National Communication Association
Mass Communication Division Newsletter
Fall 1997

 

Introduction
Notes from the Division Chair
Spotlight On . . . Gretchen Barbatsis
NCA Convention Information: See You in Chicago
Business Meeting & Newcomer Reception
Election of Division Officers
Top Paper Awards
Thanks to Paper Reviewers
Calls for Papers and Participation
Division Member's Accomplishments
New Publications and Other Notes
 

Introduction

With this edition, our Electronic Newsletter completes its first year of publication. I hope it is useful to you; it has been my pleasure to edit it. The mantle of editor will pass to other hands at the business meeting. I hope you continue to participate in the production of the newsletter by submitting your bits and pieces. Thanks to all of you who have made contributions during the past year - the newsletter wouldn't have happened without you. And to those of you who have thought you might want to contribute something but weren't sure whether it was appropriate: It probably was, so don't let that stop you in the future!

As I depart, I am pleased to announce that our Electronic Newsletter has a name! Congratulations to Heather Hundley, a Doctoral Candidate at the University of Utah, who suggested the name "The Gatekeeper." When the Division Members voted on the name they wanted for this newsletter, Heather's suggestion was the clear favorite. All of the division officers want to thank everyone who participated in this process by either submitting names or voting for one of the three finalist names.

We wish we could give Heather some grand and exciting prize, such as a week in Fiji, but for some reason it's just not in the budget. So, Heather, you have our thanks and a quick shot at fame and glory. Heather Hundley is in her fourth and final year as a Ph.D. student at the University of Utah. She's completed her exams and prospectus and currently is working on her dissertation (and looking for a job). Her interests are in critical studies of mass comm, production, feminist studies and cultural studies. Her supervisory chair is Dr. Robert Avery, and she also works with Malcolm Sillars, Robert Tiemens, and Tim Larson. Her dissertation is a narrative/feminist analysis of Lifetime Television's Original Movies. Her Master's is from California State University, Sacramento, where she studied with Dr. Leah Vande Berg and Nick Trujillo. Heather is also the Assistant General Manager of K-UTE radio, The University of Utah's college radio station. In her spare time (!!) she enjoys "a variety of outdoor activities such as mountain biking, roller blading, snow skiing, hiking, and team sports. I've played soccer for 21 years and am currently on a women's team. I also enjoy horseback riding." According to Heather, "When I came up with the name, The Gatekeeper, I was walking up to campus to have a meeting with Dr. Avery regarding my comprehensive exams. He and I were discussing Mass Comm Theory, so gatekeeping theory was on the forefront of my mind. After seeing the non-contest request and attempting to 'relax' and get my mind off comps on my nerve-racking walk to campus, the idea struck me."

Congratulations, Heather, and good luck as you complete your dissertation and enter the job market!

And thanks to the Division Members for making this year as Newsletter Editor fun. I hope to see you at the Business Meeting and the Newcomers' Welcome.

 

Notes from the Division Chair
 

Notes from the Chair . . . Bill Christ

I want to thank Mary Larson (Vice-Chair) and Rob Bellamy (Research Committee Chair) for all their work in putting together an excellent program for the convention. For those who want to get involved with the Mass Communication Division (MCD), I recommend coming to the MCD's Business Meeting and volunteering to review competitive papers. We are also looking for a "Web Wizard" to take over the Division's webpage. "Old," new, and interested members are also invited to the "Newcomers' Welcome" immediately after the business meeting.

Following is a tentative agenda for the business meeting. As you can see this has been a busy year with several important initiatives. I look forward to seeing you at the convention.

Tentative Agenda (Annual Business Meeting: Saturday, November 22, 4:00-5:15, followed by Newcomers' Welcome)

 

  1. Call to order and distribution of agenda (Chair: William Christ)

     

  2. Introduction of Mass Communication Division officers

     

  3. Minutes of 1996 business meeting (Secretary: Mary Beth Oliver)

     

  4. Reports and Announcements from Mass Communication Division Committee Officers:

     

    • Nominating Committee and election of new officers (Nominating Chair: James Walker)

       

    • Report: 1997 Convention Program (Vice-Chair: Mary Larson)

       

    • Awards: Top three competitive papers, top student paper, top poster session presentation (Research Committee Chair: Rob Bellamy)

       

    • Award: Naming our new electronic newsletter (Editor: Rebecca Ann Lind)

       

    • Report: Legislative Council (Chair: William Christ)

     

  5. Old Business

     

    • Nominating a person for the NCA's second vice president's position.

