Christian O. Lundberg

Assistant Professor
Rhetoric

Current Research: My current research focuses on theories of the public as a social and discursive form, and on the animating principles for public discourses and identities. I am interested in these questions both at the level of theories of the public, and at the level of specific practices of public discourse. At the level of theories of the public, my current project, Lacan in Public works through the implications of Jacques Lacan’s psychoanalysis for thinking the rhetorical character of publics as social formations and of the public discourses that circulate within them. In addition, I have written a number pieces that unpack forms of discourse constituting specific publics, with special attention to the intersection between publics and religious discourse in Islam and Evangelical Christianity.
At the level of specific practices of public discourse and pedagogy, my work focuses on rhetorical theory, and on debate and public speaking as critical democratic forms. I have also authored or am in the process of writing a number of textbooks relating to rhetoric, public speaking, and public deliberation, including The Essential Guide to Rhetoric (Bedford St. Martins, 2007) and a Public Speaking textbook with Cengage Learning tentatively titled Public Speaking and Civic Engagment (Forthcoming, 2010).

Grant Funding: Research Grant, Cambridge Long Term Strategy Group, for a project in the Religion and Violence Working Group.

Recent Publications: : "Ouija Board, Are There Any Communications?' Agency, Ontotheology, and the Death of the Humanist Subject, or, Continuing the ARS Conversation," Rhetoric Society Quarterly, Fall 2005.

Courses Regularly Taught: Rhetorical Theory and Practice (COMM 571) Publics and Their Imaginaries (COMM  792), “Think, Speak, Argue,” The Joseph P. McGuire First Year Seminar, sponsored by the Jeff and Jennifer Allred Initiative in Critical Thinking and Debate (COMM 085).

Future/Projected Courses: Communication and the Social, Argumentation and Debate

Areas of Specialization: Rhetoric and Democracy, Theories of the Public, Debate and Public Speaking, Psychoanalysis, Critical Theory, Cultural Studies.

Honors: Eckroyd Fellowship, Northwestern University, Rhetoric Society of America's Kneupper award for article of the year (with Josh Gunn)

Professional Service: NCA Strategic Planning Committee, President, Association for Psychoanalysis in Communication, Editorial Boards for Critical/Cultural Studies in Communication, and Critical Studies in Mediated Communication.