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October 2022
A Message from the Dean of the School of Communication
We are in mid-term election campaign season. No matter our political views, this is an important time for us all. Please vote.
Elections highlight the profound importance of effective, ethical communication. This, in turn, emphasizes that what we do in the School of Communication is vital to our democracy. How do campaign messages work? Why do we, the electorate, often respond to negative campaign messages more than to positive messages? How can we work to be better informed about policy and issues in our multiple media environments? These are all parts of our majors, even in courses that seem completely detached from politics. A course, say, in health communication or interpersonal communication, is far from electoral politics but still centers on the communication theory, mechanisms, and practices that influence one another. Plato (and following him, Aristotle) would have recognized that these are central to how we live our lives together and thus inevitably meet up with politics. In my view, we treat "political" communication as a sort of dirty business because we have misunderstood that electoral politics is only one part of our political lives. I prefer a broader view, namely that positive politics is about how we live together. And we must understand how communication works to live well together. Elections are an important part of that in our culture, though surely not the whole thing.
If you're interested in learning more about elections and political communication, Molly Thrasher's Masterclass entitled Changing Hearts and Minds: How Political Communication Shapes The Outcome of Elections is an excellent resource for an insider's view of campaign communications - explaining everything from yard signs to negative mailers. As the mid-term elections approach, it's worth asking: why do campaigns do this stuff, and does it actually work? Her masterclass will take place on Tuesday, November 1st, from 4:30 – 5:30 PM in AF 209C.
Additionally, The timing of the election gives me a chance to welcome two new faculty affiliates, both of whom are scholars of politics and political communication:
- Lori Cox Han is a Professor of Political Science, Doy B. Henley Chair of American Presidential Studies, and the Director of the Presidential Studies Program. Her research and teaching expertise include the presidency, women and politics, media and politics, and political leadership. She is the author of numerous books, including Advising Nixon: The White House Memos of Patrick J. Buchanan (University Press of Kansas, 2019); Presidents and the American Presidency, 2nd ed. (Oxford University Press, 2018); Women, Power, and Politics: The Fight for Gender Equality in the United States (Oxford University Press, 2018); In It to Win: Electing Madam President (Bloomsbury, 2015); and A Presidency Upstaged: The Public Leadership of George H. W. Bush (Texas A&M University Press, 2011). She is also the editor of several scholarly volumes, including Madam President? Gender and Politics on the Road to the White House (Lynne Rienner Publishers, 2020); Hatred of America's Presidents: Personal Attacks on the White House from Washington to Trump (ABC-CLIO, 2018); and New Directions in the American Presidency, 2nd ed. (Routledge, 2018). Her research has been published in PS: Political Science & Politics, American Politics Research, Presidential Studies Quarterly, and Congress and the Presidency. Dr. Han is the past president of Presidents and Executive Politics, an organized section of the American Political Science Association devoted to the study of the presidency, and she has also served as a member of the national executive board of Pi Sigma Alpha, the national Political Science honor society.
- Luke A. Nichter is the James H. Cavanaugh Endowed Chair in Presidential Studies, a Professor of History, a Book Review Editor for Presidential Studies Quarterly, and a National Endowment for the Humanities Public Scholar. He has held fellowships at the Norwegian Nobel Institute, the Massachusetts Historical Society, the University of Michigan, the University of Oxford, and the London School of Economics. He is a New York Times bestselling author or editor of six books, including Richard Nixon and Europe: The Reshaping of the Postwar Atlantic World(Cambridge University Press), and, with Douglas Brinkley, The Nixon Tapes: 1971-1972(Houghton Mifflin Harcourt) and The Nixon Tapes: 1973 (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt). His books on the Nixon tapes won the 2017 Arthur S. Link – Warren F. Kuehl Prize for Documentary Editing by the Society for Historians of American Foreign Relations and were named among the five best books on the 1970s in the Wall Street Journal by Jane Kamensky, Professor of History at Harvard University. Luke's current book project is Henry Cabot Lodge, Jr. and the Decline of the Eastern Establishment, to be published by Yale University Press. Luke has been endorsed by the American Historical Association for his work on government openness. He is a former founding Executive Producer of C-SPAN's American History TV, launched in January 2011 in 41 million homes. Luke's website, nixontapes.org, offers free access to all publicly released Nixon tapes as a public service – featured on CBS Sunday Morning in 2014. He earned his Ph.D. in History from Bowling Green State University.
The Puzzle(s) of the Month
This month’s puzzle is not too hard. So time will be a factor. The first three students to slack a solution to me get a free coffee. Use a DM so that other people can enjoy working the puzzle even if you get it.
My grandfather liked to bake. Once he baked a batch of cupcakes for me and my three siblings, leaving them on the kitchen counter to cool. We were supposed to have them after dinner. A while later, he saw that one of the cupcakes was missing. Grandpa wanted to get to the bottom of the theft, so he asked each of us what happened. Here is what we said:
Rick: I wasn’t even in the house at the time of the cupcake theft.
Drew: Scott did it.
Scott: Drew is lying.
Kathy: Scott is telling the truth.
