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The New Jersey Communication Association 8th Annual Conference

Communication and All That Jazz

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
School of Communication, Information and Library Studies
4 Huntington Street
New Brunswick, New Jersey

Get directions to the conference.

Saturday, March 27, 2004, 8:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

REGISTRATION & BREAKFAST

    8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
        Registration
            2nd Floor Lobby, SCILS Building.
        Breakfast
            SCILS Student Lounge (2nd Floor) and SCILS Faculty Lounge (3rd Floor).

CONFERENCE WELCOME

9:00 a.m. - 9:10 a.m.
Room 212

MORNING SESSIONS OF THE 8TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE

    9:15 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
    10:45 a.m. - noon
            All Sessions are Scheduled in the SCILS Building

CONFERENCE LUNCHEON & NJCA BUSINESS MEETING

    12:15 p.m. -1:45 p.m.
        NJCA Business Meeting
            Brower Commons, College Avenue
        Lunch also available
            2nd Floor, SCILS Building

AFTERNOON SESSIONS OF THE 8TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE

    2:00 p.m. - 3:15 p.m.
    3:30 p.m. - 4:45 p.m.
            All Sessions are Scheduled in the SCILS Building

CONFERENCE RECEPTION AT THE ZIMMERLI MUSEUM

    5:00 p.m. - 7 p.m.
        Conference Reception featuring the music of the New Jersey-based jazz group JazzSquad.
            Zimmerli Museum, Corner of George Street & Hamilton Avenue

MORNING SESSIONS OF THE 8TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE

9a.m - 10:30 a.m.

1.1 Panel Session

Symphony of Synchronicity? Communication in Digital Reference Encounters

9:15-10:30 a.m. Room 101

Chair: Gary P. Radford, Fairleigh Dickinson University

Interpersonal Communication Dimensions of Chat Reference Transcripts
This pilot study of 44 transcripts explores the nature and quality of the interpersonal aspects of synchronous chat services (aka, “Ask A Librarian”). Results revealed that many interpersonal skills important to face-to-face reference success are present in the chat environment.
Marie L. Radford, Pratt Institute

Understanding and Collaboration in the Digital Reference Environment
This study analyzes transcripts of digital reference interviews to identify the establishment of understanding and collaboration in resolving an initial query. Results indicate that an information retrieval (IR) system that allows the user to return to his/her original question in a particular or a new database might improve the system’s IR process.
Nora Bird, Rutgers University
Kalpana David, Rutgers University

Respondent: Mark Aakhus, Rutgers University

1.2 Paper Session

Organizational Encounters

9:15-10:30 a.m. Room 103

Chair: TBA

Employee Characteristics and Technology Perception: Communication Comfort with a New Operating System
Adam Ehrenworth, Rutgers University

Workplace Success: Competency in Communication Skills
Denise Anderson, Stockton University

Telework: A Guide to Professional Communication Practices
Nancy Wiencek, Monmouth University

A Communication Structure Approach to Explaining Information System Implementation Outcomes
William Colucci, University of California-Santa Barbara
Ronald Rice, University of California-Santa Barbara

Making Sense of Ethnic Minorities’ Organizational Interactions
Suzy Ismail, Rutgers University

Respondent: TBA

1.3 Paper Session

Perspectives on Public Relations

9:15-10:30 a.m. Room 201

Chair: TBA

Journalists’ Perceptions and Use of Public Relations Information
Lisa Kanda, Monmouth University

Worlds Apart?: An Examination of Arab and American Cultures in a Public Relations Context
Chris Caldiero, Rutgers University

Creating Dialogic Spaces for the Poor: The Mess, Message and Meaning in a Participatory Video Project
Kole Ade Odutola, Rutgers University

Public Relations on The Web: A Critique of Six Theatrical Web Sites
Alyson H. Thelin, Montclair State University

Influencing Public Decision Makers: The Challenge for Nonprofits
Matthew Tom, Rutgers University

Respondent: TBA

1.4 Panel Session

Jamming for Justice: Social Justice Research in Communication

9:15-10:30 a.m. Room 203

Many different forms of research fall under the umbrella of social justice; communication researchers who perform this type of research may work in many settings and with many populations. Since this sort of work often involves both improvisation and flexible collaboration between academics and other groups, it can be seen as a form of “jamming” – a group of partners engrossed in exploration and invention that is social rather than musical, but equally experimental and profound.

