Dr. Mark Hopson

Dr. Mark Hopson

Professor; School of Communication Graduate Admissions Director
Communication Studies, School of Communication
Expertise: Intercultural Communication; Organizational Diversity; African American Rhetorical Traditions; Rhetoric of Social Movements; Communication of Violence Prevention
Office Location: Doti Hall 208
Office Hours: Tuesdays/Thursdays 2:00-3:00pm and by appointment
Phone: (714) 628-2823
Education:
Western Michigan University, Bachelor of Arts
Western Michigan University, Master of Arts
Ohio University, Ph.D.

Biography

Dr. Mark C. Hopson serves as Professor in the School of Communication. Dr. Hopson also serves as Director of Africana Studies.

Dr. Hopson's interests include communication and culture. His research is based largely on qualitative methodology, including but not limited to rhetorical studies, auto/ethnography, phenomenology, discursivity, grounded theory, and dialogic theory, to explore how individuals and groups use communication to inform societal practice. 

Dr. Hopson has served as a keynote speaker and facilitated workshops and seminars for youth and adult learners. Topics include Violence Prevention Communication; Cultural Issues, Events, and Celebrations; Organizational Communication and Practice; Communication and Education; Cultural Currencies; and Communication Strategies for Societal Health and Well-being.

Professional Service  

Dr. Hopson has chaired and served on dissertation committees, presented research at conferences, and published research in academic journals and book chapters. In 2021 he served as selection-committee member for the Diamond Book Award presented by the National Communication Association (Seattle, WA). In 2020 he served as committee chair for the NCA Diamond Book Award. In 2019 he served as presenter at NCA’s Opening Session titled “Race Relations in Charm City: Communicating Social Justice” (Baltimore, MD). In 2018 he served as task force member for NCA’s “Issues in Diversity” (Salt Lake City, Utah); and in 2017 he served as a NCA legislative committee member, and chair for the NCA’s International and Intercultural Communication Division (Dallas, TX). He also served as chair for NCA’s African American Communication and Culture Division. 

Recent Creative, Scholarly Work and Publications

Hopson, M. C. & Pitts, M. (2024). Stereotypes of a Black Male Misunderstood: Collaborative Intergenerational Autoethnography, Black Masculinities Theory, and the Symbolism of Tupac Shakur. The Howard Journal of Communications, 1-18, https://doi.org/10.1080/10646175.2024.2357314
Hopson, M. C., Castle Bell, G., Whittington, E., & Otusanya, A. (In progress). Communicating interculturally: Theory, themes, and practice for societal wellbeing. Dubuque, IA: Kendall Hunt Publishing.
Hopson, M. C. & Petin, M. (2020). Reimagining Black masculinities: Race, gender, and public space. Lanham, MD: Lexington Books.
Hopson, M. C. (2011). Notes from the talking drum: Exploring Black communication and critical memory in intercultural communication contexts. Cresskill, NJ: Hampton Press. Jackson, R. L. & Hopson, M. C. (2011). Masculinity in the Black imagination: Politics of communicating race and manhood. NY: Peter Lang Publishing.

Faculty Directories by School or College