James Michael Fraley

Assistant Professor of Instruction

Courses taught include focus on persuasive communication that occurs at the intersections of multimodal rhetoric, cultural semiotics, and behavioral/social psychology.

ATC2.710

Professional Preparation

PhD - Rhetoric
Texas Woman's University - 2021

Master of Arts - Rhetoric and Composition
Tarleton State University - 2014

Bachelor of Arts - English
Tarleton State University - 2010

Research Areas

Multimodal Rhetoric, Social Semiotics, and Social Psychology

My interests follow persuasive communication that occurs at the intersections of multimodal rhetoric, cultural semiotics, and behavioral/social psychology. Social influence relies on visual, aural, spatial, linguistic, and gestural signifiers, along with a basic understanding of attitudes and behaviors to engage via mediated communication across global networks. Especially as AI gains a foothold, our BAHT students will require a theoretical background as well as practical design principles. My research is informed by multimodal/visual rhetoric (Aristotle-Burke, Selber, Barthes), semiotics (Sebeok/Saussure), social psychology (Eagly), narratology (Barthes/Bakhtin/Murray), and social constructionism/discourse theory (Foucault/Bakhtin).

Awards

Adjunct Teaching Excellence Award - Texas Woman's University - FYC [2021]

Pioneer Excellence Award – Overall Outstanding Graduate Teaching Assistant - TWU Pioneer Center [2019]

J. Dean Bishop Teaching Excellence Award - TWU First Year Composition [2018]

Outstanding Graduate Student - Tarleton State University [2014]

Outstanding Contributor Award in short story, poetry, art and photography - Tarleton State Anthology [2009]

Appointments

Digital Composition Lab Manager (DCL)
Texas Woman's University [2019–2020]

FYC Program Assistant
Texas Woman's University [2020–2021]

Presentations

Panel Presentation on Multiliteracy, RSA 2020

(Cancelled due to Covid -19).

“Spatial Heuristics, Visual Rhetoric, and Origami: Mediating Multimodality in Communication, Meaning, and Collaboration for FYC Courses.”

2018/03–2018/03 Original Scholarship/Panel with Amanda Oswalt, Trends in Teaching College Composition Conference, Collin County Community College. Oct. 2018.

“Bridging the Gap through Visual and Environmental Influences.” Original scholarship presented at South Central Writing Centers Association (SCWCA) Conference. Corpus Christi, TX. Feb. 2013.

2013/02–2013/02 Original scholarship presented at South Central Writing Centers Association (SCWCA) Conference. Corpus Christi, TX. Feb. 2013.

• "Utilizing Multimodal Literacy to Cross the Digital Divide: First-Year Students and Visually Based Writing Pedagogy."

2014/03–2014/03 Original scholarship presented at Conference of College Teachers of English (CCTE). Lubbock, TX. Mar. 2014.