Carrie Anne Platt, assistant professor of communication, has published a book chapter titled “Family Values 2.0: The Pedagogical Function of New Media in the Same-Sex Marriage Debate.” Published by the Cambridge Scholars Press, the chapter appears in “Queer Identities/Political Realities,” an edited book by Katherine German and Bruce Drushel.
The chapter explores how new media practices such as e-mail, interactive Web design, viral video and social networking are used to train activists and standardize messages in the ongoing debate about same-sex marriage.
Platt used the Focus on the Family and the Human Rights Campaign, one of the largest and most influential lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender advocacy groups in the United States, as case studies. In the study, she documents how the online resources provided by the organizations address the rhetorical challenge of debating same-sex marriage both nationally and state by state.
The study also considers the difficulties of attempting to advance a cause in the courtrooms and at the ballot box. It argues that new media technologies serve a dual function in the debate, making various arguments for or against same-sex marriage while also teaching individuals how to argue for or against same-sex marriage in their own communities.
The chapter concludes by contextualizing the rhetorical use of new media within the history of rhetorical pedagogy and considering the influence of political realities on these rhetorical choices.
For more information, contact Platt at 1-7294.