Dr. Brenda Cooper
Curriculum Vita
Fall 2011
Department of Journalism & Communication
Utah State University
Logan, Utah 84322-4605
435-797-3253/3292; 3973 FAX
Interview: Contemporary Western Women, Utah Public Radio, May 2011
EDUCATION
Ph.D. School of Interpersonal Communication, Ohio University, Athens. 1991.
MA, Department of Communication, University of Dayton, Ohio. 1988.
BA, Department of Communication, Wright State University, Dayton, Ohio. 1986.
• • •
EMPLOYMENT
Associate Professor, Department of Journalism and Communication, Utah State University. 2000-present.
Assistant Professor, Department of Journalism and Communication, Utah State University. 1994-2000.
Director, Women & Gender Studies, Utah State University. 1997-2002; 2005-2010.
Assistant Professor, Department of Communication & Theatre, Kean College, Union, NJ. 1992-94.
Assistant Professor, Department of Humanities, Trinity College, Burlington, VT, 1992; Instructor, 1991.
• • •
RESEARCH
Peer Reviewed Research
Cooper, B., & Pease, E. C. (2009). The Mormons versus the “Armies of Satan”: Competing Frames of Morality in the Brokeback Mountain Controversy in Utah Newspapers. Western Journal of Communication, 73 (2), 134-156.
Cooper, B., & Pease, E. C. (2008). Framing Brokeback Mountain: How the Popular Press Corralled the “Gay Cowboy Movie.” Critical Studies in Media Communication, 25, 248-273.
Cooper, B., & Pease, E. C. (2002). “‘Don’t Want No Short People ’Round Here”: Confronting Heterosexism’s Intolerance Through Comic and Disruptive Narratives in Ally McBeal.” Western Journal of Communication, 66, 300-318.
Cooper, B. (2002). “Boys Don’t Cry & Female Masculinity: Reclaiming a Life and Dismantling the Politics of Normative Heterosexuality.” Critical Studies in Media Communication,19, 44-63.
_____. (2001). “Unapologetic Women, ‘Comic Men’ and Feminine Spectatorship in David E. Kelley’s Ally McBeal.” Critical Studies in Mass Communication, 18, 416-435,
_____. (2000). “‘Chick Flicks’ as Feminist Texts: The Appropriation of the Male Gaze in Thelma & Louise.” Women’s Studies in Communication 23 (3), 277-306.
_____. (1999). “Relevancy and Gender Identity in Spectators’ Interpretations of Thelma & Louise.” Critical Studies in Mass Communication, 16, 20-41.
_____. (1999) “Hegemony and Hollywood: A Critique of Cinematic Distortions of Women of Color and Their Stories.” American Communication Journal, 2 (2). Available:
http://acjournal.org/holdings/vol2/Iss2/articles/brendacooper/index.html (Nominated as American Communication Journal 1999 Article of the Year Award).
_____. (1998). “‘The White-Black Fault Line’: Relevancy of Race and Racism in Spectators’ Experiences of Spike Lee’s Do the Right Thing.” The Howard Journal of Communications, 9, 205-228.
Cooper, B., & Descutner, D. (1997). “Strategic Silences and Transgressive Metaphors in Out of Africa: Isak Dinesen’s Double-Voiced Rhetoric of Complicity and Subversion.” Southern Communication Journal. 62, 333-343.
_____. (1997). “‘It’s Going to be a Rough Ride, Buddy!’ An Analysis of the Collision Between ‘Hate Speech’ and Free Expression in Students’ Experiences of the Khallid Muhammad Controversy.” The Howard Journal of Communications, 8, 15-39.
Cooper, B., & Descutner, D. (1996). “‘It Had No Voice To It.’: Sydney Pollack’s Film Translation of Isak Dinesen’s Out of Africa.” Quarterly Journal of Speech, 82, 228-250.
Cooper, B. (1989) “Rehabilitating a Rebel: A Burkean Analysis of the Image of Jane Fonda,” Speech Association of Minnesota Journal, 16:17-34.
