News
Public Universities Should Substantially Increase and Enforce Restrictions to Curtail Hate Speech on Campus
The William Pitt Debating Union had its’ first public team debate (November 17, 2022) of the year discussing implementation of hate speech policies on Pitt’s campus. Since the words “hate speech” do not appear anywhere within the student handbook, this debate looked at the ramifications of curtailing hate speech vs. the mentality of freedom of speech. We held our debate in-house (we plan to collaborate with nearby schools like Duquesne soon), so research and argument planning for the affirmative and negative sides were able to be done in a collective manner!
“I’m gonna wreck it, again: the false dichotomy of ‘healthy’ and ‘toxic’ masculinity in Ralph Breaks the Internet” by Max Dosser
Max Dosser, a PhD candidate in the department of Communication, has published his article “I’m gonna wreck it, again: the false dichotomy of ‘healthy’ and ‘toxic’ masculinity in Ralph Breaks the Internet” in Critical Studies in Media Communication’s 39th issue.
Dr. Caitlin Bruce interview on "Pop Life" about her new book, Painting Publics
Dr. Caitlin Bruce is interviewed on "Pop Life" about her book, Painting Publics, with Kendall Phillips
Can be seen on all of the following major platforms:
25th Annual Oratory Competition Offers Fresh Perspectives on Diversity
The Annual Oratory Competition has become an enjoyable springtime tradition at Pitt. Although there were adjustments in recent years to deal with the pandemic, the Oratory Competition returned to an in-person format in 2022, and the student response was outstanding. Twenty-two speakers competed on Saturday morning, April 9th, with the top speakers in each category recognized with Certificates of Achievement and cash prizes.
Max Dosser Named 2022 Egolf Memorial Teaching Award Winner
Max Dosser received the 2022 Donald B. Egolf Memorial Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching. Honoring long-time Communication faculty member Dr. Donald B. Egolf, the award recognizes a graduate student in the Department who demonstrates excellence in classroom teaching and course design, as well as a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in teaching and learning.
Alicia Furlan Publishes Her First Article in the Undergraduate Journal!
This paper examines the rhetorical significance of the Westinghouse Memorial to the identity of Pittsburgh. It explains both how the memorial argues materially and spatially for how to view the city, and how such appeals have shifted over time as Pittsburgh has rebranded itself from an industrial hub to a center of creativity. For more information follow this link: https://xchanges.org/from-industry-to-creativity-16-2.
Daniel K. and Amy L. Jenkins 2022 Endowed Fund for Student Resources
The Department of Communication proudly announces that Abby Morgan has received The Daniel K. and Amy L. Jenkins Endowed Fund for Student Resources for 2022.
The purpose of this endowment is to establish an award for educational expenses for students in the Department of Communication in the Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences at the University of Pittsburgh.
The National Communication Association Statement Concerning Academic Freedom
"Legislation prohibiting the teaching of gender, sexuality, and race limits academic freedom within classrooms. The National Communication Association (NCA) recognizes that the passage and proposal of laws and policies in a dozen states regarding curricula has a broader chilling effect that curtails the effective teaching, learning, and practice of communication in areas such as critical race theory (CRT).
Maura Shapiro Takes Physics to a New Level
After graduating with degrees in Communication & Rhetoric and Physics, Maura worked as an intern at the American Institute of Physics. Collaborating with both the Center for History of Physics and Niels Bohr Library & Archives to create k-12 teaching guides about women and other underrepresented groups in physics. Through this work, Maura learned about the American scientist, inventor, and women's rights activist Eunice Newton Foote who discovered, in 1856, that carbon dioxide absorbs heat.
Graduate Alum Sam Allen accepts position at Randolph-Macon College
Sam Allen recently accepted an appointment as Assistant Professor in the Department of Communication Studies at Randolph-Macon College beginning in Fall 2022. Advised by Dr. Lester Olson, Sam is a PhD candidate in the Department of Communication and has pursued concurrent graduate certificates in Gender, Sexuality and Women’s Studies and Cultural Studies during his time at the University of Pittsburgh. He currently works as the Graduate Research Assistant for an interdisciplinary momentum grant led by Dr. Mari Webel (Dept.
New Public Speaking Section (2224)
Are you looking for a class to take during the Spring Term? The Department of Communication added a Public Speaking Course that is available. The course is listed below with the appropriate course numbers and meeting pattern:
520-1175-33595: Tuesday, 6:00PM-8:30PM
If you are interested in this course please enroll or contact one of our advisors: Dr. Meredith Guthrie or Dr. David Molina.
The Rosa Project: Overcoming Our Seasons of Woundedness written by Andrew Lee
The Rosa Project: Overcoming Our Seasons of Woundedness
Paul Johnson interview on The Majority Report regarding his new book, I The People: The Rhetoric of Conservative Populism in the United States
Paul Elliott Johnson, assistant professor in the department, recently appeared on The Majority Report to discuss his new book, I The People: The Rhetoric of Conservative Populism in the United States. The wide-ranging conversation touched on a number of topics, including the role of race in the rise of the American Right, the widespread obsession with victimhood in US politics, and how we should use the term populism in discussing conservatism in the US.
Deborah J. Danuser and Kelly M. O’Donnell Selected for Whittington Leadership and Innovation Challenge for Ph.D. Students
Deborah J. Danuser and Kelly M. O’Donnell, along with doctoral students Kirby Sigler and Abby Hillmann from the Psychology Department, developed a winning proposal in the inaugural professional development competition, the Dietrich School Whittington Leadership and Innovation Challenge for Ph.D. Students.
Congratulations to Dr. Guthrie on her promotion to Senior Lecturer
Dr. Guthrie has been a part of the Communication Department since 2006. She teaches media studies classes, serves as the Director of Undergraduate Advising, and sponsors clubs like Her Campus Pittsburgh and Right On Bigelow. Dr. Guthrie’s research focuses primarily on television. Most recently, she presented on race in The Bachelor franchise.