Phillip VoightFaculty

Associate Professor in Communication Studies

I came to Gustavus in 1990 and I've taught a wide variety of courses in rhetoric, social movement theory, argumentation studies and political communication. I also teach courses in reality teleivision, communication research methods and documentary film. I have published a number of articles on forensics pedagogy and forensics program administration, and most recently, I co-authored a book chapter with Patricia English on the the curation of national identity in war-related museums and an article on the use of instructional podcasting as an assessment tool. Over the years, my teaching interests have evolved and I am currently interested in the intersections between mass media and rhetorical criticism. One result of this interest has been the creation of several courses that focus on the ways in which reality television programs sculpt social norms concerning gender and family relations.

I also served as the Director of Forensics and the speech and debate coach from 1990 until 2007. In 2006, I was elected as President of Pi Kappa Delta -- the oldest forensics professional organization in the country, and I have remained on PKD's National Council as the Chief Operating Officer. I also serve on the Board of Directors of the South Saint Paul Educational Foundation and I recently left the Board of the Quatrefoil Library -- the oldest and largest free-stantind LGBT library in the United States. 

I am very interested in international education, and I have taught courses in London, Cambodia, Vietnam and South Africa. I also spent a semester in India with the Gustavus Social Justice, Peace and development Program. I've also traveled extensively -- visiting more than seventy countries during the past ten years.

Education

B.A. Augustana College, M.A. University of Kansas, Ph.D. University of Minnesota


Courses Taught

COM-246 (Comm Theory/Nonprofit Leader) and COM-385 (Reality Media/Ethics)

Past
Synonym Title Times Taught Terms Taught
NDL-243 Forensics 29 2018/SP, 2018/JN, 2017/FA, 2017/SP, 2017/JN, 2016/FA, 2016/SP, 2016/JN, and 2015/FA
FTS-100 FTS:Food TV and Consumption 20 2023/FA, 2022/FA, 2021/FA, 2020/FA, 2019/FA, 2018/FA, 2015/FA, 2014/FA, 2012/FA, 2011/FA, 2009/FA, 2009/SP, 2008/FA, 2007/FA, 2005/FA, and 1999/FA
COM-243 Forensics 16 2002/SP, 2002/JN, 2001/FA, 2001/SP, 2001/JN, 2000/FA, 1999/FA, and 1999/SP
COM-230 Critical Thinking and Argument 15 2007/SP, 2006/FA, 2005/SP, 2003/SP, 2002/FA, 2002/SP, 2001/FA, 2001/SP, 2000/FA, and 1999/SP
COM-385 Spectatorship Ethics 14 2023/SP, 2022/SP, 2021/SP, 2020/SP, 2019/SP, 2018/SP, 2016/SP, 2015/SP, 2014/SP, 2013/SP, 2012/SP, 2011/SP, 2010/SP, and 2009/SP
COM-374 Campaigns and Social Movements 11 2023/FA, 2021/FA, 2017/FA, 2015/FA, 2011/FA, 2009/FA, 2007/FA, 2006/FA, 2005/FA, 2001/FA, and 1999/FA
COM-244 Critical Thinking 11 2020/FA, 2020/SP, 2019/SP, 2018/SP, 2012/FA, 2012/SP, 2011/FA, 2011/SP, 2010/SP, and 2009/SP
COM-231 Social Media 9 2022/FA, 2021/FA, 2020/FA, 2019/FA, 2018/FA, 2017/FA, 2015/FA, 2014/FA, and 2013/FA
COM-344 ST:Documentary Film 9 2016/SP, 2013/SP, 2012/SP, 2009/SP, 2008/SP, 2007/SP, 2006/SP, and 2005/SP
COM-376 Pol Campaign Communctn 8 2020/FA, 2018/FA, 2014/FA, 2013/FA, 2012/FA, 2008/FA, 2002/FA, and 2000/FA
COM-110 Public Speaking 7 2006/SP, 2005/SP, 2003/SP, 2002/FA, and 2002/SP
COM-260 Crit Think & Argument 6 2023/SP, 2015/SP, 2013/FA, 2009/FA, 2008/FA, and 2007/FA
COM-246 Non-Profit Leadership 4 2019/SP, 2015/SP, 2014/SP, and 2013/SP
COM-242 Rsrch Design for COM 3 2023/FA, 2022/SP, and 2021/SP
COM-397 Honors Thesis 3 2006/SP, 2003/SP, and 2002/SP
COM-249 Cambodia/Vietnam 2 2023/JN and 2020/JN
IDS-144 ST:Risk Perception 2 2022/JN and 2020/FA
NDL-249 Cambodia & Vietnam 2 2013/JN and 2011/JN
COM-381 Contemporary Rhetoric 2 2006/FA and 2005/FA
NDL-205 Vietnam: History and Culture 2 2006/JN and 2003/JN
COM-268 Career Exploration 2 2003/JN and 2002/JN
GWS-244 Special Topic: Gay Rights Movement 1 2008/SP
COM-120 Public Discourse 1 2008/SP
COM-213 Liberation in South Africa 1 2008/JN
IDS-247 Liberation Movements 1 2003/FA
IDS-246 Global Development 1 2003/FA
IDS-245 India Religion, Culture, and Society 1 2003/FA
IDS-243 Environment, Ecology, and Livelihood 1 2003/FA
COM-375 Mass Media Process 1 2001/SP
COM-232 Cultural Identity in London 1 2000/JN
COM-399 Senior Seminar 1 1999/SP
Courses prior to Spring semester 1999 are not displayed.