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When Case Studies are Not Enough: A Commentary on the State of Image Repair Research

"It Was Like I Had Murdered a Baby": Hollywood Filmmakers' Apologia Following "Bad" Films.

Say it like you meme it: Looking back on Covid memes as an extension of the news cycle.

Taco the Puppy is Super Sick: Student Excuses as a Unique Form of Apologia Rhetoric

"I'm Sorry You Interpreted My Behavior the Way You Did": Toward A New Understanding of the Nuances of Mortification

Listening to Unheard Voices: Nurses ’ Communication Experiences with the NRS Pain Scale

140 Characters to Say “I Hate You”: Melissa Click, Racism, and the Media Circus at Mizzou

Apologist-in-Chief?: Newspaper Kategoria and Antapologia following Barack Obama’s “Global Apology Tour”

Jewish Antapologia in Response to Mel Gibson’s Multiple Attempts at Absolution

Apologia, Antapologia, and the 1960 Soviet U-2 Incident

Persuasive Attack: Threatening Reputations in Public Discourse

COMM 6910 Masters Project

COMM 6900 Masters Capstone Thesis

COMM 6850 Individual Graduate Research

COMM 6240 Political and Corporate Speechwriting

COMM 6140 Pop Culture Messages

COMM 6020 Qualitative Communication Research

COMM 4502 Political Communication

COMM 3150 Nonverbal Communication

OMM 3020 Communication Research

COMM 2110 Interpersonal Communication

COMM 2010 Media & Society

COMM 1310 Thinking & Listening Critically

Dr. Kevin A. Stein is a professor of communication at Southern Utah University and director of the Master of Arts in Professional Communication program. His research focuses primarily on the rhetoric of attack (kategoria), defense (apologia), and persuasive responses to defense (antapologia). Other academic interests include political campaign communication and popular culture.

Dr. Stein has published numerous articles addressing a variety of apologetic contexts, as well as books and peer-reviewed articles on different types of political campaign messages including debates, advertisements, acceptance addresses, direct mail brochures, and television talk show appearances. He has presented his academic work at regional, national, and international conferences, including presentations at the University of Athens in Greece and the University of Amsterdam in the Netherlands. He received SUU's Distinguished Scholar award in 2020 and the College of Humanities and Social Sciences Outstanding Scholar award in 2019.

While on a year-long sabbatical in China, Dr. Stein directed the American Studies Center at Hunan Normal University in Changsha (Hunan Province). Since then he has returned several times as a liaison for the SUU Office of International Affairs and as a teacher in a dual degree communication program offered by Wuhan Polytechnic University and Southern Utah University.

Dr. Stein is the webmaster for Public Apology Central (www.publicapologycentral.com), which archives crisis summaries, transcripts, videos, and audio of public apologies (apologia) from politicians, celebrities, athletes, organizations, religious leaders, media figures, heads of state, and lay citizens.  

He earned a bachelor's degree in communication from Southern Utah University (1999), a master's degree in communication in speech from Idaho State University (2002), and a Ph.D. in communication from the University of Missouri (2005).

Antapologia Strategies

Political Campaign Messages

Film

Rhetoric of Defense

Apologia

Rhetoric

Communication

Pop Culture

Political Communication

Kategoria

Rhetoric of Attack

Critical Thinking

Public Apologies

LinkedIn Profile

Public Apology Central

A Global Partnership: Dual Degree Program

Meet Our Professors: Dr. Kevin Stein, Communication 

Dr. Kevin Stein Receives Fulbright Specialist Award to Spain at Universidad de Murcia

As Obama Stumps for Struggling Democrats, Biden and Team Muddle the Message

Two Communication Professors Publish Research on How Public Figures Avoid Genuine Apologies

5 Secrets Politicians Use in Debate Battle

Dr. Kevin Stein, expert on popular culture, gives his thoughts who he thinks should win at the 2018 Academy Awards.

The Films That Impacted Me the Most This Year

Film enthusiasts around the world are waiting with building anticipation for the 90th annual Academy Awards. Taking place Sunday, March 4, 2018, millions of viewers will tune in to honor excellence in film.

Dr. Kevin Stein, Associate Professor of Communication at Southern Utah University and expert on popular culture, loves to see movies that have not only great aesthetic quality, but also tremendous entertainment value being recognized.

“In 2018, we should be treated to another fantastic ceremony. This year will showcase some extremely talented women who have already made history in securing nominations, and could set a new mark by winning in their respective categories.”

“Rachel Morrison received the first ever nomination for a female cinematographer for her work in Mudbound. The cinematography in the film is beautiful, and I will be rooting for Morrison to provide women their first win in this category.”

Dr. Stein does not predict any winners, but instead, lists who he thinks should win.

“I’m a big believer in what communication theorist Walter Fisher argues. He says that stories resonate with us uniquely because of our personal values and experiences. You can tell someone that on an objective level, this film isn’t well-shot, well-acted, well-scripted. However, you can’t tell someone which films should and should not resonate with them on a personal level. Whether you like them or not, these are the films/performances that impacted me the most this year.”

Along with his choices for Best Actor/Actress, Best Supporting Actor/Actress, and Best Director, Dr. Stein named The Post for Best Picture. 

“The movie felt to me like a natural prequel to one of my all-time favorite films All the President’s Men.  Spielberg should have won many more times than he actually has and Saving Private Ryan losing to Shakespeare in Love in 1998 was perhaps one of the biggest mistakes in Oscar history (next to Goodfellas losing to Dances with Wolves and Forrest Gump beating both The Shawshank Redemption AND Pulp Fiction).”

Dr. Stein is hopeful “Edgar Wright’s amazingly edited film Baby Driver sweeps all of the awards for Film Editing, Sound Editing, and Sound Mixing. And would also very much like for Kobe Bryant to NOT win for Dear Basketball.”

Dr. Stein is known for his Popular Culture Messages course at SUU, combining his research in popular culture and rhetorical criticism. He is comfortable with the media and available for interviews. Simply visit his profile.

2018 Academy Awards - The Films That Impacted Me the Most This Year

Director MAPC Program/Professor of Communication

Kevin Stein, Southern Utah University Communication professor analyzes a recent public apology in order to empower the public to actively respond to the rhetorical practices of people making apologies in  political and public discourse.

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)

Produced by: Steve Swift
Cameras: Steve Swift and Dayne Fay

Anatomy of an apology: Kevin Stein at TEDxSUU

At Southern Utah University, professors are passionate about their fields of study and continually strive to create a classroom environment that encourages growth and rigor. 

Located in Cedar City, Southern Utah University is in the heart of Utah's color country region. Distinguished above others for its focus on personalized education, SUU prepares its students to achieve excellence in their chosen field and create positive change in the world. 

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Meet Our Professors: Kevin Stein, Communications

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