By Sara Hardiman (Class of 2017)
JMU classes, particularly communication classes, are great.
But even the best of classes have their limitations.
That’s why a dozen Public Relations students in JMU’s School of Communication Studies packed their bags and went to South Korea last summer.
Sports and International public relations in Korea is one of the newest study abroad programs the School of Communication Studies offers. Read more SCOM’s newest study abroad program: Public Relations in Korea
By Anthony Barletta (’17)
There is no lack of controversial issues within the City of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County, and even on our campus. But there is a place to discuss them. In 2011, JMU faculty and students in the School of Communication Studies (SCOM) program, created an outlet to create spaces where these issues could be discussed productively.
For the last five years, SCOM’s Institute for Constructive Advocacy and Dialogue (ICAD) has collaborated with both the campus and the community to ease different groups of people into complex discussions.
Unraveling and understanding these public issues is no easy task. Issues that challenge these communities range from mental health disabilities to sexual assault to the recidivism rate. Hitting close to home, community members have difficulty discussing these complex issues.
Engaging diverse groups in productive talk is a collaborative effort headed by ICAD’s director, Dr. Lori Britt and associate director, Dr. Rob Alexander.
ICAD brings community members, JMU faculty, and JMU students together in these discussions. According to Dr. Lori Britt, the talk “is not always about finding solutions but is sometimes focused on creating spaces where people can gain others’ perspectives.” As Dr. Britt explains, encompassing different perspectives helps strengthen community relations on campus, in the community and between the two. Read more Communicating for the Future
By Carrie Holland (’17)
This year’s presidential race has been like no other.
When candidates speak, spar, and court voters in the countdown to the election, political communication takes center stage. So does political communication research.
That’s provided an exciting combination for SCOM faculty Dr. Dan Schill and Dr. Lindsey Harvell-Bowman, and their political communication students. Both professors are involved in nationwide individual and collaborative research projects and share these opportunities with their students.
By Brittany Leuth (’18)
Dr. Kathryn Hobson is a new faculty member to join the School of Communication Studies and teaches within the cultural communication concentration. Prior to her career at JMU, Hobson studied at Luther College and majored in American studies with a minor in women’s studies. As an undergrad, Hobson knew that she also wanted to minor in communication studies, however was terrified to take the required public speaking course. She put off taking the class until her senior year, and even after taking the course promised herself that she would never present in front of others again! For her master’s and Ph. D, Hobson attended the University of Denver to study culture and communication with a heavy emphasis on intersectionality of identities. Immediately post-graduation, she began teaching intercultural communication at Bloomsburg University. Hobson taught there for two years before coming to JMU. Today, Hobson public speaks on a daily basis and is proud to say she is proof that the more you speak in front of others, the better and more comfortable you become!
In addition to teaching at JMU, Hobson loves to conduct research and is currently working on a collaborative ethnography with her colleague Dr. Michael Broderick, where they use writing as a method of inquiry to understand family, pain, loss, trauma, and working class identity. Recently, Hobson had a proposal she wrote with a colleague accepted for a book chapter on disabilities, media and queer identity. She is also working on a piece about cognitive and emotional disabilities represented on television with a former student at Bloomsburg University. In previous years, Hobson has published pieces on queer femininity, queer friendship, racial identity and critical whiteness studies. Her work focuses on intersectionality and the performance of identities, specifically in the LGBT*QIQAP+ community and how femininity is impacted by sexuality, race and class.
Hobson believes that JMU is a great fit for her because of how the cultural communication track lines up perfectly with her PhD and communication interests. Hobson states that she feels very much at home within this area. She currently enjoys teaching both the classes, Intercultural Communication (SCOM 248) and Ethnographic Approaches to Communication (SCOM 349). Hobson states that she loves both of these classes because they are her “jam” and where her passions come out. Hobson would eventually like to teach a class on “communication, sexuality, and intersectionality” because it lines up with her interests and she believes that her students would be interested in taking such a class.
Hobson’s talents go beyond her public speaking skills and great knowledge of intercultural communication. As side hobbies, Hobson enjoys hiking, swimming, spending time with her two dogs (Indigo and Morty), and refinishing old furniture. One secret passion that Hobson shared with us is her love for performance and dance. Not only does she love watching performances, but she loves to perform herself! In fact, Hobson was in Shout Out’s annual V-Day event. Hobson states, “I believe that art can create social justice and change. Really, I just want to leave the world a little better than I found it and however I can make that happen is my passion.”
Although Hobson has only been here for a short amount of time, she has many reasons why she already loves JMU so much. “The students—hands down! Especially the cultural communication students, but really all the students, make this one of the best places to work,” states Hobson, “They are all incredibly kind and prepared. They want to be challenged, so I try hard to bring that challenge. And of course, my colleagues. They are just so passionate and caring, and I have so much to learn from them. Just like the students, they too have been incredibly welcoming. It also helps that this university is in a gorgeous setting, with people who, I think, want to make a difference in the world for the better.”
