First Day of Class (Again!)

On this first day of classes, I am celebrating the beginning of my 20th year at Butler University. I have so much to be thankful for: teaching interesting classes, writing a book, and leading the development of a new graduate program.

AEJMC Conference in Philly

The AEJMC conference remains an annual highlight in my calendar. This year, I attended sessions, networked with new and old colleagues, and participated in a meeting with the Journalism and Mass Communication Educator editorial board in Philadelphia.

IAMCR Conference Highlights

I just returned from the IAMCR conference in Christchurch, New Zealand. This year's conference theme was "Weaving People Together: Communicative Projects of Decolonizing, Engaging, and Listening." I presented my research on the global history of women as journalists and attended several thought-provoking panels. Next year's conference will take place in Singapore. 

The Te Pae Convention Center

Lunch with Linda Steiner and Carolyn Byerly

 Panel on the IAMCR Task Force for GAMAG

New Position as Director of Graduate Studies

I am happy to announce that I will start a 3-year term as the College of Communication's  Director of Graduate Studies on June 1. In addition to the current online master's degree in Strategic Communication, we may launch additional programs soon. I am thankful for this opportunity to grow and contribute to our college. 

Abstract accepted for IAMCR conference in New Zealand

Super excited to see that my abstract, titled "Toward a Global History of Women in Journalism," was accepted for presentation at this year's International Association for Media and Communication Research (IAMCR) conference in Christchurch, New Zealand. This conference will take place from June 30 to July 4.  See here for more information. I always find this conference invigorating and look forward to seeing colleagues there. 

Sharing my research

I talked about some of my research on the global history of women and journalism with colleagues in the College of Communication at Butler University on Friday. Great discussion! Here are some action shots taken by Ross Hollebon.

 

Reflections on "Global Women" course

At the end of the semester, I ask students in my class, titled "Resistance and Rights: Global Women," to reflect on their experiences. We cover a wide variety of challenging topics in this class, and it is very satisfying to see how students evaluate their own learning. 

One student wrote, for example, "This course has been unlike any other that I have taken before and it has been one of the most eye-opening of my academic career thus far." Another wrote: "This semester has been a transformative journey for me in gaining a deeper understanding of women's struggles, achievements, and the complexities of gender-based issues through the lens of women's rights as human rights." 

In addition to Shawn Meghan Burn's textbook, "Women Across Cultures: A Global Perspective," we studied Joni Seager's Atlas and Sisonke Msimang's autobiography, "Always Another Country." I am looking forward to teaching two sections of Global Women in Spring 2024. 

And just like that ...

And just like that, it is almost the end of this semester. After almost 20 years of college teaching, I can say it does not get easier. It gets super busy and we struggle to stay on top of work. But I always get to the end of the semester somehow!

This semester, I taught three classes. I wrote three book chapters with one more in progress. I chaired two college committees. And more. But I am thankful for a full and rewarding life.

First day of the semester

Today is the first day of classes for the Fall 2023 semester. This is the beginning of my 19th year at Butler University! 

I am happy to be teaching courses that are interesting and important to me. Below are some of the books I am using this semester. 

Back to school!

My sabbatical is over and I am getting ready for the new semester. I am also moving into a new office, in Fairbanks Building 106. Beautiful view from inside my office. 

Fall semester officially begins next Wednesday, August 23. I will be teaching three classes: Gender and News: Global Views, Global Media, and Resistance and Rights: Global Women.