Faculty and students in the Department of Communication Studies are actively involved in a broad number of research projects, presentations, publications, programs, grants, and other activities. The news below highlights recent accomplishments in the Department.
Dave Brennan, graduate student, is the Nominations Officer for the Argumentation and Forensics Division
Dimock Chairing National Committee
Assistant Professor Jim Dimock was re-elected Chair of the Research Committee of the AFA and is the Vice-Chair Elect of the Argumentation and Forensic Division.
White Wins NIET Distinguished Service Award
Dr. Leah White, associate professor, has been notified she is the 2010 recipient of the AFA-NIET Distinguished Service Award. Dr. White is the third recipient of the award from MSU, Mankato. Dr. Dan Cronn-Mills was recognized 2002 and Professor-Emeritus Larry Schnoor was awarded in 1987.
Grant-Funded Research
Dr. Daniel Cronn-Mills, professor, and Dr. Stephen Croucher (MA, 2003 and currently an assistant professor at Bowling Green State University) are the recipients of the 2009 DR. BRUCE MANCHESTER NIET SCHOLAR SERIES grant. The AFA-NIET Scholar Series is designed with the intent to promote and support forensics scholarship. Each year, one grant of $2,500 will be awarded to a communication scholars for the purpose of conducting intensive study and research on a public communication issue relevant to forensics. The recipients of this annual grant shall be recognized by the AFA-NIET as the NIET Scholars. Cronn-Mills and Croucher’s project is titled “’The “Carousel Effect’ in Individual Events Conference Presentations: Impact on Research and the Discipline"
Droogsma Recipient of Diversity Award
Dr. Rachel Droogsma is a recipient of the 2009-2010 President's Diversity Award. Recipients must demonstrate a high regard for diversity by demonstrating one or more of the following:
A commitment to the spirit of diversity
Leadership through positive interaction between persons of different cultural backgrounds.
Behavior which illustrates commitment to inclusion of persons within the institution who are members of traditionally under-represented groups.
A wide-ranging curiosity and concern about the implications of how people and organizations communicate has earned Dr. Stephen Croucher, communication, this year’s Outstanding Young Scholar Award. The award helps enhance the academic career of junior faculty by providing discretionary funds for the support of future scholarly activities. It brings a $1,000 credit to the recipient's discretionary research account, in addition to a $2,000 cash award.
Croucher was nominated by his colleague Dr. Lynda Dee Dixon, who wrote of his “quantity and quality of research, grant-writing efforts, his increased writing and research skills and his choice of topics that relate to many crises that are local and international in scope.” Croucher’s investigations have taken him from the United States to France, Great Britain and, most recently, India. His peer-reviewed 2008 book, Looking Beyond the Hijab, is an examination of the failure of the French cultural adaptation model in the case of Muslim immigrants from North Africa. The book is one of the first, in-depth qualitative tests of cultural adaptation theory in the communication discipline.
His second book, to be published in 2010, will analyze the ways in which cultural misunderstandings between Muslims and non-Muslims in France and Britain have contributed to increased conflict, prejudice and hatred. Both books grew out of his interest in intercultural communication.
Croucher recently completed grant-funded data collection in India examining the organizational dissent of people working in Indian firms. “I believe the correlations between organizational dissent, organizational identification and an individual’s religious affiliation may potentially provide a more in-depth understanding of such variables,” he wrote. As for the next steps in his exploration of immigration issues, he sees promise in the study of religion as a variable in communication, and of intercultural adaptation within organizations.
Since he came to BGSU in 2006, Croucher has had nine, peer-reviewed journal articles and has three articles now in press in highly ranked journals. He has also made 23 research presentations at communication conferences here and abroad. These have led to his winning “top paper” awards three times, in 2007, 2008 and 2009, and being asked to review for the Western Journal of Communication and Mass Media and Society.
Croucher began his search for grants while still a doctoral student. He has received funding from the University of Oklahoma, BGSU, the U.S. State Department Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs, El Fayed Royal Family United Arab Emirates Research Grant Fund and the Department of Homeland Security.
By setting an example and mentoring graduate students, Croucher has “created an early career exemplar for the beginning assistant professor,” Dixon said, adding that many of his publications include his student research teams.
November 9, 2009
Master's Program Receives Award
The Department of Communication Studies is being recognized with the Most Innovative Program Award from the Masters Education Section of the National Communication Association. The reviewers applauded theprogram for its groundbreaking MFA in Forensics as well as for its excellence in curriculum and faculty.
MES will hold a presentation ceremony during the MES business meeting at the NCA convention in Chicago (Saturday 12:30-1:45 in Hilton Wilford A). The Masters Education Section of NCA was established to bring more attention and recognition to the work done in Master’s level education and one of itsmost important functions is to recognize the new directions in graduate programs.
Six Undergraduate Students in Journal of Undergraduate Research
Dr. Stephen Croucher (MA, 2003) has an article accepted for the the journal Communication Studies.
