2012 Call for Submissions 

2012 Panel with Papers Template

2012 Panel without Papers Template

"Connecting in Cleveland"
Marriott Renaissance
Cleveland, Ohio
March 28 - 31, 2012  

Primary Program Planner:
Dr. Mitchell S. McKinney

First Vice-President

University of Missouri - Columbia

Department of Communication

115 Switzer Hall

Columbia, MO  65211

(573) 882-9230

CSCA2012@missouri.edu 

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS:

Friday, September 30, 2011 

When seeking election as CSCA’s 2nd Vice President, I identified the promotion of stronger relationships across our many disciplinary sub-divisions as a primary goal of my service to the association. Thus, in planning our 2012 annual conference I invite you to join me in

Connecting in Cleveland:

Exploring Intersections that Unite a Discipline

Certainly, others have argued the need to develop connections among our diverse array of communication educators (in fact, our 2009 meeting in St. Louis had us consider Conversations about Connections). Still, in 2012 we return to the theme of connections and particularly an exploration of key intersections that might unite our increasingly diverse, often fragmented, community of communication teachers and scholars. As editor Michael Pfau noted in a 2008 “future of the field” special issue of Journal of Communication, our growth and increased stature as a discipline has been marked by increased specialization and fragmentation. The continuing proliferation of subfields in communication study is prominently demonstrated within our professional organizations. CSCA, for example, now boasts 23 different interest groups, caucuses, and sections (still far short than the 57 divisions, sections and caucuses found in our National Communication Association). Unfortunately, as Pfau observed, such “fragmentation makes it increasingly difficult for communication scholars to understand . . . developments that lie outside of their specific niches and [we] often lack a general knowledge about other facets of communication.” I must admit that my own conference itineraries are usually guided by a “niche” mentality. Far too often, I attend only those sessions sponsored by my primary interest group, or attend panels featuring scholarship or discussion of topics that reflect my specific teaching and research interests.

The theme of Connecting in Cleveland invites members to reflect on those core concepts, fundamental questions, topics and issues that transcend individual areas of study, developing programs that highlight key intersections that unite us as communication educators. For example, within individual interest groups and units, scholars and teachers with different epistemological perspectives and methodological approaches might join together to examine central issues or shared topics of study from alternative perspectives. Across interest groups, I hope to encourage a broad array of co-sponsored panels that highlight theoretical and conceptual intersections. Our “spotlight” panels might feature key scholars from different areas of study examining fundamental questions or concepts central to all of our teaching and research. I also envision exploration of important intersections that can unite the wide range of communication professionals that make up our association. These are just a few examples that I hope will spark our thinking about those things we share in common and unite us as a community of communication educators. 

I look forward to working with unit planners and all members of the association in organizing our Cleveland conference. Please contact me (CSCA2012@missouri.edu) with your suggestions for spotlight programs or featured speakers. See you in Cleveland in 2012!