La Main à la Pâte

On October 15, 2012, I presented a talk at Fondation la Main à la Pâte in Paris, France entitled “College for Kids = Hands-on activities for students, professional development for teachers.”

Fondation la Main à la Pâte [Foundation for Collaborative Hands-on Work] is a research foundation established by a consortium of organizations: l’Académie des Sciences, l’École Normale Supérieure (in Paris) and l’École Normale Supérieure de Lyon (where I am based at present). Researchers there focus on the improving the teaching of science to K-12 students, especially using hands-on techniques. They invited me to talk about my current project documenting College for Kids in the US, which often has a focus on teaching science and on hands-on techniques, as well as sometimes having a dual track, where teachers are trained at the same time that students are educated.

My thanks to David Jasmin, Director of the Foundation for the warm welcome (and excellent Japanese lunch!). My thanks to Clotilde Marin-Micewicz for meeting with me in Lyon and introducing me to the Foundation.

Wendy Leeds-Hurwitz, Director
Center for Intercultural Dialogue

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U South Florida job ad

The Department of Communication at the University of South Florida invites applications for a tenure-track position at the rank of Assistant or Associate Professor to begin August 2013.  Applicants must have been awarded a doctorate in Communication by September 1, 2012. We seek a candidate whose central focus is interpersonal and relational communication and who can also offer courses and research supervision in one or more of the following areas: dialogue, applied communication, and ethics. Applicants should have a research and teaching profile that fits with our department’s qualitative, critical, and interpretive orientation, and our integration of social science with humanistic, narrative, and performative approaches to inquiry. The successful candidate will have a record of published scholarship and successful teaching experience commensurate with the length of time since earning the Ph.D. and appropriate for appointment in a doctoral degree granting department at a Research I university. The ideal candidate will have a record of (or potential for) securing external funding for research, mentoring graduate students, and building productive connections with local and/or global research sites.  Salary is negotiable and will be commensurate with the candidate’s credentials and experience.

According to Florida law, applications and meetings regarding the search are open to the public. For disability accommodations, please notify the search chair at least five working days in advance of need. USF is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action, and Equal Access employer. The department strongly encourages applications from scholars of color.

Application materials (hard copy and online) must be received by November 19, 2012.

A completed application file includes a letter of application, curriculum vitae, three letters of recommendation, documentation of successful teaching and research productivity (include up to three published works). Paper copies of these must be received by November 19, 2012. Send paper copies to:
Dr. Ambar Basu
Chair, Search Committee
Department of Communication
University of South Florida
4202 East Fowler Avenue CIS1040
Tampa, FL 33620-7800

In addition, copies of your application materials, excluding the reference letters, must be submitted online via the following link.

The University of South Florida is one of only three Florida public universities classified by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching in the top tier of research universities (RU/VH), a distinction attained by only 2.3% of all U.S. universities. USF is ranked 50th in the nation in total research expenditures and 27th in federal research expenditures for public universities by the National Science Foundation.  The university is authorized to provide 237 degrees at the undergraduate, graduate, specialist and doctoral levels, including the doctor of medicine. USF ranks 10th among all universities granted U.S. patents in 2011 according to the Intellectual Property Owners Association, an increase of more than 3 percent from 2010. The University has a $1.5 billion annual budget, an annual economic impact of $3.2 billion, and serves more than 47,000 students on campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Sarasota-Manatee. USF is a member of the Big East Athletic Conference

Further information about the department, its students, and faculty is available at our website. Inquiries can be addressed to Dr. Ambar Basu (abasu AT usf.edu).

Cal State U Long Beach job ad

California State University Long Beach

Tenure Track Position Opening
Recruitment  #: 1064
Effective Date: August 19, 2013 (Fall Semester)
Salary Range: Commensurate with qualifications and experience

Minimum Qualifications:  Ph.D. in Communication Studies or Performance Studies (or a closely related field) by date of appointment.  Demonstrated potential for effective teaching at the undergraduate and graduate (M.A.) level; potential for an ongoing, successful record of scholarly research and publication commensurate with professional level; commitment to and/or expertise in educating a diverse student population.

