Associate Professor

Department of Communication
Weber State University
1605 University Circle
Ogden, UT 84408-1605

801-626-6535 (office)
801-626-7975 (FAX)
RSline@Weber.edu

http://faculty.weber.edu/rsline/

EDUCATION

1999 Ph.D. University of Utah

1972 M.S. Southern Illinois University

1969 B.A. Drake University

YEARS at WSU: 26

* 8 as Dean of Student Life

* 3 on administrative leave

* 15 as faculty

CLASSES TAUGHT AT WSU

* Organizational Communication (COMM 3550)

* Small Group Facilitation and Leadership (COMM 3100)

* Intercultural Communication (COMM 3080)

* Communication Theory (COMM 3000)

* Health Communication (COMM/HAS 3230)

* Interpersonal & Small Group Communication (COMM 2110)

* Principles of Public Speaking (COMM 1020)

TEACHING PHILOSOPHY AND INNOVATIONS

My goal as a university professor is to create a structure and process whereby students can learn about communication theory and how to make sense of it in ways that impact their day-to-day lives. My courses are very interactive and I often use examples and case studies I have written from my experience as a organizational and small group communication researcher, consultant, and administrator to illustrate theoretical concepts. I take pride in my ability to integrate both my work and personal life experiences into classroom discussions.

I subscribe to the theory that adults learn best by connecting new information to related information we already know by writing about the connection, or by discussing and illustrating concepts in small groups. Consequently, my courses (particularly upper division) emphasize writing and small group discussion based on selected text readings, lectures, films, etc.

I feel fortunate to have selected a discipline that is easier than some to make relevant for students. My areas of specialty focus on communication in dyadic relationships, small groups, and organizations. Helping people increase awareness of their personal preferences for communicating in relationships, how their perceptions may differ from others’, and determining alternatives for finding common ground are three strategies which undergird my courses. For example, when teaching small group and organizational communication in the work place, I go well beyond a “managerialism” perspective. I am interested in the overall welfare and quality of experience for all organizational stake holders, not only in organizational effectiveness as defined by management, and I believe students need to understand all sides of organizational life, including “the good, the bad, and the ugly,” as they continue their life journeys through a world of organizations.

AREAS OF ACADEMIC INTEREST

My primary areas of academic interest are in organizational and small group communication. I am also interested in intercultural communication. My research has focused on teamwork, and member commitment to teams and organizations, however, Two new research projects focus on the relational dialectics in retirement, and on communicating family identity.

PUBLICATIONS

I have authored scholarly book chapters, professional articles and conference papers on group facilitation innovations, recruitment techniques, turning points in relationships, the effects of emotionality on work team collaboration, and factors influencing member commitment to work team and organization. My publications include:

Sline, R. W. (2006). Who owns the Jazz Festival . . . ? A case of facilitated intergroup conflict management. In L. Frey (Ed.) Facilitating group communication in context: Innovations and applications with natural groups, (pp. 239-267). Cresskill, NJ: Hampton Press. (Note – This book has received two national awards: (a) The 2007 Distinguished Book Award from the Applied Communication Division of the National Communication Association (NCA); and (b) The 2007 Ernest Bormann Research Award (for Distinguished Scholarly Book) from the Group Communication Division of the National Communication Association (NCA).

Johns, B., and Sline, R. W. (Eds.). (2007). Connecting: Interpersonal and Small Group Communication, 7th Edition. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth-Thomson Learning.

Clark, C., and Sline, R. W. (2003). Teaming with emotion: The impact of emotionality on work-team collaboration (Chapter 15), In R. Hirokawa, R. Cathcart, L. Samovar, and L. Henman (Eds.), Small Group Communication Theory and Practice (An Anthology), 8th edition, (pp. 158-168). Los Angeles, CA: Roxbury.

Bullis, C., Clark, C., & Sline, R. W. (1993). From passion to commitment: Turning points in romantic relationships. In, Kalbfleisch, P. (Ed.), Interpersonal Communication. Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.

Sline, R. W., & Johnson, J. (1973). Recruitment and matriculation techniques, The Journal of the National Association of College Admissions Counselors, 17 (3).

PRESENTATIONS

Sline, R. W. (2007). Teacher Training Outside Their Discipline: The Effects of a 7-year Continuous Professional Development (CPD) Program on Teacher Satisfaction and Commitment. Peer-reviewed paper presented at the 27th Annual International Seminar of the International Society for Teacher Education, June 24-30, 2007, University of Stirling, Scotland.

Sline, R. W. (2006). The Social Construction of Team Commitment: A Bona Fide Group Perspective. Peer-reviewed paper presented at the annual meeting of INGRoup, the Interdisciplinary Network of Group Researchers, Pittsburgh, PA, July 2006.

Sline, R. W. (2005). The Social Construction of Commitment Among Members of Interdependent Work Teams. Peer-reviewed paper presented at the annual meeting of the National Communication Association, Boston, November 2005.

