STEPHEN OLBRYS GENCARELLA
233 Hamburg Road
Lyme, CT 06371
Cell Phone: (860) 617-1386
Email: solbrys@comm.umass.edu
Department of Communication
University of Massachusetts, Amherst
Amherst, MA 01003
Office Phone: (413) 545-3685
EDUCATION:
Joint Ph.D.
Communication and Culture and Folklore, Indiana University, 2003
Dissertation: Social Evil, Civil Rights, and the Commodification of the Salem Witch
Trials
Committee: John Lucaites (director), Richard Bauman, Robert Ivie, John McDowell
M.A.
Classical Studies, Tufts University, 1995
Thesis: “What Does Your Mind Hide Within?” Nous as a Model of Consciousness in
Ancient Greek Literature
Committee: Steven Hirsch (director), Gregory Crane
B.A.
Humanities, Providence College, 1993 (summa cum laude)
ACADEMIC EMPLOYMENT HISTORY:
2009-present
Associate Professor, Department of Communication, University of Massachusetts,
Amherst
2003-2009
Assistant Professor, Department of Communication, University of Massachusetts,
Amherst
2001-2003
Lecturer, Department of Communication, University of Massachusetts, Amherst
2000-2001
Visiting Instructor, Department of Educational Psychology, Indiana University
1999-2001
Associate Instructor / Teaching Assistant, Department of Communication and Culture,
Indiana University
1999
Instructor, Department of Anthropology, Indiana University-Purdue University
Indianapolis (IUPUI)
1997-1999
Associate Instructor / Teaching Assistant, Folklore Institute, Indiana University
SCHOLARLY ACTIVITY:
Book, Edited
Gencarella, S. and Pezzullo, P., Eds. (2010). Readings on Rhetoric and Performance. State
College, PA: Strata Publishing, Inc. (Reviewed by Vershawn Ashanti Young in Text and
Performance Quarterly, 31, 4, 451-453; reviewed by Juan Francisco Sans in Journal of Folklore
Research, March 2013, online.)
Refereed Journal Articles
Gencarella, S. (2011). Folk Criticism and the Art of Critical Folklore Studies. Journal of American
Folklore, 124, 251-271. Lead essay.
Gencarella, S. (2010a). Gramsci, Good Sense, and Critical Folklore Studies. Journal of
Folklore Research, 47 (3), 221-252. Lead essay. (With response by José E. Limón, Breaking with
Gramsci: Gencarella on Good Sense and Critical Folklore Studies, 253-258.)
Gencarella, S. (2010b). Purifying Rhetoric: Empedocles and the Myth of Rhetorical Theory.
Quarterly Journal of Speech, 96 (3), 231-256. Lead essay.
Gencarella, S. (2009). Constituting Folklore: A Case for Critical Folklore Studies. Journal of
American Folklore, 122, 172-196.
Gencarella, S. (2007a). Touring History: Guidebooks and the Commodification of the Salem
Witch Trials. Journal of American Culture 30 (3), 271-284. Lead essay.
Gencarella, S. (2007b). The Myth of Rhetoric: Korax and the Art of Pollution. Rhetoric Society
Quarterly, 37 (3), 251-273.
Olbrys, S. (2006a). Dissoi Logoi, Civic Friendship, and the Politics of Education. Communication
Education, 55 (4), 353-369. Lead essay.
Olbrys, S. (2006b). Disciplining the Carnivalesque: Chris Farley’s Exotic Dance. Communication
and Critical / Cultural Studies, 3 (3), 239-258.
Olbrys, S. (2005a). Seinfeld’s Democratic Vistas. Critical Studies in Media Communication, 22
(5), 390-408.
Olbrys, S. (2005b). Money Talks: Folklore in the Public Sphere. Folklore, 116 (3), 292-310.
Stoeltje, B., Fox, C., and Olbrys, S. (1999). The Self in Fieldwork: A Methodological Concern.
