Simply Speaking - National Communication Association
Transcription
Simply Speaking - National Communication Association
Simply Speaking The Official Newsletter of Lambda Pi Eta October 2006 An Insider’s Guide to San Antonio News & Notes Deadlines National Student Officer & Faculty Advisory Board Nominations http://www.natcom.org/nca/Template2.asp?bid=49 Applications Due: October 28th Chapter Renewals http://www.natcom.org/nca/Template2.asp?bid=41 Chapter Reports http://www.natcom.org/nca/Template2.asp?bid=42 Payment Due: November 30th 2006 Convention Grad School Open House Thursday, Nov 16th 2:00 - 4:45 p.m. Convention Center Ballroom C Welcome Reception Friday, Nov 17th Beginning at 6 p.m. Convention Center By: Chris Johnson Faculty Adviser Kappa Tau chapter University of TexasSan Antonio Fun, spunk, and cultura coexist contentedly in downtown San Antonio, the ideal area to indulge in the city’s immutable eclecticism and it’s all within walking distance of the NCA meeting grounds. By virtue of the lore we all know, the Alamo may be the heart and soul of Alamo Town, but the River Walk (Paseo del Rio) is actually more frequented. And along these bucolic banks you’ll discover San Antonio’s true mélange of cultures: from the elegant pastel de tres leches at Rio Rio and suave Southwestern sensibilities at Zuni Grill to the smoldering jazz at The Landing, enticing belly dancing at Dolores del Rio, and deliciously decadent desserts at boisterous Boudro’s the possibilities seem irresistible. Street level, meanwhile, abounds with pungent salsas at Aldaco’s, jukeboxclassic burgers at Johnny Rocket’s, hard-core nostalgia at Hard Rock Café, hot-ticket pastas at Spaghetti Warehouse, and fantastic fajitas at Rosario’s all without warranting excessive wallet-padding. You could also quell your cravings with the sensuous soups at ethereal El Mirador, oh-so-cool green tea ice cream at the Marriott Rivercenter’s Hanatei Sushi Bar, burly beef at magnificent Morton’s and Lone Star Café, or sultry seafood at airy Acenar. But diverse dining destinations are only part of the River’s allure. Inimitable attractions are only a tamale’s throw away: The Tower of the Americas dishes up a sublime panoramic view; you can even eat well at its flagship café, Eyes Over Texas. Then there’s Rivercenter Mall; the IMAX Theatre; HemisFair Plaza; La Villita (a “Little Village” of quaint shops and cafés), El Mercado; Sunset Station; the Institute of Texan Cultures; and SA’s newest attraction, Aztec on the River. Notable nightlife hotspots include Polly Esther’s Dance Club (featuring four decades of music); Howl at the Moon (with its rock-the-house dueling piano show); and the Rivercenter Comedy Club. And while this is merely a splash of San Antonio’s plethora of flavors, you’re sure to find more to the flavor equation that awaits. !Muy sabroso! !Disfrutenlo! !Felicidades! Article By: National President Kendall Anderson National Vice President Pam Braddock Conferences Promoting Undergraduate Research Annual NCA Convention www.natcom.org/convention Stephen. A. Smith Undergraduate Research Award http://www.natcom.org/nca/Template2.asp?bid=46 Western States Communication Association Annual Conference www.westcomm.org Central States Communication Association Annual Conference www.csca-net.org Southern States Communication Association Conference www.ssca.net Eastern States Communication Association Conference www.ecasite.org An Undergrad’s Guide to the NCA Convention Conference Groundwork: Crafting, Selection, and Preparation It is likely that before plans to attend the National Communication Association (NCA) Convention even enter your mind, your efforts go entirely to crafting a paper that will reach that level of professional research which is a feat in itself. First, you have to pick a topic, and since this is going to be a paper to which you will be devoting a large amount of time, it is important that this subject is something that truly interests you. One idea is to take advantage of a class involving an extensive research project, and take this “required assignment” and turn it into a conference paper. Your professors can serve as invaluable resources in the construction process offering practical critiques and advice on how to make the paper stand out. More importantly, your professors can be instrumental in the process of making your research more conclusive and highlighting your significant correlations. It is imperative that you are cognizant of the acceptance deadlines, different paper criteria and guidelines. NCA’s “call for papers” usually runs from mid-December to mid-February and papers can be submitted online. At the conference there are different divisions under which you can submit your paper (including a Lambda Pi Eta section!). Since each division has a distinct area of focus (and you can only make a submission to one), you should check with a professor or someone in your department about which section best fits your paper/proposal. Before submitting, ask your professors, family, and friends to look over your paper because they are able to evaluate with an unbiased eye. You will find out within a couple of months if your paper has been accepted. When you submit to any professional conference, including NCA, this implies that should your paper be accepted, you are planning to register for the conference, pay the appropriate fees, and appear at the scheduled time and place to present. Let’s assume and hope that after all of your hard work, you’ve been accepted. Way to go! After a paper is presented at the NCA conference, it is considered a