       

    • Developing closer ties with the national office in terms of its media literacy initiative (Task Force: James Anderson, Gretchen Barbatsis, Jennings Bryant, William Christ, Caren Deming, Renee Hobbs, Robert Kubey, Rebecca Ann Lind, Mary Beth Oliver, James Potter, and Ellen Wartella).

       

    • Creating an electronic newsletter.

       

    • Continue to develop the Mass Communication Division Webpage.

       

    • Re-write the "job" descriptions for the officers of the division (i.e., web wizard)

       

    • Institute "Teaching" and "Service" awards within the division.

     

  6. Installation of new officers (Chair: Mary Larson)

     

  7. Report: 1998 Convention Program (Vice-Chair: Margaret Haefner; Research Committee Chair: Robbin Crabtree)

     

  8. New Business

     

  9. Newcomers' Welcome

 

 

Spotlight On . . . Gretchen Barbatsis
 

 

Gretchen Barbatsis is Associate Professor of Telecommunication at Michigan State University. Her research covers both the practical and theoretical aspects of visual and political communication and has included topics such as television programming, technological literacy, British media, soap operas, and instructional television. Recent applications of her research interests include an EMPOWERnet project designed to study empowerment through access and use of the Internet by low-income communities as well as an AD WATCH project designed to encourage student voter analysis of negative campaign commercials.

Gretchen received her Ph.D. and Masters degrees from the department of Speech-Communication at the University of Minnesota in 1979 and 1975, respectively. She minored in Educational Psychology, Psychological Foundations.

 

Professors Don Brown, Bob Scott, and Len Bart were Gretchen's primary mentors. And, though he may not realize it, Bob Avery was a great help through his encouragement of a debut conference paper she submitted as a student. With her B.A. in English, Gretchen got into advertising and was quickly taken by visual design. After returning from the Peace Corps, her search for "meaning" stateside led her away from advertising. Sesame Street came along just as she became a mom and was directing a parent coop nursery school. This series of events prompted her to return to graduate school in the Speech-Communication Department at the University of Minnesota with the goal of becoming a researcher/producer at the Children's Television Workshop. She wasn't finished with her first term as a Master's student when Bob Scott directed her into professoring. The rest, as they say, is history.

 

Recently, Gretchen's research has blended theory with community service. The EMPOWERnet Project she is involved in uses an extended case study design incorporating extensive field research about low income communities in Lansing and East Lansing. The project has born the fruit of theoretically rich evidence and insights about Internet-based communication and giving voice to those who typically have little voice in the marketplace of ideas. The project studies empowerment in terms of the knowledge-gap paradigm. The research was recently presented at the 1997 Visual Communication Conference in June.

 

Gretchen also has an extensive record of electronic scholarship. She has produced, written, and directed interactive videos, documentaries, childrens' dramas, and educational programs. Many of these, and other projects, have been funded through a very successful record of grant writing as well as collaboration with her media arts students.

Beyond her scholarly record, Gretchen has an extensive media consulting record. She currently serves on the Mayor's Blue Ribbon Committee for Education and the Board of Gull Lake Quality Association as the chair of Media and Government Relations. She teaches popular courses in media arts theory, media arts content and culture, qualitative research design, and video production and design. Gretchen has directed many successful Ph.D. dissertations and M.A. theses.

 

Over the years she has performed a great amount of service for SCA/NCA, especially for the Mass Communication Division. She has served on the Nominating Committee, Research Committee, and in several other positions on her way to becoming chair of the division. She has served on the SCA Legislative Council, K-12 Curriculum Standards Committee, and in various functions for the Commission on Visual Communication and the Media Forum. Most recently she has been asked to serve as one of the Honors Faculty for the 1998 NCA Doctoral Honors Seminar with Bob Avery, Sam Becker, and Tom McCain.

The Pisces in Gretchen has led her recently into sailing, which she loves. She has two sons, Patrick and Matthew, who graduated from the University of Wisconsin and the University of Minnesota. Gretchen is married to Marty Wong--an about-to-retire clinical psychologist. They live on beautiful Gull Lake--site of the Biannual SCA/NCA Ethics in Communication Conference. In the future she plans to sail the Greek Islands, but first, here's lots of practicing to be done on the lake.

 

 

NCA Convention Information: See You in Chicago
 

According to Rob Bellamy, the Mass Comm Division had 40 papers accepted out of 61 submissions, for an acceptance rate of 65.6 percent. These papers were slotted into 8 panels of 4 papers each, and one interactive session of 8 papers. One paper was withdrawn after acceptance.

