JOHN CARL MEYER
Professor of Communication Studies
University of Southern Mississippi
Communication Studies Department
118 College Dr. # 5131
Hattiesburg, MS 39406
(601) 2664280 (601) 2664271
EDUCATION
Ph.D., 1991, University of Kansas, Lawrence.
(Communication Studies.)
Dissertation: Values and Narratives in Organizational Messages.
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.
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
PROFESSOR OF COMMUNICATION STUDIES, University of Southern Mississippi (8/2003 -
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR, University of Southern Mississippi (8/1996 - 8/2003);
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR, University of Southern Mississippi (8/1991 - 8/1996).
CM 809 Seminar on Qualitative Research Methods
CM 745 Seminar on Humor and Communication Research
CM 725 Seminar on Organizational Communication Cultures
CM 625 Seminar on Communication, Conflict, and Negotiation
CM 610 Problems in Organizational Communication
CM 492, 493 Capstone Experience
CM 450 Seminar on Humor in Communication
CM 450 Seminar on Communication and Organizational Culture
CM 425 Communication and Conflict Resolution
CM 420 Organizational Communication II
CM 410 Organizational Communication I
CM 330 Small Group Communication
CM 320 Business and Professional Speaking
CM 312 Interviewing
CM 305 Interpersonal Communication
HON 301 Prospectus Writing
CM 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
MEYER 3
TEACHING AND RESEARCH INTERESTS
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 – narratives in organizational rhetoric
–communication and conflict
PUBLICATIONS
Books
(2015). Understanding Humor through Communication: Why Be Funny, Anyway? Lanham, MD: Lexington. ISBN 978-1-4985-0316-7
(2003). Kids Talking: Learning Relationships and Culture With Children.
Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield. ISBN 0-7425-2706-9
Journals
2014 SSCA Presidential Address: Communication, relationships, and the choices we make. Southern Communication Journal, 79, 172-179.
(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
Driskill, G. W., Arjannikova, A., & Meyer, J. (2014). A dialectic analysis of a community forum on faith: The “most segregated” or separated hour? Journal of Applied Communication Research, 42, 477-496. doi: 10.1080/00909882.2014.880938
Driskill, G. W., Meyer, J., & Mirivel, J. C. (2012). Managing dialectics to make a difference: Tension management in a community-building organization. Communication Studies, 63, 243-261.
(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, andworker 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.
. . . & Sypher, B. D. (1993). Personal constructs as indicators of cultural values 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
(2015). No victory: Leadership and dissension in church. In M. C. Ramsey, Issues of culture and conflict: Case studies in organizational communication. Dubuque, IA: Kendall Hunt.
Pacheco, G. Jr., & Meyer, J. (2013). Persuasive humor. In S. T. Wahl, Persuasion in your life. Boston, MA: Pearson (pp. 311-327).
(2012). Humor functions in communication. In R. L. DiCioccio (Ed.), Humor communication: Theory, impact, and outcomes. Dubuque, IA: Kendall-Hunt (pp. 21-33).
(2012). Humor as personal relationship enhancer: Positivity for the long term. In T. J. Socha & M. J. Pitts (Eds.), The positive side of interpersonal communication. New York: Peter Lang (pp. 161-177).
(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).
(2004). Theoretical essay: Humor as a double-edged sword: Four functions of humor in communication. In Muth, M. F. (Ed.), Community voices: Academic, work, and public readings. New York: Pearson (pp. 119-125).
. . . & 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
(2011). Review of O. H. Lynch, Humorous organizing: Revealing the organization as a social process (Saarbrucken, Germany: VDM Verlag Dr. Muller). Humor: International Journal of Humor Research, 24 (1), 109–112.
(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.
(1997). Review of R. G. Rogan, M. R. Hammer, & C. R. Van Zandt (Eds.), Dynamic processes of crisis negotiation: Theory, research, and practice (Westport, CT: Praeger, 1997). Southern Communication Journal, 62, 353-355.
SCHOLARSHIP PRESENTATIONS
(2014). Communication, relationships, and the choices we make. Presidential address at the Southern States Communication Association annual convention, New Orleans, LA, April 4.
Ramsey, M. C., & Meyer, J. C. (2014). Explicating communicative functions of humor: the development and assessment of new functions of humor scales. Paper presented at the Southern States Communication Association annual convention, New Orleans, LA, April 4.
(2014). Humor, students, and the future: One model of teaching going forward. Paper presented at the Southern States Communication Association annual convention, New Orleans, LA, April 3.
Driskill, G. W., Arjannikova, A., & Meyer, J. (2013). “The most segregated hour”: A dialectic analysis of a community forum on faith. Paper presented at the Southern States Communication Association annual convention, Louisville, KY, April 11.
Ramsey, M. C., & Meyer, J. C. (2011). Explicating the communicative functions of humor: The development and assessment of a new functions of humor scale. Paper presented at the Southern States Communication Association annual convention, Little Rock, AR, March 26.
(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, Savannah, 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.
(1989). Kenneth Burke's reliance upon ambiguity. Central States Communication Association Annual Convention, Kansas City, MO: April 15.
SERVICE
Professional Service:
Southern States Communication Association:
T. Earle Johnson – Edwin Paget Distinguished Service Award, 2015
President, 2013 - 2014
Vice President, 2012 - 2013
Vice President Elect, 2011 - 2012
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.
National Communication Association: