New COMM course focuses on propaganda in history

Looking for a new, compelling class to take next semester? The School of Communication Studies is offering the “Media, War and Propaganda” course during Fall 2012 for the first time during a regular semester.

“I’m really excited about the course as a whole,” said Dr. James Trebing, the professor for this course. “I like this kind of stuff, and I hope that excitement is shared with students.” He added that he’s intrigued by the methods used to manipulate people, especially during an election year.

This course will dissect the nature and history of propaganda, similarly to the “Vietnam: Messages from the Cultural Divide” course. Dr. Trebing said he plans to utilize various posters, cartoons and films from history to provide a basis for analysis and class discussion. The majority of the material he plans to use has been produced in relationship to martial war, and some has been derived from cultural war and advertising. This will include Defense Department documentaries, Bugs Bunny and Donald Duck cartoons from WWII, The Day the Earth Stood Still and more.

“Media, War and Propaganda” will be offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12:30- 1:45 p.m. To find the class, look for COMM 42000, course number 12200.

While anyone can register for this course, public communication majors can use it as one of their upper division requirements. Hurry up and register before it fills up!

The School of Communication Studies to honor Lambda Pi Eta inductees and excellent students

On April 12, new members will be inducted into Lambda Pi Eta and awards will be given to students of academic excellence. The School of Communication Studies will host this reception in the Moulton Ballroom beginning with a social gathering at 6 p.m. and the program at 6:30 p.m.

The 2012 inductees for Lambda Pi Eta, the official communications studies honor society of the National Communication Association, are Nada Alshibil, Amy J. Beitzel, Connor James Butler, Kara Daugherty, Deborah Ellwood, Mercedes Germino, Erin Hammeren, Shannon Hauska, Lauren Henkin, Allison Hintemeuer, Kristen Huffcut, Thomas J. Jessup, Jr., Hannah Moore, Maria F. Orsini, Melody J. Reese, Kellie Roach, Daniel Matthew Smith, Maria Virginia Straley, Alyssa Nicole Tate, Jennifer L. Walencik and Ashley Wehr.

The inductees have completed 60 undergraduate credit hours and 12 credit hours in communication studies courses, maintained a minimum of a 3.0 cumulative GPA and 3.25 communications GPA, are within the top 35% of their class and are current full-time students.

The school will also present awards to various students for their hard-work and dedication to their studies. Lauren Henkin will receive the Rebecca & Alan Rubin Endowed Scholarship in the amount of $750, Alexander Riddle will receive the Michael Dubetz Endowed Scholarship in the amount of $500 and Tessa Engelhart will receive the Pierce Memorial Award in the amount of $100 to apply toward a book purchase.

This event will be open to inductees, guests and the College of Communication and Information faculty and staff.

Now celebrating its 20th anniversary as the Upsilon chapter at Kent State, Lambda Pi Eta stimulates interest in the field of communication, promotes and encourages professional development among communication majors, provides an opportunity to discuss and exchange ideas in the field of communication, establishes and maintains closer relationships between faculty and students, and assists students in exploring options for graduate education in communication studies.

Kent Communication Society Welcomes New Members

By Britney Beaman

The Kent Communication Society offers students the opportunity to develop new friends, better their leadership skills and make a difference. KCS is searching for new members to join.

“We are hoping to have students join who are interested in really making a difference and getting more involved with the School of Communication Studies … we are looking for leaders and people who are looking for more in our organization than just a resume builder,” Brittany Payne, vice president of KCS, said.

This semester, KCS’s main focus will be the Relay for Life. The society came in 3^rd place last year in overall fundraising and online fundraising, and the goal is to place even better this time around. Kyle Buttermore, president of KCS, said the goal is to raise $4,000 this year. That’s $300 dollars more than the organization members raised last year.

Members also attend socials throughout the semester where they take a break from the work and enjoy time together.

Members meet each Wednesday at 5 p.m. to go over the agenda, talk about committees, discuss ideas for the future, and talk about upcoming events. Free pizza and pop are provided at the meetings, so “make sure you come hungry,” Payne said.

“We are always welcoming new members, and you can join anytime,” she added. “I think that being a part of KCS shows employers skills such as communication, leadership, creativity, and willingness to be involved. Being a part of an organization shows strong leadership qualities.”

