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Vol. 16, No. 1
February/March 2011
Published three times annually by the Mass Communication Division of NCA.
Publications/Web Editor - Nicholas David Bowman, West Virginia University

In this issue:

Welcome from the Chair

Dear Mass Communication Division members:

Welcome to a new issue of the Gatekeeper. I am pleased to have this opportunity to thank our past chair, Andy Billings for all the work he has done during his tenure, to introduce myself to the members of the Mass Communication Division as the new chair, and to share with you my excitement about our division. First, Andy has done a remarkable job of taking care of the division and keeping us on track this past year. He has kept us all up to date, planned an excellent conference in San Francisco and worked tirelessly with Nick Bowman to get the Gatekeeper out. He has now handed the job over to me and I am pleased to be chair of one of NCAs largest, and, as I'm sure we all agree, most interesting divisions.

In addition to being an associate professor at Wake Forest University, I am also on the editorial board for Media Psychology and Journal of Broadcasting and Electronic Media. I do research on media effects, especially on children and have a broad interest in how media is used in and influence our lives. Therefore, I share your interest in mass communication and I believe this is a fascinating time to study it. Whether your interest is in how adolescents use facebook, the effect of twitter on political election outcomes, or something more traditional yet influential like television, the mass communication division is the place to be. I look forward to receiving many, many submissions for our November conference in New Orleans and encourage you to polish up those papers and send them in!

Best,

Marina Kcrmar
Mass Communication Division Chair
Communication Department
Wake Forest University

MCD Members: Reminder! Student members who are awarded top papers prizes in Mass Communication Division are eligible for assistance in their conference travel costs. Please encourage your students to submit to our Division!

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American Psychological Association looks to market Media Psychology Ph.D. programs

Wake Forest, NC -- Recently, Division 46 in the American Psychological Association (that's Media Psychology) decided to revamp their list of PhD programs that offer a PhD in or focus on Media Psychology. As part of the cross-pollination efforts in Mass Communication between Psychology and Communication, we would like to contribute to the list. Most likely, there will be a separate section of the list, tentatively titled: Mass Communication Programs with Media Psychology emphasis.

If you feel that your PhD program has a focus on media psychology, please send the following information to Marina Krcmar, chair of the Mass Communication division at Krcmarm@wfu.edu.

Please include:

• University Name
  
• Department Name
  
• Degree Title
  
• A brief paragraph describing the program (no more than 3 to 4 sentences)
• The names of media people who are in the department (perhaps part of the 3-4 sentences)
  
• A primary contact name (i.e., the director of graduate studies)
• A web link

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MCD looking for reviewers, chairs, respondents

College Station, Texas -- As the deadline for NCA New Orleans quickly approaches, the Research Committee is looking for folks willing to server as manuscript and poster reviewrs, session chairs, and session respondents. More about the Division's needs regarding reviewers can be found here, but interested members should contact Srivi Ramasubramanian (srivi@tamu.edu) or David Rhea (d-rhea@govst.edu) for more information. The Committee would like to receive this information from members no later than March 11, 2011.

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Ranta Receives AAF Silver Medal Award (video)

Memphis, Tenn -- Richard Ranta, dean of the College of Communication and Fine Arts, received the 2011 Silver Medal award from the local chapter of the American Advertising Federation (AAF Memphis). The award was presented by Rikki Boyce, past Silver Medal honoree and local marketing and advertising expert.

“In addition to his many achievements, it’s important to remember that his college transforms students into the young professionals we need to advance our advertising world, along with the musicians, actors, singers and artists that we need to thrive. Perhaps that is the most important thing of all," Boyce said during the awards luncheon on January 27.

Ranta is the founding dean of the College of Communication and Fine Arts at the University of Memphis. He joined the faculty of then Memphis State University in 1972 and has held several administrative positions before becoming CCFA dean, including Director of Communication Studies, Interim Dean of the University College, and Assistant Vice president of Academic Affairs. He is actively involved in the Memphis community, serving on the board and in committees of many local and regional arts, communication and community organizations.

“I’m extremely honored to receive this award, “ Ranta said. “It came as a total surprise and it is a privilege to join the group here wearing the silver medal.”

Ranta's other honors include the Tennessee Arts Commission Governor’s Award in the Arts; the Southern States Communication Association T. Earle Johnson Edwin Paget Distinguished Service Award and the Leadership Memphis Kate Gooch Award for Community Service.

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Menchen-Trevino, Hargittai research on Wikipedia featured in Chronicle

Evanston, Ill. -- Researchers from Northwestern University's Department of Communication Studies found that while the majority of college students are aware that Wikipedia is open-source, few actually understood how entries for the popular online encyclopedia were created and updated.

A recent article in The Chronicle of Higher Education gave an overview of the reserach report, first published in a February issue of Information, Communication & Society.

Among other things, the article - co-authored by Ph.D. candidate Ericka Menchen-Trevino and associate professor Dr. Eszter Hargittai - found that 77 percent of respondents used Wikipedia for research and 47 percent accessed Wikipedia via search engines. According to the article, the research concluded that many students use Wikipedia "as a search engine" for their own reserach. The researchers also found that of the 210 participants in the study, none of them looked at the history of the Wikipedia article or the discussion pages attached to articles. These sections often contain data about the article's creation and subsequent edits as well as any controversies and debates regarding content in encyclopedia entries.

