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Gary Selby

Professor Selby is interested in the ways that public figures exploit particular forms of discourse, such as narrative, liturgy, and eschatological language, in order to persuade audiences to believe and to act in certain ways. His research focuses on public discourse related to racial conflict in America history, as well as of the intersection of rhetoric and religion. Students enjoy his open-hearted sense of humor.

Contact

Communication Expertise

• research methods
• rhetorical theory and criticism
• small group communication
• interpersonal communication

Education

• Ph.D. in Public Communication 1996, University of Maryland
• M.Th. in Theology 1984, Harding University
• B.A. in Social Sciences 1980, Harding University

Highlights of Academic Experience

• Assistant Professorial Lecturer, The George Washington University, 1996-1998
• Adjunct Instructor of Speech Communication, Charles County Community College, 1995-96
• Instructor in Public Presentations, Communications Satellite Corporation (COMSAT), 1990
• Faculty Member in Higher Education (Consultant), MD Dept. of Health and Mental Hygiene, AIDS Administration, 1990-93

Examples of Publications

• Selby, G. (2000). "The Limits of accommodation: Frederick Douglass and the Garrisonian Abolitionists." Southern Communication Journal, 66, 52-66.
• G. Selby (1999). " 'Blameless at this coming': The discursive construction of eschatological reality in 1 Thessalonians." Rhetorica, 17, 385-410.
• G. Selby (1998). "A Rhetorical Liturgy: Ephesians 1 and the problem of race relations in the early Christian church." Advances in the History of Rhetoric, 2,11-20.

Highlights of Honors and Awards

• Morton A. Bender Teaching Award, George Washington University, 1999
• Outstanding Dissertation Award, American Society for the History of Rhetoric, 1995-96
• Christian Scholarship Foundation Graduate Fellowship Award, 1991-92

Highlights in Professional Honors, Organizations and Associations

• National Communication Association
• International Society for the History of Rhetoric

Personal

• interests: reading, skiing, sailing, sports, travel, music
• family: Tammy (wife), Joel and Tyler (children), Raven the dog
• fav. pizza topping: extra cheese, pepperoni, sausage

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