Interested in joining? Attend a meeting or email Buttermore at kbutter1@kent.edu! Members don’t have to be communications majors and there are no requirements to being a part of KCS.  There is a $5.00 membership fee each semester.

WHYCCI Summer Classes?

By Britney Beaman

As the semester is coming to an end, it’s not a bad idea to register for summer classes. I know the last thing you probably want to think about is another class right now, but enrolling in a summer class or two isn’t a bad idea. Why you ask?

1. Make hard classes easier: Taking a tough class in the summer will make the class easier for a couple reasons. One, you won’t (unless you choose to) have as many classes to juggle as you would during a regular semester. This gives you much more time to study and focus on the class or classes you’re taking. Two, summer classes are condensed courses, so you won’t have to spend as many weeks in that course as you would during a regular semester.
2. Graduate on time: If you don’t want load up on classes during your semesters, summer classes can help you to graduate in four years. That’s what I ended up doing, and it really helped me out. Each regular semester I took 15 credit hours of class and almost every summer I took a summer class or two. I will earn my Bachelor’s degree in four years and never had a semester over-loaded with credits.
3. Move ahead in your major:  If you choose to take LERs and LSRs in the summer, you’ll have less non-major classes to take during your semesters. As I said before, condensed courses make the classes easier on you, and if you get these classes out of the way, you can move on quicker in your major. This way, too, you won’t have to take as many of these classes as an upper-classman.
4. Improve your GPA: This is another aspect of summer classes that I took advantage of. After a long semester of 12-plus credit hours, taking one or two courses is cake. You have all the time you need to study, do your homework and get a good grade in the class. It’s a great way to improve your GPA a little.
5. Maintain school mode: After a long summer, the first couple weeks of the fall semester can be rough. I know it is for me. I always feel like I don’t remember how to write, I can’t focus and I can’t manage my time, nor do I want to. When you take summer classes, though, you maintain school mode without much stress. Just taking a couple classes at a time is easy and keeps your work ethic polished for the full semester to come.

Summer classes are open for registering now. Below you can find some classes that are offered for students in the College of Communication and Information:

School of Communication Studies

- COMM 15000 Intro to Human Communication: An inquiry into the nature and function of human communication in interpersonal, group and public contexts.

- COMM 26001 Public Communication in Society: Examines communication in public settings. Content includes issues in mass media, political communication and political advertising, news, crisis communication, public opinion and communication in executive, legislative and judicial settings. Students explore the influence of mediated messages via application of mass communication theories and constructs.

- COMM 30000 Communication Research Methods: Introduction to qualitative and quantitative research methods in communication. Students should complete this course early in their program of study.

School of Journalism and Mass Communication

- JMC 20006 Multimedia Techniques: Introduction to basic elements of multimedia journalistic storytelling, including the creation of audio, video, slideshows and multimedia packages for distribution via the Internet.

- JMC 21001 Principles of Advertising: Advertising history, purposes, techniques, media and research; analysis of functions of advertising organizations.

- JMC 40006 Law of Mass Communication: Libel, slander, privacy, copyright, obscenity, regulation of advertising, broadcasting and corporate speech.

School of Library and Information Science

- LIS 30010 Information Fluency in the Work Place and Beyond: Teaches information access, technology and media literacy skills, which enables students to become, not only information literate, but also information fluent-able to move seamlessly among multiple information sources and technologies resources to fill their informational needs whether in the classroom or the workplace.

- LIS 50693 Open Source Software for Libraries: Maximum workshop credit accepted for MLIS degree is 4 semester hours. Intensive examination of special topics of interest to practicing librarians.

- LIS 60001 Access to Information: Examination of information access issues. Topics include discussion of information needs, use of information sources and information access services.

School of Visual Communication Design

- VCD 13000 Intro to Visual Communication Design I: Introduction to the design and illustration program in VCD as well as the design profession. Focus on historical overview, industry standards, job opportunities, creative design process and skills needed to succeed.

- VCD 28000 Photography: Basic camera techniques to provide a better understanding of photography as a creative skill in visual communication.

- VCD 37000 Visual Design for Media Advanced: A lab course which students apply design concepts to computer-generated communication pieces using a layout software program. May not be used toward degree requirements for VCD majors.

