Professional Summary
Assistant Professor (Ph.D., University of Texas at Austin). Dr. Jennings teaches courses on Rhetorical Criticism and Communication Theory. His research interests center on in speech, persuasion, and politics. His dissertation, titled Models of Citizenship: Rhetoric, Americans, and their Civic Institutions, looks at how American discourse portrays the role and status of citizens in five different arenas within the public sphere. He also is interested in using computer technology and content analysis techniques to examine quantitative and qualitative properties of messages. He has published in the Journal of Communication and has recently written a book entitled Political Keywords for Oxford University Press.
Education
Ph.D.: University of Texas Austin, TX, 2003 (Communication)
M.A.: DePaul University Chicago, IL, 1997 (History)
B.S.: University of Illinois Urbana, IL, 1990 (Education)
A.A.: Joliet Junior College Joliet, Illinois, 1988 (History)
A.S.: Joliet Junior College Joliet, Illinois, 1988 (Geography)
Research and Practice Interests
Dr. Jennings primary interest is in studying the use of key political concepts in everyday discourse. By doing so, he seeks to understand the intersection between language, rhetoric and political values.
Positions and Work Experience
2002 -2004 Visiting Assistant Professor, Responsible for teaching courses on Political Communication and Persuasion Theory., University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
1998 -2002 Research Assistant, Data compilation and codings. Leading a code team for creation of a language-based data set., University of Texas / Campaign Mapping Project, Austin, Texas
2004 -2006 Visiting Assistant Professor, Taught classes in Communication Theory, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH
Research Support
Grant: #Project No. 12-009 Check# 3592 Investigators:Jennings, Nancy; Jennings, William 05-01-2012 -06-30-2013 Seasongood Government Foundation Ohio American Trustees Role:Collaborator $20,000.00 Active Level:Private Non-Profit
Abbreviated Publications
Review
Jennings, W.P. "In the Name of Terrorism." Journal of Communication.
Presentations
Colloquium
Jennings, William (03-2005). Imagining The People . Research Colloquium, Cincinnati, OH. UC. Level:Department
Jennings, William (02-2003). Approaches to Discourse Analysis . Research Colloquium, Ann Arbor, Michigan. Other Institution. Level:Department
Lecture
Jennings, William (09-2008. ) Demystifying The Thesis .Cincinnati, OH. UC. Level:Department
Jennings, William (09-2008. ) Demystifying The Thesis .Cincinnati, OH. UC. Level:Department
Paper Presentations
William Jennings (04-2010. ) Comics, Reading, and Continuity .Cincinnati, OH. Conference. Level:Regional
Jennings, William (10-2009. ) From Chic To Shallow: The Cynical Style of Frank Miller .Detroit, Michigan. Conference. Level:Regional
Jennings, William (11-2004. ) Political Keywords: New Approaches To Traditional Concepts .Chicago, IL. Conference. Level:National
Jennings, William (11-2004. ) Conglomerates and TV News .Chicago, IL. Conference. Level:National
Event Organized
Making ConnectionsMaking Connections Workshop 2007 2011 Cincinnati, OH Level:Department
Residency SymposiumResidency Symposium Symposium 2010 2011 Cincinnati, OH Level:Department
Service
(Department Recruitment Committee ) Committee Member Type:Departmental Service Level:Department 2010 -2011
(Public Speaking Curriculum Committee ) Committee Member Type:Departmental Service Level:Department 2004 -2011
(Faculty Senate ) Member Type:University/College Service Level:College 2010 -2013
(Capstone Development Committee ) Member Type:Departmental Service Level:Department 2008 -2009
(Graduate Program Review Committee ) Member Type:Departmental Service Level:Department 2008 -2009
(Alumni Relations Committee ) Member Type:Departmental Service Level:Department 2008 -2009
(Service Learning Committee ) Member Type:Departmental Service Level:Department 2008 -2009
(RPT Revision Committee ) Member Type:Departmental Service Level:Department 2006 -2007
(UC 21 Dept Steering Committee ) Member Type:Departmental Service Level:Department 2004 -2006
(Online Course Committee ) Member Type:Departmental Service Level:Department 2004 -2007
Communication Studies Reviewer Type:Editorial Service Level:Prof. Org. 2004 -2006
(Residency Director ) Director Type:Departmental Service Level:Department 2006 -2011
Keywords
rhetoric, politics, political communication, communication, persuasion, criticism, content analysis
Courses Taught
15-COMM-306 INTRO RHET THEORY Introduction To Rhetorical Theory Level:Undergraduate
15-COMM-307 INTRO COMM THEORY Introduction To Communication Theory Level:Undergraduate
Public Speaking Level:Undergraduate
Persuasion Theory
Political Communication
15-COMM-371 COMMUNIC CRITICISM Communication Criticism Level:Undergraduate
15-COMM-401 RHETORICAL THEORY Level:Undergraduate
15-COMM-407 COMMUN THEORY
15-COMM-801 ADVANC RHET THEORY Level:Graduate
Special Topics / Language, Culture, and Society Level:Undergraduate
First Year Experience Course / Comics and Communication Level:Undergraduate
Capstone / Rhetoric and Society Level:Undergraduate
Faculty Development Activities
2007 -2007 Service Learning Workshop Workshop on introducing Service Learning strategies into the traditional classroom, National Communication Association Chicago, IL Type:Conference Attendance
2009 -2009 Comics In The Classroom Workshop on Introducing visual and iconic forms as a pedagogical strategy, National Communication Association Chicago, IL Type:Conference Attendance
2009 -2009 The Speech Center Workshop on introducing a center-based model for public speaking courses, National Communication Association Chicago, IL Type:Conference Attendance