Home | CV | Teaching

                                                                                                                                    Download as PDF

Christian F. Casper

1845 Peyton Dr.
Ypsilanti, MI 48197
cfcasper@gmail.com


 
Education
 
Ph.D. (2009), North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC
Program in Communication, Rhetoric, and Digital Media 
Dissertation: Mutable mobiles: Online journals and the evolving genre ecosystem of science
Committee: Carolyn R. Miller (chair), William J. Kinsella, Jason Swarts, Kenneth S. Zagacki

North Carolina State University Certificate of Accomplishment in Teaching, 2008 (external link)

M.A. (2005), Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti, MI
Department of English Language and Literature, concentration in Written Communication
Thesis: In praise of carbon: Genre and the 1996 Nobel lectures in chemistry
Committee: Ann M. Blakeslee (chair), Nancy Allen

M.S. (2001), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Department of Chemistry

B.S. (1999), Iowa State University, Ames, IA
Major: Chemistry; Minor: Biology


  
Honors and Awards
 
North Carolina State University Outstanding Teaching Assistant, 2008

North Carolina State University Alumni Association Fellowship, 2005–2006

Phi Kappa Phi, 2005

Eastern Michigan University Outstanding Graduate Student in Professional Writing, 2004

Eastern Michigan University Stoic Society honor society, 2003–2004

Fellowship from U.S. Department of Education, Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need (GAANN), 1999–2000

Golden Key International Honour Society, 1999

Iowa State University Dilworth Scholar, 1995–1999

National Merit Scholar, 1995


 
Positions Held
 
Graduate Teaching Assistant and Summer Instructor, Department of English, North Carolina State University, August 2005 to June 2007, May 2008 to June 2008, and August 2008 to May 2009.

Graduate Research Assistant, Dr. Brenton Faber, Professor, Department of English, North Carolina State University, August 2007 to May 2008. NSF-supported study of nanotechnology in popular media.

Graduate Research Assistant, Dr. Carolyn R. Miller, SAS Institute Distinguished Professor of Rhetoric and Technical Communication, Department of English, North Carolina State University, August 2005 to May 2006. Book project on rhetoric of technology.
 
Technical Writer, Kaiser Optical Systems, Inc., Ann Arbor, MI, April 2001 to July 2005.
 
Graduate Student Instructor, Department of Chemistry, University of Michigan, August 1999 to December 1999 and January 2001 to April 2001.
 
Research Assistant, Dr. Dimitri Coucouvanis, Professor, Department of Chemistry, University of Michigan, June 1999 to August 1999 and April 2000 to April 2001. Synthesis of iron-sulfur-molybdenum clusters to mimic the active site of the nitrogenase enzyme.
 
Teaching Assistant, Department of Chemistry, Iowa State University, August 1998 to May 1999.
 
Visiting Scholar, Department of Chemistry, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, June 1998 to August 1998 (NSF-sponsored Research Experience for Undergraduates). Supervisor: Dr. Russell Timkovich, Professor. Characterization of peptidoglycan-based bacterial cell walls by FAB-MS.
 
Research Assistant, Dr. Nenad Kostic, Professor, Department of Chemistry, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, May 1997 to May 1998. Synthesis of metal-crosslinked soy protein polymers.
 
Tutor, Supplemental Instruction Program, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, August 1996 to May 1997.



Teaching

Department of English, North Carolina State University
 
ENG 425: Analysis of Scientific and Technical Writing (one section)

ENG 333: Communication for Science and Research (six sections, including three in computer classrooms)

ENG 331: Communication for Engineering and Technology (two sections, both in computer classrooms)
 

Department of Chemistry, University of Michigan
 
CHEM 210: Structure and Reactivity I (two recitation sections)

CHEM 130: General Chemistry: Macroscopic Investigation and Reaction Principles (two recitation sections)

 
Department of Chemistry, Iowa State University
 
CHEM 178: General Chemistry (one recitation section)

CHEM 178L: Laboratory in General Chemistry (one section)

CHEM 177: General Chemistry (one recitation section)

CHEM 177L: Laboratory in General Chemistry (one section)
 

Invited Guest Lectures
 
"PLoS ONE and electronic communication in science." Presented to ENG 101: Academic Writing and Research. Department of English, North Carolina State University, June 5, 2009. Ms. Dawn Shepherd, instructor of record.

“The secondary literature in science: Review articles.” Presented to BIO 481: Biology Seminar I. Department of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Shaw University, Raleigh, NC, September 17, 2007. Dr. Emily Wilson, instructor of record.
 
“The primary literature in science: Research articles.” Presented to BIO 481: Biology Seminar I. Department of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Shaw University, Raleigh, NC, September 10, 2007. Dr. Emily Wilson, instructor of record.
 
“Mediational communication in biological science newsgroups.” Presented to ENG 515: Rhetoric of Science and Technology. Department of English, North Carolina State University, March 1, 2007. Dr. Carolyn R. Miller, instructor of record.