For more information about these or other classes offered this summer, visit http://www.kent.edu/summer.

Kent Graduate & Comedian Uses Home Town Roots to Get Laughs

By Meghan Caprez

Mike Polk Jr. has been making fun of Cleveland, Ohio for years. His comedy, especially about Cleveland, has gained him millions of viewers on Youtube.

Polk, 34, graduated from Kent State University in 2001 with a degree in communications and a minor in writing. He spends his days writing ads for a web company in Cleveland, but at night, he shares his talent for making people laugh.

Polk does not put all of his comedy on his Youtube page, but even he is surprised by the response some of his videos have received.

“Some things take off that I am proud of creatively, and that is a good feeling, but some dumb videos that I do find popularity and that makes me question mankind,” Polk said. “It’s a mixed bag.”

Some of Polk’s more popular videos include music. His “One Semester of Spanish – Love Song” had more than seven million views online, and he was featured on a Spanish television show called Telemundo singing the song to celebrity socialite Kim Kardashian. This video earned him the nickname “Spanish Mike.”

Another popular video was titled “‘Ooh Girl’ – An Honest R&B Song,” which racked up more than nine million views.

Perhaps Polk’s most famous videos throughout the greater Cleveland area are his hastily made Cleveland tourism videos and his Cleveland Browns fan rant. The hastily made Cleveland tourism videos are a two-part spoof of Cleveland’s economy and structure. Neither of the videos were over a minute long, but they created a buzz in the community. In response to the videos, the Cleveland tourism bureau released a series of commercials to showcase the city in a better light.

Polk created “A Browns Fan’s Reaction To Today’s Game Against Houston” in 2011 as a response to the November 6 game against the Houston Texans. The video features Polk in front of an empty Cleveland Browns Stadium at night, yelling at the building about his frustrations as a fan. The top comment on the video states, “This was the best performance by someone in a Browns jersey all year.” The original video currently has more than a million views, but other Youtubers copied the video for more views.

Polk has not always been as eloquent as he is now, though. He gives credit to his classes and activities at Kent for helping him to get over his stage fright.

“I still have the video from my first speech that I gave in Communications 101 and it’s utterly painful to watch,” Polk said. “I am ridiculously nervous while presenting whatever drivel I was spouting off. So it helped me overcome that fear, I suppose.”

Polk said he learned many life lessons when he was at Kent, but he can’t remember a single thing any individual class taught him. Each skill, though, helped him to get where he is today.

“You learn about people and about self reliance,” Polk said. “You learn different perspectives. That’s the important stuff. Since I have graduated, I have used the life lessons that I learned at Kent every day of my life, but I’m yet to be asked by anyone what the Seven Ideas That Shook The Universe are.”

Polk said that he has no intention of quitting his job to become a full-time comedian, even after all of his online success. He said that his future is not clear to him.

“I’m 34,” Polk said. “Is that too old to come back to Kent and live in Tri-Towers?”

CCI is now on Pinterest!

By: Emily Horne

Pinterest, a virtual bulletin board, seems to be the new “it” Web site and social media outlet that many people are talking about. While it has not entirely reached the business and organization audience, Kent’s College of Communication and Information (CCI) is now on Pinterest. Like some other universities, CCI has been researching the best ways to utilize Pinterest. There seem to be mixed opinions on whether universities need to be on Pinterest yet or not but why shouldn’t Kent’s College of Communication and Information be one of the first?

What other universities are doing:

1. Contests
2. Showcasing its Personality
3. The Student Experience
4. Study Abroad Destinations
5. Dorm Room Decorations
6. Artwork Created by Students
7. Achievements from Alumni

What can students gain from CCI’s Pinterest profile?

1. CCI Student, Alum and Faculty Successes: Many people with connections to CCI go on to do great things during or after their time with the college. On this board, followers can see what these people are doing.
2. School of _________: There is a board for each of CCI’s four schools that showcase information about the school and stories that relate. Pay attention to these boards if you are a prospective student, a current student, or a former student!
3. Facilities: This board showcases the great facilities each of CCI’s programs are housed in. From the recently renovated facilities in Franklin Hall to the Resource Room in the Art building, CCI’s programs offer their students the best.
4. Study Away: CCI offers a variety of study away programs. Here, we are pinning information about various programs.
5. Why CCI Kent Blog: Here we are reposting blogs posted here on our Why CCI Kent blog to reach more students.
6. For Future Students: Students interested in CCI, whether current college students in other majors or current high school students, can look to this board for basic information.

