The Rhetoric and Public Address (RPA) Interest Group invites submission of competitive papers and panel program proposals for the 2014 WSCA Convention. The convention theme is “Transfer.” More information about the convention theme can be found on the WSCA website.

Submissions to the Rhetoric and Public Address Interest Group should adhere to the following guidelines.

A. Competitive Papers

Authors are invited to submit completed papers dealing with rhetoric and public address from any theoretical, methodological, or critical perspective. Competitive paper submissions should not be submitted to another interest group (in other words, do not submit the same paper to RPA and to the Media Studies interest group for the same year’s conference), have been presented previously at another convention/conference, be accepted for publication, or have been published. Only one competitive paper per author will be accepted. Competitive paper submissions must be made electronically and should include TWO separate attachments:

1. The first attachment must be an information page with the title of the paper, names of all authors, their institutional affiliations, addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses. This must be attached as a separate document. Audio-visual requests should also be listed on the information page, but please note that equipment availability is extremely limited (see the WSCA policy on Audio-Visual Equipment at Conventions in the Policies and Procedures Manual on the web site: http://www.westcomm.org/);
2. The second attachment should be the paper. The submitted paper should NOT include any author(s) identification anywhere in the document, including on the title page or in the header. The paper should include:

1.  A 100-150 word abstract (with the title appearing on this page);
2. A maximum of 25 pages of text (excluding title page and notes/references). Longer papers will not be sent out for review;
3. Authors “who have not presented a paper at a state, regional, national or international convention, or published in any academic journal” should include the word “DEBUT” in the upper right-hand corner of the title page. Papers authored by students should include the word “STUDENT” in the upper right-hand corner of the title page. All authors must meet debut or student criteria for the paper to be so designated.

B. Panel Program Proposals

Panel program proposals should focus on a unifying theme relevant to research, theory, or criticism in the area of rhetoric and public address. Programs may consist of a chair, individual paper presenters, and a critic/respondent; however, round-table discussions, performance venues, or other unique formats are encouraged. In alternative program formats, respondents may be included or omitted as appropriate. Innovative program proposals, especially those that provide opportunities for enhanced interaction among participants and attendees or those that address the conference theme directly, are encouraged. Programs co-sponsored with other interest groups are also welcome. Panel program proposals should include:

1. Title and 250-500 word rationale for the thematic panel/program;
2. Title and 100-150 word abstract of each presentation;
3. Names, affiliations, addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses of all participants;
4. Expected size of audience;
5. Equipment needed (please note that equipment availability is extremely limited).

Paper/Program Submission Process

Submit competitive papers and panel program proposals to Michael F. Walker, Chair of the RPA Interest Group, via email at rhetoricpublicaddress.wsca@gmail.com. Papers and program proposals should be submitted in PDF format if possible. If unable to submit in PDF format, please use Microsoft Word. Paper submissions should include two separate attachments: 1) The title/information page, and 2) The paper with all author(s) identification removed. Only electronic submissions will be accepted. All submissions must be received via email by 11.59pm (PST) on Sunday, September 1, 2013.

Submitted by Hsin-I Cheng, Program Planner

CALL for Competitive Papers and Program Proposals for the Intercultural Communication Interest Group.

Please submit competitive papers and program proposals electronically to: Hsin-I Cheng, Program Planner, Intercultural Communication Interest Group

Email: icig.wsca@gmail.com

1. Competitive Papers (deadline: received by 9/1/13) – Submit to ICIG at icig.wsca@gmail.com
2. Program Proposals (deadline: received by 9/1/13) – Submit to CIG at icig.wsca@gmail.com

I. COMPETITIVE PAPERS

All authors are encouraged to send their papers to the Intercultural Communication Interest Group for competitive selection. Papers should reflect the conference theme and may include research employing any methodology, theoretical developments, critical analysis as well as critiques. Please submit each paper to only one interest group. All papers should be submitted by e-mail attachment as .doc or .pdf file format to the ICIG email account (icig@gmail.com) by September 1, 2013. Your electronic submission should include two separate attachments (see B).