From the article:

"Ms. Menchen-Trevino found it surprising that members of the “digital native” generation - defined by Wikipedia itself as “a young person, who...through interacting with digital technology from an early age, has a greater understanding of its concepts” - remain unaware of the way in which the online encyclopedia functions.

“People need to update their heuristics,” she says.

Wikipedia remains a valuable resource for students, she acknowledges, but they need to be aware of who is editing content and of the conversations surrounding certain topics, especially those that may be controversial or are ever-changing."

The citation for the article is: Menchen-Trevino, E., & Hargittai, E. (2011). Young Adults' Credibility Assessment of Wikipedia. Information, Communiation, & Society, 14(1), 24-51.

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Northwestern faculty talks online engagement with Google TechTalks (video)

Evantston, Ill. -- In late January, associate professor Eszter Hargittai of Northwestern University presented a discussion on online engagement to Google TechTalks, a collection of online videos and discussions "dedicated to exploring areas of technology and science." Since 2007, Google TechTalk's YouTube videos have seen over 17 million views.

A description of Dr. Hargittai's talk:

Much enthusiasm surrounds the opportunities made available by digital media for people to express themselves and participate in the public sphere without having to go through traditional gatekeepers. Indeed, likely more people than ever before participate in discussions and collaborate on projects yielding outcomes of value to many. While the enthusiasm about new opportunities is thus warranted, we are in need of empirical examinations of these phenomena to get a better sense of who is actually participating, who is not, and what patterns in participation may imply for the democratizing potential of new tools and services. This talk draws on unique longitudinal survey data collected on the same group of young adults in 2009 and 2010 to explore these questions. Findings suggest that users' demographic and socioeconomic background, the context of their uses and their Internet skills are related to active online engagement. The talk explores reasons for these differences and the implications of the findings.

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Goedkoop develops "Pennsylvania in the Civil War" during sabbatical

Philadelphia -- During a sabbatical leave this semester, Richard Goedkoop, Professor in the Department of Communication at LaSalle University in Philadelphia, will take a sabbatical leave to focus on developing a series of television programs about his state's history in the Civil War.

The six-part series with general title of "Pennsylvania in the Civil War" will begin taping in March and will be carried on the Comcast cable system in the Philadephia viewing area. Goedkoop, who is also a Gettysburg Licensed Battlefield Guide, will be producing episodes covering subjects including The Union League of Philadelphia, the Battle of Gettysburg, Lincoln's "Gettysburg Address," and three Union generals from the state of Pennsylvania -- Winfield Scott Hancock, John Fulton Reynolds, and George Gordon Meade.

Along with his work on "Pennsylvania in the Civil War", Goedkoop also serves as talent and as a researcher on a series of web videos appearing in The Gettysburg Daily, a website devoted to discussing and preserving the history of the Battle of Gettysburg and the Civil War.

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Kent State School of Communication Studies announces additions to undergraduate program

Kent, Ohio -- The School of Communication Studies at Kent State University will offer two new concentrations in its undergraduate major catalog beginning in Fall 2011.

The Health Communication major promotes skills in healthcare communication and training, social support, health literacy, media literacy, and the design and development of health messages, programs, and campaigns. This is an excellent major for students interested in public health, nursing and other health care professions, health education, social work, counseling, family studies, and human development.

The Global Communication bachelor’s degree program provides exposure to business processes, information management, media systems and telecommunications structure, intercultural, and organizational communication practices. The program equips graduates to work with business analysts, information architects, and any for-profit and non-profit organizations designing and implementing multi-media strategic communication campaigns.

For more information on these or other programs with the School of Communication Studies at Kent State University, visit http://www.kent.edu/comm.

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College of Communication and Information at Kent State launches interdisciplinary Ph.D. program

Kent, Ohio -- Beginning in Fall 2011, the College of Communication and Information at Kent State University will offer an interdisciplinary doctoral program, which will provide students with a foundation in communication and information. The curriculum begins with interdisciplinary core courses, and then becomes individually tailored to allow specialization in depth according to each student's developing areas of expertise and research. This Ph.D. program is a logical extension of the convergence of the communication and information disciplines taking place within the college as well as in the academic, commercial and professional world.

Some areas of study within the program include:

• interpersonal communication
  
• health communication
  
• mass communication
  
• mediated communication
  
• library and information science
  
• user experience design
  
• knowledge management

The Doctor of Philosophy degree is research-oriented. The goal of the Ph.D. program in Communication and Information is to develop doctoral scholars' ability to generate knowledge by conducting and publishing research in their areas of expertise.

Visit http://www.kent.edu/CCI/ for more information.

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UPIU offers journalism students professional training, exposure

Washington, D.C. -- Are your journalism students looking for ways to publish their work? Do they need hands-on experience, and critiquing from a professional editor?

UPIU, the journalism training arm of United Press International, offers custom workshops for journalism classrooms worldwide. Students in China, India, Kenya, the U.S. and many other countries have earned UPI.com bylines as part of mini-internships run by UPIU’s mentors, all of whom are professional journalists. Using video conference software, mentors help your students come up with solid story ideas, and critique those stories as they’re written.

“The most standout aspect of UPIU: It does not just publish content by students; it provides classroom workshops, story editing, and one-on-one mentoring to help their pieces sing,” writes Dan Reimold, a University of Tampa journalism professor, for PBS MediaShift. (Read the rest of Reimold’s piece here.)