Croucher, S. M., Oommen, D., Hicks, M. V., Holody, K. J., Anarbaeva, S. Yoon, Y., Spencer, A. T., Marsh, C., & Aljahli, A. I. (in press 2010). The effects of self-construal and religiousness on argumentativeness: A cross-cultural analysis. Communication Studies.
Abstract: Christians and Muslims were recruited from France (N = 600), Britain (N = 568), and the United States (N = 1,176) to complete a survey assessing the relationship between argumentativeness and an individuals’ self-construal. Correlation analysis revealed the relationships between self-construal, argumentativeness and religiousness were significantly opposite those predicted. Hierarchical regression modeling results revealed national, and religious identification to each have significant effects on the relationship between self-construal and argumentativeness. Religiousness did not have a significant effect on the relationship between argumentativeness and an individual’s self-construal. Overall, an individual’s culture was shown to significantly influence his/her level of argumentativeness.
On September 22, a pair of MSU Forensics team speakers traveled across town to compete at the opening tournament of the Parliamentary League of the Upper Midwest (PLUM) 13th season at Bethany Lutheran College. Juniors Suzanne Lumberg and Ariel Klugman had a wonderful day, taking home the Gold Award by going undefeated in all 3 prelim rounds and both outrounds. Suzanne was the Champion Speaker of the tournament and Ariel was the 3rd place speaker.
Overall, a fantastic start to the 2009-2010 season for MSU! The Mavericks will next travel to Kansas State University (Oct. 3 & 4) to open their individual events season.
Chad Kuyper (MFA '09), Professor James Dimock, Assistant Professor in Communication Studies, and Peggy Dimock have an article titled “A Rationale for Incorporating Dystopian Literature into Introductory Speaking Courses,” in the 2009 CTAMJournal.
Two Alums will receive teaching awards at the 2009 Communication and Theater Association of MN Conference. Sarah Wolter (MA, 2005) is receiving the New College Teacher Award. This award recognizes outstanding instruction for individuals in their first five years of full-time teaching of communication and/or theater at the college/university level. Derrick Lindstrom (MA, 2007) is receiving the Adjunct Teacher Award. This award recognizes outstanding teaching for any faculty member who is not in a probationary or tenured position.
Dr. Dan Cronn-Mills, professor, was a keynote speaker on August 31 the Southern Minnesota Paraprofessionals—Minnesota Service Cooperatives Conference.
Multimedia Lab for Communication Studies
The Department of Communication Studies is pleased to announce the new Communication Studies/KMSU Multimedia Computer Lab. The lab, resulting from an exciting partnership between KMSU and Communication Studies, features six Macintosh computers allowing Communication Studies a comfortable and unique setting in which to create multimedia messages--from training videos to audio documentaries. The lab is located at KMSU and is currently open to students from 7 AM-5 PM, with these hours likely to expand when the new Mavcard security system is in place. The Department of Communication Studies would like to thank Jim Gullickson from KMSU for his support of this project and our students.
Dr. Jason Edwards (MA, '02) recently had the following accepted for publication:Theessay, "Sanctioning Foreign Policy: The Rhetorical Use of Harry Truman in Presidential Discourse," appears in Presidential Studies Quarterly, 39, 454-472.
A book chapter, "Staying the Course as World Leader: Bill Clinton's Use of Historical Analogies," that appeared in the book The Presidency of the United States: New Issues and Developments (which is a reprint of an essay from 2007).
Additionally, Jason has two essays that have been accepted in the near future. The paper "Apologizing for the Past for a Better Future: Collective Apologies in the United States, Australia, and Canada," will appear in The Southern Communication Journal.And a co-authored piece with colleagues Joseph Valenzano and Karla Stevenson, titled "The Peacekeeping Mission: Bringing Stability to a Chaotic Scene" will appear in Communication Quarterly.
Greg Karpe (BS, '09) is curently working in sales for Sioux Falls at Dakota Digital, makers and sellers of high-end digital gauges for hot rods, muscle cars and motorcycles. Greg will be giving presentations at trade shows and car shows. Greg's job allows him to bridge his love of cars with his newly earned degree is Communication Studies.
Communication Studies Faculty, Emeriti, and Students Presenting at 2009 CTAM Conference
From Just Talk to Taking a Stand: Developing Partnerships between the Speech Classroom and the Minnesota Genocide Intervention Network
Peggy Dimock, St. Peter High School
Ellen J. Kennedy, University of Minnesota
James P. Dimock, MN State University, Mankato
This purpose of this panel is to show teachers of communication and public speaking how they can partner with the Genocide Intervention Network and how such partnership cannot only help students develop practical communication and public speaking skills but how students can use their voices to bring about meaningful change in the world. Panelists offer practical suggestions on developing a partnership with the Minnesota GIN including assignments and activities.