serious scholarly work in that it can be cited and used in any publication written by students and scholars. This is a great accomplishment for anyone, and especially for an undergraduate. Now you have to get started on your presentation. You should find out if the room you will be presenting in is equipped with a computer and/or overhead and as always, be prepared for anything. Create a short, concise presentation that your audience will be able to follow along with easily. Don’t rely on a PowerPoint presentation or something electronic, instead create handouts that you can place on a projector and/or pass out to your audience. Outlines or short handouts are a great way to set up your paper. Have a professor help you highlight the key points of your research, your significant results, and your main ideas. A good presentation should last between six to eight minutes, thus leaving plenty of time for questions from your captivated audience. It’s a good idea to think of possible questions that your audience will ask, so that you can construct well-thought out answers. Practice, practice, practice! “The Conference Experience” continued on page 4 Chapter Spotlight Each edition of Simply Speaking will feature a chapter that is making a contribution to its school and community by actively demonstrating the goals of the honor society. Submit nominations to: [email protected] Please include: 1.) Contact Information 2.) School Name 3.) Chapter Name 4.) A description of the specific activities initiated by the chapter and how they contribute to the goals of LPH. 5.) Photos (if available) Adviser Spotlight Each edition of Simply Speaking will feature an adviser who is making a contribution to his/ her LPH chapter by encouraging the purposes of the honor society. Submit nominations to: [email protected] Please include: 1.) Adviser Name and Contact Information 2.) School Name 3.) Chapter Name 4.) A description of the specific activities initiated by the adviser and how he/she contributes Kappa Tau to Serve as Convention Host The Kappa Tau chapter at the University of Texas – San Antonio will serve as the NCA student organizations host chapter for the 2006 annual convention. Kappa Tau was founded at UTSA in 2000 and has been an active on campus for the past six years. To celebrate the NCA convention in San Antonio, the chapter is sponsoring walking tours of the River Walk led by student members and held in conjunction with the welcome reception Friday, November 17. The reception will begin at 6 pm in the Convention Center with a Tex-Mex appetizer buffet and drinks. Tours will begin at 7 pm and run in 15 minute intervals. The new member and officer induction ceremony is a signature event for the chapter. Parents, siblings, and friends are invited to attend and catch a glimpse of the educational experience students receive at UTSA. Faculty adviser Carol AdamsMeans enjoys this opportunity to learn more about the Faculty Adviser Carol Adams-Means with student members through members of the Kappa Tau chapter at the spring induction ceremony. their family interactions. Adviser Spotlight: Carol Adams-Means Carol Adams-Means became the faculty adviser for the Kappa Tau chapter when she joined the communication department at UTSA in the fall of 2003. As a mentor to students throughout her 22 year career in higher education, Adams-Means was recruited by the department head after learning that she had been a member of another Greek letter organization, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. Adams-Means has advised numerous student media and community organizations as well as three years with Kappa Tau and offers the following advice to new advisers: • Nurture leadership potential by preparing student successors to graduating officers. • Remain open to student member suggestions. • Have new officers in place by spring semester. • Explore websites and Kappa Tau faculty advisers Carol Adams-Means and listservs for organiChristopher Johnson at the chapter’s spring induction zational communicaceremony. tion. Convention Guess Who Is a Communication Scholar Activities Too? Thursday, Nov 16 • John Quincy Adams GraduateofSchool 6th President the US Open House Taught Rhetoric @ Harvard 2:00 - 4:45 pm Convention Center • Evan Bayh Ballroom C Indiana Senator LPH Ethics studied debate & Panel comm “Should I Quote This? Indiana University Examining the Intricacies of Plagiarism in Public Speaking” • Bob Costas 3:30 4:45 pmHost Sportscaster- & News Convention Center Bachelor’s in Public Room 008 B Communication Syracuse University Friday, Nov 17 NCA Student Organizations Welcome Reception 6:00 pm Convention Center * Source: Kevin Gillen and Alec Hosterman Indiana University South Benf LPH Paper Sessions 12:30 - 1:45 pm 2:00 - 3:15 pm Marriott Riverwalk Salon E Saturday, Nov 18 LPH Paper Sessions 12:30 - 1:45 pm 2:00 - 3:15 pm Hilton Palacio Del Rio Salon Del Ray Central LPH Business Meeting 3:30 - 4:45 pm Convention Center Room 217 A LPH Awards Ceremony 5:00 - 6:15 pm Convention Center Room 003 B An Undergrad’s Guide to the NCA Convention The Conference Experience Attending the NCA convention is an especially exciting time for an undergraduate. After time and effort you’ve put into your paper, presentation, and fundraising (because after all, we’re college students), you are finally able to present a piece of work that not only you, but your school, honor society, and colleagues, can be proud of. On top of that, you get to attend insightful workshops, seminars, panels, and a student favorite, mingling at the receptions. As you enter the convention