Journal of American Folklore, 112, 158-182. Lead essay.
Book Chapter
Gencarella, S. (2013). Critical Folklore Studies and the Revaluation of Tradition. In Tradition in
the Twenty-First Century, edited by Trevor Blank and Robert Glenn Howard. Logan: Utah State
University Press. 49-71.
Refereed Pedagogy Article
Olbrys, S. (2004). Keep Your Keys: Teaching, Democracy, and Performance Art. Thought and
Action, 20, 9-22. Lead essay.
Non-Refereed Pedagogy Article
Olbrys, S. (2005). The Ivory Tower, Apathy, and the Art of Citizenship. Best Practices, 1 (2), 18. (Invited essay.) Reprinted in The Best of Best Practices. (2006). David Thomson, ed. Waco:
TSTC Publishing. 15-21. Lead essay. (Invited).
Book Reviews, Brief Articles, and Responses
Gencarella, S. (2012). Rooting for the Wolves: Critical Folklore Studies and the Psychoanalytic
Wilderness. Cultural Analysis, 11, online.
Gencarella, S. (2010c). Gramsci, Good Sense, and Critical Folklore Studies: A Critical
Reintroduction. Journal of Folklore Research, 47 (3), 259-264.
Olbrys, S. (2004). Review of Myth: A New Symposium, edited by Gregory Schrempp and
William Hansen. New England Classical Journal, 31, 48-51. (Invited).
Olbrys, S. (2004). Teachers, Terrorists, and Tyranny: A Reply to Education Secretary Rod Paige.
Thought and Action, 20, 165-166.
Works Submitted or in Progress
Gencarella, S. Democratic Laughter: Alternative Situation Comedy as Social Criticism. Book
manuscript in preparation.
Refereed Convention / Conference Papers and Presentations
Gencarella, S., and Ingram, B. (2013). "Gorgias: The First Neuroscientist." Paper to be presented
at the 2014 Rhetoric Society of America Conference, San Antonio.
Gencarella, S. (2011). "All We Could Wish to See": Critical Rhetoric and the New Theater of
Cruelty. Robert Gunderson Distinguished Alumni Lecture, Department of Communication and
Culture, Indiana University.
Gencarella, S., and Ingram, B. (2010). "All We Could Wish to See": A Case for Comic Cruelty.
Paper presented at the National Communication Association Annual Conference, San Francisco.
Gencarella, S. and Lucaites, J. L. (2007). Democracy for Dummies: The Commodification of
Idiocy and the Problem of Judgment. Paper presented at the National Communication Association
Annual Conference, Chicago.
Olbrys, S. and Lucaites, J. L. (2005). Democracy for Dummies: The Commodification of Idiocy
and the Problem of Judgment. Paper presented at Figures of Democracy Conference, Concordia
University.
Olbrys, S. (2005). The Haunted Tourist: Redemption in Display at Civil Rights Museums. Paper
presented at Contesting Public Memories Conference, Syracuse University.
Olbrys, S. (2005). Carving Up the Body Politic, or, Why Everybody Still Wants to be a Fascist.
Paper presented at Performing in Uncertain Times Conference, University of Massachusetts,
Amherst.
Olbrys, S. (2004). Democracy: A Wild Emotion in a Time of Piety. Paper presented at
Psychoanalysis and Democracy Conference, Columbia University. (Chair of Panel:
Psychoanalysis, Rhetoric, and Rationality.)
Olbrys, S. (2004). Democracy, Teaching, and Performance Art: A Conversation. Presentation at
National Education Association Annual Conference, Seattle.
Olbrys, S. (2003). Democracy as Sparring without Parting. Paper presented at Literature,
Communication, and Democracy Conference, University of Massachusetts, Lowell.
Olbrys, S. (2002). A Cartoon, A War, and the Truth About Political Correctness. Paper
presented at Annual Meeting of the Northeast Popular Culture / American Culture Association,
New London, NH.