 

 

Business Meeting & Newcomer Reception
 

Our business meeting is scheduled for Saturday from 4:00 until 5:15, followed immediately by the Newcomer Reception until 6:45. Both will take place in Boulevard A, on the second floor. (If you see any listings that the business meeting is on Friday, those listings are incorrect - it is on Saturday.) It is definitely worthwhile to attend the business meeting. You will be updated on important information and you will have the chance to cast your vote for our Division Officers. (The slate of nominees follows; you can even make nominations from the floor if you are at the meeting.) Also, while not totally mixing business with pleasure, our business meeting is slated to slide smoothly into a newcomer reception. We'll have a cash bar, and snacks. This reception is specifically designed so that newcomers and "oldcomers" will be able to meet each other, and to allow people to renew previous acquaintances. (So, "oldcomers," yes, this is for you, too!) It should be fun, so mark your calendars for Saturday from 4:00 to 6:45!

 

 

Election of Division Officers
 

 

The nominating committee, chaired by James Walker, has submitted the following 1997 Election Ballot to the Mass Communication Division.

 

  • Vice-Chair-Elect (vote for one)

     

     

    Jane Banks, Indiana Purdue University, Fort Wayne

     

    Rebecca Ann Lind, University of Illinois, Chicago

     
     
     

  • Secretary-Elect (vote for one)

     

     

    Donald Taylor, California State University, Sacramento

     

    John Turner, Towson State University

     
     
     

  • Publications Committee Member (vote for one)

     

    • Maureen Asten, Worcester State College

       

    • Douglas Ferguson, Bowling Green State University

       

     

  • Research Committee Member (vote for one)

     

     

    Shing-Ling Chen, University of Northern Iowa

     

    Gary Copeland, University of Alabama

     
     
     

  • Nominations Committee Members (vote for five)

     

     

    Rob Bellamy, Duquesne University

     

    Bill Christ, Trinity University

     

    Jamie Comstock, University of West Florida

     

    Nancy Signorielli, University of Delaware

     

    David Sullivan, University of San Diego

     

    James Weaver, Auburn University
     
     

 

 

Top Paper Awards
 

Congratulations to Garth E. Pauley of Penn St. U for earning the award of Top Student Paper. The paper is entitled "Documentary desegregation: A rhetorical analysis of 'Crisis: Behind a presidential commitment'."

Congratulations also to the Division's Top 3 Competitive papers (in alphabetical order):

 

  • Ted M. Coopman (San Jose St. U.) "Free Radio vs. the FCC: A case study of micro broadcasting."

     

  • Garth E. Pauley (Penn St. U.) "Documentary desegregation: A rhetorical analysis of 'Crisis: Behind a presidential commitment'."

     

  • Lawrence C. Soley (Marquette U.) "Bullying broadcasters: Advertisers' influence on local television news."

 

 

We will also be holding a competition for the top poster display at the interactive (poster) session. So plan an appealing presentation, be creative, have fun, and who knows what glory you might receive·in addition to a more tangible acknowledgement of your work.

 

 

Thanks to Paper Reviewers
 

The Division owes a debt to the following individuals, who graciously offered to review the competitive papers submitted. If you'd like to be a paper reviewer, sign up at the Business Meeting on Saturday, right before the Newcomers' Reception.

 

Mary Beth Oliver, Virginia Tech University; Robbin Crabtree, New Mexico State University; James Walker, St. Xavier University; Lisa M. Burns, Duquesne University; Blake Armstrong, University of Oklahoma; Maureen Asten, Worcester State College; Chuck Aust, Kennesaw State University; Jane Banks, Indiana U-Purdue U. Fort Wayne; Ronnie Bankston, University of Northern Iowa; Mary J. Beadle, John Carroll University; Douglas A. Boyd, University of Kentucky; Mark Braun, Gustavus Adolphus College; Shing-Ling Chen, University of Northern Iowa; Bethami A. Dobkin, University of San Diego; Norman Felsenthal, Temple University; Robert Gobetz, University of Indianapolis; Ron Gordon, University of Hawaii at Hilo; David J. Gunzerath, Old Dominion University; Margaret J. Haefner, Illinois State University; Jacqueline C. Hitchon, University of Wisconsin at Madison; Cynthia Hoffner, Illionis State University; Barbara Kaye, Southern Illinois University; Cynthia King, California State University-Fullerton; Marwan M. Kraidy, University of North Dakota; Rebecca Ann Lind, University of Illinois at Chicago; Cynthia M. Lont, George Mason University; Matt McAllister, Virginia Tech University; Lawrence Mullen, UNLV; Michael Nitz, University of Idaho; Alexis Olds, Cuesta College; Elizabeth Perse, University of Delaware; Michael Porter, University of Missouri; Alan Rubin, Kent State University; Ann M. Savage, Bowling Green University; John Smead, Central Missouri State University; Karen Smith, Southern Illinois University; Donald S. Taylor, California State University-Sacramento; Paul Traudt, UNLV; John R. Turner, Towson State Univesity; Laura Wackwitz, University of North Dakota.

