• Jarrod Atchison published the essay “Pedagogical Functions of the Annual Resolution in Contemporary Policy Debate: Reflections on the Controversy Outlined in the 3rd Developmental Conference,” along with Edward Panetta, in the ALTA volume Reasoned Argument and Social Change. Jarrod was also on the Editorial Board. Ed. Panetta is also a Wake Forest alum!
• Ananda Mitra spoke at the fourth annual Workshop on Intercultural Skills Enhancement (WISE), which is hosted by Wake Forest. He also gave a talk at the Byrum Center on service-learning opportunities in India.

Allan Louden

• Mike Hazen has been elected President of the Eurasian Communication Association of North America.
• Allan Louden was quoted in several articles with his comments on the Republican debates and the State of the Union Address. The outlets include WPR Wisconsin Public radio and the Slovakian Spravy Pravda.
• Ananda Mitra was quoted in the Telegraph.com about “Teens Migrating to Twitter-Sometimes for privacy.” He was also quoted on WFMY News2 discussing his advice regarding the new Google privacy policy.
• Alessandra Beasley Von Burg edited a special issue of Controversia (7, 2 2011) featuring essays from the XIII Biennial Wake Forest University Argumentation Conference. She also wrote the introduction, “Returning Home.”

The Provost and the Undergraduate Admissions Office invite faculty and staff to Thursdays at Porter B. Byrum Hall (the Welcome and Admissions Center) on Feb. 9.

A wine and cheese reception will run from 4-4:30 p.m., followed by a program from 4:30-5:15 p.m. that will feature Ellen Kirkman, Dan Johnson and Ananda Mitra.

Kirkman, a professor in mathematics, will discuss mathematical research in invariant theory.

Johnson, senior lecturer in biology, will talk about BioBook, a novel eText platform built on our growing understanding of how we learn naturally, and proven best practices to help students truly master biology.

Mitra, the chair of the Communication Department, will be joined by Kendall Hack (WFU Fellow), Racheal Handel (’12) and Carrie Stokes (’12) to describe the unique service-learning opportunity they have developed in India.

Register now for the Fellows & Friends Engaged Teaching Luncheon Series, which is led by inspired faculty. The next event will be Tuesday, Jan. 24, at 11 a.m. in 301 Reynolda Hall. Lunch will be provided.

The Institute for Public Engagement promotes engaged teaching that fosters critical thinking, gives each student a voice, and encourages students to engage with issues affecting the Wake Forest community and the community beyond. Within the broader concept of engaged teaching is the recognized pedagogy of service-learning, usually involving direct service to meet community needs. Other forms of engaged teaching may not involve such service but nevertheless engage students in the process of identifying and understanding community issues.

The purpose of this discussion series is to afford faculty the opportunity to share their ideas and gain inspiration for engaged teaching in an enjoyable, informal setting. Faculty are invited to enjoy lunch, highlight their work, share ideas, and gain inspiration. Featured faculty will speak for about 20 minutes followed by open conversation.

Tuesday, Jan. 24 (11 a.m.-12:15 p.m.): Innovative Ideas for Engaged Teaching

• Featured Faculty: David Finn (Art), Mary Pendergraft (Classics), Cindy Gendrich (Theatre), Phoebe Zerwick (English)

Tuesday, Feb. 28 (11 a.m.-12:15 p.m.): Navigating Engaged Teaching in a Global Context

• Featured Faculty: Steve Virgil (Law – Nicaragua Nexus), Ananda Mitra (Communications – India Study Abroad), Betina Wilkinson (PS – Latino Political Behavior and Public Opinion)

Monday, March 26 (11 a.m.-12:15 p.m.): Assessment in Engaged Teaching

• Featured Faculty: Michele Gillespie (History), Adam Friedman (Education), Andrew Allwine (Classics -Latin poetry)

Michael Hazen

• Allan Louden gave a Skype lecture to the American Resource Center (administered by the Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy) in Chisinau, Moldova. He also discussed Rick Perry’s campaign gaffe in an NPR story. He also predicted the end of the Trump Debate. He is quoted here »
• Mary M. Dalton presented “Knitting Lessons: Weaving Communities with Yarn and Personal Stories” at the 32nd Annual National Women’s Studies Association Conference in Atlanta, Georgia.
• Michael Hazen chaired the panel “Voices of Japan-US Relationships: Reflecting the Past, Considering the Present, and Envisioning the Future” and responded to the panels “Exploring Concepts of Chinese Communication: Old and New Magical Thinking and the Illusion of Control,” and “Symbolism in Popular Culture: For Good or for Ill?” at the National Communication Association Conference in New Orleans, LA.
• Clay Hassler and wife Tif produced a new project for the Piedmont Triad Film Commission. Read more
• Jarrod Atchison presented the papers “Open Source Debating: Assessing the First Year of Innovation” and “Stability, Silence, and Media in Eric King Watts’s Theory of Voice” at the National Communication Association Conference in New Orleans, LA. He also chaired the panel “Cross Examination Debate Association Executive Committee Meeting.” Continue reading »

Candyce Leonard

• Jarrod Atchison presented “Defending Decisions — Conspiracy Theories and Water Utilities” to the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies in Newport, RI, on Oct. 17.
• Michael Hyde and co-author Nancy King published their new book, “Bioethics, Public Moral Argument, and Social Responsibility,” in an effort to promote awareness of bioethics issues. Read more
• Candyce Leonard received a grant from the Program for Cultural Cooperation between Spain’s Ministry of Culture and Education and United States’ Universities for organizing the conference “Acto seguido: el personaje en el teatro contemporáneo español a escena,” in October 2011. She worked with John P. Gabriele and Lourdes Bueno. Continue reading »

• Jarrod Atchison served as chair for the panel “Navigating Reasoned Argument Opportunities: New Developments from the 2009 National Debate Developmental Conference” at Alta Argumentation Conference, July 29-31, Snowbird, Utah. On that panel, he presented the paper “Pedagogical Functions of the Annual Resolution in Contemporary Policy Debate: Reflections on the Controversy Outlined in the 3rd Developmental Conference.”
• Michael J. Hyde and Nancy M. P. King edited the book Bioethics, Public Moral Argument, and Social Responsibility (Routledge, September 2011). Continue reading »

Ananda Mitra, chair and professor of communication, responded to the panel “Illuminating the Absent in Visual Argument” and presented the paper “Managing Narbs: a Pleasant Presence on Social Networks” at the National Communication Association Conference in San Francisco. He was also awarded a Wake Forest ACE (Academic Community Engagement) Fellowship for the spring of 2011.

Ananda Mitra, professor of communication, published the book “Alien Technology: Coping with Modern Mysteries” (Sage, 2010). He was quoted in an Arizona Republic article “Facebook, other social media give users ‘persona’ power.”