Teaching

Courses Taught

Effective Speech: Communicating in Groups

This course exposes students to the basic principles of communication, as implemented through group-based problem solving. With particular attention to formal speaking, message evaluation, and persuasion, students learn the dynamics of groupwork and how they can be used to their benefit.

Public Speaking

This course offers an introduction to the principles of communication, implemented through the presentation of speeches, with attention to group discussion and message evaluation. Students analyze and apply theory and research in public speaking to improve their skills related to formal presentation.

Communication and Information Technology

This course places a strong emphasis on the axiom "the medium is the message." It provides students with an introduction to communication technology, computer-mediated communication, web design, and the principles of interacting during the Information Age.

Disaster and Crisis Communication

In this course, students are given an overview of the principles of effective communication between local, regional, and national organizations during times of crisis or disaster (e.g., natural disasters, terrorist attacks). This course is also designed to illustrate effective communication practices with the public to achieve positive outcomes during and after a disaster.

Invited Lectures

Group Communication

Course: Intro to Human Communication (Dr. Karen McCullough, Penn State University)

Illicit Organizational Communication on the Internet

Course: Communication and Information Technology (Dr. Lindsay Aloia, Penn State University)

Persuasion and New Media

Course: Social Influence (Dr. James Price Dillard, Penn State University)

Using Persuasion to Fight Violence: Counter-Narratives

Course: Terrorism and Political Violence (Dr. Paul Gill, University College London)

Online Communication, Radicalization, and Terrorism

Course: Psychology of Terrorism (Dr. John Horgan, Penn State University)

Terrorist Use of the Internet for Radicalization

Course: Special Topics - Geography of Terrorism (Dr. Jennifer Haney, Bloomsburg University)

Attitudes, Beliefs, and Cognition

Informatics, Risk, and the Postmodern World (Dr. John Horgan - Penn State University)

Persuasion and Social Influence

This course offers a survey of relevant theories related to persuasion and social influence. Students use these theories to inform their own attempts to persuade others in the context of personal or professional relationships. Students also become "critical consumers of communication" by learning to recognize attempts to persuade them.

Radicalization, De-Radicalization, and Counter-Radicalization

In this course, students learn about various psychological and behavioral models that explain one's movement into a terrorist organization. Students also learn about efforts to mitigate the violent effects of terrorist ideologies and various psychological processes that could defend against the adoption of violent political beliefs.

Insurgency, Terrorism, Violence, and Threats

This course offers students an overview of issues related to terrorism and political violence, and is offered to university students and security personnel alike.

Communication in Violent Political Groups, Radicalization, and Terrorism

In this course, students learn about the specific communicative strategies used by illicit groups, particularly in the context of terrorism and political violence.