JOHN CARL MEYER
Professor of Communication Studies

University of Southern Mississippi
Communication Studies Department
118 College Dr. # 5131
Hattiesburg, MS  39406
(601) 266‑4280      (601) 266‑4271

EDUCATION

Ph.D., 1991, University of Kansas, Lawrence. 
                   (Communication Studies.) 

M. A., 1988, University of Kansas, Lawrence. 
                   (Communication Studies.)
          Thesis:  Ronald Reagan and Humor:  Three Theoretical Approaches to a Politician and his Velvet Weapon. 

B. S., 1986, Phillips University, Enid, Oklahoma; summa cum laude.
                   (Major:  Mass Communication).
          Coursework included writing for newspaper publication and radio broadcast and assisting in the filming of an educational documentary.

PROFESSOR, Communication Studies, University of Southern Mississippi (8/2003 - present);
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR, University of Southern Mississippi (8/1996 - 8/2003);
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR, University of Southern Mississippi  (8/1991 - 8/1996). 
               809  Seminar on Negotiation and Conflict Resolution
               745  Seminar on Humor and Communication Research 
               725  Seminar on Organizational Communication Cultures
               610  Problems in Organizational Communication
               492  Capstone Experience
               450  Seminar on Humor in Communication
               450  Seminar on Communication and Organizational Culture
               425  Communication and Conflict Resolution
               420  Organizational Communication II
               410  Organizational Communication I
               330  Small Group Communication
               320  Business and Professional Speaking
               HON 301  Prospectus Writing
               312  Interviewing
               305  Interpersonal Communication
               111  Oral Communication
               UNV 101 University Success Skills (First Year/Transfer Orientation)
GRADUATE TEACHING ASSISTANT, University of Kansas (8/1986 - 5/1991).
                   COMS 331  Persuasive Speaking
                   COMS 310  Introduction to Organizational Communication
                   COMS 150  Personal Communication
                   COMS 130  Fundamentals of Speech

 Organizational Communication                                                                            Public Communication
     --values and the use of narratives in organizations                                                --the use of humor in communication
     --children's communication strategies in day care                                                 --dramatism and narratives in politics
     --communication and conflict

Book
          (2003).  Kids Talking: Learning Relationships and Culture With Children.
Lanham, MD:  Rowman & Littlefield.  ISBN 0-7425-2706-9

Journals
            (2008; 2007; 2006).  Editor, Southern Communication Journal, 71, 72, 73.

            (2004).  Guest Editor, Special Issue: Organizational Discourse and Citizenship.  Southern Communication Journal, 69, 183-272.

Articles
            (2009).  Unity in response to mystery:  Uniting diverse views to plan worship.  Journal of Communication and Religion, 32, 62-92. 

Ramsey, M.C., Knight, R. A., Knight, M. L., & Meyer, J. C. (2009). Humor, organizational identification, and worker trust: An independent groups analysis of humor’s identification and differentiation functions. The Northwest Communication Association Journal, 39(1), 9-35.

            (2004).  Organizational discourse and citizenship: A special issue introduction.  Southern Communication Journal, 69, 183-187.

            (2002).  Organizational communication assessment: Fuzzy methods and the accessibility of symbols.  Management Communication Quarterly, 15, 472-479.

            (2000).  Humor as a double-edged sword:  Four functions of humor in communication.  Communication Theory, 10 (3), 310-331.

            Madden, S. J., & Meyer, J. C. (2000).  A communication-centered field test of organizational subcultures in health care.  Ohio Speech Journal, 37, 19-44.

            (1997).  Humor in member narratives:  Uniting and dividing at work.  Western Journal of Communication, 61, 188-208. 

            . . . & Driskill, G. (1997).  Children and relationship development:  Communication strategies in a day care center.  Communication Reports, 10, 75-85. 

            (1995).  Seeking organizational unity:  Building bridges in response to mystery.  Southern Communication Journal, 61, 210-219. 

            (1995).  Tell me a story:  Eliciting organizational values from narratives.  Communication Quarterly, 43, 210-224. 