Olbrys, S. (2000). The Commodification of Social Evil: Remembering the Salem Witch Trials.
Paper presented at Annual Meetings of the National Communication Association, Seattle.
Olbrys, S. (2000). Dirty Words: Folklore, Rhetoric, Criticism. Paper presented at Annual
Meeting of the California Folklore Society, Berkeley.
Olbrys, S. (2000). The Commodification of Legal History: Remembering the Salem Witch
Trials. Paper presented at the Working Group on Law, Culture, and the Humanities, Georgetown
University Law Center, Washington, DC.
Olbrys, S. (1999). Consilience Unbound: The Problem of “Folk” in Science. Paper presented at
Annual Meeting of the American Folklore Society, Memphis.
Olbrys, S. (1999). Is There A Myth In This Vase? Paper presented at Colloquium on Myth,
Folklore Department, Indiana University, Bloomington.
Olbrys, S. (1998). Popular Patterns: The Traditional Source of Chariton’s Novel Kallirhoe. Paper
presented at Annual Meeting of the American Folklore Society, Seattle.
Public Lectures and Invited Talks
2006
A Plea for Rhetoric. New Student Orientation Program, University of Massachusetts, Amherst.
2005
Politics in the Classroom and the Crisis in Education. University of Massachusetts Democrats.
2004
Will Democracy Survive 2004? Party Politics, Political Rhetoric, and the Presidential Election.
Commonwealth College, University of Massachusetts, Amherst.
2004
Invited speaker for a panel on fair elections. Democracy Matters, University of Massachusetts,
Amherst.
2004
Humor and American Politics. Misquamicut Business Association Summer Lecture Series,
Westerly, Rhode Island.
2003
In Desperation but with Faith: The History and Traditions of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Feste.
Misquamicut Business Association Summer Lecture Series, Westerly, Rhode Island.
2002
The Folklore and Commercialization of the Salem Witch Trials. Misquamicut Business
Association Summer Lecture Series, Westerly, Rhode Island.
Grant Activity: Funded
2010
Awarded $274,000, The Davis Education Foundation, Falmouth, ME (Deputy Provost John
Cunningham and Martha Stassen, PIs)
2006
Awarded $2000, UMass Diversity Grant, University of Massachusetts, Amherst (with Leda
Cooks)
2004
Awarded $1500, Faculty Grant for Teaching, University of Massachusetts, Amherst
2003
Awarded $1000, University of Massachusetts, Lowell, Center for Diversity and Pluralism (with
Todd Avery)
Grant Activity: Proposed
2007
College of Humanities and Fine Arts Vision Grant, University of Massachusetts, Amherst (Nick
Bromell, PI)
2005
Contributing member to the University of Massachusetts, Amherst application for the Ford
Foundation Difficult Dialogues Initiative Grant
Other Scholarly Activity
2004-2005
Visiting Researcher, Peabody Essex Museum, Salem, Massachusetts
TEACHING:
Undergraduate Courses Taught (University of Massachusetts)
COMM 118
COMM 297C/265
COMM 297K
COMM 297V/297ZZ
COMM 310
COMM 397AG
COMM 397AK
COMM 397FF
COMM 397O
COMM 412
COMM 494EI
COMM 494PI
COMM 494RI
COMM 497K
COMM 497P
COMM 497UU
Introduction to Interpersonal Communication and Culture
Democracy and Discourse
Rhetoric and Public Discourse
Ethnography of Performance / Performance and Social Theory
Persuasion Theory
Critical Folklore Studies
Rhetoric and Social Theory
Myth, Ritual, and Performance
Unspeakable Discourses
Political Communication
Rhetoric, Ethics, and the Good Life
Horror and Public Culture
Rhetoric, Science, and Public Culture
Rhetorical Criticism
