Apply Here Interpersonal and Health Communication The graduate program in Interpersonal & Health Communication provides students with a theoretical and methodological foundation in the study of verbal and nonverbal communication in contexts related to interpersonal interaction (including socio-cognitive, relational, influence, interracial, and mediated contexts) and health settings (including doctor-patient, campaign, intervention, and mediated contexts). Our faculty are committed to maintaining high standards in both undergraduate and graduate instruction and our alliances with the Institute of Behavioral Research and the Center for Health and Risk Communication allow for a focused study of interpersonal communication and health communication processes that are directly relevant to a variety of real world contexts. Rhetorical Studies The aim of the graduate program in Rhetorical Studies is to prepare students to conduct significant scholarly inquiry into the relation of rhetorical processes and civic life. Students therefore are exposed to a variety of qualitative research methods and invited to explore the insights into rhetorical processes and practices - oral, written, visual, and mass-mediated - that have been advanced by a wide array of intellectual traditions and theoretical conversations. The program has particular strength in 20th and 21st century rhetorical theory and criticism, public argument, feminist theory and criticism, and the rhetoric of science. The Faculty The Department's faculty members are nationally recognized authorities in rhetorical studies, interpersonal communication, persuasion, and health communication. No matter the interest area, the faculty are active scholars and committed teachers who embrace a philosophy of accessibility and supportiveness to graduate students. Faculty Research and Teaching Interests: Interpersonal and Health Communication: Analisa Arroyo, Ph.D., University of Arizona. Interpersonal communication, family communication, communication about weight and appearance Soroya J. McFarlane, Ph.D., University of Miami. Health communication, health disparities, and reproductive health Mackensie Minniear, Ph.D., University of Nebraska, Lincoln. Health communication and racial identity Chelsea L. Ratcliff, Ph.D., University of Utah. Health communication, persuasion, media, and message effects Sachiko Terui, Ph.D., University of Oklahoma. Global health communication, cross-cultural communication, and interpersonal communication Rhetorical Studies: Maryam Ahmadi, Ph.D., University of Wisconsin-Madison. Rhetorical theory and history, critical studies of colonialism and empire, global rhetorics, and social movement studies Barbara A. Biesecker, Ph.D., University of Pittsburgh. Modern and contemporary rhetorical theory and criticism, cultural studies, visual studies, feminist studies Kelly Happe, Ph.D., University of Pittsburgh. Rhetoric of science, women's studies, rhetorical theory and criticism Peter O'Connell, Ph.D., Harvard University. Ancient rhetoric and poetics, Greek literature of all periods, and Classical Athens Roger Stahl, Ph.D., Penn State University. Rhetorical theory, critical and post-structural theory, war and media Belinda Stillion Southard, Ph.D., University of Maryland. Rhetorical criticism, public address, gender studies, nationalism, and citizenship Bjørn Stillion Southard, Ph.D., University of Maryland. Early U.S. Public Address, particularly discourses concerning race and law Some Recent Faculty Accomplishments and Awards: As Researchers... Marie Hochmuth Nichols Book AwardNCA Douglas Ehninger Distinguished Rhetorical ScholarNCA Golden Anniversary Monograph AwardNCA Carroll Arnold LecturerSSCA Outstanding Gender ScholarNCA Distinguished Scholar AwardNCA Golden Monograph AwardUGA Creative Research MedalUGA Institute for Behavior Research FellowAND Over 50 Top Paper Awards As Teachers... NCA Religious Communication Scholar of the YearRCA Scholar of the YearSSCA John I. Sisco Excellence in Teaching AwardSSCA Freshley Outstanding New Teacher AwardSSCA Outreach AwardUGA Center for Teaching and Learning Writing FellowUGA Josiah Meigs Distinguished ProfessorUGA Lily Teaching FellowsUGA Office of International Education AwardUGA Sandy Beaver Teaching AwardUGA Scholarship of Teaching and Engagement Fellow As Leaders... The faculty have held numerous leadership positions in regional and national professional associations. Some highlights:Member, Finance Committee, Southern States Communication AssociationChair, Interpersonal Communication Division, NCASecretary, Interpersonal Communication Division, NCAMember, Organization and Activities Board. The Southern Colloquium on RhetoricEditor, Quarterly Journal of SpeechAssociate Editor, Communication and Critical/Cultural Studies As Grant Recipients... Our faculty receive several research-related grants from UGA each year. At the national level, we have recently received grants from the following agencies:Centers for Disease ControlNational Cancer InstituteNational Institutes of HealthNational Human Genome Research InstituteNational Institute of Mental HealthUnited States Department of EducationArthur W. Page Society