Book Chapters
Cooper, B. (In Press). “The White-Black Fault Line”: Relevancy of Race and Racism in Spectators’ Experiences of Spike Lee’s Do the Right Thing. In A. A. Tait & A. S. Hayes (Eds.), Essays on African American Owned Media. Lewiston, New York and Ceredigion, U.K: Edwin Mellen Press.
Cooper, B. (2011). "Boys Don’t Cry & Female Masculinity: Reclaiming a Life and Dismantling the Politics of Normative Heterosexuality.” In M.C. Kearney (Ed.), The Gender & Media Reader. NY: Routledge.
Cooper, B. (2011). "Boys Don’t Cry & Female Masculinity: Reclaiming a Life and Dismantling the Politics of Normative Heterosexuality.” In M.C. Kearney (Ed.), The Gender & Media Reader. NY: Routledge.
Cooper, B. (2004). Hollywood’s Distortions of Women of Color and Their Stories. In G. T. Meiss & A. A. Tait (Eds.), Ethnic Media in America: Images, Audiences and Transforming Forces (pp. 109-134). Dubuque IA: Kendall/Hunt Publishing.
Cooper, B. (2004). “The White-Black Fault Line”: Relevancy of Race and Racism in Spectators’ Experiences of Spike Lee’s Do the Right Thing. In G. T. Meiss & A. A. Tait (Eds.), Ethnic Media in America: Images, Audiences and Transforming Forces (pp. 187-212). Dubuque IA: Kendall/Hunt Publishing.
Cooper, B. (1997). “America’s ‘Rough Ride’ Through Race, Hate Speech and Free Expression.” In S. Biagi & M. Kern-Foxworth (Eds.), Facing Difference: How the Media Reflect Who We Are (pp. 60-68). Newbury Park, CA: Pine Forge Press.
Cooper, B., Descutner, D., & Alspach, S. (1994). “From Celebrity Entrepreneur to Civic Hero: Donald Trump’s Campaign of Self-Transformation.” In S. J. Drucker & R.S. Cathcart (Eds.), American Heroes in a Media Age (pp. 188-202). Cresskill, NJ: Hampton Press, 1994.
Selected other publications & Interviews
Cooper, B. (2011, May 11). Contemporary Western Women, Interview for Utah Public Radio and the Center for Women & Gender, Utah State University.
Cooper, B. (2006, January 23). ‘Brokeback’ heartache hits close to home.’ Logan Herald Journal, p. A4.
Cooper, B. (2006, January 23). ‘Brokeback’ heartache hits close to home.’ Logan Herald Journal, p. A4.
Cooper, B. (2000, January 11). “Lessons from Woody.” Newsweek online (“My Turn: Family Heroes” section)
Cooper, B. (1997, April 18). “Two Roads: Caregivers, Families, Friends — USU Exhibit Shares the Lives that AIDS Leaves Behind.” Cache Magazine, The Logan Herald Journal, pp. 11-13.
Peer Reviewed conference papers
Cooper, B., & Pease, E.C. (2001). “Don’t Want No Short People ’Round Here”: Disrupting Heterosexual Ideology in the Comic Narratives of Ally McBeal. Presented to the Critical & Cultural Studies Division at the National Convention of the Association for Education in Journalism & Mass Communication, Washington, D.C.
Cooper, B. (1999). Ally McBeal vs. Hollywood’s Male Gaze—Round One. Presented to Qualitative Studies Division at the National Convention of the Association for Education in Journalism & Mass Communication, New Orleans.
_____ (1999). Women ‘Return the Look’: Appropriation of the Male Gaze in Ally McBeal. Popular Culture Association and American Culture Association National Convention, San Diego.
_____ (1998). Hegemony and the Re-Creation of Dominant Culture: A Critique of Hollywood’s Cinematic Distortions of Women of Color and Their Stories.” Presented to the Qualitative Studies Division at the National Convention of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication, Baltimore.