Desired/Preferred Qualifications: Demonstrated excellence in teaching at the university/college level.  Experience in teaching courses in performance studies, including oral interpretation and storytelling, and intercultural communication. The ideal candidate will have experience with oral history, ethnography, or narrative and an emphasis in issues of diversity and culture.

We also welcome applications from candidates with expertise in interpersonal/organizational contexts using quantitative social scientific methodologies, and with experience teaching courses in communication theory, research methods, and content courses relevant to those contexts.

Duties: Teach undergraduate and graduate (M.A.) department courses within the areas of the candidate’s expertise. Participate in curriculum development; engage in a systematic program of scholarship resulting in conference presentations and publication; advise and direct students; provide service to department, college, university, and community.

The Department of Communication Studies at California State University, Long Beach is committed to building a more diverse faculty, staff, and student body as it responds to the changing population and educational needs of California and the nation.  We seek applicants and nominations from those who have experience teaching, mentoring, and developing research in ways that effectively address individuals from historically underrepresented backgrounds. California State University, Long Beach is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer.

Required Documentation:  Letter of application addressing minimum and desired/preferred qualifications as noted above; curriculum vitae with current email address. Three recent letters of recommendation. A copy of the transcript from institution awarding highest degree. Summary of teaching evaluations. Finalists will be required to submit a signed SC-1 form and official transcript. Application and required documentation should be submitted on the Academic Jobs Online website .Requests for information, official transcript, letters of recommendation and signed SC-1 form should be sent to:

Dr. Amy Bippus, Chair
Department of Communication Studies, AS 309
California State University, Long Beach
Long Beach, CA   90840-2407
562/985-4302/amy.bippus AT csulb.edu

Application Deadline:  Position open until filled or recruitment cancelled.  Review of applications to begin on November 15, 2012.

CSULB is committed to creating a community in which a diverse population can learn, live, and work in an atmosphere of tolerance, civility and respect for the rights and sensibilities of each individual, without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, religious creed, sex, gender identification, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, medical condition, age, political affiliation, Vietnam era veteran status, or any other veteran’s status. CSULB is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

U South Florida post-doc

University of South Florida Postdoctoral Scholars
Social Sciences and Humanities, 2013-14
Global Change in a Dynamic World

The Department of Communication at the University of South Florida is pleased to announce its participation in the fifth year of USF’s Postdoctoral Scholars program in the social sciences and humanities. The over-arching theme for this year’s scholars is “Global Change in a Dynamic World.”

Postdoctoral Scholars are expected to (a) contribute to one or more of the priority goals of USF’s strategic plan, (b) work closely with distinguished faculty, (c) participate in  interdisciplinary and programmatic seminar series, (d) teach two courses over a twelve-month period, and (e) continue to build an independent research record and engage in publishing refereed articles and creative scholarship.

Areas in which post doctoral scholars might work include (but are not limited to) sustainability; sustainable development; hazard and disaster management; climate change; population changes; technology and information issues; communication and language development; cultural diasporas; ethnicity, gender, and aging issues; cultural heritage and histories; citizenship; identity; health, economic, education, and environmental disparities; political economy; ethics; human rights; animal rights; peace and conflict studies; injury and violence; security and surveillance issues. Specific research and geographical areas are open, and applicants may consider both past and contemporary perspectives.

Appointments are for full time employment (40 hours per week), will begin August 5th, 2013, and be continued for a maximum of 2 years contingent upon satisfactory performance. The salary is $40,000 per year and the University contributes to a health insurance program for postdoctoral scholars and their dependents (up to $6,000). Support for travel to academic conferences will be available. Scholars are responsible for their relocation and housing expenses.

Applicants in communication must have earned a doctoral degree in communication no earlier than 2010 and successfully defended their dissertations by May 1, 2013.  The doctoral degree must be conferred prior to the first day of employment.  (Applicants must receive their doctoral degree from an institution other than USF.)

A complete application consists of (a) a cover letter stating your interest in this Postdoctoral Initiative and providing details on (i) how your research and teaching expertise would contribute to the theme of “Global Change in a Dynamic World” and the goals and aspirations of the USF Strategic Plan, (ii) the department(s) with which you would like to be affiliated, (iii) your teaching experience and courses that you would like to offer, and (iv) your long-term goals; (b) your curriculum vitae; (c) two letters of reference; (d) scanned copies of up to three of your published papers/scholarly works; and (e) scanned copies of current academic transcripts from all degree awarding institutions (original transcripts will need to be mailed by those individuals who receive formal offers).  All application materials must be sent to postdoc AT usf.edu by Friday December 7, 2012.