Chair: Eleanor Novek, Monmouth University

Communication research and social advocacy: Philosophical and practical implications of values in participatory scholarship
Todd Kelshaw, Montclair State University

Building a better sex offender? The ethical dilemma of teaching interpersonal communication skills to sex-offenders
Rebecca Sanford, Monmouth University

Vamos a Vivir: Two ethnographic case studies of social interaction and use in small communities of Mexican men living with HIV/AIDS
Brad Crownover, Rutgers University

Domestic violence coverage in American news magazines, 1980-2001
Barbara Reed, Rutgers University

Representing an alternative reality for social justice: Focusing on the AIDS and drug patent issue in Africa
Euichul Jung, Rutgers University

Discussant: Eleanor Novek, Monmouth University

1.5 Panel Session

Whose Jazz Is It, Anyway? Free Speech vs. Community Standards in Writing, Performance, Production Classes, and Student Programming

9:15-10:30 a.m. Room 212

Writing, Performance, and Production classes, as well as Student Programming attempt to teach students through experiential learning. With public experiences, problems arise. How do faculty present students’ scripts, performances, productions, and programming as part of a positive learning experience when the content or style may offend viewers or listeners?

Chair: Kristine Mirrer, Kean University

Panel: Dennis Conway, Kean University
            Cathleen Londino, Kean University
            Scott McHugh, Kean University
            Adam Puharic, Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office
            Gabe Gluck, Newark Star-Ledger
            Steve Baltin, CBS News

1.6 Panel Session

Knowledge Management as Communication: A Theoretical Exploration

9:15-10:30 a.m. Room 301

Chair: Claire McInerney, Rutgers University

“A field of study is defined by the problems it addresses” (Saracevic, 1991, p. 61). The precise nature of Knowledge Management (KM) and its potential to make contributions to society has been subject to lively debate in the last two decades. The current body of literature concerning KM demonstrates the difficulty in clearly articulating the distinction between KM and Information Management (IM). The goal of this panel is to explore these issues and bring into question whether or not KM practices can be usefully implemented as mediated communication processes. We will draw upon the work of McInerney (2002) and Weick (1995, 2002) for our theoretical underpinning.

Panel: Michael Cole, Rutgers University
Stewart Mohr, Rutgers University
Dawn M. Sweet, Rutgers University

Respondent: Claire McInerney, Rutgers University

1.7 Lambda Pi Eta Meeting

9:15 a.m. - 4:45 p.m. Room 303

All day meeting of Lambda Pi Eta members, representing communication programs across the state of New Jersey. Lambda Pi Eta is the National Communication Association undergraduate honor society.

MORNING SESSIONS OF THE 8TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE

10:45 a.m. - noon

2.1 Paper Session

Consuming Culture

10:45 a.m.- noon Room 101

Chair: TBA

Communicating Breakdown and the Self in Seinfeld and Curb Your Enthusiasm: Making Something Out of Nothing
Marc Leverette, Rutgers University

The Power of Technology as Imagined in The Terminator
Amanda Scheiner, Temple University

Anticipating Armageddon: Dispensational Media, Social Construction and Ritual
Rick Popp, Temple University

Respondent: TBA

2.2 Panel Session

Organizational Communication Research and Practice: Negotiating, Theoretically Framing, Conducting, and Presenting Assessments

10:45 a.m.- noon Room 103

The focus of this panel is on organizational assessments. Four aspects of organizational assessment will be discussed within the context of two different studies, one of which was conducted locally; the other of which was conducted internationally. Topics to be covered include (a) setting up the client-researcher relationship, (b) theoretical frameworks, methodology, and findings, (c) translating academic findings for organizational clients, and (d) involving graduate students for their own advanced methodological training in research. The goal of this panel is to explain difficulties and opportunities that arise from performing field work studies, to discuss the process of preparing an organizational assessment, and to illustrate the effectiveness of using both qualitative and quantitative methodologies when examining organizational communication phenomena.