_____ (1995). “Reading Thelma & Louise: A Phenomenological Analysis of Viewers’ Experiences of Film.” Presented to Feminist and Women’s Studies Division of the Speech Communication Association, San Antonio.
_____ (1995). ‘It‘s Going To Be Rough Ride, Buddy!’ A Phenomenological Analysis of the Collision Between ‘Hate Speech’ and Free Expression in Students’ Experiences of the Khallid Muhammad Controversy. Presented to the Qualitative Studies Division of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication, Washington.
Cooper, B., & Descutner, D. (1994). Empowering Silences: The Strategic Use of Structuring Absences in Isak Dinesen’s Out of Africa. Presented to the Feminist and Women’s Studies Division of the Speech Communication Association, New Orleans.
_____ (1993). Silences That Speak: The Interaction of Public and Private Discourse in ‘Out of Africa.’ Presented to the Feminist and Women’s Studies Division of the Speech Communication Association, Miami Beach.
_____ (1993). Revelatory Silences: A Critical Analysis of the Structuring Absences in ‘Out of Africa.’ Presented to the Commission on the Status of Women at the National Convention of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication, Kansas City, MO.
_____ (1993). The Politics of Patriarchy in ‘Out of Africa.’ Presented to the Feminist Scholarship Division at the National Convention of the International Communication Association, Washington, D.C.
_____ (1992). Conflicting Visions of Isak Dinesen’s Africa. Presented to the Qualitative Studies Division at the National Convention of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication, Montreal.
Cooper, B., Rogers, C., & Jenkins, G. (1990). Depictions of Men & Women in Advertising: Time & Ladies’ Home Journal, 1930s-1980s. Presented to the Committee on the Status of Women, National Convention of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication, Minneapolis.
Cooper, B. (1989). Breaking Media’s Sexist Bonds? An Analysis of Female Roles in Jane Fonda’s Films. Presented to the Rhetorical and Communication Theory Division of the Speech Communication Association National Convention, San Francisco.
Cooper, B., & Descutner, D. (1989). From Celebrity Entrepreneur to Civic Hero: Donald Trump’s Campaign of Self-Transformation. Presented to invited research seminar, “The Hero, The Celebrity and the Fan as Communication Phenomenon,” Speech Communication Association National Convention, San Francisco.
Cooper, B. (1989). From Outcast to Oracle: The Rehabilitation of Jane Fonda in the Press. Presented to the Committee on the Status of Women, National Convention of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication, Washington, D.C.
_____ (1989). Kenneth Burke Goes to the Movies: An Analysis of Identification Strategies in Jane Fonda’s Films. Central States Communication Association, Kansas City, MO.
• • •
TEACHING
2011 Media Smarts: Making Sense of the Information Age (USU JCOM 2010). A GenEd media literacy course designed to expand students’ critical understanding of the role of media in society, and to help them develop critical skills to evaluate media messages.
2010 Media Smarts: Making Sense of the Information Age (USU JCOM 2010).
Introduction to Women & Gender Studies (USU WGS 1010). Students develop critical skills to explore gender issues, from both historical and contemporary perspective. Emphasis is on women’s and men’s diverse experiences and contributions, including cultural beliefs, representations of women and men and their respective roles in society. The course also addresses men’s studies and gender identities. Includes theoretical models, research, and readings pertinent to the interdisciplinary study of gender.
Media Criticism (USU JCOM 5400/6400). Genders & Sexualities. Students examine how media representations of sexual minorities work to perpetuate or disrupt cultural heteronormativity and its boundaries. Since the 1960s, queer people have become increasingly visible in the media. Students investigate how queer identities are defined and negotiated in media narratives and the paradoxes of visibility, including how media depictions of sexual minorities may simultaneously contribute to and challenge harmful stereotypes of the GLBT community.
2009 Media Smarts: Making Sense of the Information Age (USU JCOM 2010).
Introduction to Women & Gender Studies (USU WGS 1010).