Additional information about the department and the university is available through our departmental Web site.  For complete details about the position, please see here.

Address any inquiries to Carolyn Ellis, Professor and Chair-Elect, Department of Communication, USF, by phone (813-974-3626) or e-mail (cellis AT usf.edu).

USF is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action, and Equal Access employer.

Fordham job ads

Fordham University
Department of Communication and Media Studies
2 open positions: Department Chair and Assistant Professor

Fordham University invites applications for positions of department chair and assistant professor in the Department of Communication and Media Studies.  The department is currently in an exciting process of growth, including the curricular revision and expansion of undergraduate and graduate programs.  Both positions require a Ph.D. in communication, media studies, film studies, or a related area, and an active research program. The chair position requires distinguished scholarship, significant administrative experience, dynamic academic leadership, and excellent teaching.  The assistant professor position requires a promising research agenda and evidence of excellent teaching.  Those with a specialization in international/transnational/global communication are encouraged to apply, and an ability to teach research methods is highly desirable.  Complete job description is here. Submit application to cms AT fordham.edu with a cover letter, c.v., sample scholarship, and names of three references with contact information.  Application review begins for chair on October 15 and for assistant professor on November 15, 2012.  For information, contact Dr. Fred Wertz (wertz AT fordham.edu).

Fordham is an independent, Catholic University in the Jesuit tradition that welcomes applications from men and women of all backgrounds.  Fordham is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.

These fictions we call disciplines

An article growing out of research started as a Fellow at the Collegium de Lyon in 2009 has just been published:

Leeds-Hurwitz, W. (2012). These fictions we call disciplines. Electronic Journal of Communication/La Revue Electronique de Communication, 22(3-4). Available from: http://www.cios.org/www/ejcmain.htm

Abstract: Accepting that disciplines are social constructions implies expanding current practice in four directions: incorporating disciplinary history, cognate disciplines, international variations, and rival subdisciplines. Intercultural Communication serves as a concrete case study for how these implications play out. Consideration of the broader impact of these issues on the future of social construction research leads to concluding discussion of the characteristics required of more adequately prepared scholars.

Here’s a quote relevant to my work with the Center for Intercultural Dialogue:

“There can be no more literal form of alien knowledge than that produced by foreign scholars. Their research agendas have different histories, so they have developed different traditions of investigation, whether methods, theories, or topics. One result is that foreign research can be difficult to understand, requiring time and effort spent developing familiarity with the vocabulary used and assumptions made. Yet the result repays the time and effort: just as looking at the past reveals paths not taken, so does looking at research conducted in other countries.”

Wendy Leeds-Hurwitz, Director
Center for Intercultural Dialogue

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Eckerd College job ad

Eckerd College
4200 54th Ave. South, St. Petersburg, FL 33711

Assistant Professor of Communication, tenure track position, to start in September 2013.  PhD. in Communication required.  Eckerd College seeks an outstanding teacher/scholar with expertise in one or more of a broad range of specialties in communication, including, but not limited to: intercultural, multicultural, environmental, health, interpersonal, or public relations.  The successful candidate will be able to teach Introduction to Communication Theory, Public Speaking, Research Methods, and courses in area(s) of expertise. Teaching load is seven courses per academic year (3-1-3).  Candidates should be committed to teaching and mentoring undergraduates, and have a record of scholarship that leads to publication.

Participation in an interdisciplinary, values-oriented general education program is required, including a regular rotation in the two-semester freshman program. Eckerd College, the only independent national liberal arts college in Florida, has a tradition of innovative education and teaching/mentoring excellence. Send letter of application, vita, teaching evaluations, statement of teaching philosophy, graduate transcripts, and contact information for three references to www.eckerd.edu/hr/employment.  Applications must be complete by November 7, 2012.  Inquiries may be sent to Dr. James Janack, janackja AT eckerd.edu.  Qualified candidates must be authorized to work in the United States for the College. EOE.  Applications from women and minorities encouraged.

