Whitman Rhetoric and Film Studies Department

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Rhetoric and Film Studies Faculty Page

Bob Withycombe Bob Withycombe, Professor, Ph.D., University of Oregon Bob joined the department in 1980. He is the former Division Chair, C.E.D.A. National President, and Associate Dean of Faculty. His areas of interest are persuasion, social movements, civil rights rhetoric and rhetorical theory. He is currently working on an analysis of civil rights protestors and their communication with police during the 1960's. E-mail Bob at withycombe@whitman.edu Bob is usually in his office mornings and later afternoons, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday

Jim Hanson Jim Hanson, Professor, Ph.D., University of Southern California Jim joined the department in 1992. He is the Director of Forensics, NDT Ranking Director and NPTE Treasurer. His areas of interest are rhetorical theory, rhetorical criticism, debate practice, and argumentation, especially in legal communication. He has analyzed the Supreme Court decision in RAV v St. Paul, involving the burning of a cross in a black family's backyard. He recently completed a new edition of his debate textbook “Breaking Down Barriers: How to Debate” and is working on Argumentation and Public Speaking textbooks. E-mail Jim at hansonjb@whitman.edu Jim is usually in his office afternoons and evenings except when he is at debate tournaments.

Robert Sickles Robert Sickles, Associate Professor, Ph.D., University of Nevada-Reno Robert joined Whitman in 1999 and the Rhetoric and Film Studies department in 2001. His specialty is Film and Culture and has written on “Boogie Nights” as well as other films. He wrote the book The 1940s (American Popular Culture Through History). Known as one of the most energetic professors on campus, he is a real expert on film production and analysis. Robert is typically in his office mornings and afternoons.

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Questions should be directed to Jim Hanson at hansonjb@whitman.edu