We were all mostly honest kids. So all of us told the truth, except perhaps the culprit who might have lied. Who stole the cupcake?
Sincerely,
M. Andrew Moshier, Ph.D.
Dean, School of Communication
Professor of Mathematics and Computer Science
Director of the Center for Excellence in Computation, Algebra and Topology
Program advising is available in person and through Microsoft Teams. You can schedule an appointment with any advisor on Bookings or reach out to them via email if you need to schedule an appointment outside of regular advising hours.
Dr. Travis Bartosh | Doti Hall 210
Tuesday 2 - 5 p.m. (walk-ins) and Thursday 2 - 5 p.m. (Microsoft Teams)
Dr. Arleen Bejerano | Doti Hall 211
Monday 1:30 - 4:30 p.m. (Microsoft Teams) and Wednesday, 1:30 - 4:30 p.m. (walk-ins)
Dr. Andrea Weber | Doti Hall 203
Thursday 12:30 - 3:30 p.m. (walk-ins) and Friday 12:30 - 3:30 p.m. (Microsoft Teams)
Looking for an elective to take next semester?
COM 329-03 Metaverse Studies Mondays at 4PM - Taught by Charlie Fink, Metaverse Consultant and author
Metaverse Studies will cover past, present, and future iterations of the Internet and the technology behind it. As well as the origins of the Metaverse and the most important players in this emerging 3D category, including Meta, Apple, Google, and Epic Game.
The Great SoC Experience Day is Coming
Do you know what classes you're taking next semester? Are you looking for internship options? Join the School of Communication on Wednesday, October 26th from 1:15-3:30pm in Beckman 404 for the great fall SoC Experience Day! Drop-in at anytime to hear from graduating seniors, the career center, advisors, and current students about classes, internships, and opportunities in the SoC. Win prizes, eat popcorn, and experience all that the School of Communication has to offer.
Mark Your Calendar
Chapman Radio Free Pizza – Wednesday, 10/26, 6-8 PM in AF
SoC Trailblazer’s Halloween Bash – Monday, 10/31 at 5 PM in Doti 101
Masterclass: Preparing for the Midterm Elections – Tuesday, 11/1, from 4:30 – 5:30 PM in AF 209C
Meet your Professors Panel – Thursday, 11/3 at 7 PM in AF 206C
Graduate Program Virtual Info Session – Monday, 11/14, at 12:00 – 1:00 PM Zoom RSVP Here
Pie with the Dean – Monday 11/14 from 4 to 5 PM in Doti 105
Study Abroad Workshop – Monday, 11/14 at 5 PM in Doti 101
Internship Workshop – Monday, 11/28 at 5 PM in Doti 101
For reminders and updates on these events, please fill out our SoC Event Interest Form.
Chapman Radio Updates
Do you want to learn more about School of Communication faculty and staff? Chapman Radio goes behind the scenes and interviews the people doing the work in their podcast, The Comm Pod. This week, Chapman Radio interviews graduate instructor Mr. Johnny Capra. Mr. Capra joins The Comm Pod to discuss his research in sports communication, his personal life, and how he came to Chapman University.
Listen on:
- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/20dCZ3MXvfjG47ChNBCKfg?si=FmxcnNIvSW6YR3oFG7e37g
- YouTube: https://youtu.be/R8FYceB5mZw
For more Chapman Radio, make sure to tune in at https://chapmanradio.live/.
Faculty Spotlight
Dr. Michelle Miller-Day stars in new podcast Hello Mother, Hello Daughter
Dr. Michelle Miller-Day has been part of the School of Communication since the Fall of 2012. With expertise in Mother-Daughter Communication, Drug Prevention, Family Communication, Narratives in Health, and Translational Research, Dr. Miller-Day has been featured in over one hundred publications. This semester, Baylor University's Dr. Allison Alford and Dr. Michelle Miller-Day explore contemporary issues of adult mother-daughter relationships in their podcast Hello Mother, Hello Daughter. The adult mother-daughter relationship can be incredibly close and fulfilling as well as potentially frustrating, complicated, and hurtful. Learn new ways to think about your relationship with your mother and listen until the end of each episode for tips every week!
For more information or to tune in, please visit: https://hellomotherhellodaughter.buzzsprout.com/
Undergraduate Student Spotlight
Kaylee Rupprecht '23 is a senior Communication Studies major currently interning for Bridge IT Consulting as a sales and marketing intern. Using the skills she learned in class, Kaylee manages digital media outlets for the company, crafts marketing and PR materials, and runs PR campaigns for hundreds of prospective clients. Way to go!
Looking for Internships or Jobs?
Have you joined the School of Communication LinkedIn group yet? Keep up to date with all of our latest internship and job opportunities here.
Internship/Job Openings
- The Mesa Water District is now accepting applications for their next paid Public Affairs Intern! They are looking for students that are currently enrolled as an upper division student in Communication Studies or any related major. Interested candidates can apply on their website through this link: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/mesawater/jobs/3715726/public-affairs-intern?pagetype=jobOpportunitiesJobs.