UPIU reporters can also earn cash for their work. One Kenya-based reporter covered a historic referendum on southern Sudan for UPI.com as a paid freelancer. This week, students submitted story ideas for a shot at writing a paid freelance piece for UPI.com.

If you’re interested in scheduling a workshop or learning more about UPIU, contact UPIU Regional Director Krista Kapralos at kkapralos@upi.com.

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CONFERENCES AND CALLS

CALL FOR REGISTRATION
Eastern Communication Association 2011
Arlington, Va., April 13-17, 2011
Deadline for Early Registration: March 30

Cindy Lont, Vice President of the Eastern Communication Association (ECA), invites everyone to attend the 102nd ECA convention to be held April 13-17, 2011 in Arlington, Virginia at the Key Bridge Marriott. The convention theme is Communication and Power: From the Classroom to Politics.

Some of the convention panels include:

There’s Power in Words: Strategies for Becoming a Media Expert and Publicizing Your Communication Research in the Press

With advice and insight from scholars and representatives from local media outlets, audience members will learn how to prepare scholarship for the general public, how to become an expert on timely and relevant stories, and how to establish long-term relationships with local and national journalists.

Moderator: Adam C. Earnheardt, Youngstown State University

Panelists:

• Jennifer Brubaker, University of North Carolina, Wilmington
• Mary Beth Earnheardt, Youngstown State University
• Marilyn Geewax, National Public Radio, Senior Business Editor
• Ambreen Ali, Congress.org
• Matt Laslo, Freelance Reporter
  

The Power of Media and Effects Over Time

Veteran news people who have seen the change in technologies and its impact on the media, first hand, discuss their perspective on the future of news.

Chair: Matthew J. Smith, Wittenberg University
Respondent: Cary Horvath, Youngstown State University

• “Fifty Years of Women on Television”
  Nancy Signorielli, University of Delaware
• "The Changing Nature of Television's Coverage of the Presidential Nomination Process, 1988-2008"
  Steve Farnsworth & Robert Lichter, George Mason University
• “The Unchanging Face of the News:  A Content Analysis of Online Websites”
  Xiaomei Cai & Cindy Lont, George Mason University
  

The Ebb and Flow of Publishing Power Driven by Digital Technologies

Chair: Sam Meddis, Deputy Managing Editor/Editorial Technology at USA TODAY

Panelists:

• Richard Benedetto, former USA TODAY White House correspondent, Georgetown and American Universities.
• Kathy Kiely, Managing Editor of Politics for National Journal
• Bill Nichols, Managing Editor of POLITICO
  

Come visit the Washington, D.C. area at Virginia prices. Go to http://associationdatabase.com/aws/ECA/pt/sp/p_Home_Page for further information and registration.

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CALL FOR PAPERS
The 5th Global Communication Association Conference: “Global Power Shifts: Impact on Economy, Politics, Culture and Media”
Hotel Istana, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, October 18-20, 2011
Deadline for Abstracts: April 30

Who Should Attend: CEOs, Senior Managements, Directors, Managers, Academicians, Economists, Policy Makers, Research Scholars, Journalists, Corporate Executives, Educationists, and Representatives from NGOs are invited to contribute their research papers on topics related to the theme of the conference.

The Reasons to Attend the Conference:

1. Best Paper Award

Outstanding papers from each discipline will be selected and awarded. The winners will be announced on October 20, 2011 at the Conference Dinner. They will receive a citation certificate and Global Communication Association (GCA) Conference Fellowship Certificate. The winning articles may also be considered for publication in  relevant journals after the revision of the papers subject to approval of the editorial board of the relevant journals.

2. Publication: Printed Journals

• Global Media Journal -Yahya R. Kamalipour, USA
  
• Global Media Journal -Tomasz Pludowski, Poland
  
• Global Media Journal - Mahboub Hashem, UAE
  
• Global Media Journal - Hart Cohen, Australia
  
• Global Media Journal - Mahmoud Eid, Canada
  
• Global Media Journal - Xiguang Li, China
  
• Global Media Journal - Md. Salleh Hassan, Malaysia
  
• Global Media Journal - Syed Abdul Siraj, Pakistan
  
• Global Media Journal - Soumendranath Bera, India
  
• Global Media Journal - Vitaly Vinichenko, Russia
  
• Global Media Journal - Gabrial J. Botma, South Africa
• Globalization for Common Good Journal - Yahya R. Kamalipour, USA
  
• Management Communication Journal - Marzura Abdul Malek, Malaysia

The authors must however comply with the guidelines of the respective journals and revise the paper according to the comments of the reviewers and editorial board of the respective journals and they must pay the conference submission fee as stipulated in the Schedule of Fees.

3. Refereed Conference Proceedings: Online

All accepted papers after a peer blind review will be published in the Refereed Conference Proceedings with an ISBN. The Proceeding will be published online under an exclusive website (www.ucti.edu.my)

4. Presentation of Additional papers

An author can present up to two papers. An additional payment of USD100 for the additional research paper must be paid, if the paper is to be presented by the same author. All presentations should be conducted in English.

5. Networking with International Colleagues

This International Conference provides an opportunity for the participants to meet selected researchers and to network with international colleagues in a scholarly and friendly environment.

6. Conference Accessories

Each participant will receive a conference bag, name tag, pen, note pad, payment receipt and a certificate of participation.