Submitted papers should include the following:

Attachment 1: Cover Page

1. The paper’s title
2. Names of all authors, affiliation(s), email address(es), phone number(s)
3. Any audio-visual requests. This information should be included for each author. Equipment availability is extremely limited. See the WSCA policy on Audio-Visual Equipment at Conventions in the Policies and Procedures Manual on the web site http://www.westcomm.org/

Attachment 2: Paper w/all author identification removed

1. A 100-200 word abstract of the paper (with title appearing on this page);
2. A maximum of 30 pages of text;
3. No information in the paper that identifies the author(s) beyond that which appears on the title page.

Student/Debut Papers: The Intercultural Communication Interest Group welcomes student and debut papers.  If your paper is a student or debut paper please note this on the title page under the title of the paper.  In addition, please indicate whether each author is a bachelors, masters, or doctoral student.

II. PROGRAM PROPOSALS

Program proposals should focus on a unifying theme relevant to research, theory, or instruction in the area of intercultural communication. ICIG is interested in programs that focus on human rights issues, intercultural and health communication, intercultural communication in organizational contexts, technology and postcolonialism, and intercultural communication and tourism. Programs may consist of a chair, individual presenters, and a respondent in a format traditionally presented at conferences. However, debates, round table discussions, performance activities, or other unique formats are encouraged. Innovative program proposals, especially those that provide opportunities for interaction among participants and attendees, are encouraged. Programs co-sponsored with other interest groups are also welcome. Programs that relate to and extend the convention theme, “TRANSFER,” are encouraged. Proposals should be submitted as .doc or .pdf file to ICIG email account (icig.wsca@gmail.com) by September 1, 2013, and should include:

1.  Thematic title of the panel and 150 word abstract
2. Names, addresses, phones, e-mail addresses, and affiliations of all participants
3. Up to 400 word rationale for the panel
4. Title and brief description/abstract of each presentation on the panel
5. Equipment needed for panel (keeping in mind that equipment may be limited)

Questions? Email Hsin-I Cheng, icig.wsca@gmail.com

Other interest groups allow or require that program proposals be submitted electronically whereas some allow paper submissions. Check the interest group call for papers for the acceptable format for submission. For specific information about submitting to other interest groups, visit the WSCA website:  http://www.westcomm.org/conventions/WSCA-2014-Anaheim/Anaheim.asp

III. ALL OTHER SUBMISSIONS

Members of the Interpersonal Communication Interest Group are encouraged to plan preconference programs or workshops, participate (or encourage students to participate) in the Undergraduate Scholars’ Research Conference, or participate in Graduate Students Workshop / Graduate Program Open House, however, the chair of the Interest Group DOES NOT oversee these programs or evaluate these submissions. For specific guidelines about pre-conference programs, workshops, or programs for graduate/undergraduate students, please refer to the WSCA website: http://www.westcomm.org/conventions/WSCA-2014-Anaheim/Anaheim.asp

Call for Nominations, Papers, Performances, and ProgramsSubmission Deadline: September 1, 2013

I. NOMINATIONS

The Western States Communication Association Performance Studies Interest Group Outstanding Contributions to Performance Studies Award (OCPSA) honors a WSCA member who has completed a terminal degree and has been active with performance studies for more than five years. The criteria for this award are as follows:

Regular past or present attendance to the WSCA convention and active involvement in the performance studies discipline as well as the performance studies interest group.

• A robust body of scholarship including both publications and performances.
• A history of service to performance studies with specific service to WSCA.
• Persons must be nominated (including self-nominations) by a current WSCA member.
• Winner should ideally plan to attend the convention in which she/he is being awarded.

Deadline: Nominations are due by the WSCA submission deadline. Letters of nomination should be no more than 2 pages and include the following: a brief history of the individual’s work, a justification for awarding the individual, and a description of the contributions made by this individual to WSCA. Please also include a copy of the nominee’s CV. All letters must be sent via email to the Chair-Elect of the Performance Studies Interest group, who serves as the OCPSA Committee Chairperson. This year, send nominations to Dr. Jeanine Minge, jeanine.minge@csun.edu

II. COMPETITIVE PAPERS

A. Scholar-artists are encouraged to submit papers to the Performance Studies Interest Group for competitive selection. Papers should have a Performance Studies research focus and can utilize any methodology, critique, and/or theoretical perspective. We welcome diverse and creative approaches to academic research (e.g., poetic, personal narrative, autoethnography, performance ethnography, among others). Competitive Papers should not: (1) have been presented at another conference or convention; (2) have been published; and (3) have been accepted for publication. For all submissions, please use APA, MLA, or Chicago style.

