AEJMC Communication Theory and Methodology

As the fields of journalism and mass communication are evolving, so is our association. In the last few years, we have seen some Divisions gain momentum (Communication Technology, to cite one of them). New Interest Groups have been created while others have grown to the point of seeking division status (i.e. the Science Communication Interest Group). At the same time, CT&M (traditionally one of the largest AEJMC divisions with Mass Communication and Society), has seen its membership decline. Research, which used to be the core mission of just a few divisions (and more particularly of CT&M), is now routinely presented in numerous sessions across divisions.

In this context, some CT&M members have beginning to stress that CT&M needed to reaffirm its mission and to ponder what distinguishes it from other divisions. Going further, others have argued that it might be time to radically transform CT&M by focusing exclusively on political communication related work, since a large part of the research presented in CT&M sessions is arguably conducted in that sub-discipline.

Although I believe that it is important for CT&M to communicate clearly what its core mission is, I would argue against losing an identity that has proven to be central to our field. So what is the place of CT&M among AEJMC divisions and interest groups? I believe it is the place in which research that cross all divisions gets to be presented, where new theoretical developments are discussed and where novel methodological approaches are presented. At a time of turmoil and transformation for the communication industry in general and mass communication in particular, we need more than ever a division with contributions that spans across subfields.

CT&M continues to be perceived as the “research division,” with a reputation of excellence and rigor. Membership has indeed been declining, but not to the expense of the research being submitted and presented. In 2008, CT&M had the second largest number of papers submitted to AEJMC (second only to MC&S), a trend that continued in 2009. Papers presented at CT&M continue to go through a rigorous review process and are routinely accepted for publication in the best communication outlets after being discussed at our convention. In short, CT&M scholarship matters.

Needless to say that CT&M needs its members. As discussed in another column in this newsletter, it was the hope that our journal Communication Methods and Measures would be perceived enough of an additional incentive for students and faculty to join and stay in our division, even as their choices of divisions has increased. This has not been the case yet, but we need to keep in mind that the journal was created a mere three years ago. It is also clear that if a Political Communication Division or Interest Group were to be created, CT&M might lose some members. As we think of our division and of its role, we also need to reaffirm what it brings to its members. It may be time to find novel ways to benefit our membership, beyond giving them the opportunity to present their cutting edge research.

In sum, we need to ponder ways to attract membership in harsh economic times, while thinking of CT&M core mission. I hope you will be joining me with any comments and suggestions you see fit.

I am looking forward to hearing from you.

Fellowships available for January seminar in Phoenix
Apply by Nov. 2!
The Donald W. Reynolds National Center for Business Journalism is offering fellowships worth $2,000 for four days of intensive study in how to teach an undergraduate course in business journalism Jan. 5-8, 2010, in Phoenix.
Limited to 12 prospective professors, the third annual “Business Journalism Professors Seminar” will take place during Reynolds Business Journalism Week at Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication.
Fellowships cover the full cost of training, lodging, materials and most meals. In addition, fellows receive a $500 stipend to help offset travel and other costs.
This seminar will cover the essentials of teaching a hands-on course, including financial, economic and writing aspects. It is an opportunity for prospective business journalism professors to learn from experienced instructors and journalism professionals, with follow-up after the seminar ends as well.
A 2008 participant, Roger Desmond, professor of communication at the University of Hartford, won a university award for innovation in teaching for starting a business journalism course. He said the award “came with some extra money for research and travel, and of course, I owe it all to you!”
The sessions will be led by award-winning professors and journalists, including three-time Pulitzer winner Walt Bogdanich, business investigations editor for The New York Times, and James Gentry, journalism professor at the University of Kansas. Gentry received the Barry Sherman Teaching Award from the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication in 2008.
A highlight of the week will be a panel discussion with the legendary investigative-reporting duo of Don Barlett and Jim Steele, along with the 2009 winners of the Reynolds Center’s Barlett & Steele Awards for Investigative Business Journalism.
In addition, business journalists from around the country, who are attending a concurrent seminar called “Strictly Financials,” will attend some classes with the professors.
The selection process is highly competitive, and applicants must provide as Word-document attachments:
(1) A letter explaining their interest and credentials to teach business journalism,
(2) A resume,
(3) A one-paragraph bio,
(4) A letter of support from their school or department head outlining the program’s interest in teaching business journalism,
And in .JPEG format:
(5) A head shot of the applicant.
An e-mail with all five elements attached must be sent by Nov. 2, 2009, to jacalyn.sponberg@businessjournalism.org with “Application for Business Journalism Professors Seminar” in the Subject line.
View a tentative agenda for the seminar here.

Get an inside look at last January’s “Strictly Financials” Seminar here.
Questions? Contact Andrew Leckey, Reynolds Center president, at andrew.leckey@businessjournalism.org or 602-496-9186.
ABOUT THE CENTER
The Donald W. Reynolds National Center for Business Journalism, located at ASU’s Cronkite School, was launched in 2003. More than 8,500 journalists have benefited from its free training. Programs include daylong business journalism workshops, weeklong online seminars, one-hour self-guided tutorials and daily tips on how to cover business better at BusinessJournalism.org. The Center also runs the Barlett & Steele Awards for investigative business journalism.
The Center is funded by the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation, a national philanthropic organization founded in 1954 by the late media entrepreneur for whom it is named. Headquartered in Las Vegas, Nev., it is one of the largest private foundations in the United States.
ASU’s Cronkite School, named for the long-time CBS news anchor, serves about 1,300 undergraduate and master’s journalism students in a $71 million building that opened in fall 2008 in downtown Phoenix.

