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Richard K. Olsen, Jr., Ph.D.

Associate Professor

Dept. of Communication Studies

University of North Carolina at Wilmington

Wilmington, NC 28403-3297

(910) 962-3710

olsenr@uncw.edu

EDUCATION:

University of North Carolina Wilmington: B.A., Creative Arts with a speech communication emphasis. A significant part of my undergraduate experience was participation on a nationally competitive forensic team where I competed in each category of individual events.

Pennsylvania State University: M.A., Speech Communication. My Master's thesis is entitled Presbyterian Minister's Perceived Needs as Communicators and Leaders, and Their Receptivity to Communication Consulting.

Regent University: Ph.D., Graduated with "distinction" in Communication Studies. My dissertation is entitled: Drafting a New American Dream: An Analysis of the NBA Draft Utilizing a Triangulated Approach to Criticism.

TEACHING EXPERIENCE:

1997- Faculty member, University of North Carolina at Wilmington

1994-1997 Graduate Teaching Fellowship, Regent University

1989-1994 Full-time Instructor, Radford University

1987-1989 Graduate Teaching Fellowship, Pennsylvania State University

1981-1982 Teaching Assistant in English, Upward Bound (2 summers)

COURSES TAUGHT:

Argumentation and Debate ¾ an introduction to theory and practice of debate
Career Management ¾ a ten-week professional module for Master’s students
Communication and Conflict ¾ Undergraduate Honors course
Communication Ethics ¾ a Master’s level survey of communication ethics
Communication Theory ¾ survey of theory from the social scientific tradition
Educationally Speaking: Using Groups and Public Speaking to Increase Student Learning ¾ a two-day, credit workshop I developed for K-12 teachers for recertification and continuing education
Great Speeches! ¾ an original course offered for the Radford University Elderhostel Program
Introduction to Communication Studies ¾ a Master’s level survey of the field and its concepts
Introduction to Communication Theory ¾ I developed this course which became a core requirement for the Radford University communication studies curriculum
Persuasion ¾ a primarily social-scientific exploration of social influence
Public Speaking ¾ including Honors and non-Honors sections
Research Methods ¾ overview of secondary, rhetorical, interpretive and empirical research
Rhetorical Theory ¾ introduction to classical and contemporary theories of rhetoric
Rhetoric of Popular Culture ¾ application of a variety of critical traditions to popular culture
Sport as Popular Ritual ¾ Honors course examining sport from ritual perspective
Laughing at Ourselves¾Honors course exploring rhetoric and humor

PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITY:

Publications:

Olsen, R. (2004). "Total Request Live" and the creation of virtual community. In Glyn Davis & Kay Dickinson (Eds.), Teen TV: Genre, consumption and identity (pp. 112-124). London, BFI.

Olsen, R. (2003). Fifty-eight American dreams: The NBA draft as mediated ritual. In Robert S. Brown & Daniel J. O'Rourke III, (Eds.), Case studies in sport communication (pp. 171-200). Westport, CT: Praeger

Olsen, R. (2003). Living above it all: The liminal fantasy of sport utility vehicle advertisements. In Mark Meister (Ed), Enviropop: Studies in rhetoric and popular culture (pp. 175-196). Westport, CT: Praeger.

Olsen, R., Weber, D., & Trimble, F. (2002) Cornerstones and Capstones: A Case Study on the Value of a Holistic Core in the Discipline of Communication Studies. Communication Education, 15, 65-80.

Olsen, R. & Schihl, R. (2002). Beyond demographics, content and technology: The impact of culture on the design and implementation of a distance education program. In Patricia Comeaux (Ed), Communication and collaboration in the online classroom. (pp.55-74). Bolton MA: Anker.

Olsen, R. (1999). Review of Eric W. Rothenbuhler’s Ritual Communication: From Everyday Conversation to Mediated Ritual. Southern Journal of Communication, 65, 343-344.

Olsen, R. (2000). Select during coursework. In F. Pyrczak (Ed.), Completing your thesis or dissertation: Professors share their techniques and strategies (pp. 2-3). Los Angeles: Pyrczak.

