Bill Trapani's research and teaching are informed by rhetorical theory and criticism and critical/cultural studies. His principal areas of scholarly interest include the rhetoric of visual culture, national identity and citizenship studies, and the theorization of contemporary protest and social activism. His work primarily explores the rhetorical construction and consequence of varying figurations of the American national character. His current project examines the conception and role of “the University” in the public imaginary in order to understand the recent freighting of those institutions with expectations of neoliberal pastoral pedagogical ambitions. In addition to his teaching and service within the School of Communication and Multimedia Studies, Dr. Trapani also serves as the Director of the College of Arts and Letters’ School of Interdisciplinary Studies.

Education

• PhD, University of Iowa, 2002

Areas of Expertise:

• Rhetorical Theory, Criticism and Critical/Cultural Studies

Recent Publications

Rhetoric, Materiality, and Politics

Courses

• COM 4603: New Media and Civic Discourse
• SPC 6236: Contemporary Rhetorical Theory

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