The AEJMC Standing Committee on Research encourages nominations for two awards.

The Paul J. Deutschmann Award for Excellence in Research recognizes a body of significant research over the course of an individual’s career. The award is named in honor of Paul J. Deutschmann, who developed the College of Communication Arts at Michigan State University.

The Eleanor Blum Distinguished Service to Research Award was created to recognize people who have devoted substantial parts of their careers to promoting research in mass communication. It is named in honor of its first recipient, Eleanor Blum, a long-time communication librarian at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

The Deutschmann and Blum awards are not necessarily given every year, but awards for both will be considered for 2010. Nominations must be received by November 2, 2009, and should include a letter describing the nominee’s contributions in the area of the award. The packet also should include the nominee’s C.V. and at least five additional letters of support (preferably more) from colleagues who can attest to the candidate’s qualifications for the award. Nominators should represent a range of institutions and perspectives on the nominee’s accomplishments.

Nomination letters and packets for the Deutschmann Award should be sent to Patricia Curtin, School of Journalism and Communication, 1275 University of Oregon, Eugene, OR 97403-1275. Please direct any question to Dr. Curtin at 541-346-3752 or pcurtin@uoregon.edu

Nomination letters and packets for the Blum Award should be sent to Linda Shipley, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, College of Journalism and Mass Communications, 200 Centennial Mall North, Lincoln, NE 68588-0443. Please direct any questions to Dr. Shipley at 402-472-8232 or lshipley1@unl.edu.

Labels: nominations

I'm conducting a survey that I hope will generate some discussion among Division members: Which mass communications theories would you suggest for inclusion on a list of the 10 most influential? Can you cite empirical evidence in support of your choice(s)?

The CT&M Division invites submissions of original research papers pertaining to the study of communication processes, institutions, and effects from a theoretical perspective. CT&M welcomes both conceptual and data-based papers and is open to all methodological approaches. Authors of the three top-scoring faculty or faculty/student papers will be recognized in the convention program and at the CT&M members’ meeting in Boston. We strongly encourage submissions by students. Winners of the Chaffee-McLeod Award for Top Student Paper will be awarded $250; two additional top student papers will also receive cash prices. Please limit papers to no more than 25 pages (double-spaced) in length, excluding tables and references. Please refer to the AEJMC general call’s for papers for this year’s online submission guidelines. If you have questions, please contact Hernando Rojas, CT&M research chair, at 608-262-7791 or by e-mail: hrojas@wisc.edu

Labels: 2009 Conference schedule, AEJMC

Computer-Mediated Communication in Personal Relationships

We invite submissions of chapter proposals for a forthcoming edited volume from Hampton Press featuring literature reviews and meta-analyses about how people employ computer-mediated communication (CMC) effectively to initiate, maintain, and end personal relationships. We are interested in proposals examining relational, task, or channel influences on interpersonal CMC, CMC in relationships among and between family members, friends, collaborators, colleagues, and other types of partners in personal relationships, as well as relational partners' use of various forms of CMC including but not limited to e-mail, www, virtual networks, and/or gaming. We anticipate that each final chapter will be theory-based and include a current, relevant literature review and/or meta-analysis. We invite reviews of research using conceptual or empirical (qualitative and/or quantitative) methods. Manuscripts written from all theoretical orientations are welcome.

Chapter Proposal Guidelines:

1. Provide an extended abstract of 1-3 pages describing the research. Within the abstract, (a) clearly identify the specific aspect of CMC your chapter will examine and (b) provide a summary or outline of your proposed chapter.

2. Provide a bibliography of sources that will be used in the chapter.

3. Your proposal should be accompanied by a published essay you authored, ideally on the subject matter discussed in the chapter proposal. If you are selecting among multiple essays you have published, please send an essay for which you are the lead or sole author.

4. Please send an updated vita that lists of your publications.

5. Complete proposals (parts 1-4 specified above) are due on or before midnight December 31, 2008. We will respond to submitted proposals by February 15, 2009.

6. Submissions should be electronic and sent simultaneously to BOTH coeditors at KBWright@ou.edu and LynneWebb320@cs.com.

We welcome your questions and inquiries about the edited volume or chapter proposals. Please address your concerns to one or both of the editors:

Kevin B. Wright, PhD, Professor, Dept. of Communication, University of Oklahoma, 610 Elm Avenue, Norman, OK 73019, KBWright@ou.edu, Telephone: 405-325-5946

Lynne M. Webb, PhD, Professor, Dept. of Communication, University of Arkansas, 417 Kimpel Hall, Fayetteville, AR 72701, LynneWebb320@cs.com, Telephone: 479-575-5956