Oregon State University - Cascades Campus' annual "It's in the Bag" lecture series continues on Wednesday, May 5 with a presentation titled "Bringing Civility Back" that explores the tenor of our conversations nationwide.   The lunchtime lecture will be given by Natalie Dollar, Ph.D., of OSU-Cascades' liberal studies program. 

A speech communications specialist, Dollar will examine her perception of a gradual demise of civil conversation across the country, with the goal of promoting true dialogue, particularly in civic involvement. She’ll discuss her and other scholars’ research across a range of academic disciplines that examine ways citizens can engage in inclusive and civil conversations with one another.

Dollar is an associate professor of speech communication and teaches upper division and graduate courses in intercultural and interpersonal communication, community dialogue, communication theory, youth communication outreach, and group communication. Before coming to OSU-Cascades in 2002, she was a member of the Oregon State University faculty in Corvallis where she was named a College of Liberal Arts Master Teacher and awarded the College of Liberal Arts Dean Wilkins Faculty Development Award.

Dollar received a bachelor of arts in communication from Mississippi State University, a master of arts in communication theory from Arizona State University, and a doctorate in cultural communication from the University of Washington.

In 2003, she founded The Community Dialogue Project (CDP) that provides educational opportunities for Central Oregonians interested in learning about dialogue as an intentional, distinct form of communication. Working with OSU-Cascades students, Natalie offers an annual Community Dialogue Workshop as part of the CDP.

"It’s in the Bag" lectures are free and no reservation is needed. Complimentary beverages will be available. Audience members are asked to pick-up a free parking pass from the main office before parking.  For more information visit  http://www.osucascades.edu/lunchtime-lectures or contact 541-322-3100 or info@osucascades.edu.