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Mass Communication Division
National Communication Association
November 2003
Published three times annually by the Mass Communication Division of NCA.
Editor: Glenda R. Balas, University of New Mexico
(gbalas@unm.edu)
Newsletter Contents:
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Welcome from the Division Chair
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Business Meeting Information
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Agenda for NCA Business Meeting
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Top Three MCD Papers
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Call for Nominations for 2003-04 Officers
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Thanks to Paper Reviewers!
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Call for Papers—NCA 2004
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Mass Communication Division Conference Panels
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Listing of MCD Papers and Panels
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Spotlight on Scholarship…Alan Rubin
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Call for Entries: Movie Gallery Student Video
Competition
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Job Posting: Regis University
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Welcome from the Division Chair
Hello to all members of the Mass Communication Division. And, a special
welcome to new members and to student members. It was wonderful to see so
many familiar and new faces at the Division’s panels and Business meeting.
The feedback about the New Orleans conference was so positive. Thanks for
all of you for helping to make the convention a success. The officers
deserve special recognition for their work. Personal thanks to Shing-Ling
Chen and Mary Beth Oliver for their work and advice. We all owe Research
Chair Mehdi Semati appreciation for handling the paper competition. We are a
fortunate division to have such capable and generous members.
The New Orleans program offered 18 panels that focused on a variety of
perspective and topics. We were fortunate to have so many members
participating this year. And, we welcomed our graduate student presenters,
many of whom were showcased in a special panel highlighting graduate student
papers.
The 2003 convention in Miami offers our members opportunities to show their
abilities, talent, and creativity. The convention theme is “Reaching
Out/Reaching In.” I’d like to see even more submissions than last year. So,
take a look at the Call For Papers in the Newsletter. I encourage our
members to submit papers and thematic panels. Contact Jim Walker if you have
any ideas or questions about paper or panel submissions.
The Division officers look forward to a busy and productive year. Please
offer us your suggestions and ideas of ways to make our 2003 Miami
convention a success. Thanks for all your help.
Betsy Perse
Chair, Mass Communication Division, NCA
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Mass Communication Division Business Meeting Information
All Division members are especially encouraged to attend the Mass
Communication Business Meeting (Saturday, November 22, 12:30 p.m. - 1:45
p.m.-Voltaire-Level IV-Fontainebleau) and the Mass Communication Division
Reception that follows the business meeting (2:00 p.m. - 3:15 p.m.) in the
same room.
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Agenda for Business Meeting
The MCD Business Meeting will be held from 12:30-1:45 p.m., Saturday,
November 22, 2003, in Voltaire, Level IV, Fontainebleau. The following is
the meeting agenda:
AGENDA
1. Call to order and distribution of agenda (Chair: Eliabeth M. Perse)
2. Introduction of Mass Communication Division officers
3. Minutes of 2002 Business Meeting (Secretary: Dwight Brooks)
4. Reports and announcements form Mass Communication Division Committee
officers:
a. Nominating Committee and election of new officers
(Nominations Committee Chair: Tom Reichert)
b. Report: 2003 Convention program (Vice Chair: Jim
Walker)
c. Awards: Top paper awards (Research Committee
Chair: Doug Ferguson)
d. Report: Legislative Council (Chair: Elizabeth
Perse)
5. Installation of new officers (Chair: Elizabeth Perse)
6. 2004 convention program (Vice Chair: Jim Walker; Research Committee
Chair: David Roskos-Ewolsen)
7. New Business
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Top Three MCD Papers—NCA 2003
The top three papers this year were as follows:
“On the effect of the “third person effect”: Perceived influence of media
coverage and residential mobility intentions”-- Yariv Tsfati, U. of Haifa;
Jonathan Cohen, U. of Haifa
“Enjoyment of Mediated Horror and Violence: A Meta-Analysis”-- Cynthia A.