7. Chairing of Sessions and Reviewing Committee Membership

If you are interested, please indicate on the “Registration Form” your willingness to chair any of the Sessions. You are also welcome to volunteer as discussants, and members of the review and scientific committee. A certificate will be issued to all volunteers for their roles in the Conference.

8. Dining

The conference fee includes morning and afternoon coffee breaks and a Grand Asian Buffet Lunch for two days.

Important Dates:

Conference Tracks and Topics include:

• Economics and Business
  • Macro and Micro-Economics
  • Management
    
  • Human Resource Management
    
  • Marketing
    
  • Accounting
    
  • Finance
    
  • Banking
    
  • Business Administration
    
  • E-Business
    
  • The Business and Global Media
    
  • Media and the Economic Crisis
• Politics
  • Global Power Shifts
    
  • Globalization and the Youth
    
  • Globalization and the Third World Welfare
    
  • Globalization and Localization
    
  • Global Information and Personalization
    
  • Media and Human Rights
    
  • Media and the Minorities
    
  • Media and Politics
    
  • International Relations
• Culture and Media
  • Press in the Age of Globalization
    
  • The Role of Schools in Media Education
    
  • Changes in Media Education
    
  • Trends in Intercultural Communications
    
  • Digital Culture and Social Networking
    
  • Corporate Media and Global Hegemony
    
  • Media and the Art - Creative Responsibility
    
  • and other communication related topics
• Technology and Innovation
  • Technopreneur
    
• E-Marketing
  
• E-Procurement
  
• E-Takaful
  
• E-Business
  
• E-Services
  
• and other Technology and Innovation related topics

Submission Guidelines of an Abstract:

A title of not more than eighteen (18) words must be provided. This will follow with author's name, academic institution or organization, contact address, fax and phone numbers and e-mail address.

A 250 to 300 word abstract of the research paper should be sent to the conference secretary, as an email attachment by April 30, 2011. The abstract should at least include research objectives, methodology (all scholarly methodologies are welcomed) and the significant contributions of the study.

The author is encouraged to provide Joint Electronic Library (JEL) Code and three to five keywords of the research. Please refer to website below to excess to JEL Code: http://www.nber.org/jel/

Note:

A brief biography of the researcher(s) is required on a separate page.

Length and Settings:

The full length paper should be written in around 3,500-4,000 words, A4 size paper, 1.5 line spacing, “Times New Roman” using 12-point size. Margins should be set at 1.0" on all sides. The American Psychological Association (APA) style must be used for referencing.

All papers must follow the standard generic format: introduction, literature review, methodology, findings/discussions, conclusions/implications, (end notes, if any) and references.

Please send your paper in words format NOT PDF file. In case of non-compliance, your paper will be excluded from being published.

Review process, Review Report, Notification of Acceptance and Conference Payment

All submitted full papers will be reviewed by a Paper Review Committee. Authors will be notified by the conference secretariat within two weeks from the date the paper is received. An invoice will be attached to the notification of acceptance. Kindly send in your payment using the Registration Form, before September 20, 2011. The electronic receipts will be sent to the author/paper presenter via e-mail, as proof of submission to the Department of Immigration. The author will be given the original receipt of payment and a letter of participation during the Conference.

Conference Fees:

The conference fee must be received by the secretariat before or on September 20, 2011 to assure conference participation. Please contact the secretariat, in advance, if the conference fee will be delayed due to certain circumstances, so we can mutually plan to accommodate your attendance. The schedule of conference fees is as follows:

Cancellation and Substitution Policy:

A cancellation fee of USD120 is payable if it is made before September 20, 2011. No refund would be made on cancellations made after September 20, 2011. When a registered participant is unable to attend, a substitute participant is welcomed at no extra charge. All substitute participants must be acknowledged and confirmed by the main organizer (via e-mail) before October 4, 2011, two weeks before the conference.

Additional Expenses:

The conference organizer shall not be responsible for the following expenses:

• Accommodation - please refer to List of Hotels on the conference webpage
• Ground transfer - Airport to Hotel: Airport Taxi USD60 (Return Fare)
  
• Optional Tours (exclusive food) - USD100

All abstract or paper related queries may be directed to:

Professor Dr. Che Ani bin Mad
Dean, Faculty of Business and Management,
Asia Pacific University College of Technology & Innovation,
Lot 6,Technology Park Malaysia,
Bukit Jalil, 57000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Fax No: +6 03 8996 9646
Tel. No: +6 03 8996 5262
E-mail: dr.cheanimad@ucti.edu.my

Panel Proposals may be directed to:
Professor Dr. Yahya R. Kamalipour Purdue University-Calumet
Email: yrkamali@purdue.edu

Communication and Contacts:

All communications will be directed towards the first author of the paper. For future updates and further details, please visit www.ucti.edu.my and www.globalcomassociation.com.

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Promotions, Awards, and Publications

Promotions and Appointments

Laura Arpan (Florida State University) will be promoted to the rank of Professor of Communication in August 2011. Arpan's research and teaching focus on persuasion and environmental communication.

In July 2011, Nicholas David Bowman (West Virginia University) will join the Department of Communication Studies in the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences where he will reserach and teach courses in communication and technology.

Jessie Quintero Johnson (University of Massechusetts - Boston) will join the Department of Communication Studies in Fall 2011 as an Assistant Professor.

Mary Anna Kidd (University of Texas at Tyler) has been promoted to the graduate faculty as a tenure-track Assistant Professor of Communication.