Gender & Mass Media (USU JCOM/WGS 4410 & 5410). Examines the nature of gender images in a wide variety of popular media genres. Students analyze gender stereotypes and portrayals in a broad range of news and popular mass media forms, the interdependence of gender images, and constraints and power differentials within the media industry.
2008 Media Smarts: Making Sense of the Information Age (USU JCOM 2010).
Introduction to Women & Gender Studies (USU WGS 1010).
Gender & Mass Media (USU JCOM/WGS 4410 & 5410).
2007 On Sabbatical
2006, Fall Introduction to Graduate Studies (USU JCOM 6000). Theory and practice of research within the social sciences generally and in the mass communication field in particular; critical analysis of mass media, with emphasis on the media’s social, cultural and political impacts, and appropriate research methodology.
Media Criticism (USU JCOM 5400/6400). Critical analysis of mass media, with emphasis on the media’s social, cultural and political impacts, and appropriate research methodology.
Media Smarts: Making Sense of the Information Age (USU JCOM 2010).
Introduction to Women & Gender Studies (USU WGS 1010).
2005-06 Introduction to Graduate Studies (USU JCOM 6000).
Media Criticism (USU JCOM 5400/6400).
Media Smarts: Making Sense of the Information Age (USU JCOM 2000).
Introduction to Women & Gender Studies (USU WGS 1010).
2004-05 Introduction to Graduate Studies (USU JCOM 6000).
Media Criticism (USU JCOM 5400/6400).
Media Smarts: Making Sense of the Information Age (USU JCOM 2000).
2003-04 Introduction to Graduate Studies (USU JCOM 6000).
Media Criticism (USU JCOM 5400/6400).
Media Smarts: Making Sense of the Information Age (USU COMM 2000).
2002-03 Gender and Mass Media (USU COMM 5410/6410).
Media Smarts: Making Sense of the Information Age (USU COMM 2000).
Introduction to Graduate Studies (USU JCOM 6000).
2001-02 Media Criticism (USU JCOM 5400/6400).
Media Smarts: Making Sense of the Information Age (USU JCOM 2000).
1999-00 Gender and Mass Media (USU JCOM 5410/6410).
Media Smarts: Making Sense of the Information Age (USU JCOM 2000).
Film as Cultural Communication: Women, Feminism & Film (USU JCOM 3410). The various economic, political and cultural constraints that influence the ways women and feminism are represented in Hollywood’s dominant patriarchal environment.
Media Criticism (USU JCOM 5400/6400).
1998-1999 Media Smarts:Making Sense of the Information Age (USU JCOM 2000).
Gender and Mass Media (USU JCOM 5410/6410).
Film as Cultural Communication: Women, Feminism & Film (USU JCOM 3410).
1998-99 Gender and Communication (USU JCOM 3400). Analyzes processes through which communication creates and recreates gender roles and ideals for women and men.
Media Criticism (USU JCOM 5400/6400).
Gender and Mass Media (USU JCOM 5410/6410).
1997-98 Media Criticism (USU COMM 499).
Women and Media (USU COMM 499).
Film as Cultural Communication: Translating Women’s Stories to Film (USU COMM 499). Economic, political and cultural constraints that influence the ways in which stories written by women are changed, distorted and altered when translated to film.
Gender and Communication (USU COMM 499).
1996-97 Film as Cultural Communication: Translating Women’s Stories to Film (USU COMM 499).
Women and Media (USU COMM 499).
Media Criticism (USU COMM 499).
Gender and Communication (USU COMM 499).
1995-96 Media Smarts: Making Sense of the Information Age (USU HU 481H—HASS Senior Honors Seminar). A “media civics” course designed to provide students with the savvy about media content and practices to “read” behind the surface of mass media content.
Interpersonal Communication (USU SPCH 260).
Gender and Communication (USU COMM 499).
Women and Media (USU COMM 499).
Interpersonal Communication (USU SPCH 260).
1994-95 Media Criticism (USU COMM 499).
