General Information
In the first semester, a temporary advisor will be appointed. Students work with
this faculty member in developing their plans for the program of study. The official
program must be turned in to the Graduate School after completing 12 hours of
course work or prior to the third registration (i.e., during the second semester
of a two-year or four-semester program). During the first year (semesters one
and two) students select their official advisory committee for either a thesis
or non-thesis program. Three faculty are required for the official committee;
at least two must be members of the Graduate Faculty in Communication. The program
of study must be approved by all members of the student’s official committee.
Changes in the program, once it has been submitted, must also be approved by the
official committee. Students may change members of the committee as necessary
and appropriate.
Non-Thesis Option. This option requires the following:
- The student must prepare and present a research project. Although the non-thesis
project is not as extensive as the thesis, the research paper must evidence critical
thinking.
- A synthesizing exam and an oral defense will be scheduled during the student’s
final semester.
Thesis Option. Students electing the thesis option enroll in CMJ 699 for a maximum of six
(6) hours. A thesis prospectus must be approved by the student’s official advisory
committee prior to undertaking the research. After the thesis is completed, the
student defends the research in an oral examination.
John Sherblom, Ph.D. (Maine, 1986), Professor and Chair. Organizational communication, communication
technologies, research methods.
Sandra Berkowitz, Ph.D. (Minnesota, 1994), Associate Professor. Rhetorical criticism, feminist
rhetorical criticism, and U.S. Jewish identity.
Paul Grosswiler, Ph.D. (Missouri, 1990), Associate Professor. International mass communication,
culture and technology, media ecology.
Mark Kelley, Ph.D. (Syracuse University, 2004). Assistant Professor. Mass communication,
television news, audience and educational media effects.
Kristin M. Langellier, Ph.D. (Southern Illinois, 1980), Professor. Aesthetic communication, women
and communication, phenomenological methods.
Shannon Martin, Ph.D. (North Carolina, 1993), Associate Professor. Newsroom and government
agenda setting, information distribution systems.
Kathryn J. Olmstead, M.A. (Wisconsin, 1967), Associate Professor. Cultural journalism, student journalism.
Eric E. Peterson, Ph.D. (Southern Illinois, 1980), Professor. Philosophy of communication, mass
communication, semiotics, and cultural studies.
Nathan E. Stormer, Ph.D. (Minnesota, 1997), Associate Professor. Rhetorical theory and criticism,
medical rhetoric.
Claire F. Sullivan, Ph.D. (Washington, 1991), Associate Professor. Interpersonal communication,
health communication.
Natasha Tolstikova, Ph.D. (Illinois, 2001), Assistant Professor. Advertising and society, advertising
and consumer culture.