Richard Taflinger's Home Page

Communications Etc.

This page has been accessed  since 28 May 1996 

WHO I AM

I'm an associate clinical professor in the Edward R. Murrow College of Communication at Washington State University in Pullman, Washington, where I teach some of everything: advertising, broadcasting, media criticism, and speech communication. My particular area of interest is psychophysiological responses to communication messages, especially those in advertising and television. I have a BA in Speech/Theatre, a MA in Drama, and a PhD in Theatre, emphasizing Mass Media Theory and Criticism.

Contents of this page:

Articles and books I've written for use in my courses

MEDIA CRITICISM


Comments and Lists

      • List of Situation Comedies: 1947 - Present
      • List of Lawyer Shows
      • List of Cop and Detective Shows
      • On unsupported assumptions
      • On Editorializing
      • Why not movies for Mass Media Criticism
      • On Greed in the Modern World
      • The Myth of Objectivity in Journalism
      • On TV coverage of criminal trials

PUBLIC SPEAKING

 

COURSES I TEACH

  • Mass Media Criticism (Com 460/560)
  • Advertising Psychology (Adv 475)
  • Principles and Practices of Advertising (Adv 380)
  • Advertising Media Planning (Adv 382)
  • Television Scriptwriting (Bdcst 360)
  • Television New and Reality (Bdcst 475)
  • Television Performance (SpCom 351)
  • Oral Interpretation (SpCom 251)
  • Advanced Public Speaking (SpCom 302)
  • Public Speaking (SpCom 102)
  • Media Theory and Society (Com 101)

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DESCRIPTIONS OF COURSES I TEACH

MASS MEDIA CRITICISM: A senior and graduate level seminar. We develop an understanding of several analysis methods, including semiology, psychoanalysis, Marxist theory, sociological analysis, and neoAristotelianism. With these tools, we analyze news, advertising, politics and media, and myriad program forms from sitcoms to soap operas. The emphasis is on how media affect their audiences and vice versa.

ADVERTISING PSYCHOLOGY: a senior seminar. The biological and cultural evolution of the human brain and thought processes, and how advertising messages can take advantage of the way humans subconsciously process information.

PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICES OF ADVERTISING: An introduction to advertising. The course includes introductions to advertising history, regulation, creative, media planning, consumer behavior, public relations, advertising careers, and international advertising.

ADVERTISING MEDIA PLANNING: A junior level practicum course. The theories, methods, and practical applications in selecting and buying media time and space to most effectively place advertising for a client.

TELEVISION SCRIPTWRITING: A junior level practicum course. Writing scripts for television shows. Includes formats, dramatic theory, plotting, characterization, dialog, camera use, etc.. Theory is applied through the writing of scenes, and ends with the creation of a new half-hour TV show from the initial producer pitch to the finished pilot script.

TELEVISION PERFORMANCE: Intended mainly for the person who desires to work before the camera in a non-fiction area, such as news or sports. Concentration is on script analysis, vocal production (enunciation, pronunciation, vocal variety, clarity, and attitude), and appearance (gesture, facial expression, camera interaction, dress, make-up, hair). Includes tricks of the trade in anchoring, standup, weather and sports reporting. Basically, how to avoid looking like a total dork on the tube.

ORAL INTERPRETATION: The analysis and reading aloud of literature. Emphasis in on text analysis and proper use of the voice (pitch, rate, timbre, volume, etc.) to deliver the text in the most effective way. Includes examining prose, poetry and drama.

ADVANCED PUBLIC SPEAKING: A junior and senior level practicum class. The creation and delivery of speeches at an advanced level, including structure, word choice, scansion, audience analysis, and vocal production.

PUBLIC SPEAKING: a beginning level practicum class in the creation and delivery of speeches.

MEDIA THEORY AND SOCIETY:  An overview of critical theories in communication and mass media, and the history and development of mass media and their effects on society.

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SYLLABI FOR CURRENT COURSES

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OTHER MEDIA LINKS I LIKE

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You can reach me by e-mail at: richt@turbonet.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

This page was created by Richard F. Taflinger. Thus, all errors, bad links, and even worse style are entirely his fault.

Copyright © 1996, 2011 Richard F. Taflinger.
This and all other pages created by and containing the original work of Richard F. Taflinger are copyrighted, and are thus subject to fair use policies, and may not be copied, in whole or in part, without express written permission of the author richt@turbonet.com

Disclaimers
The information provided on this and other pages by me, Richard F. Taflinger (richt@turbonet.com), is under my own personal responsibility and not that of Washington State University or the Edward R. Murrow College of Communication. Similarly, any opinions expressed are my own and are in no way to be taken as those of WSU or ERMCC.

In addition,
I, Richard F. Taflinger, accept no responsibility for WSU or ERMCC material or policies. Statements issued on behalf of Washington State University are in no way to be taken as reflecting my own opinions or those of any other individual. Nor do I take responsibility for the contents of any Web Pages listed here other than my own.