Dr. Marian Houser
Instructional Communication, Communication Assessment, Nonverbal Communication, Relational Conflict, Gender & Communication, Theory & Research Methods
B.A. University of Missouri-Columbia, M.A. Miami of Ohio University,
Ph.D. University of Tennessee
Office Location: Centennial Hall 327
Office Phone: 512-245-3137
About Dr. Houser
Dr. Houser teaches undergraduate courses in gender and communication, nonverbal communication, and research methods as well as graduate courses in instructional communication, communication assessment, communication research and theory, gender and communication, and conflict in relationships. Her research interests are in the areas of instructional communication and interpersonal communication. Most recently her research involves “Predictors of Student Empowerment and Learning,” "Topical Conflict in Everyday Relationships” and “The Predicted Outcome Value of Communication Issues in the Speed Dating Environment." She has published and presented more than 30 papers in these areas. Her research has been featured in Communication Education, Communication Quarterly, Communication Research Reports, Communication Studies, Human Communication, The Journal of Continuing Higher Education, and Case Studies for Organizational Communication: Understanding Communication Processes. She received top paper awards for her research comparing the instructor communication expectations of traditional and nontraditional students and more recently top awards for her papers investigating interpersonal predictors of speed-dating success and the student-teacher interaction in CD-ROM textbooks. Her research on students as stakeholders in higher education was featured in D. Seymour's book, High Performing Colleges: The Malcolm Baldridge National Quality Award as a Framework for Improving American Higher Education. She was the recipient of both the Graduate and Undergraduate 2007 Golden Apple Teaching Awards and the 2006 Research Award for the College of Fine Arts & Communication.
Sample of Courses Taught
COMM 3301 Communication Research Methods & Theory
An analysis of communication as a behavioral science with emphasis on quantitative research. Focuses on the student as a consumer of communication research. Explores the interdisciplinary nature of human communication as well as the resulting theory and principles. Prerequisite: 6 hours COMM.
COMM 3330 Nonverbal Communication
Introduces the conceptual foundations of nonverbal communication. Theoretical perspectives, research methods and applications of nonverbal communication are also explored in a variety of contexts. Prerequisite: COMM 2315 or 2330. (WI)
COMM 5301 Empirical Methods in Communication Research
An examination of empirical research methods in speech communication. Measurement procedures, statistics, experimental design, and descriptive research methods will be investigated as well as a consideration of scholarly writing and library research. Required of speech communication majors.
COMM 5321 Communication Assessment
An in-depth study of communication assessment techniques employed in the field or oral communication. Statistical, experimental, and observational methods of assessing oral communication in the interpersonal, group, and classroom settings are included.
COMM 5322 Seminar in Instructional Communication
Examines communication instruction theory and research and their practical applications in vaious instructional settings.
COMM 5325 Conflict in Relationships
An examiniation of the range of conflict that exists in a variety of close relationships. The study of theoretical perspectives and research across different areas of social science literature provides a broad knowledge base on the topic.
COMM 5356 Gender and Communication
An examination of research and theories about gender communication, relationships, and qualitative research methods.
Dr. Houser teaches undergraduate courses in gender and communication, nonverbal communication, and research methods as well as graduate courses in instructional communication, communication assessment, communication research and theory, gender and communication, and conflict in relationships. Her research interests are in the areas of instructional communication and interpersonal communication. Most recently her research involves “Predictors of Student Empowerment and Learning,” "Topical Conflict in Everyday Relationships” and “The Predicted Outcome Value of Communication Issues in the Speed Dating Environment." She has published and presented more than 30 papers in these areas. Her research has been featured in Communication Education, Communication Quarterly, Communication Research Reports, Communication Studies, Human Communication, The Journal of Continuing Higher Education, and Case Studies for Organizational Communication: Understanding Communication Processes. She received top paper awards for her research comparing the instructor communication expectations of traditional and nontraditional students and more recently top awards for her papers investigating interpersonal predictors of speed-dating success and the student-teacher interaction in CD-ROM textbooks. Her research on students as stakeholders in higher education was featured in D. Seymour's book, High Performing Colleges: The Malcolm Baldridge National Quality Award as a Framework for Improving American Higher Education. She was the recipient of both the Graduate and Undergraduate 2007 Golden Apple Teaching Awards and the 2006 Research Award for the College of Fine Arts & Communication.
Sample of Courses Taught
COMM 3301 Communication Research Methods & Theory
An analysis of communication as a behavioral science with emphasis on quantitative research. Focuses on the student as a consumer of communication research. Explores the interdisciplinary nature of human communication as well as the resulting theory and principles. Prerequisite: 6 hours COMM.
COMM 3330 Nonverbal Communication
Introduces the conceptual foundations of nonverbal communication. Theoretical perspectives, research methods and applications of nonverbal communication are also explored in a variety of contexts. Prerequisite: COMM 2315 or 2330. (WI)
COMM 5301 Empirical Methods in Communication Research
An examination of empirical research methods in speech communication. Measurement procedures, statistics, experimental design, and descriptive research methods will be investigated as well as a consideration of scholarly writing and library research. Required of speech communication majors.
COMM 5321 Communication Assessment
An in-depth study of communication assessment techniques employed in the field or oral communication. Statistical, experimental, and observational methods of assessing oral communication in the interpersonal, group, and classroom settings are included.
COMM 5322 Seminar in Instructional Communication
Examines communication instruction theory and research and their practical applications in vaious instructional settings.
COMM 5325 Conflict in Relationships
An examiniation of the range of conflict that exists in a variety of close relationships. The study of theoretical perspectives and research across different areas of social science literature provides a broad knowledge base on the topic.
COMM 5356 Gender and Communication
An examination of research and theories about gender communication, relationships, and qualitative research methods.