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Disability Studies Subject of Westminster College Faculty Forum

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Posted on Thursday, October 25, 2001

James L. Cherney, instructor of speech at Westminster College, will continue the Westminster College Faculty Forum Wednesday, Nov. 7, at 11:45 a.m. in 311 Patterson Hall.

Cherney's talk, "Crip Power: Constructing Identity through Disability Studies," will focus on the emerging field of disabilities studies, and its ramifications as a politically-oriented academic discipline.

Cherney is the author of a papers presented at the National Communication Association Conference, "Cure Commodified: Ableism, Messianic Medicine, and Nuveen's Christopher Reeve Commercial." This paper deals with the commercial that enhanced Christopher Reeve walking to present an award at a futuristic ceremony that became a center of controversy after it aired during the 2000 Superbowl.

Cherney was recently elected vice chair elect of the Disability Caucus of the National Communication Association. This position is the first step of a three-year commitment, which culminates as the chair of the caucus in 2002.

Cherney, who has been with Westminster College since 2000, earned his undergraduate degree from Butler University, and his master's from Indiana University.

For more information, contact Cherney at (724) 946-7235 or e-mail chernejl@westminster.edu.