Send us your work:

We would love to begin showcasing student work (artwork, photography, research, Web site design, etc.) on Pinterest. If you are interested in seeing your work on our page, please send an E-mail to ccikent@kent.edu with your work, a caption, and a link (if applicable) to attach to the pin.

Follow CCI Kent State:

Follow us on Pinterest to keep up on the latest information.  http://pinterest.com/ccikentstate/ Also, please help us to promote our Pinterest account. Share it on Facebook, Twitter and repin our pins that interest you!

JMC and COMM Majors Shouldn’t Stress About Changes in the Professional World

By Britney Beaman

Technology is forcing a wave of change onto journalism and communication professions. Take a deep breath and swim with the current, because this isn’t a bad thing.

According to Jeffery T. Child, an assistant professor and undergraduate coordinator for the School of Communication Studies here at Kent State University, it’s an opportune time to study communication. The Internet has changed the way that people communicate, seek news and organize information.

“We’re in an era where communication skills have never been more important, given how online communication has changed the available means for interaction,” Child said. “People need help understanding communication in different contexts, for different goals, through different channels and understanding the rich avenues for the study of interaction in this day and age when so many jobs require such an advanced communication skill set.”

The media in which people communicate and gather information may be evolving from print and face-to-face meetings to the Internet, but the basics still remain.

“It’s not changing in terms of the basics, meaning, accuracy, credibility, thoroughness and fact-checking,” said Jan Leach, an assistant professor in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Kent State, said. “It is changing in delivery, desire for media, finding it and those kinds of things.”

That’s a good thing for COMM and JMC majors. The basics that students are taught at Kent State are those listed in the Forbes article The Seven Most Universal Job Skills. Here’s how:

1. Top-Notch Communication Skills- Students in COMM and JMC studies are taught communication skills from day one in their core classes, like Introduction to Human Communication and Introduction to Mass Communication. Then this knowledge turns into skills as students progress in their upper-level classes.
2. Creativity- Whether it’s choosing an angle on a news story or developing a new way to reach an audience, COMM and JMC students learn diverse and creative skills to make an impact when it matters.
3. Curiosity- Students in both schools are expected to be curious, so they can find more news stories and consider the effective functioning of communication contexts in growing fields, such as the health industry and the new major concentration in health communication.
4. Good Writing Ability- Not only do both COMM and JMC majors at Kent State have plenty of writing to do between the research papers, campaigns and news stories they must write for classes, but the students are taught to write professionally.
5. Ability to Play Well with Others- Students within both majors experience teamwork through group projects, clubs and organizations.
6. Re-engineering Skills- Using a variety of clients for projects, interviewing people in many different industries and developing an understanding of communication theory and practice are just a couple of ways that Kent State helps its COMM and JMC students become re-engineering.
7. Computer Skills- Various courses in COMM and JMC help students to be familiar with different computer programs, social media and online researching tools.

These schools aren’t going to leave students treading water with these basic skills, though. Each has made changes in the learning sequences that flow with the wave of change in the professional world.

This past year, the School of Communication Studies added two new concentrations in global communication and health communication. This allows students the ability to acquire critical communication skills required for jobs in demand today.

The School of Journalism and Mass Communication offers a high-tech TV and print newsroom where students can practice the skills they learn in the classroom. Both schools have adopted online classes and hybrid (online and face-to-face) courses to keep up electronically.

Students need to take the initiative to swim with the current, too.

“Effective students are those who love learning, do everything they can to further invest in their education and be fully present in it,” Child said. Do this by standing out to professors, joining groups, being involved in your professors’ research and applying for internships that provide opportunities for enhanced skill development and networking.

These experiences will help you to land a job in an economy that’s tough for everyone.

“It’s a tough job market for everyone in all markets,” Leach said. “If you have multiple skills (interview, practical, multimedia and news skills) and really, really work at them, you’ll have an excellent chance of being employed in your field.”

Within this job market, traditional jobs are evolving with the Internet. Opportunities in both communication jobs and journalism jobs are more and more online focused.