Hoffner, Georgia State University; Kenneth A. Levine, University of
Tennessee
“Skin Tone, Crime News, and Social Reality Judgments: Priming the Schema of
the Dark and Dangerous Black Criminal”-- Travis L. Dixon, University of
Illinois, Urbana-Champaign; Keith L. Maddox, Tufts University
Congratulations to these fine scholars!
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Call for Nominations for 2003-04 Officers
The Mass Communication Division Nominations Committee is seeking nominations
and self nominations for division officer positions for 2003-2004.
Nominations are sought for the offices of (1) Vice Chair Elect, (2)
Secretary, (3) Research Committee member (two positions), (4) Publications
Editor, (5) Web Wizard, (6) Nominations Committee membership (five
positions), (7) NCA Resolutions Representative, and (8) Graduate Student
Representative. If you or someone you know is interested in serving, please
contact Tom Reichert, University of Alabama (reichert@apr.ua.edu).
Vice-Chair Elect:
The year that a person is elected to vice-chair elect, that person will be
responsible for overseeing the announcements of the teaching/service awards,
and for selecting the award winner (with help from other members of
committee). The following fall, when the person assumes the position of
vice-chair, this position entails going to the program planning meeting at
NCA, distributing the call for papers at the business meeting, and making
sure that the call for papers is given to the program planners. As
vice-chair, the person assumes the responsibility of program planner for the
division, overseas the judging of panel submissions, and, with the aid of
the chair of the research committee, arranges panels and competitive papers
into sessions that are submitted to the NCA program planners for
consideration. The responsibilities involved in this position are heaviest
immediately after the convention, in February and March when division
members submit papers and proposals, and during the convention itself when
planning meetings occur.
Secretary:
The secretary assumes responsibility for creating and maintaining a record
of communication and events at the business meeting during our annual
convention. The secretary’s position spans two years. The first year the
secretary takes notes during the meeting, following the format set in
previous years. Election results will occur simultaneously during regular
business. Those notes should be organized and put into a word process file
as soon as possible after the meeting and distributed to the vice chair and
secretary for review. After any corrections, a permanent version of the
notes can be sent to other officers and printed for inclusion in the
archive. The second year the secretary is responsible for distributing the
notes to meeting attendees and presenting the notes formally at the
beginning of the business meeting.
Research Committee: (two people elected)
The person (this year two people will be chosen for this committee) who is
elected as a member of the Research Committee will stay on the committee for
three years. The first year as a member of the Research Committee, the
second year as the Chair-Elect, and the third year as the Chair of the
Research Committee. The responsibilities of the first two years on the
Committee are mainly to assist the work of the Chair, and to be determined
by the Chair. The third year as the Chair of the Committee, the person will
coordinate convention paper reviews for the Division, and program
competitive paper sessions based on the results of the reviews.
Nominations Committee: (five people elected, including Chair)
The Chair of the Nominations Committee solicits self and other nominations
from various MCD positions from members of the Mass Communication Division
and from members of the Nominating Committee. It is wise to solicit and
receive such nominations by the end of the summer prior to the NCA annual
meeting. In consultation with members of the Nominating Committee, the Chair
seeks and receives input about the nominees and finalizes a slate of
candidates for each position. With the assistance of Committee members, the
Nominating Committee Chair conducts the elections during the MCD’s Business
Meeting at the NCA Annual Convention.
Publications Committee:
The job of the Publicity officer is to serve as a conduit of information
among NCA Mass Communication Division members and does the following three
things: (1) Maintain the email list by updating it periodically (i.e., there
is a constant churn in the list as new members join, some addresses change,
and other drop out, etc.), (2) Writing and dispersing via e-mail four
e-newsletters (e.g., in March, May, October, November). Maintaining a
e-mailing list can be time consuming, as can editing and producing
newsletters. But the position is enjoyable and is an important professional
service. Many members of the Mass Communication Division rely heavily on the
newsletter, especially the electronic newsletter, for relevant information
about research, careers, and the profession.
Web Wizard:
The individual in this position maintains the web site for the division,
updating the site with newsletters, names and officers, and contact
information. At present, the person who occupies this position is
responsible for housing the web site on a server at his/her university.
