Taking Humor Seriously - Keynote Speech

aT king Humor

Y L S U O I R E S PERSUASIVE ATTACKS ON DONALD TRUMP IN THE 2016 PRIMARIES

7:00PM

THURSDAY OCT. 20 SCHROEDER HALL ROOM 138 William L. Benoit, Ph.D.

Professor of Communication, Ohio University

This event is sponsored by the Harold K. Sage Foundation and the Illinois State University Foundation Fund in cooperation with ISU’s School of Communication.

Taking Humor Seriously: Dr. William L. Benoit Dr. William (Bill) L. Benoit has spent over 30 years stretching the boundaries of political communication research. His wide range of expertise in the world of communication debate, political advertising, and political campaigns h­as made him one of the nation’s most published scholars.

Dr. Benoit has published over 195 articles and book chapters in various journals, including Communication Monographs, Journal of Communication, Human Communication Research, Quarterly Journal of Speech, Journal of Applied Communication Research, Political Communication, and Journalism & Mass Communication Quarterly. Dr. Benoit has published articles on global media platforms including: CBS News, Boston Globe, MSNBC, USA Today, and U.S. News and World Report. He has also published 18 books, including Accounts, Excuses, and Apologies and Communication in Political Campaigns. Overall, Dr. Benoit has received over 20 awards and honors for his revolutionary and significant contributions to both the fields of research and teaching.

One of Dr. Benoit’s most widely-known accomplishments was the development of the Image Repair Theory (originally called “Image Restoration”). This theory outlines strategies that can be used and applied in a personal or organizational crisis to restore image after a reputation has been damaged. Dr. Benoit also specializes in political campaign communication. He developed the Functional Theory of Political Campaign Discourse to understand political communication strategies and election messages.

Dr. Benoit currently teaches Communication Studies at Ohio University.

Prior to Ohio University, he taught at the University of Missouri for 24 years. Throughout his teaching career, he has taught a combined total of 15 classes at the undergraduate and graduate level and served on doctoral and masters committees in communication and other disciplines. In addition, he has mentored 35 students in research by coauthoring 5 books, 47 journal articles and book chapters, and 38 convention papers.

It is an honor for the Illinois State University’s School of Communication to host Dr. Benoit. His accomplishments, experience and contributions to the field of political communication provide a valuable foundation from which we can learn.

What others say: Among his students at Missouri were current ISU School of Communication faculty, Dr. John McHale and Dr. Joseph Blaney.

Together they each share a mutual respect for Dr. Benoit.

“Dr. Benoit is the most productive scholar in the communication discipline,” said Dr. Blaney. “Politics is a great fodder of humor, and the use of humor in political campaigns is an important topic for scholars in communication.”

McHale echoed the praise of Blaney and had this to say about Benoit: “My experiences working with Bill Benoit have been some of the greatest learning experiences of my life” said McHale. “Bill has always been generous about inviting aspiring scholars to share in his work. He taught me much about the writing process.”

This event was coordinated by the School of Communication and their Promotion and Development Team. The team is led by Mary Cullen and contains six interns: Anna Cachares, Heather Tidwell, Andrea Casali, Mariah Rayhons, Kenzie Gossard and Daina Sauls. Denise Thomas, business manager, serves as the team’s supervisor.

Thank you for attending this event, sponsored by the Harold K. Sage Foundation and Illinois State University’s Foundation Fund in cooperation with ISU’s School of Communication.

Anyone needing an accommodation to attend this event is encouraged to call ISU’s Office of Student Access and Accomodation Services at 309-438-5853. ISU is an equal opportunity/affirmative action university encouraging diversity.