Chad Mahood (University of Texas-San Antonio) will join the Department of Communication in August as an Assistant Professor specializing in new media.

Christopher R. Martin (University of Northern Iowa) has accepted the position of Interim Head of the Department of Communication Studies at the University of Northern Iowa, effective Jan. 1, 2011. Martin was co-winner of UNI's 2011 College of Humanities and Fine Arts Faculty Excellence Award. He is also co-author of Media and Culture: An Introduction to Mass Communication (Bedford/St. Martin's), now in its 7th edition update, and Media Essentials (Bedford/St. Martin's). He blogs about news and the mass media at www.mediacrit.com.

Mike Murray (University of Missouri - St. Louis) has been elected Chair of the Faculty Senate and University Assembly. In this role, he also serves on the system-wide University of Missouri Inter-Faculty Council. Dr. Murray is the UM-Board of Curator's Professor in Media Studies.

Brian Parker (Florida State University) joined the faculty of the Department of Communication in August 2010 as an expert in the fields of research methods and marketing communication.

As of August 2011, Jennifer Proffitt (Florida State University) will be tenured and promoted to the rank of Associate Professor of Communication. Her work examines questions in the history of communication and political economy of communication.

Art Raney (Florida State University) will be promoted to the rank of Professor of Communication in August 2011. Raney's research is in the areas of entertainment theory, gaming, and media effects.

Mina Tsay (Boston University) has been appointed to a tenure-track position as Assistant Professor of Communication at Boston University. Dr. Tsay's research on media effects, particularly media enjoyment, will be a supplement to the research profile of the Communication Research Center at BU.

After 25 years as the Chair of Communication Arts Department at Trinity Christian College (Chicago), Annalee Ward has been appointed Scholar-in-Residence at the University of Dubuque.

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Awards and Honors

Jinhee Kim (Cleveland State University) and Mina Tsay (Boston University) will be awarded a Top Faculty Paper in the Mass Communication Division of the 61st annual conference of the International Communication Association in Boston for their paper "What portrayals of news alleviate prevailing perceived threat from the current financial crisis? Exploring distinct effects of victim, survivor, and outperformer news stories."

Doctoral candidate Charlotte Klesman (University of North Dakota) will present her research on cross-cultural communication between members of Native and non-Native cultures in northern Minnesota at UND's Graduate School Scholarly forum in March. Her discussion, "A foot in each boat: Developing cross-cultural communication between Native and non-Native cultures" examines international issues faced by members of the Ojibwe Indian tribe whose traditional homelands cross government-established boundaries between the United States and Canada. Videotaped interviews used in the study will be saved in the Voyageurs National Park library as part of the oral history of the community.

Susan Tomasovic (George Mason University) judged the 2010 Air Force Media Contest. The contest is sponsored annually by the Secretary of the Air Force Office of Public Affairs and is conducted by Headquarters Air Force Public Affairs Agency (AFPAA). The 2010 contest was the 55th competition. Awards are presented to units and individuals for outstanding achievements in furthering Air Force communication objectives.

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Publications and Media Mentions

A story in the Christian Science Monitor about "the end of the [television] tube" featured interviews with Nicholas David Bowman (Young Harris College) and Paul Levinson (Fordham University) as representative academic opinions on the subject.

Laura Beth Daws (Georgia Highlands College) served as a curator for In Media Res where she wrote a recent piece entitled "Wedding porn: The fetishization of weddings through pictures".

Donna Halper (Lesley University) has published her fifth book "Boston Radio 1920-2010" which documents this history of Boston in words and pictures. The book is published by Arcadia Publishing.

Thomas B. Ksiazek (Villanova University) recently published "News-seekers and Avoiders: Exploring Patterns of Total News Consumption Across Media and the Relationship to Civic Participation" in the Journal of Broadcasting and Electronic Media, 54(4), 551-568.. The article is co-authored with Edward C. Malthouse and James G. Webster, both at Northwestern University. He also published "YouTube and the Challenge to Journalism: New Standards for News Videos Online" in Journalism Studies, 12(1), 45-53. Limor Peer at Yale University is co-author on the article.

A story in the Casper (Wyo.) Star Tribune featured Kristen Landreville (University of Wyoming) talking about the iPhone's release in Wyoming.

Jonathan Markovitz (California State University, San Marcos) has published "Racial Spectacles: Explorations in Media, Race, and Justice". The book, published by Routledge, will be available in April of this year.

Mehdi Semati (Northern Illinois University) served as the editor of a special issue of Communication Studies, 62(1). The issue is entitled "Discourse of the Middle East: Communication, Culture, Media." Dr. Semati is a past Chair of the Mass Communication Division.

Richard Wolff (Dowling College) published an article "The state of media curricula at accredited seminaries in the U.S." in the Journal of Media and Religion, 9(3), 165-175.

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NCA's RFP Tracker - Opportunities for Mass Communication Research

NCA's RFP Tracker identifies funding opportunities (including research grants, residential fellowships, travel funds, awards, etc.) for communication scholars. There are many grant opportunities for those interested in mass communication research. The RFP Tracker lists funding and fellowship opportunities for graduate students, post-docs, faculty, and people outside of the academy. Check out the RFP Tracker website at http://www.natcom.org/index.asp?bid=10977 and download the most recent report.

