31st Annual Communication Studies Conference, April 13 – 15, 2009

From: School of Communication Studies

JMU to Present Research, Service and Outreach that Explores Healthy Communication Environments

The School of Communication Studies at James Madison University will host the 31st Annual Communication Studies Conference entitled “Constructing Healthy Communication Environments.”
The events are part of a month long “Communication Exhibition” hosted by the Schools of Communication, Information, and Media in the College of Arts & Letters.

The conference opens with a keynote address on Monday, April 13 at 7:00 pm by Dr. Steven Schwarze, awarding winning scholar of environmental communication. Dr. Schwarze’s address is entitled “Unhealthy Communication, Unhealthy Environments: Diagnosing the Asbestos Crisis.” During that address, Dr. Schwarze will discuss his research on how rhetorical discourses, such as those surrounding the asbestos crisis in Libby, Montana, shape public perceptions of such environmental problems. Dr. Schwarze will also participate as a faculty discussant at the panels of undergraduate communication scholarship presented throughout the conference.

On Tuesday, April 14 and Thursday, April 15 poster and panel sessions will highlight original undergraduate scholarship, exceptional service learning projects, and outreach by students in the School of Communication Studies. As part of this conference, a special performance by nationally ranked members of the JMU Individual Events Team will be included on a panel discussing performance studies as scholarship.

The complete conference program can be found online at: http://sites.google.com/site/jmuscomconference/
31st Annual Communication Studies Conference, April 13 – 15, 2009

Monday, April 13, 2009
Keynote Address
“Unhealthy Communication, Unhealthy Environments: Diagnosing the Asbestos Crisis”
Dr. Steven Schwarze
Associate Professor of Communication Studies
University of Montana
7:00 pm Festival Conference and Student Center, Ballroom A

Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Undergraduate Communication Scholarship
Poster Session I and Reception: Student Research & Scholarship
8:00 am – 9:15 am Warren Hall, Transitions
Panel Session I: Constructing Political Environments
9:30 am – 10:45 am Warren Hall, Transitions
Panel Session II: Constructing Personal and Cultural Identities
11:00 am – 12:15 pm Warren Hall, Transitions
Panel Session III: Managing Communication and Identity
12:30 pm – 1:45 pm Warren Hall, Transitions
Panel Session IV: Cultural Drama and Popular Culture
2:00 pm – 3:15 pm Warren Hall, Transitions
Performance as Scholarship
3:30 pm – 4:30 pm Warren Hall Transitions
Three performances by nationally recognized members of the JMU Individual Events Team will be followed by discussion of performance studies as scholarship.

Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Undergraduate Communication Scholarship, Service, and Outreach
Poster Session II and Reception: Service Learning and Outreach
8:00 am – 8:50 am Warren Hall, Transitions
Panel Session V: Constructing Gender and Cultural Identity
9:05 am – 9:55 am Warren Hall, Transitions
Panel Session VI: Constructing Health
10:10 am – 11:00 am Warren Hall, Transitions
Closing and Awards
11:00 am – 11:30 am Warren Hall Transitions

These events are sponsored by The College of Arts & Letters and the School of Communication Studies.

Contact:
Melissa Alemán, Ph.D., School of Communication Studies
Office (540) 568-7034 E-mail alemanmc@jmu.edu
All events are free and open to the public.