Frank E. X. Dance

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University of Denver
Arts, Humanities, & Social Sciences
Human Communication Studies
John Evans ProfessorAppointed: 1971
Professional Headshot of Frank E. X. Dance

Mailing Address

Spruce Hall North 340D
University of Denver
2142 South High Street
Denver, Colorado 80208
United States

Contact Information

Phone: (303) 692-0977
Fax: (303) 692-0977
fdance@du.edu

Qualifications

Ph.D., Northwestern University, Speech, 1959.
M.S., Northwestern University, Speech, 1953.
B.S., Fordham University, Speech,Philosophy, 1951.

Expertise and Research Interests

My entire academic career has been devoted to examining the question ''What difference does it make to the human condition that humans speak?'' All of my research and publications may be seen as bearing on possible responses to the question. My current work deals with the impact of the oral tradition of knowing (oral noesis) on succeeding methodologies with special focus on the residue of orality in digital noetic structures.

On the way to learning more about possible answers to my guiding question I have studied the writings of Pavlov, Luria, Vygotsky, (a touch of Bakhtin), Susanne Langer, and Walter Ong.

I am interested in the connection between spoken language and higher mental processes and how this connection may best be studied and improved. I am also interested in how spoken language theory may be of aid to the practical applications found in organizations outside of academe.

Recently I have begun work on how human communication theory is implicated in technology. This work has, at the moment, two directions: 1)digital noesis or how the oral/aural nature of human spoken language affects and is affected by digital technology and 2) the digital divide, its topography and possible solutions.

Other Expertise

Academic Experience:
President, International Communication Association, 1967;
President, National Communication Association, 1982;
Fellow, International Communication Association;
Editor, J.Communication, 1962-1964;
Editor, Communication Education,1970-1972;
Recipient, Standard Oil Foundation outstanding professor award, U. Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 1967;
Recipient, William T. Driscoll Master Teacher award, U.Denver, 1985;
Appinted John Evans Professor of Human Communication Studies, 1996.

Business Experience:
Consultant to IBM, NASA, Governor of Texas Executive Training Program;
preparation of expert witnesses and of industry officers for media appearances.

Future Research

The functions of spoken language (linking, mentation, and regulation) are manifested in how people use digital technology. Current data suggests that the linking function, as manifested in e-mail, is the dominant digital manifestation of the functions ofspoken language. I would like to examine the support for this observation and the role of the other functions in digital communication.

Industrial Relevance

The digital experience is rooted in human spoken language. Human spoken language underlies organizational behaviors and is essential to best practices in business, government, and other human organizations.

Keywords

COS Keywords:

Business, Management and Commerce, Classroom Instruction, Communications, Language Acquisition and Development, Language Arts Education, Organizational Theory and Behavior.

Languages

(Reading, Writing, Speaking)

German: (Functional, Functional, Functional)
Latin: (Functional, Basic, Basic)

Memberships

American Communication Association
Central States Communication Association
Eastern Communication Association
International Communication Association
Media Ecology Association
National Communication Association
Rocky Mountain Communication Association

Honors and Awards

1995, John Evans Professorship, University of Denver, University of Denver, Human Communication
1986, University Lecturer, University of Denver, University of Denver
1985, William T. Driscoll Master Teacher, Undergraduate Student Body, University of Denver
1979, Fellow, International Communication Association
1967-1968, Knapp University Scholar in Communication, University of Wisconsin Board of Regents, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
1967, Standard Oil Foundation Outstanding Professor, Student Selected, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Previous Positions

1971(Summer), University of Montana, Distinguished Visiting Professor
1963-1971, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Associate Professor/Professor/Director of the Speech Communication Center
1960-1963, University of Kansas, Assistant Professor of Speech
1958-1960, St. Joseph's College (Rensselaer, Ind.), Assistant Professor of Speech
1957-1958, Chicago City Junior College (Woodrow Wilson Branch), Instructor

Publications

  • Edited by Philip Salem, Prologomena to a primitive theory of human communication in human organizations, Organizational Communication and Change, Hampton Press, 69-78, 1999
  • Dance, Frank E.X., Context's 'culture':speech, Context and Communication Behavior, Context Press, 1997
  • Dance, Frank E.X. and Carol C. Zak-Dance. Speaking your mind: Private thinking and public speaking. 2nd edition. Kendall/Hunt Publishers (Dubuque, Iowa) 1996
  • Dance, Frank E.X. "Ong's voice,"I", the oral intellect, you, and "we," in Text and Performance Quarterly. 9,185-198, 1989
  • Dance, Frank E.X. "What do you mean 'presentational' speaking?" in Management Communication Quarterly, 1, 270-281, 1987
  • Dance, Frank E.X. "Spoken language and the genesis of human values," special publication of University of Denver. University Lecture. University of Denver Press, October, 1986

Profile Details

Last Verified: 3/5/2006

COS Expertise ID #410632
Reference this profile directly: http://myprofile.cos.com/fdance