Date of Award
12-1-2024
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy
Department
Mass Communication and Media Arts
First Advisor
Metz, Walter
Abstract
In a contrarian rehabilitation project, this dissertation rewrites the history of the transmission model. In grounding the concept in the field of telecommunications, I demonstrate how the transmission model is a conception of communication that has historically been driven by humanity’s dream of communicating in different places at the same time. In doing so, I trace its origins to numerous optical-based and messenger-based relay networks throughout history including the Great Wall of China, the Persian Empire’s Angarium, and the Roman Empire’s cursus publicus. Furthermore, I contend the transmission model’s rise to prominence in Western culture is most notably through the gospel of Jesus and the spread of Christianity.
Access
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