Graduate Student Representative:
This person serves as a “voice” representing graduate student interests in
the division, relaying issues of interest and concern to officers within the
division.
Representative to the NCA Resolutions Committee:
This person represents the Mass Communication Division at NCA executive
meetings if any resolutions are presented to the association.
Current Nominees for MCD Officer Positions
The Nominations Committee has put forward the following slate of
nominations. Additional nominations are also encouraged.
Vice Chair Elect (1 position)
Robbin Crabtree (Fairfield University)
Kristen Harrison (University of Illinois)
Secretary (1 position)
Heather Hundley (CSU, San Bernardino)
Research Committee (2 positions)
Kristen Harrison (University of Illinois)
Nominations Committee (5 positions)
Publications Committee (1 position)
Web Wizard (1 position)
Graduate Student Representative (1 position)
Representative to the NCA Resolutions Committee (1 position)
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Thanks to Paper Reviewers!
Doug Ferguson and Jim Walker want to thank the following people for all
their help reviewing competitive papers and panels: Toby Arquette, Glenda
Balas, Dwight Brooks, Xiaomei Cai, Kevin Carragee, Shing-Ling Chen, Rebecca
Chory-Assad, Dane Claussen, Robbin Crabtree, Robert DeChaine, Bryan Denham,
Bethami Dobkin, Ralph Donald, Anthony Ferri, Yuki Fujioka, Mark
Goodman, Arne G'Schwind, Paul Haridakis, Kristen Harrison, Janellen Hill,
Cynthia Hoffner, Cary Horvath, Barbara Kaye, Gracie Lawson-Borders, Cindy
Lont, Sharon Mazzarella, Matt McAllister, Tim
Meyer, Kimberly Moffitt, Mary Beth Oliver, Patrice Oppliger, Zizi
Papacharissi, Norma Pecora, Betsy Perse, Jim Potter, Tom Reichert, Alan
Rubin, Michelle Seelig, Mehdi Semati, Nancy Signorielli, Mary Step, Susannah
Stern, Erin Szabo, Judith Thorpe, Cassandra Van Buren, Ron Warren, and
Emmett Winn.
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Call for Papers—NCA 2004
Copies of Papers: 5
Deadline: February 15, 2004
Specify student papers: yes
Maximum length: 25 pages (excluding tables and references)
The Mass Communication Division invites I. Competitive Papers and II.
Thematic Panel Proposals for program sessions addressing theory, research,
or methodological issues in mass communication.
I. Competitive Papers
All competitive papers must be registered online at www.natcom.org. Please
follow the online directions for registering your paper.
Once you have registered the paper online, you must send 5 copies of papers
for review to: David Roskos-Ewolsen, University of Alabama, College of
Communication. Box 870172, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0172; Tel 205-348-8082; Fax
205-348-8080; E-mail: droskos@ccom.ua.edu. Copies of complete papers for
review should be submitted in hardcopy form. Fax and E-mail attachments will
not be accepted.
The Division Research Committee will evaluate competitive papers anonymously
and those selected will be critiqued by a respondent after presentation.
Paper length is limited to 25 pages excluding tables and references,
double-spaced. Longer papers will not be considered. Paper submissions must
include the following: (1) a title page showing author(s) name(s), complete
mailing address, telephone number, email address, and any A/V requirements;
(2) a separate 100-150 word abstract. Student papers (whose author(s) must
all be students) should be prominently marked “Student” on the title page,
the abstract page, and the first page of the text. Please note that
identifying information should be included only on the title page. Fax and
email submissions cannot be accepted. A/V requests must be made at the time
of submission; we regret that late requests cannot be accommodated.
II. Thematic Panel Proposals
All thematic panel proposals must be submitted online at www.natcom.org by
February 15, 2004. Please follow the online directions for submitting your
thematic panel. Please make sure that all information has been properly
entered. The Mass Communication Division is not responsible for incomplete
submissions. Questions regarding a thematic panel submission (not a
competitive paper submission) should be directed to Mehdi Semati
(cfms2@eiu.edu).