            (1993).  Personal constructs as indicators of cultural values (with B. D. Sypher).  Southern Communication Journal, 58, 227-238. 

            (1990).  Ronald Reagan and humor:  A politician's velvet weapon.  Communication  Studies, 41, 76-88.

            (1990).  Theodore Roosevelt's enactment of sincerity in Milwaukee.  Kansas Speech Journal, 50 (2), 9-20. 

Book Chapters
            (2009).  Kids, Parents, and Organization:  Cooperation and Conflict in a Child Development Center Culture.  In T. J. Socha & G. H. Stamp (Eds.), Parents and children communicating with society:  Managing relationships outside of home.  New York:  Routledge, Taylor and Francis (pp. 38-55). 

. . . & Driskill, G. (2000).  Helping tots talk to tots.  In C. G. Waugh, W. I. Gorden, & K. M. Golden (Eds.), Let's talk:  A cognitive skills approach to interpersonal communication (pp. 390-394).  Dubuque, IA:  Kendall-Hunt. 

            . . . & Carlin, D. B. (1994).  The impact of formats on voter reaction.  In D. B. Carlin & M. S. McKinney (Eds.), The 1992 presidential debates in focus (pp. 69-83).  Westport, CT:  Praeger.

Book Reviews
            (2001).  Review of G. Cheney, Values at work: Employee participation meets market pressure at Mondragon (Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press, 1999).  Southern Communication Journal, 66, 169-170.

(2010).  Humor in communication: A personal account of research so far.  Panel: Spotlight on John C. Meyer:  Communication Theory Outstanding Scholar.  Southern States Communication Association Annual Convention, Memphis, TN, April 9.

(2008).  Developing a model of humor:  Insights from attempted communication applications.  National Communication Association Annual Convention, San Diego, CA, November 20. 

                (2008).  Integrating theory in the Humor and Communication course.  Southern States Communication Association Annual Convention, Sanannah, GA, April 3. 

(2006).  Talking to Children: Shifting Personal and Research Connections.  Paper presented at the Taking Children Seriously Preconference at the National Communication Association Annual Convention, San Antonio, TX, November 15.
               
                (2005).  Communication Activism: Applied Communication for the 21st Century–How Far Can We Take This?  A Response to Larry Frey.  Southern States Communication Association Annual Convention, Baton Rouge, LA: April 2. 

                (2005).  Tenure and Promotion.  Southern States Communication Association Annual Convention, Baton Rouge, LA: April 2. 

                (2005).  The Journey from Submission to Publication: A Reviewer’s Perspective.  Southern States Communication Association Annual Convention, Baton Rouge, LA: April 1.

                Driskill, G. W., & Meyer, J. C. (2004).  Is Love Enough to Unite?  Exploring the Dialectic Tensions Between Unity and Division in a Church Unity Movement.  National Communication Association Annual Convention, Chicago, IL: November 13. 
               
                (2003). Thoughts on implementing the Warters model of campus mediation.  National Communication Association Annual Convention, Miami Beach, FL: November 21. 

                (2002). Unity in the face of ultimate mystery: Uniting in diversity to serve the One God.  National Communication Association Annual Convention, New Orleans, LA: November 21.

                (2002). Parenting a child with a disability: Balancing help and independence, or integrating a special child through communication.  National Communication Association Annual Convention, New Orleans, LA: November 22

                (2001).  Organizational communication assessment: Fuzzy methods and the accessibility of symbols.  National Communication Association Annual Convention, Atlanta, GA: November 1. 

                (2001).  Teaching organizational cultures: Humor as reinforcer.  Southern States Communication Association Annual Convention, Lexington, KY: April 5. 

                (2000).  The symbolic role of organizational message artifacts in a communication system assessment.  Southern States Communication Association Annual Convention, New Orleans, LA:  April 1. 

                (1998).  Back to basics in an organization:  Technology in child care centers.  National Communication Association Annual Convention, New York City:  November 23. 

                Wells, D., & Meyer, J. (1998).  Assessment past and future:  A review of trends.  National Communication Association Annual Convention, New York City:  November 23. 

