Education

B.A. Gustavus Adolphus College; M.A. and Ph.D. University of Minnesota

Areas of Expertise

Media studies, cultural studies, gender, race, news, social construction of meaning, rhetoric, video production, and identity

Interests

American Indian issues, poststructuralism, social justice, and documentary film

Martin Lang ’95

Communication Studies

With roots deeply planted in media studies, cultural studies and rhetorical criticism, Martin Lang focuses his academic work on the ways that TV, film, newspapers, the Internet and other mass media help to shape our individual and collective senses of identity, especially in relation to gender, race, socioeconomic class and sexuality. He also explores the potential of the media as tools for social justice and equality. These ideas filter into his courses as he aims to link traditional scholarship with "action learning" and civic engagement. His Video Representation course models this blend; students apply their theoretical and practical knowledge about televisual communication to the production of short social justice-oriented documentary films. The course reflects part of Martin's grand plan to better harness the knowledge and productivity on college campuses for positive social change.

Martin's interests have taken on an international scope, and a recent teaching opportunity took him to New Zealand to study the media produced by that country's indigenous peoples, the Maori. Martin and his co-instructor, Dr. Donald Browne, travelled with a group of students to talk with Maori media producers and feast their way (literally) through the culture and scenery of that country. Martin has set gears in motion that will hopefully take him on other amazing learning adventures to places such as India and South Africa.

To balance the work of his mind with that of his body, Martin enjoys various physical activities ranging from soccer and biking to roofing houses and working on cars. To unwind, he builds stained glass pieces, plays video games, bakes, reads for pleasure, seeks out new and obscure documentary films, walks other people's dogs and listens to This American Life. He is constantly searching for the perfect caramel corn, and he harbors a strong yet largely unfounded dislike for Matt Lauer.

Contact Information

Communication Studies
Gustavus Adolphus College
800 West College Avenue
Saint Peter, MN 56082

Phone: 507-933-6899
E-mail: mlang3@gustavus.edu

Courses Taught

• Communication & Gender
• Media & Society
• Media Criticism
• ST:Perspectives on News
• Video Representation

Martin Lang's Schedule