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NCA looking for Subject Matter Experts for national database

Jennifer Glicoes of the National Communication Association main office is looking for MCD members interested in serving as Subject Matter Experts to be contacted by news media organizations. If you are interested in this opportunity, please e-mail Jennifer (jglicoes@natcom.org) with the following information:

• Name and affiliation
• Email address 
  
• Telephone number
  
• Brief 300 word biography
  
• Names of any relevant publications (3-5)
  
• Names of any relevant courses you teach

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Position Announcements

California State University San Marcos
Communication Department
Tenure Track Position in Applied Communication

Position: The Department of Communication at California State University San Marcos invites applications for a tenure rack assistant professor position in Applied Communication to begin Fall, 2011. Salary is competitive and based on experience. The faculty member will teach three courses per semester including Introduction to Communication, such core courses as Communication Theory, Intercultural Communication, Mass Media and Society, and Communication Research Methods, existing elective courses in areas of specialization, and new courses in Applied Communication. The faculty member will conduct and publish qualitative research exploring the relationship between theory and practice in specific contexts that involve practical problems and practices. Student advising and service to the university and/or profession are also expected.

Qualifications: Candidates will be able to provide evidence of effectiveness in undergraduate teaching and will demonstrate the capacity to launch and sustain a research program of quality in Applied Communication. We prefer applicants whose research will complement our faculty's strengths in discourse analysis, ethnography, ethnomethodology, critical/cultural and rhetorical studies. The successful candidate must possess a Ph.D. in Communication by the starting date.

The University and Department: California State University San Marcos, founded in 1989, is a rapidly growing university with a current enrollment of over 9,700 students and is projected to continue to grow. Located in San Marcos, California, a city of 82,700 approximately 35 miles north of downtown San Diego, California State University San Marcos serves northern San Diego County and southern Riverside and Orange Counties, one of the fastest growing regions in Southern California. While convenient to the urban amenities of San Diego and Los Angeles, the campus enjoys a high quality of life enhanced by nearby ocean beaches, mountains and deserts, and a deservedly famous climate. Our student population reflects the rich ethnic and racial diversity of the region.

The department consists of ten tenure track faculty who offer two degree programs (i.e., one in Communication and another in Mass Media), and two minors (i.e., Communication and Critical Intercultural Communication) to about 700 students. The mission of the Communication Department recognizes the transformative power of communication and its utility for re-making how we think and act in personal, organizational, cultural, social, and political life. Our scholarly and creative community embraces diverse theoretical perspectives, innovative pedagogy, and creative practices that build critical and analytical abilities, collaborative and dialogic relationships and communities, and that challenge structures of inequity. We guide students to become culturally aware, astute, civic minded individuals poised for success in their endeavors as community members, citizens and leaders in their chosen professions.

Application: Applicants must submit a letter of application, curriculum vitae, a statement of teaching philosophy and research interests, a writing sample, and a sampling of current teaching evaluations.

Please identify the position applied for. Submit application materials electronically to gulopez@csusm.edu. Also required are three letters of recommendation which references should submit directly to the above email address.

Direct any inquiries to: Bud Morris, Applied Communication Search Chair, bmorris@csusm.edu

Timeline: A review of application will begin on February 4, 2011, however, the position will remain open until filled.

California State University San Marcos is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer strongly committed to equity and diversity and seeks a broad spectrum of candidates in terms of race, sexual orientation and identity, gender, age, and disability or veteran's status. The university is particularly interested in candidates who have experience working with students from diverse backgrounds and a demonstrated commitment to improving access to higher education for under-represented groups. CSUSM has been designated as a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) and an Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution (AANAPISI) and was recently named one of the top 32 Colleges most friendly to junior faculty by the Collaborative on Academic Careers in Higher Education. Visit http://www.csusm.edu/facultyopportunities for more information.

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Portland State University
Department of Communication
Assistant Professor, Health Communication

The Department of Communication at Portland State University in Oregon seeks a full-time, nine-month, tenure-track, Assistant Professor to begin September 16, 2011. Scholars are sought who specialize in Health and Science Communication; All methodological approaches are welcome. Duties include conducting original and publishable research, teaching undergraduate and graduate courses (total teaching load is two courses per quarter), obtaining external funding, and participating in departmental and university service. A PhD in Communication (or closely allied field) and a background in university teaching and research are required.

Portland State University is the largest university in the Oregon University System, with almost 29,000 students. Our university's mission is to enhance the intellectual, social, cultural, and economic qualities of urban life. The city of Portland is home to numerous healthcare organizations, such as Kaiser, Providence, and Legacy, as well as Oregon Health and Science University.

We request that all applications are mailed in hard-copy form (vs. email). Applications should include a letter of application (including applicants' complete and current contact information), a curriculum vita, samples of published research, evidence of teaching effectiveness, three letters of recommendation, and letter writers' contact information. Mail applications to: Search Committee Chair, Department of Communication, Portland State University, P.O. Box 751, Portland, OR 97202-0751. Review of applications will begin March 11, 2011, and will continue until the position is filled. Salary will be competitive.

Portland State University offers an excellent benefits package (including healthcare), a generous retirement and vacation package, and reduced tuition rates for employees', their spouses, and their dependents. Portland State University is an Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity Institution and welcomes applications from candidates who support diversity. Women and members of minority groups are encouraged to apply.