                (1998).  Humor as a political boundary-setter:  Warm fuzzies and double edges in political rhetoric.  National Communication Association Annual Convention, New York City:  November 21. 

                (1998).  Humor as communication's unifying and dividing tool.   Southern States Communication Association Annual Convention, San Antonio, TX:  April 3. 

                (1998).  Commentary on organizational communication textbooks.  Southern States Communication Association Annual Convention, San Antonio, TX:  April 2. 

                (1997).  Tips for teaching conflict management.  Mississippi Speech Communication Organization Annual Convention, Raymond, MS:  September 20. 

                . . . & Driskill, G. (1996).  Participant observation methods for communication consultation with day care workers:  A case study.  Speech Communication Association Annual Convention, San Diego, CA:  November 25. 

                (1996).  Organization members as mentors:  The paradox of conflicting roles.  Speech Communication Association Annual Convention, San Diego, CA:  November 23. 

                (1996).  Humor in narratives:  Uniting and dividing at work.  Southern States Communication Association Annual Convention, Memphis, TN:  March 28. 

                (1994).  Teaching through teams in communication courses.  Speech Communication Association Annual Convention, New Orleans, LA:  November 22. 

                Driskill, G. W., & Meyer, J. (1994).  Language games in the day care:  Action research and the coordinated management of meaning.  Speech Communication Association Annual Convention, New Orleans, LA:  Nov. 20.

                (1994).  Kids talking to kids:  Communication strategies and values in a day care culture.  Central States Communication Association Annual Convention, Oklahoma City, OK:  April 10.

                (1994).  A conflict management exercise.  Central States Communication Association Annual Convention, Oklahoma City, OK:  April 8. 

                (1993).  Demagogues:  Democracy's danger.  Southern/Central States Communication Associations Joint Annual Convention, Lexington, KY:  April 18. 

                (1993).  How mystery affects communication:  Kenneth Burke's perspective.  Southern/Central States Communication Associations Joint Annual Convention, Lexington, KY:  April 15.

                (1993).  A group leadership exercise.  Southern/Central States Communication Associations Joint Annual Convention, Lexington, KY:  April 15. 

                Rudloff, J., Meyer, J., & Herold, K. (1993).  A comparison of selected conflict styles to constructed messages in a regulative situation.  Southern/Central States Communication Associations Joint
Annual Convention, Lexington, KY:  April 15. 

                (1992).  Values in narratives:  A key to studying culture in organizations.  Speech Communication Association Annual Convention, Chicago, IL:  October 29. 

                (1992).  Humor in communication:  Unifier and divider.  Speech Communication Association Annual Convention, Chicago, IL:  October 28.

                . . . & Sypher, B. D. (1992).  Values, constructs, and explanatory style in an organization.  International Communication Association Annual Convention, Miami, FL:  May 25. 

                (1992).  Studying organizations rhetorically:  The use of organizational stories.  Southern States Communication Association Annual Convention, San Antonio, TX:  April 10.

                (1991).  'Bounding' a genre of presidential nomination acceptance speeches.  Central States Communication Association Annual Convention, Chicago, IL:  April 11. 

                (1989).  Theodore Roosevelt's enactment of courage and sincerity in Milwaukee.  Kansas Speech Communication Association Annual Convention, Lawrence, KS:  April 29. 

                (1989).  Ronald Reagan and humor:  Three theoretical approaches to a politician and his velvet weapon.  Debut Panel, Top Four Papers.  Central States Communication Association Annual Convention,
Kansas City, MO:  April 16. 

Professional Service: 
Southern States Communication Association:

Vice President-Elect, 2011 -
            Chair, Publications Committee, 2010 - 2011
Editor, Southern Communication Journal, 2006 -  2008
            Editor-Elect, Southern Communication Journal, 2004 - 2005

SSCA representative to the 2000 National Communication Association Nominating Committee.

Chair, Applied Comm. Division, April 1999 - April 2000; April 2005 - April 2006.
Vice-Chair, Applied Communication Division, April 1998 - April 1999; April 2004 - April 2005.  Planned programs for the 1999 Annual Convention, St. Louis, MO; 2005 Annual Convention, Baton Rouge, LA. 
Program Planner, Bostrom Young Scholars Competition, San Antonio, TX, April 4, 1998.
 