B. Debut Award: The Performance Studies Interest Group welcomes and encourages debut competitive papers. The WSCA Executives Club Debut Award is made to the author or co-authors of a paper presented at the convention “who have not presented a paper at a state, regional, national or international convention, or published in any academic journal.” Papers presented at student-only conferences are exempt from this requirement. All authors of a co-authored paper must meet these eligibility requirements for a paper to
be considered a Debut Paper. Papers eligible for the Debut Award should be marked “DEBUT” in the upper right-hand corner of the title page. Please also indicate whether each author is a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral student.

C. All papers should be submitted in PDF, RTF or MS Word format. Submitted papers should include two separate attachments:

1. A title page with title of paper, names of all authors, and the addresses, phone numbers, e-mail addresses, institutional affiliations of each author. Also include audio-visual requests only if absolutely necessary for your presentation or performance. You are encouraged to bring your own audio-visual equipment(s) whenever possible. Equipment availability is extremely limited and expensive. See the WSCA policy on Audio-Visual Equipment at Conventions in the Policies and Procedures Manual on the web site http://www.westcomm.org/
2. The paper, including a 100-250 word abstract, and a maximum of 25 pages of text. Remove author names from the paper.

Please submit competitive and debut papers electronically to:

Richie Neil Hao
Program Planner, Performance Studies Interest Group
University of Denver
2000 E. Asbury Ave.
Denver, CO 80208
Richie.Hao@du.edu

III. SPOTLIGHT PERFORMANCES

A. This year, we are inviting scholar-artists to submit completed scripts and (optional) video clips for a spotlight panel. Performances should be between 10-15 minutes and can be in various modes (e.g., poetic, personal narrative, performance (auto)ethnography, multimedia, digital, etc.). Videos will be accepted due to the nature of performance work: scripts don’t always allow for diverse performance styles to be fully understood and considered. Please note: as we are taking video submissions, only scripts will be blind-reviewed. We believe this will remain a thoughtful review process by having multiple reviewers from a variety of locations, styles, and research backgrounds. To submit a performance for consideration, submit the following separate attachments:

1. A title page with title of performance, names of all performers, and the addresses, phone numbers, e-mail addresses, institutional affiliations for each. Also include audio-visual requests only if absolutely necessary for your performance. You are encouraged to bring your own audio-visual equipment(s) whenever possible. Equipment availability is extremely limited and expensive. See the WSCA policy on Audio-Visual Equipment at Conventions in the Policies and Procedures Manual on the web site http://www.westcomm.org/
2. The completed script. Please remove author and performer names from the script.
3. (Optional) Video clips (2-3 minutes) in MPEG format.

Please submit spotlight performances electronically to:
Richie Neil Hao
Program Planner, Performance Studies Interest Group
Richie.Hao@du.edu

IV. PROGRAM PROPOSALS

A. Program proposals should focus on a unifying theme relevant to research, theory, or instruction in the area of the sponsoring interest group. Programs may consist of a chair, individual presenters, and a critic respondent in a format traditionally presented at conferences. However, ensemble or solo performances (e.g., poetic, personal narrative, multimedia and digital), debates, round table discussions, performance activities, or other unique formats are encouraged. Innovative program proposals, especially those that provide opportunities for interaction among participants and attendees, are encouraged. Programs co-sponsored with other interest groups are also welcome. Programs that relate to the convention theme, “Transfer,” are encouraged.

B. All program proposals should be submitted in PDF, RTF or MS Word format. Submitted papers should include two separate attachments:

1. A title page with title of program, names of all participants (include specific titles for individuals, if inclined), and the addresses, phone numbers, e-mail addresses, institutional affiliations of each participant. Also include audio-visual requests only if absolutely necessary for your presentation or performance. You are encouraged to bring your own audio-visual equipment(s) whenever possible. Equipment availability is extremely limited and expensive. See the WSCA policy on Audio-Visual Equipment at Conventions in the Policies and Procedures Manual on the web site http://www.westcomm.org/
2. The proposal, including descriptions of performances, abstracts, or scripts, etc. fitting the format of the proposed program. Remove author names, please.

