The Department of Rhetoric and Writing Welcomes New Faculty

The Department of Rhetoric and Writing is excited to announce the addition of two faculty members:

Justin Hodgson

Justin Hodgson recently completed his Ph.D. in Rhetorics, Communication and Information Design at Clemson University. His doctoral research explored the connections and intersections of technologies and rhetorics, and did so by performatively and critically (re)engaging rhetorical invention in the space of the medium/message divide (á la Marshal McLuhan). To do this, Hodgson rendered both a traditional print-based dissertation and a version in a multimedia, ebook platform (Sophie2).

Hodgson's research interests range from digital rhetorics to transcontinental philosophy, with touchstones in classical rhetoric, multimedia rhetorics, visual rhetorics, teaching with technology, game theory, space and place rhetorics, audio/video composition, and experience design.

He has a passion for studying digital rhetorics and for teaching with digital technologies and hopes to be a major contributor to the digital rhetoric and/or "Tech Rhet" presence of the department, the college, and the University.

Rasha Diab

Rasha Diab joins the DRW after completing her Ph.D. work in Composition and Rhetoric, University of Wisconsin-Madison. Diab is also an affiliate of the departments of English and Middle Eastern Studies.

Diab's research and teaching interests include history and theory of rhetoric; contrastive/comparative/intercultural rhetoric; revisionary histories of rhetoric; transnational rhetorical analysis; critical discourse analysis; writing and especially second language writing; and writing center pedagogy.

Her current research project focuses on a rhetorical exploration of an indigenous peacemaking practice in the Arab world called sulh and its use in the international arena. Diab's research also extends to an exploration of the potentials and limitations of peaceable pedagogy especially in relation to the teaching of writing and rhetoric.

Diab brings a commitment to the exploration of rhetorics of peace and potential of (inter)cultural rhetoric to promote understanding and efficacious, communicative encounters.