Michael Pfau

Education:
Ph. D.: Northwestern University
Master: Tulane University
Undergraduate: Undergraduate: Agustana College

Personal Statement:
After a long and seemingly eternal academic haul – BA in Biology and Government at Augustana College in 1993, MA in Political Science (Political Theory specialization) at Tulane in 1996, and PhD in Communication Studies (Rhetorical Studies specialization) at Northwestern in 2000 – I returned to the Minnesota area to join the UMD Communication faculty beginning the 2001-2002 school year. Teaching interests include public discourse, rhetorical criticism, history of rhetoric, communication ethics and media. Research interests focus on the study and criticism of political discourse, especially from an historical perspective. I have published a number of articles along these lines, and my book, The Political Style of Conspiracy: Chase, Sumner, and Lincoln, was published in November, 2005. When time and weather permit I zealously partake of the many outdoor opportunities – paddling, hiking, biking, snowshoeing, etc. – afforded by the Duluth area.

Courses Taught:
Media and Society
Analysis of Public Discourse
History of Rhetoric
Rhetorical Criticism
The Boundary Waters in Controversy