Please submit program proposals electronically to:
Richie Neil Hao
Program Planner, Performance Studies Interest Group
Richie.Hao@du.edu

TRANSFER

For the 2014 Annual Meeting of the Western States Communication Association, I am asking us to explore the concept of “Transfer.”  Our literature continues to use the concept of transfer in a multitude of ways and we have concluded that communication is more than mere transfer.  The concept of transfer, however, continues to be used by virtually all WSCA interest groups.  Transfer has been used in the titles of our journals in polysemic terms.  Conferences such as WSCA are the loci of transfer through bringing people together.   The original use of the term was for legal purposes, such as the transfer of property.  Today the term transfer is recognized as both a verb, as in to bear across, and as a noun, as in the conveyance of person, property or concept.  As communication scholars the term helps us examine traditional perspectives, directional tacks, and functionality.  Transfer has both positive and negative valences.  In addition, transfer as a concept encompasses chronometric process as well as asymmetric and asynchronous time frames.  As a concept, transfer acknowledges learning as well as illuminates how power, control, and other motivational forces work with, for, alongside, or against communication.  People from outside our discipline, legislatures as example, are forcing all fields, not just communication, to address the issue of transfers of knowledge within and across institutions.   As communication scholars, is the concept of transfer central to our understanding of communication, and if so, in what ways?

Program Planning Contact Information

• Primary Program Planner/President‐Elect: Patricia O’Keefe, College of Marin, patricia.okeefe@marin.edu
• Primary Program Planner Assistant: Paul Mongeau, Arizona State University, paul.mongeau@asu.edu
• Undergraduate Scholars Research Conference; Graduate Workshop; Graduate Open House:  Fran Dickson, Chapman University, fdickson@chapman.edu
• Communication and Instruction: Keith Nainby, California State University, Stanislaus, knainby@csustan.edu
• Communication Theory: Stephanie Bor, University of Utah, Stephanie.Bor@utah.edu
• Community College: Patrick Barton, Lone Star College CyFair, Patrick.s.barton@lonestar.edu
• Environmental Communication: Richard Besel, Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, rbesel@calpoly.edu
• Freedom of Speech and Legal Communication: Diane M. Harney, Pacific Lutheran University, harneydm@plu.edu
• Health Communication: Eileen Gilchrist, University of Wyoming, egilchr1@uwyo.edu
• Intercultural Communication: Hsin‐I Cheng, Santa Clara University, hcheng2@scu.edu
• Interpersonal Communication: Perry M. Pauley, San Diego State University, pauley@mail.sdsu.edu
• Language and Social Interaction: Catherine Brooks, University of Arizona, cfbrooks@email.arizona.edu
• Media Studies: Julia Khrebtan‐Horhanger, University of Denver, juliakhrebtan@hotmail.com
• Organizational Communication: Matt Sanders, Utah State University, matt.sanders@usu.edu
• Performance Studies: Richie Hao, University of Denver, Richie.hao@du.edu
• Rhetoric and Public Address: David McReynolds, Centralia College, dmcreynolds@centralia.edu
• Western Forensics Association: Robert Becker, Northwest College, Robert.becker@northwestcollege.edu
• Executives Club: Betsy Bach, University of Montana, Missoula, besty.bach@mso.umt.edu
• ORWAC: Stacey Sowards, University of Texas, El Paso, ssowards@utep.edu

For more information: http://www.westcomm.org/conventions/WSCA-2014-Anaheim/Anaheim.asp

Communication Theory & Research (CTR) Interest Group

2014 Call for Competitive Papers and Programs

The Communication Theory & Research (CTR) Interest Group of WSCA welcomes competitive paper submissions and program proposals for the 2014 Annual Convention in Anaheim, California. The Communication Theory & Research Division is an excellent outlet for papers and programs that consider the intersections between theoretical and methodological perspectives, progressive applications of communication theories, and spotlights on the scholarship of distinguished communication theorists. Case studies that explore theoretical issues are strongly encouraged. For the 2014 convention, the Division is particularly interested in papers and programs that:

• Expand upon the convention theme, Transfer;
• Draw from diverse theoretical and methodological backgrounds;
• Examine the intersections between theory and practice;
• Spotlight key communication theorists/theories in the Communication discipline;
• Elaborate on new methodologies in communication research;
• Collaborate with other WSCA divisions;
• Contribute to the overall development and progress of Communication as a theoretically mindful discipline.

