Gordon R. Mitchell
Associate Professor of Communication; Director of the William Pitt Debating Union; Director of Graduate Studies; Faculty Affiliate, University Center for International Studies; PhD, Northwestern University
1109 Cathedral of Learning
Phone: 412-624-8531
E-mail: gordonm@pitt.edu
Gordon Mitchell focuses on the theory and praxis of argumentation, with a research program specializing in public address and argument, rhetoric of science, and critical pedagogy. As director of the William Pitt Debating Union, Mitchell convenes public forums, supports intercollegiate student debating, conducts debate outreach initiatives, and organizes the Schenley Park DAWG (Debate Authors Working Group). Mitchell also works with the University Center for International Security Studies, where his projects elucidate communicative dimensions of missile defense, preventive warfare, and intelligence.
Graduate Courses Taught
- Argumentation (2006)
- Seminar in Rhetorical Production (2005)
- Proseminar (2001-2004; 2006-2008)
- Rhetoric of Science Policy (2000, 2007)
- Rhetoric of Social Movements (1998, 1999, 2003, 2008)
- Seminar in Philosophy and Rhetoric (2009)
Selected Publications
"Switch-Side Debating Meets Demand-Driven Rhetoric of Science." Rhetoric & Public Affairs, 13, 95-120. Winter 2010.
"Shallow Argument Pools, Group Polarization and Public Debate Pedagogy in Southeast Europe" (co-authored with D. Pfister, G. Bradatan, D. Colev, T. Manolova, G. Mitkovski, I. Nestorova, M. Ristic & G. Sheshi). In D.C. Williams & M.J. Young (Eds.), Discourse, Debate and Democracy (109-128). New York: International Debate Education Association, 2009.
"Forensics as Scholarship: Testing Zarefsky's Bold Hypothesis in a Digital Age." Argumentation & Advocacy, 45, 80-97. Fall 2008.
"Rhetoric in International Relations: More than 'Cheap Talk.'" In J.A. Aune & A. Lunsford (Eds.), The Sage Handbook of Rhetoric (pp. 247-263). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage, 2008.
"Between Education and Propaganda: Public Controversy Over Presidential Library Design." Argumentation & Advocacy, 44, 213-230. Spring 2008.
"The US Obesity 'Epidemic': Metaphor, Method, or Madness?" (co-authored with Kathleen M. McTigue). Social Epistemology, 21, 391-423. 2007.
"Debate as a Weapon of Mass Destruction" (co-authored with Eric English, Stephen Llano, Catherine E. Morrison, John Rief, and Carly Woods). Communication & Critical/Cultural Studies, 4, 222-226. 2007.
Hitting First: Preventive Force in U.S. Security Strategy, co-edited with William W. Keller (Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh Press, 2006).
"Team B Intelligence Coups." Quarterly Journal of Speech, 92, 144-173. 2006 (winner 2007 Daniel Rohrer Research Award and 2007 NCA Political Communication Division Outstanding Article Award).
"Public Argument Action Research and the Learning Curve of New Social Movements." Argumentation & Advocacy, 40, 209-225. Spring 2004.
"Did Habermas Cede Nature to the Positivists?" Philosophy and Rhetoric, 36, 1-21. Fall 2003.
"Informed Consent After the Human Genome Project" (co-authored with Kelly Happe). Rhetoric & Public Affairs, 4, 375-406. Fall 2001.
"Japan-U.S. Missile Defense Collaboration: Rhetorically Delicious, Deceptively Dangerous." Fletcher Forum of World Affairs, 25, 85-108. Winter 2001.
"Placebo Defense: The Rhetoric of Patriot Missile Accuracy in the 1991 Persian Gulf War." Quarterly Journal of Speech, 86, 121-145. May 2000.
Strategic Deception: Rhetoric, Science, and Politics in Missile Defense Advocacy. East Lansing, MI: Michigan State University Press, 2000 (winner 2001 NCA Winans-Wichelns Award for Distinguished Scholarship in Public Address).
Links
William Pitt Debating Union Web Site
Schenley Park DAWG (Debate Authors Working Group)