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Spotlight on Scholarship…Alan Rubin
In August, “The Gatekeeper” sent out a call for comments about Alan Rubin,
one of our division’s most prominent members. By mid-September, our mailbox
was full of accolades from peers and former students. Although space
limitations prohibit the printing of all these comments, several themes ran
through all correspondence. Rigorous, student-oriented, devoted to research
and teaching, selfless, visionary…..these are just a few of the terms used
to describe Rubin. Qi Wang, now at the University of Maryland, wrote to say
that “Dr. Alan Rubin is one of the best professors I have ever had. His
devotion to research and teaching has inspired me greatly. . . . From him I
see what a scholar should be.” Keren Eyal, an MA advisee of Rubin, reported,
“The thorough training I received from Alan, who has always been the most
rigorous editor of my work, strongly contributed to my confidence in
pursuing a career in communication research. Now, five years later, I
constantly recognize Alan’s impact on my graduate work and I am certain that
I will continue to benefit greatly from it throughout my career.”
Rubin’s colleague Nicole Egbert, Assistant Professor at Kent State, noted,
“He’s in the office every day until most of us are gone, and there in the
morning before we get in. In addition to his leadership [in the department],
he maintains a very active research program and has in large part secured
the respect that our school enjoys from the discipline. I feel we are very
lucky to have him as a colleague and School Director.”
Finally, Paul Haridakis wrote to say, “I have known Alan Rubin for almost
twenty years. Over the years, he has shown me what a scholar is and what
scholarship truly means. He is the epitome of it. Dr. Rubin has dedicated
his entire adult life to the study of communication and the advancement of
our discipline. . . . Notwithstanding the amazing body of his work over the
years, his sterling quality is the time and care he takes to encourage and
mentor others. . . .For those of us who know him, it is an honor.”
Rubin (M.A., 1972, Queens College of the City University of New York; Ph.D.,
1976, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign) is Professor and Director
of the School of Communication Studies at Kent State University. He has been
professionally involved in the communication field since 1968, when, as an
undergraduate, he attended his first SCA convention. Today, his
responsibilities include leading a school, researching, teaching, mentoring,
and involvement in professional associations. Besides authoring and editing
books on communication research, he has published more than 70 chapters and
journal articles. He is past editor of the “Journal of Communication” and
“Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media.” His work centers on topics of
media uses and effects, political communication, and research methods. In
recent years, he has turned his attention to the study of media news and
entertainment, parasocial interaction with media, audience aggression, and
newer communication technologies.
When asked why he chose communication as a field of study, Rubin noted his
college interests in communication began in debate, with a combined
communication-political science major. He would have attended law school, he
reported, had he been able to locate an apartment during his initial campus
visit. Instead, he decided to accept a graduate assistantship in
communication at his undergraduate college. During his MA program at Queens
College, he pursued interests in political, interpersonal, and mass
communication, and “was fortunate to be socialized by those who, themselves,
were committed to the field and had a broad perspective of communication.”
Since (and even before) his graduation from Illinois, Rubin has taught and
advised many students. Teaching, he observed, involves direct involvement
with students; the seeking and sharing of knowledge about a given subject;
and encouraging others to make their own discoveries. The most important
task of a graduate advisor, according to Rubin, is finding the balance
between doing and mentoring.
When asked to define his greatest contribution to the communication
discipline, Rubin replied, “Any contribution would probably be through
editing a couple of journals and pursuing research that recognizes the
potential impact of the medium and the individual, and the links between
personal and mediated communication.”
Rubin—who lists travel, golf, sports, music, and cats among his
interests—will be honored by NCA and the Mass Communication Division in a
“Spotlight Panel” beginning at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, November 20, in Key
Biscayne B, Conference Level, Eden Roc. The title of the panel is “Revealing
the Active Audience: Spotlight on the Scholarship of Alan Rubin.”
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