Full-time faculty

	Dr. Paul Yelsma Professor
	Office: 214 Sprau Tower Office Phone: 269 387-3149
	Email: paul.yelsma@wmich.edu
	Education: Ph.D., University of Michigan
	Areas of expertise: Group, family, and interpersonal communication

Courses I teach:

COM 332: Group problem solving

This course examines principles and procedures of effective group communication with an emphasis on practical application of problem solving, decision making, and critical thinking skills. Individuals will work together in a variety of group situations learning to communicate effectively, plan agendas, make decisions, write and present group reports, and analyze group communication behaviors. $10.00 lab fee. Prerequisites: COM 170, COM 200 and ENGL 105 or the equivalent. (syllabus)

COM 475: Family communication

Examines the current literature pertaining to holistic systems, power influences, and satisfactory patterns of family communications. Students analyze family interactions and identify satisfactory patterns of marital family communication. (syllabus)

COM 170: Interpersonal communication

An introductory course in communication theory and practice in which students utilize their powers of speech to increase their effectiveness in interpersonal relations through understanding of self and others. This course may be offered in an accelerated format. (syllabus)

Recent Research

Yelsma, P. (1999). Small group problem solving as academic service-learning. In D. Droge & B. O. Murphy (Eds.), Voices of Democracy, Concepts and Models for Service-Learning in Communication Studies, American Association for Higher Education/NCA Press, pp.87-96.

Yelsma, P, Hovestadt, A.J., Anderson, W. T., & Nilsson, J.E. (In press). Expressive atmosphere in the family of origin and alexithymia. Journal of Marriage and Family Therapy.

Kayany, J. M. & Yelsma, P. (In press) Displacement effects of online media in the socio-technical contexts of households." Journal of Broadcasting and Electronic Media.

Kayany, J. M. & Yelsma, P. (1999). "Family communication patterns and the use of online media in households," First place, Open paper competition, Research Division, Broadcast Education Association Convention, Las Vegas, April 1999.

Kayany, J. M. & Yelsma, P. (1998) "Displacement effects of online media in the socio-technical contexts of households." Second place, Open paper competition, Communication Technology Division, BEA, Las Vegas.

Yelsma, P., & Ferguson, S. M. (1999) Toward understanding emotional expressiveness, alexithymia and satisfactory dyadic relationships, Presented at The Family Communication Division of the National Communication Association, 1999 Conference Chicago, IL.

Paul Yelsma, Professor of Communication in the School of Communication, teaches and researches at Western Michigan University. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Michigan and M. A. degrees from University of Denver and University of Michigan, and B.A. from the University of Denver. His areas of teaching and research expertise include small group, family, and interpersonal communication. His published works include a chapter in Communication and Health Outcomes and numerous articles on diverse communication topics in the following journals: Journal of Communication, Journal of Interpersonal Violence, Communication Quarterly, Journal of Comparative Family Studies, Human Relations, American Journal of Family Therapy, Sex Roles: A Journal of Research, Psychological Reports, Michigan Journal of Community Service Learning, Sociological Spectrum, The School Counselor, Journal of Social Psychology, as well as other publications. His research interests include: conflict management, marital and cohabitation communication, self-esteem, alexithymia, expression of emotions, intimacy, verbal abusiveness in intimate relationships, respect, and community service learning. His research has been cited in various texts and journals and he has given numerous presentations and served a communication consultant for various organizations and agencies.