Phillip Voight

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. My dissertation focused on the use of humorous messages to mask attacks in political advertisements. 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. 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 the Quatrefoil Library -- the oldest and largest free-stantind LGBT library in the United States. 

I am very interested in international education, and in addition to serving on the International Education Committee, I have taught January Term 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.

My research interests include the use of decision rules in political debates, the role of humor in political discourse, social movement theory and forensics pedagogy. Outside of the classroom, I've developed an interest in non-profit governance and community organizing and podcasting.

Courses Taught