The application deadline is 11/07/22.
Chapman's Strategic Marketing Department is looking for a Social Media and Digital Marketing Student Assistant (15.00 an hour, up to 19 hours a week) https://chapman.peopleadmin.com/postings/28749
Work with Strategic Marketing and Communications on institutional social media account management, social media creative development and digital marketing support needs, amongst other departmental tasks.
The Coro Fellows Program in Public Affairs in Los Angeles is an experience-based fellowship focused on understanding how to be effective in an ever-changing, complex society. Fellows gain experience, exposure, and new skill sets through four major programmatic components: field placements, seminars, leadership interviews, and focus weeks. The program demands stamina, rigorous thinking and analysis, and a deeply self-reflective approach to learning. Through their group work, placements, and other activities, fellows seek to better understand the systems that influence how Los Angeles functions, as well as how an individual’s personal values, biases, and approach to working with others can shape their impact and the outcomes they achieve.
Get Involved with the Center for Undergraduate Excellence (CUE)
Lunch with a Professor - Monday, October 31 – Friday, November 4, 2022
Undergraduate students discover the unique opportunity of having a conversation with your professor over lunch, outside of the classroom! Take advantage of discussing graduate school options, possible research opportunities, or general academic advice. Invite your professor for a free lunch during Lunch with a Professor Week. For more information and to reserve a FREE meal voucher for you and your professor, visit the CUE website.
Undergraduate Scholarly/Creative Grant – Application deadline, Friday, November 4, 2022 @ 4:00 pm
The Center of Undergraduate Excellence is pleased to announce its UG Scholarly/Creative Grant for undergraduate students conducting research or working on creative projects. This funding aims to encourage diverse, innovative, and engaged UG research and creative inquiry in ALL disciplines. The award consists of up to $1000 for expenses and resources associated with conducting a student’s faculty-mentored research or creative project. For more information on the grant and application requirements, visit the CUE website or contact cue@chapman.edu.
Call for Abstracts! Student Scholar Symposium - Abstract Submission Deadline, Sunday, October 30, 2022
The Center for Undergraduate Excellence is accepting abstract submissions for the Fall Student Scholar Symposium held on Wednesday, November 30, 2022. The symposium is a unique opportunity for undergraduate students to present their research or creative projects to the Chapman community through a poster or oral presentation.
Students across ALL disciplines are encouraged to participate and experience a showcase of projects from diverse academic and creative disciplines. Interact with student researchers and their innovative presentations, reflecting rigorous inquiry happening across the campus. For more information and how to submit your abstract visit the CUE website or email us at CUE@chapman.edu.
Previous Dean's Message Puzzle Solution
Last Month’s Puzzle
Last month, I posted two puzzles – one held over from last spring. Congratulations to grad student, Allison Oliver, for solving both.
The first puzzle asks to solve a long division problem:
XX8XX
----------
XXX | XXXXXXXX
XXX
------
XXXX
XXX
------
XXXX
XXXX
Each X can be any digit, except that a numeral (say XXX) is guaranteed not to have leading 0s. So for example, the divisor XXX cannot be 057.
Right off the bat, notice that 8 x XXX is supposed to be XXX. So the divisor (the XXX on the left of the figure) cannot be more than 124. Hence,
XX8XX
----------
1XX | XXXXXXXX
XXX
------
XXXX
XXX
------
XXXX
XXXX
Also, the fact that there are only three subtractions (partial divisions) means that two of the digits in the quotient are 0s.
X080X
----------
1XX | XXXXXXXX
XXX
------
XXXX
XXX
------
XXXX
XXXX
Now, check out the last digit in the quotient. Whatever it is, X x 1XX is a four digit number.
But 1XX is at most 124. So the last digit of the quotient has to be 9, and this four digit product has to start with 1.
X0809
----------
1XX | XXXXXXXX
XXX
------
XXXX
XXX
------
1XXX
1XXX
The first two subtractions take a four digit number minus a three digit number and yield a two digit number. That can only happen if the first digit of the four is 1.
X0809
----------
1XX | 1XXXXXXX
XXX
------
1XXX
XXX
------
1XXX
1XXX
Things get trickier now. The two XXXs have to start with 9, and the digits next to the 1s have to be 0s, in order for 1XXX – XXX to result in two digits
X0809
----------
1XX | 10XXXXXX
9XX
------
10XX
9XX
------
1XXX
1XXX
Now I’ll let you figure out why the first digit of the quotient has to be 8 (9 is too big, 7 is to little).
80809
----------
1XX | 10XXXXXX
9XX
------
10XX
9XX
------
1XXX
1XXX
The rest of the digits are fairly easy to start filling in now. In the interest of time, here’s the finial answer:
80809
----------
124 | 10020316
992
------
1003
992
------
1116
The second puzzle was easier. Suppose you have three pennies and two dimes arranged in a straight line alternating: PDPDP.
The goal is to move the coins to that they end in a straight line with all pennies together: PPPDD.
Here is the shortest sequence of moves:
PDPDP
PDP__PD
P__PDPD
PDPP__D
PPPDD
