“CHANGING COMMUNICATION” Conference in Portland

TOPICS: What does the latest communication research show about the controversy over Native American mascots in Maine high schools? What are the most effective classroom exercises to promote awareness of and sensitivity to stigmas? What’s the competitive nature of men's sex talk? How do you best introduce senior citizens to the Internet? What is Hillary Clinton's legacy to the position of First Lady?

TIME/PLACE: Those and other topics will be addressed at the 92nd Annual Meeting of the Eastern Communication Association, scheduled for Thursday, April 26 through Sunday, April 29, at the Eastland Park Hotel, High St., Portland. USM’s Department of Communication is host for the event. Conference highlights are noted below.

MORE INFORMATION: Contact conference organizer and USM Associate Professor of Communication Richard West at 780-5410. For help arranging an interview, please contact Bob Caswell or Susan Swain of USM Media Relations at the numbers listed at the top of this advisory.

CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS: 1 to 4 p.m., Thursday, April 26, a short course to provide participants with knowledge of exercises to promote sensitivity to stigmas, stereotypes and negotiation of cultural identity in classrooms. Instructors include faculty from Howard University and Pennsylvania State University.

2:30 to 3:30 p.m., Thursday, April 26, panel presentation of research on nonverbal topics, ranging from the effects of crying on credibility, nonverbal behavior during impromptu speaking, and the controversy over Native American mascots. Features faculty from the University of Georgia, among other institutions.

2:30 to 3:30 p.m., Thursday, April 26, panel examination of the competitive nature of men's sex talk, secrecy in organizational romance, and related topics. Faculty from the University of Nebraska and the University of Connecticut will lead the discussion.

4 to 5:15 p.m., Thursday, April 26, presentations on feminine communication styles in political campaign debates, and the classic political rhetoric of the 1800s, among other topics by faculty from Syracuse University, Keene State.

4 to 5:15 p.m., Thursday, April 26, discussions on the tremendous growth of distance learning (videotape, Internet, telecourses, interactive television, etc.), including introducing senior citizens to the Internet. USM and other faculty will participate.

1 to 2:15 p.m., Saturday, April 28, roundtable discussions on the legacy of Hillary Clinton, by faculty from Rider University, University of Southern Mississippi, and others. Panels beginning at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday will evaluate the communication techniques of Laura Bush and Tipper Gore.