            Secretary, Applied Communication Division, April 1995 - April 1997.
            Bylaws Committee, Applied Communication Division, April 1992 - April 1993. 

Manuscript Reviewer:
            Editorial Board, Southern Communication Journal, 2001 – 2004; 2008 -
Human Relations, 2004 – 2008.
            Humour: International Journal of Humor Research, 2004 - 2005.
            Journal of Applied Communication Research, 2001 - 2004.
            Management Communication Quarterly, 1999 - 2002.
            Communication Studies, 1995 - 2000.
Communication Needs of Students at Risk Commission, National Communication Association, 2001, 2002.
Applied Communication Division, Southern States Communication Association, 1993, 1994; 1997, 2000. 
Communication Theory Division, Southern States Communication Association, 1995,  1996; 2001, 2006. 
            Carolinas Communication Annual, 2001. 
            Kansas Speech Journal, 1991 - 1993.
            Journal of the Oklahoma Speech Theatre Communication Association, 1993. 

Community Service:
Volunteer, Pine Belt Family Y Youth Programs, Hattiesburg, MS (after-school
program for children), January 2008 -  .

Volunteer, Peer Group Facilitator, Family Network Partnership, Hattiesburg, MS
                        (after-school program for teenagers and children), August, 2004 – May
2006; August 2007 – December 2007.

Facilitator for Campus/Community Discussion on Teenagers, Campus
Link/Americorps Study Circles, Hattiesburg Public Library, March 22,
2004 and April 5, 2004.

Forensic Judge, Mississippi Health Occupations Students of America, state convention, April 3, 1992.

Classroom Volunteer, Lawrence Community Children's Center (Head Start Program), September 1988 - May 1991.

            Presentations: 
            “My Crazy Colleagues:  Conflict Resolution in the Workplace”
–Greater New Orleans Employee Assistance Professionals Association, May 20, 2005
–Gulf Coast Social Work Conference, Biloxi, MS, February 18, 2005.

            “Communication and Leadership”–Boy Scouts Pine Burr Area Council Powder Horn High Adventurer Skills Resource Management Course, Camp Tiak, MS, October 2, 2004.
            “Business and Professional Speaking”–Pine Belt Chapter of the Public Relations Association of Mississippi, monthly meeting, September 21, 2004. 

            “Conflict in the Workplace”–Hattiesburg Area Women’s Forum 7th Annual Conference, May 20; Society of Human Resource Management chapter meeting, Hattiesburg, MS, June 8, 2004. 

            “Put a Little Humor in Your Life”–National Active Older Adult Day, Hattiesburg Family YMCA, May 27, 2004.

            “Kids Talking”–2nd Annual Mississippi Early Intervention Conference, Hattiesburg, MS, April 30, 2004.

            “Conflict management tips”:
          Pine Belt Family YMCA Summer Camps, Hattiesburg, MS, June, 2008; 2007; 2002; 2000.
                          Pinehaven Family Apartments Children, Hattiesburg, MS, July, 2002; May  - June, 2000.
                          Hattiesburg Affiliate, National Sales and Marketing Executives, October 2001
                          Thames Elementary School Kindergarten, Hattiesburg, MS, April 2001
                          First United Pentecostal Church, Hattiesburg, MS, October 2000.

            “Reading to Children”–North Forrest High School, Basic Skills Class, November 11, 1993. 

Graduate School Service:
Ph.D. Committees Directed:                                                   M. A. Committees Directed:
            Rebecca Woodrick (2009)                                                      Patty Malone (2000)
            Jane Ann Mattina (2008)
            George Pacheco, Jr. (2008)
            Raymond Kyle Jones (2008)
            Matthew Ramsey (2007)
            Heather Grace Stark (2006)                                                   
            Misty Knight (2005)  
            William Cole Franklin (2004)
            Noi Thitirat Phukanchana (2004)                                           
            Sylvia Goldman (2003)
            Doran O’Donnell (2003)
            Stephanie Thomson (2003)

Ph.D. Committees Directing:                                                 
            Jennifer McLaughlin
            Leslie Rodriguez
            Joy Smithson
            Paul Stafford

Chair, Graduate Studies Committee, USM School of Communication, May 1992 - May 1996. 