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West Texas A&M
Department of Communication
Assistant Professor, Mass Communication

The Department of Communication at West Texas A&M University invites applications for an Assistant Professor (tenure track)  in Mass Communication, beginning Fall, 2011. Applicants must have a terminal degree in Mass Communication or a related field. No ABD's will be considered. The successful applicant should have an established record of successful teaching at the undergraduate level and expertise in teaching a variety of mass communication courses at the undergraduate level (including, but not limited to, introduction to mass communication, media design, media writing, advertising and public relations, advertising principles, and media management). Experience with online course development and delivery and media industry experience is a plus. Applicants should indicate evidence of research in an area of expertise, commitment to media convergence, the ability to assist/advise student organizations as needed, and a willingness to assist with academic advising and service on departmental, college and university committees. Additionally, successful candidates will provide evidence of experience with production and design software, particularly the Adobe Creative Suite.

The Department of Communication has an enrollment of over 300 students in both Communication Studies and Mass Communication. Excellent facilities within the Department of Communication include an HD-TV studio, a news studio, computer labs for media design and media writing, and an FCC licensed radio station. For more information about the university and the department, please see our website at www.wtamu.edu

The following materials must be submitted electronically to Dr. Trudy Hanson at thanson@wtamu.edu:

1. Transcripts from all universities attended (digital copies are acceptable for the application process)
   
2. Three letters of recommendation
   
3. Evidence of teaching effectiveness (e.g. student evaluations, peer evaluations)
   
4. Samples of production design
   
5. CV listing all research, instructional experience, and professional service experience

A search committee member will be available to meet with interested applicants at the National Broadcasting Association convention in March. Review of materials begins March 21 and continues until the position is filled. Texas laws require that males age 18 through 25 be properly registered with the Selective Service System in order to be eligible for employment. West Texas A&M University is an Equal Opportunity/ Affirmative Action employer.

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University of Wisconsin-Parkside
Communication Department
Assistant Professor, Language and Social Interaction

The Communication Department is seeking candidates for a tenure track Assistant Professor to teach courses in Language and Social Interaction (e.g., discourse analysis, ethnography of communication, pragmatics, narrative analysis), with an emphasis in qualitative research on culture, identity, diversity, and/or questions of social justice. The successful candidate will be able to teach 1-2 sections of Communication and the Human Condition, a large lecture course for entry-level undergraduates (majors and non-majors). Additional assignments may include courses in Introduction to the Communication Discipline Parts 1 & 2 (theory and research courses), Communication and Ethnicity (African American or Native American sections needed), Intercultural Communication, Interpersonal Communication, Communication and Social Movements, or Health Communication, depending upon interests/expertise and department needs.

Responsibilities:

• Teaching: teaching classes in the undergraduate program, curriculum development, grading, holding regular office hours.
  
• Research: research and scholarly publication, culminating in refereed journal and conference publications. Book publications and grants are welcomed contributions.
  
• Service: provide service to the department in support of curriculum, teaching, and service to the university and community. Service includes student advising, serving on departmental and university committees, assisting in departmental and university events. Contribute to the development and improvement of departmental programs and activities. Contributions to community projects and events are also appreciated.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Sensitivity to, or experience in, working with a diverse, multicultural population
  
• Ability to teach introductory communication courses and upper-level courses in Language and Social Interaction at the college level.
  
• Ability to engage in appropriate instructor-student relationships and interactions and collegial conduct
  
• Ability to effectively communicate with students, staff and colleagues both orally and in writing
  
• Knowledge of computer technology (software programs such as MS Word) and ability to learn and use new software/technologies (e.g. D2L course management software)

Qualifications:

• Required:
  • Ph.D. in Communication at the time of appointment. ABDs considered.
    
  • Coursework, scholarship, and/or teaching experience in language and social interaction, and in one or more of the emphases noted in the position description
• Preferred:
  • Minimum of one year's teaching experience at the college level, with evidence of teaching effectiveness.
  • Some evidence of course development.
  • Experience teaching courses in the areas under "additional assignments" in the position description.
    

Salary: Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience. The University of Wisconsin System provides a liberal benefits package, including participation in a state pension plan.

The University: UW-Parkside is committed to academic excellence, student success, community engagement, and diversity and inclusiveness. The University enrolls approximately 5,100 students, many of whom are first generation and nontraditional students. Located in northern Kenosha County in the Chicago-Milwaukee urban corridor, much of the university's 700-acre campus has been preserved in its natural wooded and prairie state.

Review of Applications: Complete applications received by March 18, 2011 are ensured full consideration; position is open until filled.

To Apply:

• Interested candidates should submit the following, preferably in electronic format:
  • A cover letter of application
    
  • Curriculum vitae
    
  • Copies of graduate transcripts (unofficial copies will be acceptable at the application stage)
    
  • Samples of syllabi from courses taught
    
  • Statement of teaching and research philosophy
    
  • Summary of teaching evaluations
    
  • Examples of scholarly work
    
  • Names and contact information for three references
    
  • (Additional materials may be requested.)
    

