Basque on The Participation of Christian Religious Publics in the Controversy over Gay Marriage in Canada: A Rhetorical Approach

Joëlle Basque, of l’Université de Montréal Département de communication, presented a paper entitled The Participation of Christian Religious Publics in the Controversy over Gay Marriage in Canada: A Rhetorical Approach, at ICA 2010: The International Communication Association Annual Conference, held 22-26 June 2010 in Singapore. Here is the abstract:

In this study, we aim to answer the following research question: How did Christian religious publics argue their positions during the polemic over same-sex marriage in Canada? We conceive the polemic over same-sex marriage in Canada as a significant social controversy with a constitutive dimension. As such, it creates opportunities for groups to get involved and forge themselves as well as the society in which the debates are taking place. Studying this constitutive controversy allows us to reflect on the role of religion in the public sphere through a rhetorical investigation of the participation of Christian religious groups. As publics engaged in the debates, they present arguments to defend their positions, whether against or in favour of gay marriages, and sometimes offer alternatives to marriage redefinition. In doing so they deploy ethos in various ways with different effects.

For the full text of the paper, please contact the author.

Thanks to Ms. Basque for providing the abstract.

Ubel on Credibility Lessening Tactics Utilized in the Courtroom by Male and Female Attorneys

Professor Sarah Ubel of the Washburn University Department of Communication has published Credibility Lessening Tactics Utilized in the Courtroom by Male and Female Attorneys, 8 Communication Law Review no. 2, at 42 (2008). Here is the abstract:

“Attorneys utilize Credibility Lessening Tactics (CLT) to make their opposing counsel appear less credible. Survey data were collected from attorneys to identify types of CLT attorneys experience directed at themselves and those they direct at others. Responses were unitized and content analyzed, resulting in the identification of eight CLT categories. The types of CLT attorneys reported included: Case Knowledge, Experience, Truthfulness, Legal Knowledge, Name-Calling, Distractions, Exclusion and Reference Gender. All CLT were equally reported by male and females except Reference Gender, which was reported only by females. Each category is defined, and the implications of using different types of CLT are discussed.”