Talk about UNconventional: We’re So Diverse, We’re Praxically United! Top Papers - Communication as Social Construction

Session Submission Type: Paper Session

Abstract

These top papers are united by the praxis of social construction despite the diversity of the Communication discipline. Important societal issues spanning politics, religion and health care are explored. Influencing factors on identity formation range from media to interpersonal interactions. Methodological approaches include case study, ethnography, rhetorical analysis, and theoretical exploration

Facilitator: Saskia Witteborn, Chinese University of Hong Kong

“Constructing Societal Wit” Joey Andrew Strawn

* “The Social Construction of an Alternative Religious Public” Joanna Brook, University of
Massachusetts, Amherst

“The social construction of health: A case study of a faith-based not-for-profit integrated health care
delivery system” Sonya B. Forster

“The Rhetorical Construction of the Post-9/11 U.S. Citizen” Shana M. Bridges, Southern Illinois
University, Carbondale

“I have MS, I am not MS: Disequilibrium, Discordance, Detachment, and Dichotomy in the Construction
of a Multiple Sclerosis Identity” Joshua Frederick Hoops, Washington State University

Discussant: John Stewart, University of Dubuque

* Indicates Top Student Paper

Sub Unit

• Communication as Social Construction Division

Chair

• Saskia Witteborn, Chinese Univ of Hong Kong

Individual Presentations

• Constructing Societal Wit - Joey Andrew Strawn, Student

• The Social Construction of An Alternative Religious Public - Joanna Brook, Univ of Massachusetts, Amherst

• The Rhetorical Construction of the Post-9/11 U.S. Citizen - Shana M. Bridges, Indiana University, Bloomington

• 'I have MS. I am not MS.': Disequilibrium, Discordance, Detachment, and Dichotomy in the Construction of a Multiple Sclerosis Identity - Joshua Frederick Hoops, Washington State University

Session Organizer

• Karen E. Zediker, Tacoma Comm College