the authors of this book offer an objective but supportive assessment of the meaning and contribution of the Christian music that has been so important in the lives of contemporary believers.