Interpersonal Communication (USU SPCH 260).
Media Criticism (Kean COMM 3540).
Speech Communication (Kean COMM 1400).
1993-94 Gender, Language and Communication (Kean COMM 3630). The processes through which different areas of communication (intrapersonal, interpersonal, small group, organizational and mass media) create and recreate gender roles and ideals.
Media Criticism (Kean COMM 3540).
Introduction to Mass Media (Kean COMM 2500).
Telecommunications (Kean COMM 4520). Social, cultural, economic and political consequences of telecommunications technology.
Speech Communication (Kean COMM 1400).
1992-93 History of Broadcasting (Kean COMM 3550).
Speech Communication (Kean COMM 1400).
Writing, Language and Communication (Trinity COM 100). Students examine relationships between language and communication in both written and oral forms.
Effective Speaking (Trinity COM 120). Theory and practice of public speaking.
Gender, Language and Communication (Trinity COM/PSY 383).
Communication Internship (Trinity COM 450).
1991-92 Communication Seminar (Trinity COM 400). Senior-level “capstone” course integrating the professional and practical experiences of student internships with theoretical foundations of communication.
Writing, Language and Communication (Trinity COM 100). Interaction between written and oral communication, theories of argument and criticism.
Interpersonal Communication (Ohio INCO 206).
Gender and Communication (Ohio INCO 420).
1990-91 Gender and Communication (Ohio INCO 420)
Interpersonal Communication (Ohio INCO 206).
1989-90 Gender and Communication (Ohio INCO 420).
Interpersonal Communication (Ohio INCO 206)
1988-89 Public Speaking (Ohio INCO 103).
1984-88 Fundamentals of Oral Communication (Dayton COM 101).
Interpersonal Communication (Dayton COM 308).
Essentials of Public Address (Wright State COM 101).
• • •
PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES
Editorial Boards
• Editorial Board, Critical Studies in Media Communication, 2002-present.
• Editorial Board, Western Journal of Communication, 2002-2006.
• Editorial Board, Communication Studies, 2005-2006.
Invited Guest Reviewer: Feminist Media Studies and Agenda: Empowering Women for Gender Equity (South Africa).
Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication
• Research Paper Reviewer, Commission on the Status of Women.
• Member since 1987.
National Communication Association (formerly Speech Communication Association)
• Invited Panelist, The ‘Critical Question’: Teaching Media Smarts, 1995 SCA National Convention, San Antonio.
• Member since 1988.
Western Speech Communication Association
• Invited Presenter, Teaching Tolerance for the ‘F Word’—‘Feminism’ in the Mass Media, on panel titled “Teaching Tolerance in an Intolerant Age.” 1997 WSCA Convention, Monterey, CA.
• Member since 1994.
Central States Communication Association
• Moderator, Panel of Journal Editors, 1989 CSCA Convention, Kansas City, MO.
• Assistant to Convention Coordinator/CSCA President, 1989 CSCA Convention, Kansas City, MO.
• Member 1988-1991.
Eastern Communication Association
• Member 1992-1994.
Speech Communication Association of Ohio
• Discussant, Rhetoric and Criticism Panel, 1987 SCAO Convention, Columbus.
• Member 1990-1992.
Utah Women-Centered Programs Conference
• 1997, University of Utah
• 1996, Utah State University
• • •
HONORS, GRANTS & AWARDS
2007, ADVANCE associate-to-full mini grant ($2000): “From ‘Hanoi Jane’ to “Saddam’s Angels’: Disciplining the Dixie Chicks.” Grant awarded (Su07) to support research investigating national news coverage of the controversy surrounding the Dixie Chicks’ criticism of President Bush on the eve of the 2003 Iraq invasion.
2006, Faculty Service of the Year Award, Department of Journalism & Communication, Utah State University.
2000, Teacher of the Year, Department of Journalism & Communication, Utah State University.
2000, Teacher of the Year nominee, College of Humanities, Arts & Social Sciences, Utah State University.