Chair: Marya Doerfel, Rutgers University

Panel: FangFang Diao, Rutgers University
            Marya Doerfel, Rutgers University
            Stacey Connaughton, Rutgers University
            Maureen Taylor, Rutgers University
           Corey Liberman, Rutgers University

2.3 Panel Session

Jazz Goes (Back) To College: Investigating the American Experience

10:45 a.m.- noon Room 201

The 1950s saw jazz emerge as a popular (but alternative) art form on college campuses around the United States. During the 1970s, jazz began penetrating mainstream college music programs. Today, jazz serves—at least potentially—as a major subject of interdisciplinary and cross-disciplinary studies of American culture although it is still approached, primarily, from historical or musicological perspectives. One recent pedagogical experiment at Fairleigh Dickinson University identifies jazz as a reflection on the realities encompassed under the “American Experience.”

Chair: Jason A. Scorza, Fairleigh Dickinson University

Presenters: Jason A. Scorza, Fairleigh Dickinson University
Madera Edwards, Fairleigh Dickinson University

2.4 Panel Session

College Radio & Television: The State of New Jersey

10:45 a.m. - noon Room 203

This panel offers a presentation and workshop on the status of college radio and television on New Jersey campuses. Panelists will present an overview of the various state college radio and television operations, discussing funding, membership and organizational issues at both public and private colleges and universities. A roundtable discussion on the opportunities and challenges facing college radio and television operations will follow, including the role of advisors, leadership, co-curricular activities and courses, and fundraising issues.

Chair: Chad Dell, Monmouth University

Panel: Gregory Adamo, The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey
            Christine Farina, The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey
            Dennis Conway, Kean University
            Chad Dell, Monmouth University
            Thom Gencarelli, Montclair State University

2.5 Paper Session

Comparative Research of Media Coverage and Participation

10:45 a.m.- noon Room 212

Chair: TBA

A Tale of Two Cities: Local Broadcast News’ Coverage of New Jersey
Scott C. McHugh, Kean University

A Comparative Analysis of Cultural Participation with Mass Media in the US and Germany, 2001-2003
Steven Totosy, Martin-Luther-Universitaet, Halle, Germany

All that Jazz about American Media Coverage of International News Coverage on Nigerian National Radio Stations
Maccamas Ikpah, Rowan University

Content Analysis of the New York Times’ Coverage of North Korea –Contrast Between The Bush and Clinton Administrations
Wha-In Kang, Rutgers University

2.6 Panel Session

Great Ideas for Teaching Speech-(GIFTS)

10:45 a.m.- noon Room 222 (2nd Floor Lounge)

GIFTS presentations are an opportunity for panelists with valuable, interesting, or innovative college-level teaching ideas to share them with others and to get feedback on these ideas. The goal of this session is to provide attendees with teaching ideas that will help make course material interesting, accessible, memorable, and meaningful for their students.

Chair: Anastacia Kurylo, Rutgers University

Create Your Own Language: An In-class Exercise for Students to Experience Aspects of Language Acquisition
Diana Peck, William Paterson University

A Project Based Approach to Teaching Research Methods
Nancy Wiencek, Monmouth University

An Engaging Exercise to Model the Communication Process: Role-playing Speaker and Listener
Mara Marino, Rutgers University

Proverb Exercise: Understanding How Perception is Formed
Ming-Yi Wu, Drexel University

Bridging Library Resources with Classroom Interactions
Euichul Jung, Rutgers University

The Coaching Cube: Five Ways to Enhance Reflexivity
Christine A. Lemesianou, Montclair State University

Defining effective writing styles that build student confidence in media writing
Kristine Simoes, Monmouth University

2.7 Lambda Pi Eta Meeting (See 1.7)

9:15 a.m. - 4:45 p.m. Room 303

CONFERENCE LUNCHEON & NJCA BUSINESS MEETING

12:15 p.m. - 1:45 p.m.

Brower Commons is the site of the New Jersey Communication Association’s Annual Business Meeting Luncheon. Brower Commons has a comfortable capacity of roughly 120 people. Lunch will also be served at SCILS.

In addition to the NJCA business meeting, the luncheon includes the awarding of the top graduate and undergraduate student submissions, and concludes with an undergraduate student panel presentation.

Lunch Panel Session

Gender and All that Jazz: The Everyday Experiences of Men and Women

This collection of student-authored papers explores the ever-present issues that arise in today’s society when engaging in the performance of gender in our culture. First, some historical perspective is offered by examining how images of women in World War II propaganda began to shape our understanding of the role of the woman in the family and the workplace. Second, theoretical and pragmatic examinations of print advertisements and contemporary film are offered to examine how these performances of gender have moved forward in time to constrain the roles of both women and men. Finally, the panel concludes by looking at the family structure and the ways in which parent-child relations affect romantic relationships later in life.

Chair: Jennifer K. Lehr, Fairleigh Dickinson University

World War II Military Propaganda: Exploiting Women of the Time
J Lee Thompson, Fairleigh Dickinson University

Using Goffman as a Theoretical Framework for Examining Portrayals of Women in Print Advertisements
Danielle M. Rondinon, Fairleigh Dickinson University

Don't Let Them Get Me: A Look at the Way Advertising is Affecting Adolescent Girls
Danielle Marie Calcagno, Fairleigh Dickinson University

The Media’s Images of Men
Jaime Hall, Fairleigh Dickinson University

Parent-Child Relations and their Effect on Romantic Relationships Later in Life
Allyce Foran, Fairleigh Dickinson University
Westley T. Hackmann, Fairleigh Dickinson University

AFTERNOON SESSIONS OF THE 8TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE

2 p.m. - 3:15 p.m.

3.1 Panel Session

Communication and Health Issues: Current Initiatives

2:00 p.m. - 3:15 p.m. Room 101

This session presents an overview of the recent work on communication and health issues conducted by Dr. Linda Lederman and her colleagues.

Chair: Linda Lederman, Rutgers University

3.2 Panel Session

Communication and Leadership: Ties that Bind

2:00 p.m. - 3:15 p.m. Room 103

Leadership is, first and foremost, a communication process. This panel explores the relationships between communication and leadership, and in particular considers the central role that communication plays in contemporary leadership theories and models. The panelists make the case for the connection between leadership and communication as well as address the opportunities (theoretical, practical, and educational) that derive therein.

Chair: Stacey L. Connaughton, Rutgers University

Leadership Development as a Systematic and Multi-disciplinary Enterprise: The Student Leadership Development Institute at Rutgers University
Stacey L. Connaughton, Rutgers University
Francis L. Lawrence, Rutgers University
Brent D. Ruben, Rutgers University

Effective Leadership, Organizational Excellence, and the Exceptional Organization
Dawn M. Sweet, Rutgers University

Ethics, Leadership, and Culture
Dawn M. Sweet, Rutgers University
Andrea M. Pampaloni, Rutgers University

Leading in geographically dispersed organizations: An empirical study of long distance leadership behaviors from the perspective of individuals being led from afar
Stacey L. Connaughton, Rutgers University
John A. Daly, University of Texas at Austin

3.3 Panel Session

Communication Department Curriculum: How “Jazzy” Should We Be?

2:00 p.m. - 3:15 p.m. Room 201

This roundtable discussion will focus on the current relevancy of those communication courses that are considered foundational in communication departments and whether they are reflective of the current needs and desires of students. What courses should communication departments be offering?