COMPETITIVE PAPERS

I.    Authors are encouraged to submit original research essays to the CTR Interest Group. We invite submissions from faculty and graduate students interested in Communication theory & research, as well as professionals and practitioners who apply Communication concepts. The Division offers competitive paper awards for both the overall top paper and top student paper.

II.    Competitive papers should not have been presented previously at another conference, be accepted for publication, or have been published. Please use your ethical common sense.

III.    Students: The CTR Interest Group strongly encourages student submissions, and interested students should mark their paper as STUDENT in the upper right corner of their cover page. The Division offers competitive paper awards for the top student paper.

IV.    All manuscripts should be submitted by e-mail attachment. Please use RTF, PDF, or MS Word (.doc or .docx) format for all documents. Submitted manuscripts should include two separate attachments:

1. Title page: A title page with title of manuscript, names of all authors, and the addresses, phone numbers, e-mail addresses, and institutional affiliations for each author. Also include audio-visual requests and briefly explain how technology will be utilized in your presentation.  NOTE:    Equipment availability is extremely limited. See WSCA Policy on the Use of Audio-Visual Equipment at Conventions.
2. Manuscript: The manuscript should include a 75-100 word abstract and 4-6 key words. The manuscript should not exceed a maximum of 30 pages of text (including references, appendices, tables, and charts). The essay should be prepared following the most recent APA, Chicago, or MLA guidelines.  ***Be sure to remove author names and any identifying information from the manuscript. Manuscripts with identifying information will not be considered for review.

V.    Electronic submissions must be received no later than 11:59 p.m. MST, Sunday September 1, 2013. In your subject line please include “[Your Last Name] WSCA CTR Competitive Paper Submission.”

VI.    Please e-mail your submission to Stephanie Bor: Stephanie.E.Bor@gmail.com

PROGRAM PROPOSALS

I.    Programs connected to the conference’s theme are encouraged and generally expected. Programs may consist of a chair, individual presenters, and a respondent/facilitator. However, round-table discussions and other unique formats are encouraged. The CTR Interest Group especially encourages panels that spotlight influential communication theories, theorists, or emergent methodological approaches for researching communication phenomena. Programs co-sponsored with other interest groups are welcomed.

II.    All program proposals should be submitted by e-mail attachment. Please use RTF, PDF or MS Word (.doc or .docx) format for all documents. Submitted program proposals should include two separate attachments:

1. A title page with the title of the program and the names, addresses, phone numbers, e-mails, and institutional affiliations of each participant. Also include audio-visual requests and briefly explain how technology will be utilized in your presentation.  NOTE: Equipment availability is extremely limited. See WSCA Policy on the Use of Audio-Visual Equipment at Conventions.
2. Please include a brief rationale for the program (approx. 250-500 words). If applicable, you may also include a title and brief description of each presentation (approx. 100 words each). The rationale should be prepared following the most recent APA, Chicago, or MLA guidelines. ***Be sure to remove author names and any identifying information from the manuscript. Program proposals with identifying information will not be considered for review.

III.    Electronic submissions must be received no later than 11:59 p.m. MST, Sunday, September 1, 2013. In your subject line please include “[Your Last Name] WSCA CTR Program Proposal Submission.”

IV.    Please e-mail your submission to Stephanie Bor: Stephanie.E.Bor@gmail.com

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me. Good luck!

Stephanie Bor
Communication Research and Theory
Reynolds School of Journalism
University of Nevada, Reno
Reno, NV 89557-0310
Stephanie.E.Bor@gmail.com

Janice Anderson is the 2013 WSCA Distinguished Service Award

What characteristics distinguish this year’s recipient? It seems like Dr. Anderson has done just about everything a member of our discipline could do.

She is and accomplished and field defining scholar, having published30 journal essays and book chapters engaging crucial conversations about communication practice and theory. She has also written or edited multiple workbooks that help students become better communicators

Editing and writing these workbooks points to the importance of service in our recipients career.

•  Served universities in a remarkable array of administrative positions

• In the early 1990s she was elected as president of her university faculty senate.
• In the mid-1990s our awardee began serving as interim and associate dean of graduate studies, a branch campus of her university and more recently the dean of a college.