So, the wave of change in communication and journalism fields may be creating different types of online jobs, but the basic skills professionals will need remain the same. Kent State COMM and JMC students are being prepared for the changes.

Here’s an eye-opening video about how the Internet and social media is changing communication and journalism in important ways…

Social Media Revolution 2012

Benefits of Living on Campus

By Nicole Gennarelli

Information from CCI Commons

As an incoming freshman, you can’t wait for the freedom of moving out of your parent’s house and moving into a dorm room with a new roommate. However, as freshman year comes to an end, you may start entertaining the thought of living off campus in an apartment or house. All first year students must live on campus for two years, so why not sign up to live in a living and learning community? There are many benefits that an LLC can provide compared to living off campus.

According to the College of Communication and Information (CCI) Commons website, it is “a living a living and learning community housed in Olson Hall exclusively for students with majors or pre-majors in one of the College of Communication and Information’s four schools (Communication Studies, Library and Information Science, Journalism and Mass Communication or Visual Communication Design). Students live with others who are studying the same major or similar fields of interest, allowing an open exchange of ideas and experiences that go beyond the classroom. CCI Commons is the central hub for activities and information related to CCI Kent State. Weekly programs offer students a peek into various career possibilities and current practices in the broad field of communications.”

CCI Commons is located in Olson Hall right in the middle of campus near the Kent Student Center and close to the coordinating buildings for each of CCI’s four schools.

“As a resident of the commons for three years, I can say that living here is not just a place to sleep and do homework, it is an experience all in itself. The people you meet are going through your classes with you, so you suffer and grow together. Its a way to make a large campus seem a lot smaller.” – Kristen Deran, CCI Commons resident

Building Benefits:

• Studio Space
• Community director on site
• Advising and technology help provided weekly
• Classes help within the hall with other Commons members

Why should you join CCI Commons?

• Connections with other students who share the same academic and professionals goals/interests
• Close location to your college advising office and classrooms
• Guest speakers geared toward your major
• Computer lab and studio space available in your hall
• Up-to-date valuable information  about CCI with the Community Director’s listserv

How do I join?
Students must be accepted to the College of Communication and Information in order to be eligible to join the CCI Commons. Rooming assignments are based on the date you turn in your housing application. To receive a CCI Commons assignment, make sure to get your application in early!

Students who are interested in applying to participate in the CCI Commons need to follow these steps:

• Select Olson Hall and CCI Commons as your #1 choice on your residence hall application, and alert the academic advisor during your Destination Kent State: Advising & Registration program that you would like to participate in the CCI Commons.
• If you have already completed and submitted your residence hall application and now want to make changes, you may re-enter your application by logging back into it through the residence hall application website.
• If you need further assistance, or have questions about how to join the CCI Commons please contact the community coordinator.

“The CCI Commons offers advantages to our students both academically and socially to help them connect to their major and set them up for success. We’re a living/learning community, so in order to reap the benefits of our programs and services students are asked to live in Olson Hall.  It’s the only live-in community on campus for our CCI majors, and we work very hard to provide programming and support to help you succeed here at Kent State.  With more than 200 students living in the community, you have an opportunity connect with others in the College of Communication and Information and to make bonds that will last beyond KSU.” –Marianne Warzinski, CCI Commons Director

Nicole Gennarelli is a senior public relations major and a marketing assistant for the College of Communication and Information.

Graduate Student Raises Money While Biking Across Country

Josh Rasmussen

By Nicole Gennarelli

Communication Studies graduate student, Josh Rasmussen biked across the country this summer raising money and building houses for the less fortunate with an organization called Bike & Build.

Rasmussen, originally from Wayne, Neb., graduated from Wayne State College with a Communications degree with an emphasis in leadership and public relations as well as a minor in Spanish.

According to Bike & Build’s website, it “organizes cross-country bicycle trips which benefit affordable housing groups.” Bike & Build is able to fund the affordable housing projects through pre-arranged gifts and the events are implemented by the participants in the program. It allows young adults to engage in community service opportunities while building important affordable housing across the nation.

“I had heard about Bike & Build from a friend, but I didn’t know anybody on the trip beforehand,” said Rasmussen. “I wanted an adventure, but I also wanted to be able to do some good as well. This trip combined both of those goals.”