Humor as Communication and Social Action / Humor and Public Culture
Ancient Rhetorical Theory
Undergraduate Honors Sections Taught (University of Massachusetts)
HONORS 265 (H01)
Democracy and Discourse
HONORS 297VV (H13) Ethnography of Performance
HONORS 397O (H07)
Unspeakable Discourses
Undergraduate Courses Taught (Indiana University)
CMCL 121
CMCL 122
FOLK 101
Public Speaking
Introduction to Interpersonal Communication
Introduction to Folklore
Graduate Courses Taught (University of Massachusetts)
COMM 665/695B
COMM 666
COMM 795E
COMM 795F
COMM 795G
Contemporary Rhetorical Theory
Rhetoric and Social Change
Democracy, Rhetoric, and Performance
Performance and Public Culture
Language as Action and Performance
Faculty Associations
Five College Faculty Seminar in Performance Studies
Five College Faculty Seminar in Folklore
Advising
Chair, Doctoral Dissertations: Gregory Dorchak, 2009-present; Joanna Brook, 2009-2012; Brett Ingram,
2008-2013; Camille Martinez, 2008-present
Chair, Master’s Theses: Shara Dunn, 2007-2009
Chair, Graduate Student Comprehensive Exams: Bryan Baldwin, 2010; Gregory Dorchak, 2009; Camille
Martinez, 2008; Brett Ingram, 2008
Chair, Graduate Student Plan of Study Committees: Ray Huling, 2013-present; Rachel Briggs, 2011present; Hari Kumar 2008-2009; Gregory Dorchak, 2007-2009; Shara Dunn, 2006-2007; Brett
Ingram 2004-2008; Bryan Baldwin 2003-2008
Chair, Undergraduate Honors Theses / Projects: Leslie Salomon, 2007-2008; Katie Abbondanza 20042005; Marziah Alavi, 2003-2004; Suzanne Polizzi, 2003-2004; Tara Porter, 2003-2004; Cristin
Genarelli, 2003-2004; Lisa Kuchta, 2002-2003; Elena Panesis, 2001-2002
Committee Member, Doctoral Dissertations: Bryan Baldwin, 2011-present; Rachel Wagner, 2011-present
(Social Justice Education); Zach McDowell, 2011-2012; Chase Catalano, 2009-present (Social
Justice Education); Razvan Sibii, 2008-present; Stephanie Kent, 2008-2009; Scott Oberacker,
2005-2009; Nessim Watson, 2004-2005; Winnifred Wood, 2003-2004 (Rhetoric and
Composition)
Committee Member, Masters Theses: Hari Kumar, 2009-present; Catalin Cighi, 2007-2008 (Hospitality
and Tourism); Jane Stout, 2007-2008 (Psychology); Razvan Sibii, 2005-2006
Committee Member, Graduate Student Comprehensive Exams: Rachel Wagner, 2010-2011 (Social Justice
Education); Zach MacDowell, 2009-2010; Alison Brzenchek, 2008-2009; Dawn Lovegrove,
2008-2009; Brion Van Over, 2008-2009; Chase Catalano, 2007-2009 (Social Justice Education);
Donna Halper, 2006-2007; Joanna Brook, 2005-2006; Viveca Greene, 2005-2006; Carol Bailey,
2005-2006 (English); Shannon Payne, 2005-2006 (American Studies); Razvan Sibii, 2004-2005;
Carmen McClish, 2004-2005
Committee Member, Graduate Student Plan of Study Committees: Zach McDowell, 2008-2010; Jillian
Marty, 2007-2010; Camille Martinez, 2005-2008; Alison Brzenchek, 2007-2008; Donna Halper,
2003-2006; Jeff Stablea, 2005-2006; Razvan Sibii, 2003-2004
Committee Member, Undergraduate Honors Theses / Projects: Elizabeth Cleary, 2002-2003; Zachary
Denver, 2006-2007; Ryan Rucki, 2004-2005
PROFESSIONAL HONORS AND ACTIVITY:
Academic Honors
Recipient, National Education Association Award in Excellence / Democracy in Higher Education, 2004
Teaching Honors
Finalist, Distinguished Teaching Award, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, 2001, 2003
Nominee, Distinguished Teaching Award, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, 2002, 2005, 2006, 2007