Chair: Jack Sargent, Kean University

Panel: Bailey Baker, Kean University
            Anita Foeman, West Chester University
            Chris Lynch, Kean University
            Michael Kent, Montclair State University
            Shawn Kildea, Rider University
            Don Swanson, Monmouth University
            Yun Xia, Rider University

3.4 Panel Session

Mobile Phones and Human Communication Processes: An Investigation of Second- and Third-Order Effects

2:00 p.m. - 3:15 p.m. Room 203

Dr. James Katz and doctoral students currently working with him at Rutgers presents recent empirical research on how mobile communication technologies seem to be affecting the quality of life and social relationships, as well as how the mobile phone is used as a tool to achieve para-communication goals. The specific issues that will be discussed by the presenters are (1) how the mobile phone is used to reproduce and extend traditional gender roles, (2) the importance of fashion in understanding young people's use of mobile phones, (3) use of mobile communication in the classroom context, and (4) potential relationships between mobile phone use and other areas of social life, including amount of social capital and density of interpersonal networks.

Chair: James Katz, Rutgers University

Participants: Yi-Fan Chan, Rutgers University
                        Seong Eun Cho, Rutgers University
                        Yoon Cho, Rutgers University
                        Kalpana David, Rutgers University
                        Dan Su, Rutgers University
                        Satomi Sugiyama, Rutgers University
                        Ferhan Tunagur, Rutgers University

3.5 Paper Session

Communication Theory

2:00 p.m. - 3:15 p.m. Room 212

Chair: TBA

John Locke and Modern Conceptions of Communication
Gary Radford, Fairleigh Dickinson University

The Place of Phenomenology and Critical Theory in Cultural Media Studies: Toward a Hermeneutics of the Medium
Marc Leverette, Rutgers University

A Brutal Test of a Beautiful Theory – Testing the Empirical and Theoretical ‘Added Value’ of ‘Socio-Technical’ theory for a Model of Information System Implementation
William Colucci, Fairleigh Dickinson University

Blinded by the “Light”: Truth and the Media
Irene Nasser, Fairleigh Dickinson University

Respondent: TBA

3.6 Panel Session

Experiential Learning through Conducting Research on Social Interaction

2:00 p.m. - 3:15 p.m. Room 301

Panel members offer reflections on experiential learning resulting from their participation as coders in a study of parent-toddler interaction conducted by Dr. Hartmut Mokros of Rutgers and Dr. Debbie Gross of Rush Medical College in Chicago This federally funded study examines the impact of parent training on the prosocial qualities of parent-toddler interaction among families at risk. The three panelists have each coded more than 30 videotaped parent-toddler interactions using the Dyadic Parent-Child Interaction Coding System (DPICS--Eyeberg & Robinson, 1981, rev. 1992), a systematic approach to coding verbal and nonverbal acts of children and parents across a variety of situations. Based on experience coding these interactions, the panelists discuss how this experience influences their development as communication researchers.

Chair: Christine Lemesianou, Montclair State University

Panel: Hester Coan, Fairleigh Dickinson University
Corey Liberman, Rutgers University
Maggie Luo, Rutgers University

3.7 Lambda Pi Eta Meeting (See 1.7)

9:15 a.m. - 4:45 p.m. Room 303

AFTERNOON SESSIONS OF THE 8TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE

3:30 p.m. - 4:45 p.m.

4.1 Panel Session

Orchestrating the Student Organization: PRSSA as a Case Study

3:30 p.m. - 4:45 p.m. Room 101

Compared with Exxon or the American Red Cross, a student extracurricular organization may at first seem a relatively simple communicative proposition. Yet a group like the Rutgers University chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) faces a complex array of relationship issues in order to provide value and meaning for its members and others--and to thrive and survive from one academic year to the next. This panel employs PRSSA as an organizational case study, and presents an analysis of relationship issues through the personal perspectives of PRSSA leaders who have been active in the organization for at least a year. The discussion will be informed by communicative insights from Social Interaction Theories, General Systems and Network Theories, and Public Relation Theory.

