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3/5/2022

Communication Studies Statement on Russian Military Invasion Of Ukraine

The Department of Communication Studies at the University of ÁùºÏ±¦µä, Reno condemns the military invasion of Ukraine by Russia, a tragedy that will result in the loss of human lives and the displacement of millions of people. The department also extends its warmth and compassion to all those who are adversely and deeply affected by this war.

As a discipline, Communication Studies scholars continue to research topics related to this crisis including disinformation and misinformation techniques; rhetorics of war and peace; propaganda; the impacts of war on families and relationships, especially for military families; identity injustices related to war, including those involving race, social class, and gender/sexuality; and global affects, especially those for members of diasporas. Our department supports our fellow scholars from across the world in the work they do, and we pledge to continue thinking about our how our own scholarship can address some of the many issues related to what is happening in Ukraine.

7/20/2020

Black Lives Matter

The Department of Communication Studies at the University of ÁùºÏ±¦µä, Reno expresses its solidarity with Black students, staff and faculty at the University of ÁùºÏ±¦µä, Reno and in the larger community. We condemn racism in its many forms, including the recent violent acts that have taken the lives of many Black people including , , and . These are only some of the most recent victims of the ongoing history of systemic, institutional, interpersonal and individual racism in the United States; and they are part of a long list of names that continues to grow as allies decry the actions taken against Black bodies.

As communication scholars, we recognize that symbols, messages, meaning and interaction can be constitutive of racial injustice; but that communication can also be a form of productive action. It is for these reasons that we are committed to the continued building and sustaining of an academic department where both education and research can be tools for eliminating injustices related to race and ethnicity as well as all forms of dehumanization and marginalization.

To that end, the department will be doing a systematic review of its undergraduate and graduate programs to ensure that its curricula are inclusive of theories, works and concepts that are relevant to and produced by and other historically marginalized groups; that communication principles and practices are taught to every communication studies student as part of the academic curriculum; and that, in making these changes, the focus is not exclusively on the injustices marginalized people face, but on the entirety of their being. We commit to creating learning experiences for students that are representative of our University, community, nation and world.

Our goal is to create a robust infrastructure that will ensure marginalized bodies and identities are brought to of our curricula. If you have ideas about how this can happen, or if you would like to volunteer to be a part of this change, please contact the Department Chair, Jimmie Manning, to express your ideas or interest.

In the meantime, we invite you to review other statements of solidarity, action plans and movements provided by University of ÁùºÏ±¦µä, Reno leaders and leaders in the communication studies discipline that seek to make both University and communication studies more inclusive and welcoming of BIPOC, especially in this historical moment when Black Lives Matter is such a vital and needed movement.

College of Liberal Arts Commitment to Dismantle Racism

School of Social Research and Justice Studies Statement of Solidarity with Black Lives Matter

University Administration Actions to Address Racism on Campus