Hobson offers her students the following pieces of advice, “Be open-minded to hearing stories that are different from yours, this will prove invaluable to you as you go through life. Everyone has a story. Listen a lot, but also be willing to speak out or act in ways that serve the greater good. Also, public speaking doesn’t have to be that bad. Practice a lot, stretch and meditate to rid of excess energy before speaking. It helps so much. Then just a general piece of practical advice is to wear sunscreen. It’s science, y’all.”
Be sure to enroll in Professor Hobson’s Intercultural Communication (SCOM 248) and Ethnographic Approaches to Communication (SCOM 349) classes in order to learn more about why these topics are her “jam” this fall!
Please give a warm welcome to Dr. Kathryn Hobson!
By Amberly Millis (’16)
March 31 to April 3, students and faculty members in the School of Communication Studies at James Madison University presented at the 107th Eastern Communication Association Convention at the Hyatt Regency in Inner Harbor Baltimore, Maryland. These Students and faculty members presented their scholarly research in the convention’s informational and/or competitive panels.
JMU undergraduate student participants included:
Amy D’Amato, Lauren Antilety, Nicole Banville, Alexandra Foley, Katie Haskins, Andrew Haveles, Haley Hoff, Gina Jeliff, Yoon Ko, Kaitlyn Lema, Laura Mack, Kathryn McAnally, Amberly Millis, Amanda Pennypacker, Ashley Reynolds, Emma Talkington, Haley Winter, and Lindsay Wright.
Graduate student participants included:
Erin Casey, Claire Habel, Austin Woodruff, and Leanna Smithberger.
Faculty member participants included:
Dr. Carlos Aleman, Dr. Timothy Ball, Dr. Lori Britt, Dr. Heather Carmack, Dr. Eric Fife, Dr. Lindsey Harvell, Dr. Kathryn Hobson, Dr. Tatjana Hocke, Dr. C. Leigh Nelson, and Ms. Christina Saindon.
These participants joined with experts and scholars from all over the country to present their research on a variety of communication studies subjects, including crisis, interpersonal, advocacy, leadership, health, organizational, media, rhetorical, and many more. This year’s selection was very competitive, so please congratulate your fellow Dukes for their hard work and accomplishments!
To learn how you can apply to partake in next year’s ECA Conference, go to www.ecasite.org for more information.
Homecoming at JMU brings back alumni who are excited to see what has changed at the university since they graduated. For the past three years, alumnus Ron Burke (’85), Comcast Sports Net Philadelphia sports broadcaster, does just that. Last Friday, Burke didn’t only visit JMU for homecoming, but he also spoke to SCOM and sport communication minor students. I had the chance to meet him with 12 other students.
SCOM Graduate Program hosts an information session for students who want to know more about graduate school next Tuesday, Feb. 18. Students who are interested can attend one of the two sessions: 12:30 p.m. – 1:45 p.m.or 2:00 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.
According to a recent Georgetown University study, communication graduates with advanced degrees (a masters or PhD) will earn about $10,000 more per year by mid-career than graduates without advanced degrees. http://ncablog.org/2013/06/05/whats-a-comm-major-worth/. Here is an excerpt from the article.
COMM majors who are recent college graduates command median earnings of about $33,000. This is higher than Humanities and Liberal Arts majors ($30K) and equal to Law and Public Policy majors ($33K), but lower than Engineering majors ($54K) and Business majors ($39K). Graduate degree holders in COMM have median earnings of $64,000, ahead of majors in the Arts, Education, Recreation, and Psychology & Social Work.
For COMM, the unemployment rates are 7.8% for recent college graduates, 6.0% for experienced college graduates, and 4.2% for graduate degree holders. Recent college graduates in the Humanities and Liberal Arts face a 9.0% unemployment rate while those in Psychology & Social Work are looking at an 8.8% rate, and those in Social Science are facing a 10.3% unemployment rate. Read more Wondering what comes after graduation? Is graduate school right for you?
SCOM hired six new wonderful faculty members entering the fall 2013 semester.
This week, I will post introductions of new faculty members at SCOM.
Dr. Schill has joined the SCOM faculty, I had the opportunity to sit down with Dr. Schill and hear his passion for advocacy and politics, along with instilling this passion in his students.
What stands out the most about JMU students so far?
He is excited to see students’ commitment to service here at JMU and in our local community. At JMU he has already noticed that these are “students that want to engage and make a difference”
What are you looking forward to most here at JMU?
His first response was an excitement to work with the students. He also has the opportunity to work with the first class of students in the Communication and Advocacy graduate program, whom include a wide variety of students from all over the United States. On the other end of the spectrum, Dr. Schill is teaching group GCOM and is looking forward to “growing students at the undergrad level.” Additionally, Dr. Schill said he was excited to collaborate with the accomplished faculty in the School of Communication Studies.
If you could teach a class in any area, what would it be and why?
“I am lucky in that I get to teach and conduct research in the area that I am most passionate about, political advocacy,” Dr. Schill said, “The classes I teach are exactly what I want to be doing.” It also helpful to be close to Washington, D.C., he said. His interest in political advocacy stems from seeing how political communication can propel political change and mobilize people for a cause. As a professor he has the ability to help people and students develop their voice and navigate this world.
Overall, Dr. Schill is, “really excited to work with students” and encourages them to come by his office.
Please feel free to leave a message welcoming Dr. .Schill to the SCOM.