Do You See Ads on the Center’s Site?

About CIDToday I was notified that someone looking at this website is seeing ads on many pages. I see none, and had thought there were none appearing for others as well. After some checking on the WordPress help and users sites, it seems the more traffic generated, the more ads appear. Officially, the count is supposed to be very few, and only on a few pages. And those who have their own WordPress site don’t see any if they are logged in.

I need to know how much of an issue this is, and for how many of the people who come to this site. There is a way to pay to ensure no ads appear for anyone, it’s just a matter of money. So, if you see ads on this site, please let me know by posting a comment below. And let me know if you see them on just one page, or on lots of pages. It was the Fulbright scholar pages (see the category list in the right column) that were a problem, but there may be an issue for other pages as well.

Thanks for your help!
Wendy Leeds-Hurwitz, Director
Center for Intercultural Dialogue

UPDATE: Since it turned out that some people do see ads, the Center now pays WordPress to eliminate all ads for everyone. Thanks for your input!

U Texas Arlington job ad

THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT ARLINGTON
Announcement of Organizational Communication Faculty Position
Search Code: LIB091212COM

The Department of Communication at The University of Texas at Arlington invites applicants for a tenure-track faculty position in Organizational Communication. Located within the growing Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, UT Arlington is part of the University of Texas system with more than
33,000 students.

Organizational Communication, Assistant Professor
UT Arlington seeks an Assistant Professor in Organizational Communication beginning Fall 2013. Applicants with Ph.D.s are preferred; ABDs will be considered. Candidate should demonstrate a record of or potential for excellence in social scientific research, teaching, and service appropriate to the rank. Secondary areas of content specialty may include communication theory, research methods, interpersonal
communication, intercultural communication, performance studies, and/or rhetoric. The ability to contribute to the department’s M.A. in Communication is required.

University of Texas at Arlington
A Carnegie Doctoral/Research Extensive university, UT Arlington has an ethnically diverse campus with African-American, Hispanic, Asian, International, and Native American students accounting for approximately 52 percent of the student population.

The Department of Communication is the largest unit within the College of Liberal Arts with more than 900 undergraduates and 40 master’s students. The 12 departments which comprise the College of Liberal Arts offer 18 bachelor, 14 master, and 4 doctoral degrees in the broad areas of arts, humanities, languages and linguistics, and social sciences. The College of Liberal Arts supports interdisciplinary teaching and research within its 12 departments and across the university through such centers and programs as the Center for Mexican-American Studies, the Women’s and Gender Studies program, the Center for Greater Southwestern Studies, and the new Center for African American Studies.

The Department of Communication offers areas of undergraduate specialization in advertising, broadcasting, communication studies, communication technology, journalism, and public relations. The master’s program takes an integrated approach to communication with students exposed to communication studies and mass communication theories with relevant application across interpersonal, organizational, mass media, and technologically mediated settings. The Department of Communication
supports a variety of methodological and theoretical approaches and encourages collaborative experiences which cross the spectrum of communication inquiry.

The UT Arlington main campus is central to a diverse city population of more than 350,000, and is served by two major international and regional airports. The 16-county region boasts top 10 newspaper, radio, and television markets as well as a top 10 Hispanic media market. The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex is home to two major-market daily newspapers, more than 60 radio and television outlets, and corporate
headquarters such as Southwest and American Airlines, Texas Instruments, J.C. Penney, Frito-Lay, Dr Pepper and Bell-Textron. The area’s educational and research activity is supported by many private and
public universities, health science centers, and community colleges. Residents in the Metroplex are able to take advantage of a wealth of cultural, recreational, and professional sporting events.

All applicants should submit a letter of application, vita, three letters of recommendation, a sample of on-going research, and evidence of teaching effectiveness by email or to the address below.

Application materials should be sent to Search Committee Chair, Dr. Andrew Clark, (indicate Org. Comm. Search), Department of Communication, Box 19107, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX 76019-0107. Application materials will be accepted electronically via email to amclark AT uta.edu. Review of applications will begin October 8th and continue until the position is filled. Applicants who are selected for interviews must be able to show proof that they will be eligible and qualified to work in the United States by time of hire.  UT Arlington is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. Women, minorities, veterans, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. A criminal background check will be conducted on finalists. The use of tobacco products is prohibited on UT Arlington properties.