Recipient, Panhellenic Council Distinguished Faculty Teaching Award, University of Massachusetts,
Amherst, 2001
Service Honors
Commencement Faculty Marshal, 2010
Recipient, Emerging Leader Award, Massachusetts Society of Professors / Massachusetts Teacher’s
Association, 2005
PROFESSIONAL SERVICE:
Department Activity
Director of Junior Year Writing / Communication 375, 2004-present
Director of Public Speaking / Communication 260, 2001-present (did not serve 2004-2005)
Director of Instructional Development Program for Incoming Graduate Students, 2004-2007
Member, Human Subjects Committee, 2007-2008
Member, Graduate Admissions Committee, 2006-2007
Member, Graduate Studies Committee, 2005-2006
Member, Personnel Committee, 2004-2005, 2010-2011, 2012-2013, 2013-2014
Member, Undergraduate Studies Committee, 2003-2004, 2008
Member, Center for the Study of Communication, 2002-2004
Campus Activity
Member, General Education Variance Committee, 2013-present
Member, General Education Council, 2009-present
University Director of Junior Year Writing, 2009-2013
Member, College of Humanities and Arts and Sciences Merger Committee, 2011-2012
Member, General Education Integrative Experience Steering Committee, 2010-2012
Member, General Education Davis Fellows Selection Committee, 2010-2012
Judge, Junior Year Writing Best Essay Contest, 2009-2012
Chair, Faculty Senate University Writing Committee, 2005-2006, 2007-2008
Editor, Faculty Senate University Writing Committee Report on the Junior Year Program, 2008
Editor, Faculty Senate University Writing Committee Report on the First Year Program, 2006
Member, Faculty Senate Ad Hoc Committee on Student Plagiarism, 2005-2006
Member or Ad Hoc Member, Faculty Senate University Writing Committee, 2003-2012
Member, Student Commencement Speaker Address, 2003
Massachusetts Society of Professors Activity
Member, MTA Commonwealth Revenue Enhancement Committee, 2010-2011
Member, MTA Board of Directors (elected), 2006-2009; 2009-2010
Massachusetts Society of Professors Delegate to the MTA Annual Meeting (elected), 2005
Vice President, Massachusetts Society of Professors (elected), 2005-2008
Delegate, MTA Summer Conference Meeting / Emerging Leaders Program, 2005
Discipline Activity
Editorial Board, Quarterly Journal of Speech, 2007-2010
Review Board, Thought and Action, 2008-2010
Editorial Board, Liminalities: A Journal of Performance Studies, 2007-2009
Editorial Board, Thought and Action, 2005-2008
Ad Hoc Reviewer, New England Classical Journal, 2004-2005
Community Activity
Coordinator, campus student voter registration drive (in collaboration with MSP, GEO, and SGA), 2008
Workshop on democratic communication for Nuance multicultural program, University of Massachusetts,
Amherst, 2006
Workshop on political communication with MassPIRG, 2006
Workshop on rhetoric of political conflicts at Hebrew High School of New England, 2006
Coordinator, campus student voter registration drive (in collaboration with MSP, GEO, and SGA; 1600+
students registered); cited in Daily Hampshire Gazette and MTA Today, 2006
Volunteer Consultant, Massachusetts Voters for Fair Elections , 2005-2006
Volunteer Consultant, Pioneer Valley Progressives, 2005-2006
Volunteer Consultant, Western Massachusetts League of Women Voters Heath Care Committee, 2005
Invited by State Senator Stan Rosenberg to contribute to a public workshop on political framing, 2005
Volunteer Consultant, State of Massachusetts 4H Public Speaking Program, 2004