Chair: W. David Gibson, Rutgers University

Panel: Carina Alves, Rutgers University
            Sasha DeFazio, Rutgers University
            Sarah Fehder, Rutgers University
            W. David Gibson, Rutgers University
            Robert Sunga, Rutgers University

4.2 Paper Session

Relationship Development(s)

3:30 p.m. - 4:45 p.m. Room 101

Chair: TBA

Conversation Circles: An Analysis of Meaning-Making Among Varied University Groups
Stacey Peterson, Kean University

Conflict Management Styles and Relationship Satisfaction
Erin Christie, Montclair State University

The Forgotten Realm: Relationship Development in Online Gaming
Kimberly Frankiewicz, Monmouth Universtiy

Informal Caregivers’ Social Support Networks and how they Relate to Public Policy
Winifred Quinn, Rutgers University

Respondent: TBA

4.3 Paper Session

Nationwide Newspaper Coverage of [ X ] : A community Structure Approach

3:30 p.m. - 4:45 p.m. Room 101

Chair: TBA

Nationwide Newspaper Coverage of Medicating Children: A Community Structure Approach
Jennifer Hagert, The College of New Jersey
Christine Nielsen, The College of New Jersey
Jamie Stoy, The College of New Jersey
John C. Pollock, The College of New Jersey

Nationwide Newspaper Coverage of Same-Sex Adoption: A Community Structure Approach
Laura de Zutter, The College of New Jersey
Jessica Dietz, The College of New Jersey
Ashley Partow, The College of New Jersey

Nationwide Newspaper Coverage of Accelerated Adolescence among Young Girls: A Community Structure Approach
Melissa Luna, The College of New Jersey
Karen Maroney, The College of New Jersey
Jamie Lenobel, The College of New Jersey
John C. Pollock, The College of New Jersey

Nationwide Newspaper Coverage of Affirmative Action in Higher Education: A Community Structure Approach
Katherine Dokus, The College of New Jersey
Jean Lutkenhouse, The College of New Jersey
Jonathan Smyth, The College of New Jersey
John C. Pollock, The College of New Jersey

Respondent: TBA

4.4 Panel Session

Freedom of the Press, Campus Media and Diversity

3:30 p.m. - 4:45 p.m. Room 101

This panel will discuss issues of freedom of the press and campus media. Special attention will be given to how issues of free speech influence diversity and tolerance in a campus environment.

Chair: Maureen Taylor, Rutgers University

Panel: Matt Makowski, Rutgers University
Barbara Reed, Rutgers University
Linda Steiner, Rutgers University

Respondent: Maureen Taylor, Rutgers University

4.5 Theme Session

Communication and Jazz: Two Improvisations on the Metaphoric Opportunities that Communication and All that Jazz Invites

The conference theme is the focus of this session. Communication and All that Jazz invites varied associations, that from the perspective of communication scholarship encourages attention to the interplay of improvisation, participatory space and the existential angst of everydayness through empirical study and for theoretically grounding communication. Two presentations are featured in this session.

Jazz as Communicative Praxis and Cultural Archive: African American Protest and the Avant-Garde

Marc Leverette a doctoral student in the Communication, Information and Library Studies doctoral program at Rutgers-New Brunswick examines the political improvisations performed by pioneering jazz practitioners in reaction to the everyday conditions of socially reproduced injustice that characterize the public sphere in which they found themselves thrown.

Marc Leverette, Rutgers University

How Jazz Musician’s Communicate

In various jazz history courses Professor Ed Berger has taught through the years, he has always included a segment on how jazz musicians communicate among themselves. It always amazes those unfamiliar with jazz performance how several musicians who may never have played together (or even met each other) can come together and give an entire concert with no rehearsal and no written music. This covers primarily the performance of "standards" and blues and not "free jazz" which has its own dynamic. Together with colleague Vincent Pelote, Professor Berger examines forms of the music itself (i.e. proscribed chord changes and song forms) which permit this type of improvisation within a set of universally accepted conventions by taking a typical recorded performance and diagramming it from start to finish as the students listen to it. Ed Berger and Vincent Pelote, members of the esteemed Institute for Jazz Studies at Rutgers-Newark, also consider on-stage communication, such as visual and spoken cues, in this invited presentation.

Ed Berger. Rutgers University-Newark

Vincent Pelote, Rutgers University-Newark

4.6 Lambda Pi Eta Meeting (See 1.7)

9:15 a.m. - 4:45 p.m. Room 303