Publications

Casper , C. F. (2007). In praise of carbon, in praise of science: The epideictic rhetoric of the 1996 Nobel lectures in chemistry. Journal of Business and Technical Communication, 21(3), 303–323.
  • Nominated by JBTC for Best Article Reporting Historical Research or Textual Studies in Technical or Scientific Communication, National Council of Teachers of English, 2008
Miller, C. R., & Casper, C. F. (under review). Technoscience. In L. Keränen, D. Depew, & J. Leach, Eds. Keywords in the rhetoric of science and technology. Model entry currently being used in proposals to prospective publishers.

Casper, C. F., & Miller, C. R. (under review). Digital rhetoric and science. In S. Priest, Ed. Encyclopedia of science and technology communication. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

       
      Presentations
       
      National

      "Ecological considerations in the characterization of genre: A case from an online scientific journal." Conference on College Composition and Communication, San Francisco, CA, March 11–14, 2009. Panel: "New (old) waves in genre studies: Form without formalism."

      "TSC programs must accommodate dynamic, decentralized genres in cyberscience." Council for Programs in Technical and Scientific Communication, Minneapolis, MN, October 2–4, 2008.

      "New genre ecologies in science: Post-publication review in online journals." Rhetoric Society of America, Seattle, WA, May 23–26, 2008. Panel: "Emerging genres: New media, new exigencies, new responsibilities."

      "Commercializing nanotechnology: Public rhetoric and the legitimization of new science" (poster). Association of Teachers of Technical Writing, New Orleans, LA, April 2, 2008. Second author, with Brenton Faber (both presented).

      “‘Caring for creation’ and overcoming the domination of nature: An analysis of a mainline Protestant social statement on the environment.” National Communication Association, Chicago, IL, November 15–18, 2007. Environmental Communication Division.
       
      “<Reformation> in Lutheran discourse on controversy.” National Communication Association, Chicago, IL, November 15–18, 2007. Spiritual Communication Division. Panel: “Social construction of faith in discourse: The unique dynamic of spiritual communication in organizations and technology.”
       
      “The graduate student on the hiring committee: Contributions and cautions.” Council for Programs in Technical and Scientific Communication, Greenville, NC, October 11–13, 2007.

      Panel presentation: “Preparing future faculty” (with A. Callender, B. Coppola, M. Frost, and M. McGuigan). Wakonse Conference on College Teaching, Camp Miniwanca, MI, May 25–30, 2000.


      Regional

      “The e-letter in the journal Science: A new scientific genre.” Southern States Communication Association, Louisville, KY, March 28–April 1, 2007. Panel: “Rhetoric in digital contexts."


      Local
       
      "Reconsidering the genre ecosystem of science: Post-publication review in an online journal" (poster). North Carolina State University Graduate Student Research Symposium, Raleigh, NC, March 19, 2008.

      “Student attitudes toward WebCT Vista in an undergraduate communication service course.” Campus Writing and Speaking Program Brownbag Seminar Series, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, December 1, 2006.
       
      “Newsgroups as sites of mediational communication in science: An approach from activity theory and a new theory of mediational topoi .” Department of Communication Research Colloquium, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, November 8, 2006.
       
      “In praise of carbon: Genre and the 1996 Nobel lectures in chemistry” (poster). Graduate Research Fair, Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti, MI, March 28, 2005.
       
      “In praise of carbon: The 1996 Nobel lectures in chemistry.” Graduate Research Fair, Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti, MI, March 22, 2004.



      Service  

      Intramural

      Program ambassador, Office of International Services, North Carolina State University, June 2008 to July 2009.

      Faculty search committee, Department of English, North Carolina State University, 2006–2007.


      Extramural

      Moderator for session “Rhetoric of science: Print vs. Web.” ScienceOnline’09, Research Triangle Park, NC, January 16–18, 2009. International conference on science blogging and other online communication in science. Attendees include bloggers, scientists, journalists, and educators.
       


      Grants
       
      SAS Institute Distinguished Professorship Summer Research Grant ($2500), 2007



      Professional Development
       
      National Communication Association Short Course

      "Communicating Science: Making Connections and Exploring Collaborations" with Dr. Betsy Wackernagel Bach, Dr. Greg Larson, et al., Chicago, IL, November 16, 2007.


      Rhetoric Society of America Summer Workshop

      “Conducting Rhetorical Research” with Dr. Davida Charney, Troy, NY, June 22–24, 2007.

       
      Workshops at Faculty Center for Teaching and Learning, North Carolina State University

      Considering Student Expectations of Course Websites, November 1, 2006.

      Using Games in the Classroom, October 18, 2006.

       
      WebCT Vista Workshops (Learning Technology Service, North Carolina State University)

      Presenting and Managing Content, March 27, 2006.

      Creating and Managing Course Templates, March 1, 2006.

      Overview of Communication Tools, February 28, 2006.

      Designing a Basic Site, February 22, 2006.

      Starter Workshop, February 17, 2006.



      [Updated August 25, 2009]

      Home | CV | Teaching