Email submissions to: lambin@uwp.edu

Mail:
Joseph Lambin
University of Wisconsin-Parkside
Communication Department
900 Wood Road
Kenosha, WI 53141

UW-Parkside is an AA/EEO employer D/M/V/W

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University of Wisconsin-Platteville
Department of Communication Technologies
Lecturer, Student Media Adviser

COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES - JOURNALISM. 9-month lecturer position, potentially renewable, starting August 23, 2011, ending May 21, 2012. Salary commensurate with professional experience and qualifications. We seek a forward-thinking individual who has the ability to teach in the Journalism Emphasis and in our major core (see www.uwplatt.edu/commtech), and to oversee the student newspaper. Ph.D., Ed. D. desired, MA. in Journalism or related field required. Ability to teach applied skills in news writing, editing, design, and project reporting required; expertise in social media and other Web-based content delivery desired. Position requires significant contact with students outside of classroom setting. Demonstrable skills in oral and written communication, observable dedication to undergraduate education, enthusiasm for professional engagement with students in and out of classroom and demonstrated commitment to or experience with racially diverse populations required. Send letter of application, curriculum vita, undergraduate and graduate transcripts (unofficial copies acceptable), statement of teaching philosophy (should include an explanation of commitment to, or experience with, racially diverse populations), and names and contact information for five references electronically to: Becky Troy at troy@uwplatt.edu. Subject line should read: "CT lecturer journalism." Materials may be mailed to Becky Troy, Department of Communication Technologies, University of Wisconsin-Platteville, 1 University Plaza, Platteville, WI 53818-3099 or FAX: 608-342-1517. Review of complete applications will begin April 4, 2011, and continue until the position is filled. Final candidates will provide a teaching demonstration. Employment will require criminal background check. The University of Wisconsin-Platteville, an equal-opportunity, affirmative-action employer, seeks to build a diverse faculty and staff, and encourages applications from women and persons of color. The names of nominees and applicants who have not requested in writing that their identities be kept confidential, and of all finalists, will be released upon request.

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MCD Officers 2010-2011

MCD Officers
Chair Marina Krcmar Department of Communication Wake Forest University PO Box 7347 Winston-Salem, NC 27109 Krcmarm@wfu.edu (336) 758-5407	Vice Chair Adam Earnheardt Youngstown State University Department of Communication 1 University Plaza Youngstown, OH  44555 acearnheardt@ysu.edu (330) 941-1845
Vice Chair-Elect Dana Mastro Department of Communication University of Arizona Communication 317 Tucson, AZ 85721 mastro@email.arizona.edu (520)307-0697	Past Chair Andrew C. Billings Communication Studies Dept. Clemson University 409 Strode Tower Clemson, SC 29634 acbilng@clemson.edu (864) 656-1477
Secretary Jake Jensen Purdue University Department of Communication BRNG 2144 West Lafayette, IN 47907 jdjensen@purdue.edu (765) 494-7781	Secretary-Elect Hugh Phillips Curnutt Montclair State University Communication Studies Life Hall 225A Montclair, NJ 07043 curnutth@mail.montclair.edu (973) 655-4464
Publications and Web Editor (expires '12) Nicholas David Bowman West Virginia University nick@ndbowman (314) 307-6794	Graduate Student Rep. Elizabeth Cohen Georgia State University Department of Communication 662 One Park Place Atlanta, GA 30302 ecohen@gmail.com (404) 413-5364
Research Committee
Chair Sumana Chattopadhyay Marquette University Diederich College of Comm. 403 Johnston Hall Milwaukee, WI 53233 sumanach@gmail.com (414) 288-3488	Vice Chair Elect ('12) Srividya Ramasubramanian Texas A&M University Department of Communication 211 Bolton Hall College Station, TX 77843 srivi@tamu.edu (979) 845-5178
Vice Chair Elect ('13) David Rhea Governors State University Communication Studies University Park, IL 60484 d-rhea@govst.edu (708) 534-4392	Vice Chair-Elect ('14) Brent Malin University of Pittsburgh Department of Communication Pittsburgh, PA 15260 bmalin@pitt.edu (412) 624-6798
Nominations Committee
Committee (expires '11) Melissa Click University of Missouri-Columbia Department of Communication 132 Heinkel Bldg. Columbia, MO 65211 ClickM@missouri.edu (573) 884-4694	Chair (expires '11) Nancy Jennings University of Cincinnati McMicken Coll. of Arts & Sci. 137 McMicken ML 0184 Cincinnati, OH 45521 nancy.jennings@uc.edu (513) 556-4456
Committee (expires '12) Kyle Barnett Bellarmine University 2001 Newburg Rd. Louisville, KY 40205 kbarnett@bellarmine.edu (502) 272-8223	Chair (expires '12) Jake Jensen Purdue University Department of Communication BRNG 2144 West Lafayette, IN 47907 jdjensen@purdue.edu (765) 494-7781
Committee (expires '12) Leslie Rill Portland State University Department of Communication NH 34 Portland, Oregon 97207 lrill@pdx.edu (503) 725-3608
Representatives to NCA General Assembly
Legislative Assembly Stan Tickton Norfolk State University Mass Communication/Journalism 700 Park Ave., Unit 3249 Norfolk, Virginia 23504 stickton@nsu.edu (757) 823-2383	Legislative Assembly Jeff Tyus Youngstown State University Department of Communication 1 University Plaza Youngstown, OH  44555 jltyus@ysu.edu (330) 941-3631
NCA Resolutions Committee David Berube North Carolina State University Communication Department 201 Winston Hall Raleigh, NC 27695 dmberube@ncsu.edu (919) 515-9750	NCA Nominating Committee Emily Moyer-Guse Ohio State University School of Communication 154 North Oval Mall Columbus, OH 43210 moyer-guse.1@osu.edu (614) 292-3400

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