On Why “Intellectual Work is Cathartic” and Other Reflections About Teaching Media: An Interview With Mary Vavrus

Abstract

Dr. Mary Vavrus is a tenured professor in the Department of Communication Studies at the University of Minnesota. Her research interests include media, gender, political economy, and militarism. Her most recent book is titled Post-Feminist War: Women in the Media-Military Industrial Complex. Mary is an exceptional scholar, but she is also known by many to be an exceptionally caring, thoughtful, and dedicated educator and advisor. She currently serves as the course coordinator for undergraduate Media Literacy sections and as the department’s liaison for undergraduate intensive writing classes. She has also served as the Director of Graduates Studies and has advised over 20 graduate students. Mary has played a large role in making the department’s critical media track--for both undergraduate and graduate students--what it is today. It is for these reasons that Teaching Media Quarterly asked her to share her insight on teaching media in the undergraduate classroom in the contemporary political moment