1999, American Communication Journal Article of the Year Award nominee, for Hegemony and Hollywood: A Critique of Cinematic Distortions of Women of Color and Their Stories.
1998, “Top Prof” Award, USU Mortar Board Society.
1997, USU Women’s Studies Incentive Grant: Introduction to Women’s Studies.
1997, “Outstanding Prof” Award, USU Greek System.
1995, USU New Faculty Research Grant: Hollywood‘s Adaptation of Women’s Stories: A Textual Analysis.
1995, USU Course Development Grant (with Dr. Edward C. Pease): Media Smarts: Making Sense of the Information Age (piloted as HU 481H: Senior Honors Seminar, College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences).
1995, USU Women’s Studies Incentive Grant: Women and Media.
1992, Dissertation Award nominee, Speech Communication Association. Through the Eyes of Gender in Hollywood: Conflicting Rhetorical Visions of Isak Dinesen’s Africa, School of Interpersonal Communication, Ohio University, 1991 doctoral dissertation.
• • •
SERVICE
University
Director, Women & Gender Studies, Utah State University. 1997-2002; 2005-2010.
Executive Board, Tri-Council for Gender Programs, 1997-2002; 2005-2010.
Campus Climate from Women Committee, 2005-2006.
Women & Gender Studies Steering Committee. 1994-2010.
USU Library Liaison Committee, Utah State University. 1994-present.
HASS Honors Council. 1997-1998.
Executive Board, USU American Studies Program. 1998-2000.
College of Humanities and Social Sciences
Ombudsperson, 2004-2006; 2010-present.
CHaSS Undergraduate Council, 2009-present.
Presenter, with Edward C. Pease, Hass Hour, Spring 2010
Reviewer, Faculty Research Grant proposals, 1999.
Tanner Symposium Steering Committee, 1994; Host/introducer for Symposium presenter Dr. Martha Viehmann, May 1995; host for Symposium presenter, Lawrence K. Grossman, 1996.
USU Department of Journalism and Communication
Chair, Writing Faculty search committee, 2010-2011.
Internship Director, 2010-present.
Morris Media & Society Lecture Series Committee.
Member, PR and Broadcast Faculty search committees, 2009-2010.
Chair, one tenure & promotion committee, member of one other T&P committee. 2001-2008.
Undergraduate research faculty mentor, 2005-2007.
Member of three JCOM thesis committees, head of one thesis committee.
Interim Graduate Coordinator. Fall 2002.
Faculty mentor, undergraduate teaching fellows, 1998-present.
Assessment & Mission Committee. 1998-2005.
Self-Study Committee. 1995-1997.
Curriculum Committee. 1994-2005.
Graduate Committee. 1994-present.
Invited Guest, Access Utah, “Women’s Studies at Utah State University,” KUSU-FM, Sept. 18, 1997.
Invited Presenter, Campus Connection: Feminist Majority “Speak Out,” 1997.
Invited Presenter, Cache Valley AIDS Council World AIDS Day commemorative service, Utah State University, 1996.
Presenter, College of HASS Faculty Research Grant Meeting, 1996.
Presenter, “Over the Cliff with Thelma & Louise: How Women and Men See Film.” USU Women & Gender Research Institute, 1996.
Presenter, “The Media’s Role in Cultivating Attitudes That Encourage Eating Disorders in Young Women.” USU Tri-Council for Gender Programs, 1996.
Faculty/Staff Library Committee, Kean College, 1993-1994.
Curriculum Committee, Department of Communication & Theatre, Kean College, 1992-1994.
Library Liaison, Department of Communication & Theatre, Library Periodicals Collection Committee, Kean College. 1992-1994.
Faculty Advisor, Student Communication Assn., Kean College, 1992-1994.
Faculty Advisor, Communication Internships, Trinity College, 1992.
Communication Curriculum Committee, Trinity College, organizing Humanities Department self-study of communication major and curriculum. 1991-1992.
