School of Arts and Communication

Associate Dean, Robert A. Taylor, Ph.D., Head

Associate Heads
H. Hatfield Edwards, Ph.D.
Alan M. Rosiene, Ph.D.

Degree Programs

Communication, B.S.
Communication - Military Science, B.S.
Global Strategic Communication, M.S. Humanities, B.A.
Humanities - Prelaw, B.A.

Professors
Andrew J. Aberdein, Ph.D., logic and philosophy.

Randall L. Alford, Ph.D., general linguistics, language education, German, English as a second language.

Gordon M. Patterson, Ph.D., 19th- and 20th-century intellectual history, American history, history of science and technology.

Lisa Perdigao, Ph.D., American literature, literary theory, cultural studies.

Judith B. Strother, Ph.D., business communication, scientific and technical communication, applied linguistics, psycholinguistics, intercultural communication, customer service communication.

Winston E. Scott, M.S., music.

Robert A. Taylor, Ph.D., modern American history, American Civil War, Florida history.

Associate Professors
Gabriella I. Baika, Ph.D., foreign languages, humanities.

Kevin R. Burke, Ph.D., world music, 19th century European music, opera.

H. Hatfield Edwards, Ph.D., public relations, health communication, communication and social issues.

John F. Lavelle, Ph.D., freshman composition, American literature, creative writing.

Robert L. Shearer, Ph.D., history of philosophy, existentialism, logic, music history and performance.

Youngju Sohn, Ph.D., strategic communication, public relations.

Jamie A. Younkin, Ph.D., music and humanities.

Wanfa Zhang, Ph.D., political science, international relations, Asian studies.

Assistant Professors
Melissa A. Crofton, Ph.D., freshman composition, medieval and renaissance women writers, print history, Shakespeare.

Natalie M. Dorfeld, Ph.D., freshman composition, ESL pedagogy, creative writing, contemporary poetry.

J. Chris Frongillo, Ph.D., English literature, online education.

Sharon C. Irvin, M.A., technical writing, simplified English, technical documentation.

Lars R. Jones, Ph.D., medieval and renaissance European art, photojournalism, iconography.

Debbie Lelekis, Ph.D., freshman composition, American literature, narratives of community, Florida literature.

Jo Ann Parla-Palumbo, Ph.D., languages and linguistics.

Theodore G. Petersen, Ph.D., popular culture, literary journalism, civil rights movement, journalism history.

Alan M. Rosiene, Ph.D., medieval rhetoric, science fiction film, literary theory, freshman composition.

Matthew J. Ruane, Ph.D., World Wars, history of science and medicine, higher education policy.

Angela Tenga, Ph.D., scientific and technical communication, Old and Middle English literature, English, German.

Adjunct Faculty
D. Bailey, Ph.D.; A. Belyi, M.A.; J. Dobos, M.S.; Z. Fazal, M.S.; B. Goldfarb, J.D.; M. Kahn; J.D.; K. Nelmes, M.Phil.

Instructors
Penny Bernard, M.S., languages
Annie Caza, M.A., languages
Eliza Dopira, M.M., music
Michael J. Finnegan, Ph.D., English
Rolanda Hatcher-Gallop, M.S., communication
Keturah Mazo, M.S., communication
Anna Montoya, M.A., Spanish
Joy Patterson, M.S., English
Matthew Ruane, M.A., history

Professors Emeritae
Marcia Denius, M.F.A.; Jane E. Patrick, Ph.D., Fontaine Wallace, M.Ed.

Mission Statement

The school provides the foundation on which students build practical skills of writing and critical thinking, intellectual objectivity and analysis. These are preparations not only for a career but also for anyone who wants to write a book or start a corporation, pursue graduate studies or serve as a management consultant.

Florida Tech provides a work environment that is richly diverse, ethnically, linguistically and politically. The goal of the school is to provide a program that succeeds in its commitment to its students, and shows them how to wonder at the genius of great literature in the same way that it shows them how to write proposals or launch a public relations campaign. It must also convince students that careful thinking, meticulous writing and imaginative planning are essential not just for success but for corporate survival, and that all jobs in the 21st century will require solid writing and analytical skills, computer proficiency and intellectual openness.

Fast Track Master’s Program in Global Strategic Communication

This program allows undergraduate students of any major to complete a master’s degree in global strategic communication in one year by earning graduate-level credit hours during their senior year, and applying up to six credit hours to both the bachelor’s and master’s degrees. The program is available to undergraduates who have completed a minimum of 35 credit hours at Florida Tech with an earned GPA of at least 3.2, and who have completed at least 95 credit hours toward their undergraduate degree by the time the approved student begins taking graduate-level courses. The credit hours are treated as transfer credit (GPA does not apply) when applied toward the master’s degree. Interested students should consult their department head for more information about this program.

Minor Programs

Minors in communication, history, music, prelaw and textiles are offered through the school. A complete policy statement regarding minors can be found in the Academic Overview section. Information about current minor offerings is available through the individual departments/colleges.

Research

Center for the Study of Critical Languages (CSCL)

Jo Ann Parla-Palumbo, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Director: The department is home to the CSCL, which focuses on the study of Chinese language and culture. A summer institute at the center is the Chinese Language and Culture Intensive Institute. Florida Tech began offering courses in the Chinese language in spring 2010.