 

 

Calls for Papers and Participation
 

Call for Papers: Journal Of Radio Studies, August 1998 Issue

The Journal of Radio Studies seeks articles and book reviews for its August 1998 volume. The Broadcast Education Association has adopted JRS and is expanding it from an annual into a biannual scholarly research journal.

 

JRS is the only scholarly publication in the world dedicated exclusively to radio studies. The Journal strives to encourage interdisciplinary inquiries regarding radio's contemporary and historical subject matter. In addition, JRS seeks to promote dialogue generated by various methodologies.

Scholars are invited to submit articles pertaining to any area of radio. Areas of interest include, but are not limited to, formats and programming, technology and regulation, rating systems, commercial and noncommercial networks, management and innovations, personalities, radio popular culture, interpersonal studies of radio, and international radio.

 

For the August 1988 issue, the Editors are especially interested in receiving manuscripts dealing with contemporary issues of radio, especially the effects of the 1996 Telecommunications Act, market concentration, diversity, and the reordering of the radio industry.

Submissions are blind peer reviewed, and evaluated according to their conceptualization, importance to radio studies, contribution to the mass media literature, interest to JRS readers, soundness of research and methodological procedures, and the clarity of presentation. Send 4 copies (APA style) of submissions to the editor. Provide mailing address and brief biographical summaries of authors on a separate page and an abstract of no more than 100 words on another page. (Deadline: February 1, 1998)

 

Manuscripts should be sent to: Frank J. Chorba, JRS Editor, Mass Media Department, Washburn University, Topeka, KS 66621. 913-23-1010 x 805. zzchor@acc.wuacc.edu

Book reviews should be sent to: J. Steven Smethers, School of Journalism/Broadcasting, Oklahoma State University, 309 Paul Miller Building, Stillwater, OK 74078-4053. 405-744-6448. smether@okway.okstate.edu

 

Call for Editor: Western Journal of Communication

The Publications Committee of the Western States Communication Association is inviting nominations and self-nominations for the position of Editor, Western Journal of Communication. The new Editor-Elect will begin receiving manuscripts in January 1999 and will take charge of the editorial duties for the journal the following January, 2000, with the publication of Volume 64. The editorial term will extend throughout the completion of Volume 66. The first issue of Volume 64 will go to press in October, 1999. Nominations should include a statement of acceptance of the nomination by the candidate, along with an envisioned editorial plan which sets forth the candidate's understanding of the mission for the journal and how that mission will be enacted during her or his editorial tenure; a letter of support from the responsible administrator at the candidate's host institution detailing the level of release time, financial, personnel, and facilities support to be provided to the editorial office; and a copy of the candidate's curriculum vita. As many as three additional letters of recommendation from colleagues who can comment on the candidate's intellectual, editorial and administrative talents are also encouraged. The deadline for nominations and all support materials is December 31, 1997. The Editor-Elect will be named by the WSCA Executive Council at the annual convention in Denver, in February, 1998. Nominations should be sent to the attention of Robert K. Avery, WSCA Publications Committee Chair, Department of Communication, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112. Those requiring additional information or clarification may contact Professor Avery by phone at 801-581-5343 (O) or 801-582-3003 (H); FAX at 801-585-6255 or E-Mail at ROBERT_AVERY@M.CC.UTAH.EDU

 

Call For Papers: "Pre-Super Bowl Scientific Congress," January 18-20, 1998 in San Diego, CA.

San Diego State University invites submissions for presentation at the first annual Pre-Super Bowl Scientific Congress, hosted by the School of Communication and the College of Professional Studies and Fine Arts of SDSU. This event brings together scholars of the Super Bowl and related topics, with individual paper presentations, theme panel presentations, and plenary sessions with featured speakers. A special issue of the Journal of Sport and Social Issues will include key presentations from the Congress. Potential participants are invited to propose individual papers or complete panel presentations. Subjects for papers and panels may cover any aspect relating to the Super Bowl in the broadest sense. Scholars from sociology, psychology, literature, history, anthropology, media studies, communication, economics, law, biomechanics, medicine, gender studies, cultural studies, popular culture, and other disciplines are welcome. Subjects may include: analysis of content of televised megasports, the economics of professional franchises and stadiums, ethnography of fan behavior, the psychology of peak performance, sport literature and reporting, male/female representations of and reactions to megasports events, and many other possibilities.

