Professor to visit UW to give talk on how people interact using convergent media

Professor Susan Herring of Indiana University will present a comparative overview of convergent media computer-mediated communication (CMCMC) types on May 28 in Communication 120 from 3:30 to 5 p.m.

These include textual interaction enabled as a secondary function of convergent media such as YouTube, Flickr, social-networking sites, multiparticipant online games, interactive news sites and interactive television. Herring will focus on interactional coherence — how people are using these media to converse more or less coherently with one another, despite the technological obstacles and social norms that must be overcome in order to do so.

Given the ready availability of easier-to-use forms of interpersonal textual CMC such as e-mail, instant messaging, and text messaging on mobile phones, CMCMC conversations seem perverse. She will draw on theory from communication and sociology, as well as findings from multitasking and technology usability research, to propose explanations for this phenomenon.

Students receive scholarships

The Department of Communication awarded 30 scholarships to undergraduate recipients on May 8 in Kane Hall, Walker Ames Room. Among the presenters were alums Don Kraft, Beth Erickson, and Robert Philip, as well as The Seattle Times' Will Blethen, Sally Hanson of the Northwest Automotive Press Association and George Riddell of Ad Club Seattle. See photos from the event and find out more about the scholarship recipients.

David Domke named favorite professor

University of Washington graduating seniors selected communication professor David Domke as their favorite professor in an annual poll. Students can write in the names of anyone, rather than voting from a list of candidates.

In following with tradition, Domke gave a speech during Washington Weekend in which he stressed the importance of people who inject hope into our lives by encouraging us to succeed and make a difference. Domke is creating The Hope Covenant, by which students will receive academic credit for using their communication talents and ideas for social good. He will offer this in his undergraduate classes beginning in autumn 2008. Read more about Domke's speech.

You can also read the story that ran in The Daily here.

Students release webzine on media and international relations

Volume 2, Issue 1 of Communications and International Relations has hit the newstands. Written by the students in COM321/POLS330, this online magazine explores a range of topics related to the roles of media in international affairs. Check it out.

SeattlePoliticore students follow campaign trail

A group of 16 journalism students are working in teams, in a class by Professor David Domke, to cover the 2008 presidential campaign. The students have been writing for their blog, www.seattlepoliticore.org, and for the Seattle Times, the Idaho Statesman, and online news site huffingtonpost.com. Read more about the project here.

Graduation Celebration

Our departmental graduation celebration will be held Thursday, June 12 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Details can be found here.