venue, you may be shocked and, even feel intimidated. There are people everywhere, tables for people who preregistered or still need to, and signs everywhere. At the same time, all of the commotion gives off a surprisingly fun and exhilarating feeling. After settling in, open the program and decide on your convention schedule. You know when you are presenting, but what are you going to do for the remainder of the time? Figure out what is going to help you to gain the most out of this experience. Locate panels and workshops relating to topics that interest you. Talk to students and professors and find out when the receptions are in the evening. Plan a few hours to explore the city outside of the convention venue. And most importantly, leave enough time to get a good night’s sleep. With your days starting as early as 8 am, don’t forget to rest and relax! When it comes time to present your paper, there is no reason to feel anxious. Everyone in attendance is supportive of you and intrigued by your research, otherwise they wouldn’t be there! Bring handouts for the audience that summarize the main points of your presentation, and speak loudly and clearly for them. Some students have no problem presenting their paper, but get nervous when it comes time for the Q&A. Try your best to handle the questions with confidence, even when you may not be sure of the answer. If your mentor or professor is there, don’t be afraid to ask him or her to elaborate. In the end, it is another experience in public speaking, and the practice can only help you. Last, but not least, there are the receptions in the evening. If you have any desire to go to graduate school, you should be at the parties. Even if you are not sure about graduate school, it is a great chance to connect with scholars in fields that interest you, as well as an opportunity to make connections. Remember to bring your “business” cards to hand out. Also, do not be shy about approaching people or asking to be introduced to the director of the communication studies department at the school you hope to attend. When you are speaking to a faculty member or student from a grad school, ask them about their school and department and inquire about the recent research in which they have been engaged. Ask questions and be genuine. Show them just how interested you are in the field and leave them with an impression that will make it hard for them to forget you when it comes to admissions time. There is so much you can take away from the NCA convention. It’s not just about presenting a paper; it can help launch your future. Make the most of the experience and enjoy yourself while you are there! See you in San Antonio! Famous Students of Communication* Ray Allen Pro Basketball Player Communication Major Univ of Connecticut Brooke Burke TV Personality Broadcast Journalism UCLA Brandi Chastain Soccer Player B.A. TV & Comm Santa Clara University * Source: Kevin Gillen and Alec Hosterman Indiana University South Bend LPH to Participate in Welcome Reception The national office of NCA student organizations is sponsoring a welcome reception for student members and faculty advisers Friday, November 17th beginning at 6 pm in the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, Room 001. In recognition of San Antonio creating this site for connection, an appetizer buffet of Tex-Mex cuisine and drinks will be served. Student members of the Kappa Tau chapter of LPH will host walking tours of the famous River Walk so attendees can get a local’s glimpse of the city. Students interested in learning about communication graduate programs can link up with graduate student ambassadors who can provide insight on programs, areas of study, and a day in the life perspective. An graduate school information table will compliment the mission of the ambassadors. Students and advisers should not pass up this opportunity to interact with Attendees mingle at the first student organizations other chapters and reception held during the 2005 convention. This year’s event will build on the success of last year and experience the cuisine offer more connections and opportunities for student and culture of San members and faculty advisers. Antonio. Community Communication Want to share an opportunity with the Lambda Pi Eta community? • The Master’s of Communication and Information Studies program (MCIS) prepares people for careers in broad range of professions such as management, human relations, and corporate communication, to name a few. The program particularly stresses development of the ability to critically evaluate results and anticipate unforeseen by-products of communication and information processes and technologies. For more information about the MCIS program, communication faculty, and the School of Communication, Information, and Library Studies in which MCIS is offered, please visit: www.scils.rutgers.edu. Submit announcements to sbaker@ natcom.org • Penn State University will offer a 7 week study-abroad program in Rome during the summer of 2007. The International Program in Communication Arts & Sciences offers an opportunity for students to explore contemporary Rome while taking courses in Italian film, the rhetoric of travel and tourism, and the arts and architecture of Rome and Italy. Classroom work is enhanced by guided explorations in Rome and throughout Italy, so that students may experience for themselves the complex layering of history, art, and culture that has drawn travelers to Rome for centuries as pilgrims and tourists. www.personal.psu.edu/faculty/t/3/t3b/projects/Rome%202007/rome2007.htm