CMM Institute Fellows Award

Applications for the 2012-2013 CMM Institute Fellows Program are due by September 30, 2012.

The three Institutions listed below are proud to announce the second annual Fellows Program for 2012-2013. We will be honoring and supporting the work of two Fellows who are engaged in research and/or practice in the broad area of taking the communication perspective. The 2013 Fellows will receive $5,000.00 and have their work featured on the websites and newsletters of the three sponsoring institutions.

If you would like to explore the 2011-2012 Fellows’ final presentations, please visit: http://www.cmminstitute.net/priorities-and-campaigns.html.

The information below provides the details of the program and the application process.

The CMM Institute for Personal and Social Evolution, Fielding Graduate University’s Institute for Social Innovation, and The Waterhouse Family Institute for the Study of Communication and Society at Villanova University Invite you to apply for the 2012/2013 Fellows Program

The CMM Institute for Personal and Social Evolution advances compassion, empathy, and civility by cultivating traditions of thinking and action based on the communication theory the Coordinated Management of Meaning (CMM). The non-profit Institute provides intellectual leadership and sponsors activities in research, theory-development, and education; the development of practice; world-wide networking and project and information sharing; and fresh insights regarding CMM’s capacity to overcome contemporary social issues and intractable conflicts.

One of the Institute’s greatest priorities is to promote research and interventions that take “a communication perspective” and contribute to the common good. By “taking a communication perspective” we mean projects that treat communication as substantive (an object in itself, not just a means of transmitting information about other things) and constitutive (its characteristics generate the social worlds in which we live).

In partnership with Fielding Graduate University’s Institute for Social Innovation and the Waterhouse Family Institute at Villanova University, we will recognize two Fellows for 2012/2013.

Fellows Program Description
A Fellow is a distinguished scholar and/or practitioner who is recognized for 1) demonstrating a unique understanding of what it means to take and apply a communication perspective; and, 2) finding creative and impactful ways of using a communication perspective to address real-world challenges.

The focus for the 2012-2013 Fellows program is “Transforming Communication.”

As we all know, social worlds are not all alike. Some support lives of compassion, love, dignity and joy better than others. Several taxonomies for naming these distinctions have been developed by theorist such as Robert Kegan and Ken Wilbur.

Communication is the generative force in the production of social worlds. The “communication perspective” directs attention to those patterns of communication. Once we look “at” communication, then we can ask the follow-up question: How can we change patterns of communication that produce less desirable social worlds in our families, schools, workplaces, and communities into those that produce more desirable social worlds?

Barnett Pearce describes this as an “upward” move (as distinguished from the “backward” and “forward” moves) in the first chapter of Making Social Worlds: A Communication Perspective (2007, Wiley-Blackwell).

We are interested in research projects that help us better understand the “upward” move. Relevant questions might include:
•     How can we identify patterns of communication that make better social worlds (or higher levels of personal and social development)?
•     How can we change patterns of communication in order to produce more desirable social worlds in our families, schools, workplaces, and communities?
Proposals that focus on innovation in dialogue and deliberation are also welcome. In this approach, new types of dialogue work would be seen as one of the methods needed to transform communication. For example, research in this area might focus on intergenerational dialogue, new tools for large-scale dialogue, and assessing the impacts of dialogic work on social issues.

Application Process
Your desire to become a Fellow is formalized by submitting a Letter of Intent (LOI) form to the CMM Institute by September 30, 2012. The letter should include a 3-page single spaced description of your proposed project, your rationale for this project, your methodology and the anticipated outcomes. The LOI can be found on the CMM Institute’s website, subcategory Fellows Program, by clicking here: http://www.cmminstitute.net/practice.html.

If you are invited to become a Fellow we will inform you by January 1, 2013 and ask that your project be completed by July, 2013. Both Fellows will present their work at a half-day seminar hosted by Fielding Graduate University in July, 2013.

Each Fellow will receive a cash award of $5,000.00 and have their work featured in the newsletters, websites, and other publications of the collaborating Institutes.

For more information, contact Kim Pearce at kimpearce AT aol.com