Submissions Deadline: October 31, 1997 (Notifications of refereed acceptance will be sent by November 15)

Format for Submissions: Full papers (maximum length 25 pages), abstracts (200 to 500 words). Theme panel presentations should include name and position of all presenters plus brief abstracts. Mail to: Pre-Super Bowl Scientific Congress, School of Communication, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, 92182-4561. (Phone: 619-594-5450; Fax 619-594-6246; E-mail: socdesk@mail.sdsu.edu)

 

 

Division Member's Accomplishments
 

 

  • Caren Deming has been awarded the College of Fine Arts Teaching Excellence Award at the University of Arizona. Her department peer review committee nominated her for this award, based on her curriculum innovation at the undergraduate level (an interactive Disney course) and contributions to the graduate program.

     

  • Ms Kara Chan, Asst Professor of the Dept of Communication Studies, Hong Kong Baptist University obtained a grant of USD13,000 from the Environment and Conservation Fund to conduct a benchmark study on green consumerism in Hong Kong.

     

  • David Swanson, University of Illinois, and Bruce Gronbeck, University of Iowa, are participating in October in the "Images of Politics: History and Development of Political Communication on Television" conference at the University of Amsterdam. David is chairing the session on Media and Politics in Emerging Democracies, and Bruce is doing a one-hour video presentation, "Televised Politics in the U.S., 1951-1997."

     

  • Brian Massey (FSU, 1997) has taken a faculty position at the School of Communication Studies, Nanyang Technological University, in Singapore (http://www.ntu.edu.sg). He is developing and teaching the large enrollment 'Basic Media Writing' course, and co-supervises the monthly student newspaper."

 

 

New Publications and Other Notes
 

 

  • Leonard Shyles of Villanova has written a book for Houghton Mifflin Co. titled VIDEO PRODUCTION HANDBOOK. The publication date is 1998, but the book will be available by the end of this year. The book takes a fresh look at the production process in light of the digital age we are entering. It is comparatively in-depth, covering many topics in greater detail than previous texts (e.g. unions, digital conversion, how lenses work, writing and performing, the physical nature of radio energy that makes broadcasting possible, aesthetic principles of editing, lighting etc). Perhaps one of the most distinctive features of the book is that it contains interviews with industry practitioners. Many tell what they look for in an intern, as well as what they do in their careers and how they got their starts. For more information, contact Shyles at Shyles@ucis.vill.edu.

     

  • The Media Education Foundation, which produced Dreamworlds, Slim Hopes, and a number of other videos used in Mass Comm classes, has completed a number of new videos you may be interested in getting your dept. or library to order. MEF is a non-profit media research and educational video production organization founded by U.Mass. Professor of Communication Sut Jhally.

     

  • Since the last MEF catalog, there have been several new additions:

     

    • George Gerbner on Media and Culture - This is a set of three tapes, one of which, The Killing Screens: Media and the Culture of Violence, was produced earlier. The two new ones are: The Electronic Storyteller: Television and the Cultivation of Values (30 minutes), and The Crisis of the Cultural Environment: Media and Democracy in the 21st. Century (30 mins.). They are $195 per tape or the whole 3-tape set for $450.

       

    • Stuart Hall on Representation - two illustrated discussions with this seminal figure in the development of cultural studies. Representation and the Media - 55 minutes ($195), and Race, the Floating Signifier - 60 minutes ($195); (an 85-minute Reference Edition is available as well).

       

    • bell hooks - cultural criticism and transformation - a single video with two parts: Part One - On Cultural Criticism, (20 minutes) and Part Two - Doing Cultural Criticism (40 minutes) - $195.

       

    • The Myth of the Liberal Media: The Propaganda Model of News - with Noam Chomsky and Edward Herman. This is three-part video: Part One: The Filters of News; Part Two: Domestic Issues; Part Three: International Issues - approx. 60 minutes - $195. (Available Oct. 30)

       

    • Advertising and the End of the World - with Sut Jhally. This is an illustrated presentation on the effects of advertising and commercial imagery on our ability as a society to think collectively and long-term about vital issues of global survival. about 40 minutes, $195. (Available Oct. 30)

     

    You can preview any of the videos at no charge for two weeks. If interested in placing an order, the most efficient way is to call 1-800-897-0089. To learn more about MEF and the videos available, their Web Site is: http://www.igc.org/mef. MEF will be exhibiting at the Chicago convention.