Olsen, R., & Reynolds R. (1999). Exploring the relationship between perceived narrativity and perceived message effectiveness." Carolinas Communication Annual, 15, 41-54.

Olsen, R., & Bollinger D. (1999). The role of questioning in the basic text. In Review Forum: What’s the Use of a Textbook in the Basic Communication Performance Course? Communication Education, 48, 324-326.

Olsen, R. (1999). Making sense of the Statue of Liberty: Using the Statue of Liberty to teach research methods. The Speech Communication Teacher, 13, no. 4, 13-15.

Olhauser, J., & Olsen, R. (1999). The ‘recordable’ situation: Reflections on creating an audio-cassette-based course in communication studies. ERIC database ED 428 401.

Olsen R. (1998). The future of OCAC history: An argument for the conceptual framing of the oral communication across the curriculum movement ERIC data base ED 417 434.

Cronin, M., Grice, G., & Olsen, R., (1994). The effects of interactive video instruction in coping with speech fright. Communication Education, 43, 42-53.

Papers:

Olsen, R. (2004). Contemporary artifacts, core concepts: A rhetorical perspective on popular communication. Paper presented at the Southern States Communication Association Conference, Tampa, FL.

Olsen, R. (2004) Petition the professor. GIFTS participant. Southern States Communication Association Conference, Tampa, FL.

Olsen, R. & Wells, C. (2003). Frank, Vern, Hilda . . and Ken?: A Burkeian analysis of Trading Spaces. Paper presented at the Southern States Communication Association Conference, Birmingham, AL.

Olsen, R. (2003). TRL and the creation of virtual community. Paper presented at the Popular Culture Association of the South, Charlotte, NC.

Olsen, R. and Tempio S (2001) TRL: Consent, concern and consumption. Paper presented at the PCAS/ACAS Conference, Jacksonville, FL.

Olsen, R. and Trimble, F. (2000). Burke N STOMP: STOMP as a pollution-purification-redemption drama. Paper presented at the PCAS/ACAS conference, Nashville, TN.

Olsen, R. (2000). Living above it all: The liminal fantasy of sport utility vehicle advertisements. Paper presented at the Southern States Communication Association, New Orleans.

Olsen, R. (2000). Walter and the technicolor paradigm: Revisiting ontology in postmodern rhetoric and beyond. Paper presented at the Southern States Communication Association, New Orleans.

Olsen, R. (1999). Critical approaches to examining advertisements: Tradition meets technology. Paper presented at the 1999 Carolinas Communication Association, Columbia, SC. (Panel Chair)

Olsen, R. (1999). Sublime or psueblime?: Martha Stewart and the timeless quest for ‘Good Things.’ Paper presented at the PCAS/ACAS conference, Roanoake, VA.

Olsen, R. (1998). Reducing student anxiety in communication theory. Paper presented at Carolinas Conference, Asheville.

Olsen, R. (1998) Setting the research and consulting agenda: What local ministers want from organizational communication scholars. Paper presented at NCA Convention, New York.

Olsen, R. (1998). Gambling on a scoring machine: Analysis of key metaphors of the NBA draft. Paper presented at 1998 PCAS/ACAS, Augusta.

Beardon, R. and Olsen R. (1997). Prayer and the formation of identity and community: A narrative assessment of prayer and liturgy in Postmodernity. Paper presented at the National Communication Association, Chicago.

Olsen R. and Reynolds R. (1997). Exploring the Relationship between Perceived Narrativity and Perceived Message Effectiveness. Paper presented at the National Communication Association, Chicago.

Olsen, R. (1996). Drafting a new American dream: TV Logic and the 1995 NBA Draft. Paper presented at the Speech Communication Association, San Diego.

Olsen R. (1996). The future of OCAC history: An argument for the conceptual framing of the oral communication across the curriculum movement Paper presented at the Speech Communication Association, San Diego.

Olsen R. (1996). Perelman and prayer: A rhetorical examination of prayers of petition. Paper presented at the Speech Communication Association, San Diego.

Olhauser, J., & Olsen, R. (1996). The ‘recordable’ situation: Reflections on creating an audio-cassette-based course in communication studies. Paper presented at Eastern Communication Association, New York.

