Dr. Ted M. Coopman’s research on the internet and social movements was published in the most recent issue of the journal New Media And Society. Furthering the concept of “Parallel Polis” developed by Czech theorist Vaclav Benda, Dr. Coopman and his colleagues analyze how digital technologies are uniquely positioned to reflect and facilitate political expression and discuss how the internet fosters and maintains parallel social and political institutions.

You can read an abstract and download the article here.

Citation: Lagos, T., Coopman T.M., and Tomhave, J. (2014). Parallel Polis: Toward a theoretical framework of the modern public sphere and the structural advantages of the internet to foster and maintain parallel social and political institutions. New Media and Society 16 (3) 398-414

Congratulations Dr. Coopman!

Dr. Kathy Werking, COMM lecturer and small business owner, was interviewed recently on the Fox Business program Spare Change. Werking developed an ingenious Kentucky fried chicken candle that has struck a positive chord with consumers. Her store, Kentucky Green Studio, features jewelry, natural lotions, and soy wax candles she and her family create. Werking teaches online courses such as communication and gender (COMM 176P) and qualitative methods (COMM 156I) for the department. She earned her Ph.D. in communication and M.A. in mass communication from Purdue University.

Please join me in congratulating Dr. Todd on the publication of her new book, Communicating Environmental Patriotism: A Rhetorical History of the American Environmental Movement (Routledge, July 2013).

This book is the first to explore the history of environmental patriotism, the belief that the national environment defines a country’s greatness. This significant strand in twentieth century American environmentalism is told through the intriguing stories of environmental patriots and the rhetoric of their speeches and propaganda.  Dr. Todd addresses particular cases, including the See America First movement, Gifford Pinchot and President Theodore Roosevelt’s White House Conservation Conference, Pittsburgh’s smoke investigation condemning the effects of coal smoke on the city’s environment, and, during World War II, the massive propaganda effort mobilizing millions of Americans to plant victory gardens and save resources for the war abroad.

After World War II, national discourse shifted to a consumer patriotism that is at the root of current American apathy toward environmental issues. The book critiques contemporary environmentalists’ communication strategies and suggests a rhetorical framework to advocate for civic engagement and national action to address global environmental challenges.  You can find more information about the book on the publisher website:  http://www.routledge.com/books/details/9780415828093/.

Dr. Todd will be speaking about her book on campus later this fall semester; stay tuned for announcements.