Chair, Master's Examination Committee, USM Department of Speech Communication, 1992 - 1993. 

University Service:
University of Southern Mississippi Textbook Coordinator, 2010 -

Faculty Excellence in Service Award, College of Arts and Letters, 2007.

Classroom Volunteer, USM Center for Child Development, August 1992 -

Elected College of Liberal Arts/College of Arts and Letters Representative to USM Faculty Senate, June 2000 – June 2004; October 2004 – June 2010.
                        Secretary, June 2009 – June 2010.
                        Secretary-Elect, June 2008 – June 2009.
                                    Chair, Faculty Welfare Committee, August 2001 - June 2004.

Policies and Procedures Committee Member, Department of Speech
Communication, August 2006 -  May 2007; August 2008 - .           

General Studies Advisor, USM College of Arts and Letters/Liberal Arts, June
 1995 – June 2009.

Summer Reading Program Facilitator, August 2002 – August 2006.

Chair, Theater and Dance Department Chair Search Committee, 2005 – 2006.

University Mediation Advisory Board member, Fall 2002 - Spring 2006.

Certificate of Appreciation for Outstanding Service to Students with Disabilities, July, 2005

College Governance Document Committee, USM College of Arts and Letters,
                        Fall 2003.

Dean's Search Committee, USM College of Arts and Letters, Spring 2003.

“Professor of the Year,” 2000, USM Student Communication Association.

Chair, University Research Council, 2000 - 2001.
            Liberal Arts College Representative to the University Research Council, 1998 –
                        2001.
Chaired Liberal Arts College and University Summer Research Grant Selection Committees, 1998, 1999.
           
Elected alternate representative to the College of Liberal Arts Dean’s Advisory Council, 1999-2001.
Member, College Council, USM College of Liberal Arts, September, 1994 - September, 1996. 

Resident Assistant and debate judge, Midwestern Summer Debate Institute, University of Kansas, June - July 1988. 
Graduate Representative to the College Assembly, College of Arts and Sciences, University of Kansas, September 1987 - May 1988.

Presentations and Facilitations: 
Faculty Research Forum, College of Arts and Letters, “Research among Preschool
                        Children,” October 24, 2006.

Faculty Retreat–Department of Theater and Dance, April 6, 2004.

“Managing Conflict in the Workplace”–Residence Life Staff Training Session,  December 8, 2004. 

“How to Be an Effective Listener”–Faculty and Staff Seminar, March 25, 1998. 

“Making Presentations”–Faculty and Staff Seminar, February 26, 1997; Geography Research Methods course, October 28, 1998. 

     GRADUATE STUDENT ASSISTANT TO THE DIRECTOR OF GRADUATE STUDIES
                               9/1988 - 5/1990
          University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS
          Communication Studies Department

     CASHIER                   5/1986 - 8/1986;  5/1983 - 8/1983
          Golden Foods, Lakewood, CO

     BROADCAST PRODUCTION/INTERN   10/1985 - 3/1986
          KGWA-AM/KUAL-FM, Enid, OK
          Recorded commercials and public service messages for
          airing, wrote commercials and news copy.

     OFFICE ASSISTANT          5/1985 - 8/1985;  12/1985
          Gary-Williams Oil Producer, Inc., Englewood, CO

     ASSISTANT EDITOR          1/1984 - 5/1984;  8/1984 - 12/1984
          Phillips University Haymaker, Enid, OK

     BROADCAST NEWS INTERN     5/1984 - 8/1984
          KDEN News Radio, Denver, CO
          Taped network and local feeds, wrote news copy.

     RECEIVING WORKER          5/1984 - 8/1984
          Montgomery Ward, Lakewood, CO
          Served customers, kept warehouse organized.

     OFFICE TRAINEE            6/1982 - 8/1982
          Amoco Production Company, Denver, CO