Dr. Hodge's research employs a critical race theoretical approach to identity, culture, and language. In particular, she is concerned with how systems of oppression and marginalization inform the identities, discursive practices, and experiences of African Americans. To advance theoretically robust and culturally grounded knowledge about African American life and language worlds, her research agenda is guided by the following questions: How can communication concepts and theories (i.e., discourse analysis) further illuminate African American culture, experiences, and struggle; and, how can African American Studies theories inform the ways we interpret and examine communication? Importantly, she explores how Communication and African American Studies can be bridged to examine how systems of oppression impact marginalized groups and are discursively reproduced, maintained and resisted.
keywords
critical race discourse analysis, critical race theory, critical hip hop studies, anti-black racism, African American Studies, double consciousness, Black masculinity, intercultural communication
Teaching
courses taught
COMM 2400 - Discourse, Culture and Identities
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2020
Considers how communication is central to constructing who people are and examines social controversies related to talk and identities. Students learn to analyze and understand discourse, defined as everyday talk and conversation, through the practice of discourse analysis.
COMM 3000 - Issues in Communication
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2020 / Spring 2021 / Summer 2021 / Fall 2021 / Spring 2022
Explores select issues in communication. May be repeated up to 6 total credit hours on different issues. Recommended prerequisites: COMM 1210 and COMM 1600.
COMM 3410 - Intercultural Communication
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2018 / Fall 2018 / Spring 2019 / Summer 2019 / Fall 2019 / Spring 2020 / Summer 2020
Explores complex relationships between culture and communication processes from various conceptual perspectives. Considers the important role of context (e.g., social, historical, and cultural) in intercultural interactions. Recommended Prerequisites: COMM 1210 and COMM 1600.
COMM 4220 - Senior Seminar: Functions of Communication
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2021 / Spring 2022
Topical seminar on the functions of communication across interpersonal, group, organizational, and public contexts. Reviews current theory and research on topics such as communication and conflict, persuasion, and ethical dimensions of communication practices.