But she has also directly served the discipline

• She has served on numerous editorial boards including that of Women’s Studies in Communication.
• Served in wide ranging roles in many professional organizations including International Communication Association and National Communication Association, and Eastern Communication Association working as a program planner for at least 7 separate conferences, serving on finance committees, committees regarding association structure

But her heart has really been in WSCA.

In fact, one nominator well expressed what is true for many of the rest of us, “It is impossible to imagine the collective of dear colleagues who comprise the Western States Communication Association without seeing the awardee at center of that image.”

Indeed, our recipient has shown a long and deep commitment to the organization.

• Been to every WSCA convention since 1981
• For those of you doing the math, that’s 33 consecutive WSCA conventions. Can you imagine
• Elected member at large to the legislative assembly in 1984
• Was local host in the late 1980s producing a convention that one letter writer asserted “changed the face of the organization” and is the convention against which all others are judged.
• The following year, she began to move through the leadership of the organization, planning the convention in 1991.
• Since then she is always involved in one official or unofficial effort to further the interests of the organization, working on the nominating committee, serving on the WJC editorial board for over 15years, presenting at innumerable town halls and as part of convention kick off events.

But, as one letter writer said, this is all technical. Instead, her real service, as the nominator wrote,

“emerges . . . in manifold tangible and intangible ways. She is the rare person,” the writer continues, “who engages intently, genuinely, with every person she encounters. My experience in observing her for many years is that every person comes away from their interactions with her knowing they were listened to, confirmed, and yet challenged to think and experience beyond the routine moment. I have never known a person more life-affirming, intellectually curious, or more gifted at finding the best in people with whom she interacts.”

Perhaps then, the deepest talent and most enduring gift our awardee has giving this institution lies less in the years of service in elected office, but instead in this almost ineffable sense that our awardee has made each of us a slightly better person and our organization a finer institution.

And nothing better signifies our awardee’s ability to engage our whole persons than what one letter writer identified as her signature accomplishment and perhaps this convention’s most enduring tradition. Many of you know—or are learning after last night’s sock hop—that our unofficial motto is work hard, play hard. Our awardee learned this lesson early on in her service to WSCA and, when, hosting the convention in the late eighties she formalized what is now the convention’s most memorable event. No, it is not the town halls in which she has participated over the years, nor the nearly endless list panels and papers the convention has hosted many of which our awardee has presented, chaired, responded to, or attended, or even her opportunities to speak to us at the lunch.

No, our awardee institutionalized the sock hop. As recently as last night our awardee—and her muscle shirt-clad partner demonstrated the power of eloquent non-verbal communication, her passionate commitment to our organization and its people, and her abiding ability to help all of us work a bit harder, play a bit harder and, in the end do a bit better.

Please join me in congratulating the 2013 Distinguished Service Award Recipient Janice Anderson

The 10^th annual Undergraduate Scholars Research Conference was held in Reno, NV as part of the WSCA annual convention.  Thirty-five undergraduate students presented their work on competitively-selected panels, with topics ranging from the spiritual rhetoric of Mitt Romney, to communicative pathways to rehabilitation, to an analysis of the Kkot-Mi-Nam phenomenon in Korea.  The top paper this year, “Reentry Experiences of Study Abroad Sojourners” was submitted my Britta Cusik, from University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire.

Many thanks go to the generous scholars who responded to students on these panels: Ann Darling, Deanna Dannels, Greg Dickinson, Larry Frey, David Henry, Tracey Holden, Elenie Opffer, Erin Sahlstein, and David Zuckerman.   Sincere appreciation is also extended to this year’s paper-readers: Betsy Bach, Dan Brouwer, Connie Bullis, Ann Dalring, Deanna Dannels, Bethany Doran, Larry Frey, David Henry, Heather Hundley, Andrea McCracken, Elenie Opffer, Leah Seurer, Bill Sharkey, Jenna Shimkowski, and David Zuckerman.

With the  submission of this newsletter article Christina Yoshimura finishes her term as Second Vice President, and the association welcomes Fran Dickson to the role.  If you are interested in being a part of the 11^th annual Undergraduate Scholars Research Conference next year in Anaheim, CA please contact Fran Dickson at fdickson@chapman.edu.