Rasmussen said each person had to raise $4,000 before the trip. Some of the money covered trip expenses, but most of it went back to the affordable housing cause.

“There were 33 of us on the trip, which included four leaders,” he said. “Only two people in the group had done a cross country trip before.”

The 33 travelers rode 70 days, 4,000 miles and made millions of memories. Around every sixth or seventh day, the group would spend the day working on a house.

“While Bike & Build isn’t affiliated with Habitat for Humanity, all the houses we built on were Habitat houses,” Rasmussen said. “There actually isn’t one U.S. County where fulltime minimum wage affords fair market rent. It’s pretty crazy.”

Rasmussen said biking up the Grand Teton Mountains in Wyoming was extremely hard, but the prettiest mountain range the group climbed. The scenery made the climb worthwhile.

“I also came around a bend in the road and was 100 yards from a black bear which was pretty exciting,” he said. “Also, the people I met, both during the trip and volunteering, have been spectacular. It’s amazing to find that when you’re doing something for a good cause, so many people step forward and help out. Finally, being able to see the U.S. from the seat of a bicycle has been amazingly awesome, all the time sharing some laughs with some great people. It’s truly been a life changing experience.”

 

Nicole is a senior public relations major and a marketing assistant for the College of Communication and Information.

I am intern, hear me roar!

By Jayne Fenton

When I tell people I am doing three internships in one semester I usually get the same reaction, “Are you crazy?” Whether or not I am crazy, I know I am making the right decision regarding my choice to triple up on work experience. The internships I have been accepted into are giving me real-life experience, all of which are focused in a different field.

The first internship I accepted was the Personalized System of Instruction (PSI) internship with the School of Communication Studies. The PSI internship is a prestigious program in Communication Studies, which gives interns actual experience in a classroom. The internship is ideal for anyone who wishes to become a teacher, or those who want to continue their education with a master’s. At this point in my life I am not pursuing a master’s degree, nor do I want to teach. However, I know the experience will help me with my organizational, instructional, and communicative skills.

Allow me to backtrack for the second internship I was awarded. In the summer of 2011, I worked as a Research and Special Events intern for the School of Communication Studies. It was in that internship where I met Jennifer Kramer, Director of Public Relations and Marketing for the College of Communication and Information. Kramer showed an interest in my work ethic and encouraged me to apply for the Public Relations and Marketing internship with the College of Communication and Information. I was interviewed for the position and offered the internship on the spot. It is no lie when advisors say networking will be your best friend when searching for a career. Thus far networking has earned me two internships. It is through this blog I am making my first contribution to my Public Relations and Marketing internship.

The third internship I have earned I was the most confident for during the interview. During the last summer months of my Research and Special Events internship I received an email from my advisor, Rozell Duncan, about an internship opportunity. The internship was offered from Downtown Akron Partnership (DAP), a non-profit organization which promotes downtown Akron. The internship position read that duties will include marketing, public relations, and event planning. Those three subjects are my fields of interest, which encouraged me to apply for the position. Within a week I was contacted by Lisa Knapp, Communications Director for DAP, requesting an interview. I was pleased to be selected as one of the fortunate ones to be selected for an interview. I went to the interview prepared with a portfolio and a can-do attitude. It paid off. A week later I was contacted by Knapp congratulating me on being awarded the internship. An added bonus was to find out my friend Samantha was also awarded the internship.

All three internships have given me the courage to go forth with my dreams and interests. No longer am I afraid to apply for careers that I think are outside of my experience. When I graduate with my Bachelor’s in Interpersonal Communication this December, I will have completed five internships that I can add to my resume. Considering my experience and plucky attitude I hope for the best once I graduate from Kent State University. I encourage everyone to apply for many internships before their college career is up. For some, juggling three internships in one semester could be an academic risk. However, for myself, I am able to take that risk because I only have two classes this semester. My academic career is coming to an end and I feel fully prepared to get a job that fulfills my goals and interests.

My name is Jayne, I am a senior at KSU studying Interpersonal Communication. Through the use of this blog I hope to motivate, inspire, and encourage you to follow your dreams.

Jayne is a senior interpersonal communication major and marketing assistant for the College of Communication and Information this fall.