Olsen, R. (1996). Is it still the love of wisdom? An analysis of philosophy’s forgotten term from a communication perspective. Paper presented at the Virginia Association of Communication Arts and Sciences, Williamsburg.

Olsen, R. (1995). Difficulties and opportunities in the transmediation of the Gospel: An analysis of Sister Act I and II. Paper presented at the meeting of the Speech Communication Association, San Antonio.

Olsen, R. (1995). Burke goes to church: A pentadic and cluster-agon analysis of a Vineyard Christian Fellowship. Paper presented at the meeting of the Speech Communication Association, San Antonio.

Cronin, M., & Olsen, R. (1993). IVI in listening: An innovative educational option in public, university, industrial, and management training. Paper presented at meeting of the Society for Applied Learning Technology, Orlando.

Olsen, R., (1993). Ministers' needs as communicators and leaders. Proceedings of Christianity and Communication Conference. Virginia Beach.

Cronin, M., Olsen, R., & Stahl, J. (1993). Fostering social change through interactive video instruction in listening. Program presented at the joint meeting of the Southern States Communication Association & Central States Communication Association, Lexington.

Cronin, M., & Olsen, R., (1992). IVI in speech communication education: Preparing and using a speaking outline. Proceedings of Orlando Multimedia '92 (pp. 106-109). Warrenton, VA: Learning Technology Institute.

Cronin, M., Grice, G., & Olsen, R., (1992). The effects of interactive video instruction in coping with speech fright. Paper presented at the meeting of the International Communication Association, Miami.

Cronin, M., & Olsen, R., (1992). IVI in speech communication education: Preparing and using a speaking outline. Paper presented at the meeting of the Society for Applied Learning Technology, Orlando.

Olsen, R., Cronin, M., & Grice, G. (1991). Speaking across the curriculum. Paper presented at the meeting of the Virginia Speech Communication Association, Richmond.

Interactive Video Scripts:

Olsen, R., Jr., Cronin, M., Stahl, J., & Zader, G. (1994). Effective introductions and conclusions in public speaking. Oral Communication Program, Radford University.

Olsen, R., & Cronin, M. (1992). Mission possible: Listening skills for better communication. Oral Communication Program, Radford University.

Olsen, R., Grice, G., & Cronin, M. (1991). Preparing a speaking outline. Oral Communication Program, Radford University. (also lead producer)

Olsen, R., Grice, G., & Cronin, M. (1991). Rehearsing and performing using a speaking outline. Oral Communication Program, Radford University. (also lead producer)

Other:

Faculty member UNCW Faculty Senate and Senate Steering Committee
Assisted with bi-annual faculty development retreats for the Oral Communication Program at Radford University that facilitated the integration of communication activities for active learning in non-speech classes
Chosen as one of two instructors for the university-wide "Transition Program" that offered summer classes to improve the recruitment and retention of minority students at Radford University.
Consultant for Mary Baldwin College for the integration of oral communication activities into their (then) new Master Teacher program

AWARDS AND MERITS:

2000 ¾ Elected to Omicron Delta Kappa, a national leadership honor society

1998 ¾ Graduated with "distinction" from Regent University

1996 ¾ "Committee’s Choice: Top Four Papers in American Studies" for Drafting a new American dream: TV Logic and the 1995 NBA Draft

1994 ¾ "Teacher of the Year" by Radford University Student Government Association

1994 ¾ "Top Communication and Avoidance Published Article" for The Effects of Interactive Video Instruction in Coping With Speech Anxiety

1992 ¾ Winner of Sony/T.H.E. Journal "Innovations in Multi Media" Education Division

1987 ¾ Who’s Who Among Colleges and Universities

1983-1987 ¾ Forensic Scholarship recipient, University of North Carolina-Wilmington

1982 ¾ Student Teacher of the Year, Upward Bound Program, Wesleyan University, CT

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS:

American Communication Association
Carolina’s Communication Association
National Communication Association
Popular Culture Association of the South
Religious Speech Communication Association
Southern States Communication Association

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