Ericka Menchen-Trevino

Teaching Experience

In Spring Quarter 2012 I will be teaching a Communication 394 (Junior Writing Seminar) class entitled “Political Communication and New Media” based broadly on my dissertation research area.

I taught the public speaking course at the University of Illinois at Chicago for three terms, and supported and mentored new instructors of this course for one term. I have assisted faculty members in a variety of courses from a large lecture class on theories of mediated communication to a small graduate seminar on qualitative research methods. See my CV (PDF) for details.

Summary of Teaching Philosophy

My primary goal is to create a classroom environment where students are encouraged to critically reflect on their relationship to technology, politics, and society by engaging with the research literature, their teacher, and their peers. I develop a classroom environment that promotes for critical reflection by sharing my reflections on scholarship and teaching to model reflexivity and build trust. Given the political focus of my research I often emphasize the key role of trust and cooperation in democratic governance. Starting at the very concrete level of a team project or activity in class can help make these abstractions real and spark lively discussions.