Best Practices in High School Speech Invitationals
David Brennan, MN State University, Mankato
Emily Heinis, Lakeville South High School
Jan Urtel, Mankato East High School
Jason Willis, Maple River High School
This discussion-based panel will examine the best practices when running a high school speech invitational. Audience participation is more than welcome as we talk about a variety of issues. Topics include ballots, critique sheets, draw rounds, green tournaments, and more!
CEU’s and Online Graduate Program Opportunities
Daniel Cronn-Mills, MN State University, Mankato
Warren Sandmann, MN State University, Mankato
James P. Dimock, MN State University, Mankato
The Communication Studies Department at MSU, Mankato is now offering online CEUs, online graduate courses and entire online graduate programs. Come join a discussion about all the opportunities available and tell us what you would like to see next. Courses are in high school forensics, speech and many areas of professional communication, which would be applicable to high school instructors, college instructors and other working professionals.
Communication Curriculum at the State Universities, Transfer Issues and Credits, and Articulation Agreements: An Apology (The term comes from the Greek word apologia (απολογία), meaning a speaking in defense.)
Lisa Glueck, Winona State University
Mark Fokken, Southwest Minnesota State University
Katheryn Kelly, Metropolitan State University
Paula Thompson/Roseanna Ross, St. Cloud State University
Ginny Anderson, Bemidji State University
Dan Cronn-Mills, MN State University, Mankato
Each of the seven presenters will take 5 minutes to tell about their program, their transfer course decisions and programs, and what they would like to propose for any articulation agreements. Then the discussion will be opened to audience members’ questions and reactions. There is a long history of misunderstandings concerning students transferring from the Community College programs with their AA degrees and finding some of their communication courses not counting toward the major at one of the seven State Universities. This is an opportunity to have at least one faculty from each of the universities talk about their program needs and constraints, and to answer specific questions from those designing certificate and on line programs at the Community Colleges.
A Graduate Student Research Panel: Rhetoric of Protest and Dissent
Alyssa Reid, MN State University, Mankato
Amara Thomas, MN State University, Mankato
David Brennan, MN State University, Mankato
Megan Orcholski, MN State University, Mankato
Sarah Eckstein, MN State University, Mankato
This panel reviews the current state of research into the study of protest and dissent. Students will present original research in the study of protest rhetoric and apply their understanding of rhetorical theory to their
own understanding and experience in protest and dissent.
Avoiding Death by PowerPoint: Designing and Using Slides for Classroom Instructors and Students
Warren Sandmann, MN State University, Mankato
This session is designed for presentation and interaction--participants will learn about basic slide design principles for use in their own classroom lectures and presentations, as well as for helping students develop and use slide presentations. Additionally, participants will work together to identify and repair common problems with slide development and use.
Using Streaming Video in Public Speaking (and Other Classes)
Dan Cronn-Mills, MN State University, Mankato
Warren Sandmann, MN State University, Mankato
Nan Johnson-Curiskis, MN State University, Mankato
VHS tapes and the bulky camcorders are joining 8-track tapes as extinct technology. Public Speaking classes often relied on the ease the VHS camcorders to record student presentations. The shift to digital technology made the process more technical and complicated. MSU, Mankato has shifted to easy-to-use recorders and streaming-video servers to resolve the issue. Join us as we talk about the technology, equipment and implications of using streaming video.
Extemporaneous Speaking: Purposes, Preparation, Pedagogy
James P. Dimock, MN State University, Mankato
Chris McDonald, Eagan High School
David Brennan, Minnesota State University, Mankato
This panel considers Extemporaneous Speaking and the panelists offer perspectives on the activity’s purposes and how we teach and coach extemporaneous speaking. The panelists offer practical advice with respect to research, filing, organization, and delivery for college and high school students.
G.I.F.T.S. for Online Teaching
Angie Seifert Anderson, Anoka-Ramsey Comm.
College, Cambridge
Derrick Lindstrom, Minneapolis Comm. & Tech.
College
Kari Beutz, Wayzata High School
Melissa Landin, Inver Hills Community College
Nan Johnson-Curiskis, MN State University, Mankato
A panel of faculty (High School, College and University) will present Great Ideas for Teaching Online. Come and learn some new ways to engage students in learning online. Faculty will reveal their tricks of the trade and provide handouts and resources. Participants are asked to bring their own ideas and handouts (at least 40 copies) to share.
Listening as a Coach/Listening as a Judge
Nan Johnson-Curiskis, MN State University, Mankato
Melissa Beall, University of Northern Iowa
As a coach, you need to build an effective team climate. As a judge, you are expected to analyze speeches and cases. This interactive session will discuss the types of listening needed for both along with specific examples and suggestions.
Communication Studies Faculty, Emeriti, and Students Presenting at the National Communication Association Conference November 2009
David Brennan (Minnesota State University, Mankato)
