JAMcArthur
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Explosive (Information) Design
When I think about design, I typically describe a process of creation. But a method of destruction is just as interesting a topic. Here was my inspiration: the planned implosion of Scott Towers on January 19, 2014: Even if we learn nothing from this article, that video was worth the 39 seconds it took to…
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Revolving Doors
Revolving doors have been a design fascination of mine for a while, because I think they are fun. If given the option, I always choose the revolving door. Being trapped momentarily in a tiny glass walled aquarium – what could be more fun? Apparently this puts me in the minority of Americans, although I had…
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Experiencing Space and Place: Washington National Cathedral at #NCA13
Upon arriving at Washington National Cathedral for an on site panel discussion, I was most excited to see the Space window. The stained glass window honors the Apollo 11 moon landing and bears a moon rock embedded in the design. What I didn’t expect was to experience the cathedral through a variety of sensory approaches.…
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A (Caesar) Shift for the Traditional Classroom
Cryptography (the study of “secret writing”) might be a topic you’d hear about in the halls of MIT, the Naval Academy, or training sites at Langley. Here at Queens University of Charlotte, students are getting a taste of the basics of secret writing, codes, and ciphers using Simon Singh’s popular The Code Book as a guide. Over…
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“Well, this class makes me think”
On the third week of class this semester, I walked in to hear my students talking about a class that one of them slept through. Of course, I inquired: “Which class are you sleeping through this term?” The answer: chemistry. I responded: “I haven’t seen you sleep through any of my classes. Should I be…
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Rethinking the Classroom
The collaboration surrounding the James L. Knight School of Communication and the 2012 Democratic National Convention has been highlighted on the national level. Dr. John A. McArthur, an associate professor in the Knight School of Communication, had an article published in the Journal of the Association for Communication Administration in its recent issue. The article,…
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A Letter to those embarking on a Master’s Capstone
Dear Master’s Candidates, You’re about to embark on a year-long inquiry that will test your mastery of communication. It will be challenging, arduous, frightening, and highly rewarding. You can expect to read volumes of research and to spend hours upon hours thinking and writing and discussing your work. You will probably have dreams about your…
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Proxemics and Park Benches
A leisurely stroll down a city street. An open space emerges in the streetscape. A quick glance into the plaza reveals grass, rocks, trees, benches. A decision awaits. Do I keep walking? Do I sit? The nature of objects in public spaces can dictate (or at least influence) the choices that we make. Adherents to…
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Return to Radio
The article below was featured on the Queens University of Charlotte website on June 20, 2013: Return to Radio The fantasy of many 20-somethings, and all marketers, is to create a video that goes viral on YouTube. Pick a subject – cats, exploding milk cartons, a bad hair day. If it gets thousands of views,…
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Second Screens for Successful Online Teaching
This summer, I’ve been teaching an intensive 7-week online course in Public Relations and Strategic Communication. The nature of our online class has meant that my students have been engaged in an extraordinary amount of PR writing for the web. Many have learned, through practice, the values of writing for the audience and the vehicle…
J.A.McArthur 