Sline, R. W. (2005). Managing Dialectical Tensions: Did I go too far? Panel presentation on “Patriots in the Classroom: Discussions and Dissent Post 9-11" at the annual meeting of the National Communication Association, Boston, November 2005.

Sline, R. W. (2003). Who Owns the Jazz Festival . . . ? A Case of Facilitated Intergroup Conflict Management. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Western Speech Communication Association, Salt Lake City, UT.

Sline, R. W. (2001). Accidents, Ambivalence, and Changes in Direction: The Distinguished Career of W. Charles Redding, The “Dean” of Organizational Communication. Peer-reviewed paper presented at the annual meeting of the National Communication Association, Atlanta, November, 2001.

Garside, C., Johns, B., Reddout, T., & Sline, R. W. (2001). Connecting–Interpersonal & Small Group Communication: Northern Utah Teleconcurrent Communication Project. Peer-reviewed paper presented at the annual meeting of the National Communication Association, Atlanta, November 2001.

Sline, R. W. (1994). Reflections on a propitious moment: An analysis of a rhetorical situation in work team communication. Peer-reviewed paper presented at the annual meeting of the Western Speech Communication Association, San Jose, CA, February 1994.

Sline, R. W. & Clark, C. (1992). Teaming with Emotion: The impact of emotionality on team collaboration. Peer-reviewed paper presented at the annual meeting of the Speech Communication Association, Chicago, November 1992.

Bullis, C., Clark, C., & Sline, R. W. (1992). From passion to commitment: Turning points in romantic relation¬ships. Peer-reviewed paper presented at the annual meeting of the Western Speech Communication Association, Boise, Idaho, February 1992.

PREVIOUS WORK EXPERIENCE

I spent the first 20 years of my career as a university administrator in the following positions at 5 institutions:

* 1982-1990 Dean of Student Life – Weber State University, Ogden, UT 84408

* 1978-1982 Director of Student Development & Activities – The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109

* 1980-1981 Interim Associate Director, the Michigan Union – The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109 (concurrent with above position)

* 1974-1978 Assistant Dean of Students – The University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19711

* 1972-1974 Student Housing Area Coordinator – The University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19711

* 1971-1972 Financial Aid Counselor – Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL 62901

* 1970-1971 Fraternity Residence Manager and University Discipline Hearing Officer – Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL 62901

* 1969-1970 Admissions Officer – Doane College, Crete, NB 68114

Consulting

I have been designing and implementing organization needs assessments, interventions, and training programs for private corporations and public agencies for over 20 years. My major areas of specialization are organizational assessment, team building, facilitating organization change, futuring/strategic planning, and conflict management. I have also served as a consultant for a national training organization presenting communication skill building programs to Fortune 500 companies throughout the country.

MEMBERSHIPS

National Communication Association

Western States Communication Association

SERVICE

University Faculty Senate

University Diversity Steering Committee

University Diversity Conference Planning Committee

Past President, Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Society

College of Arts & Humanities Assessment Committee

Past President and Board Member, The Breakfast Exchange Club of Ogden

Past Board Member, The Red Cross of Northern Utah

HONORS AND AWARDS

Weber State University 2008 Exemplary Collaboration Award for “Communication 2110: Interpersonal & Small Group Communication Collaborative Service Learning

Weber State University 2007 Hemingway Faculty Collaboration Award for Papers Accepted for Presentation at the Annual Meeting of The International Society for Teacher Education, June 24-30, 2007, University of Sterling, Scotland

Weber State University 2003 Exemplary Collaboration Award as a Member of the Weber State University Diversity Steering Committee

Weber State University Exemplary Collaboration Award for coordinating a team of communication faculty, communication technology specialists, and high school English teachers in developing Connecting: Interpersonal & Small Group Communication, the Northern Utah Teleconcurrent Communication project

Recipient of the 1998 National Instructor Award of Merit from the International Association of General Motors Automotive Programs. This award is given to one non-automotive instructor each year from one of the 18 institutions which partner with General Motors

Recipient of $150,000 in pass-through grants to develop Connecting, the Northern Utah Teleconcurrent Communication project. These grants were Federal Perkins Grant monies awarded to the Northern Utah Tech Prep consortium composed of the Ogden School District, the Ogden-Weber Technical College, the Morgan School District, the Weber School District, and Weber State University (1995-1997)

PHILOSOPHY OF COMMUNICATION

Although much of my background as an administrator would suggest a rather functional orientation toward communication theory and praxis, in fact, I view communication as more of a social constructionist process through which parties share experiences and influence one another to create shared meanings.

PERSONAL INFORMATION

I am married and the father of one daughter, six step-children, fifteen step- grandchildren, two dogs, and two parrots. I love the outdoors and have a particular passion for fly fishing near our family cabin in Idaho. My wife and I love to read, travel in our classic 1978 Airstream travel trailer, and are avid “birders.”