Politeness and Political Debate analyzes politeness theory and political debate, categorically evaluating politeness strategies in presidential and vice presidential debates from 1960 to 2004. The book also features an introduction to politeness theory and how to apply it to debates.

To remedy the lack of information on relational dimensions of debates, politeness theory offers a compelling way of explaining audience assessments of leadership and advocacy skills. The authors summarize the results for each candidate's politeness strategies, relate them to the historical context of the campaign in which they take place, and consider them in relation to other studies conducted on the campaign debates. Debates fall into one of three sections: debating policies; attacking policies and the opponent; and directly attacking the opponent.

This well-researched book ends with implications for debate planners, politicians, citizens, and scholars, including an insightful chapter on the electorate's ideal debate.

Edward A. Hinck, who received his B.S. from the U of U College of Humanities, is professor and director of forensics at Central Michigan University. Shelly S. Hinck is a professor of communication and dramatic arts, and William O. Dailey is associate professor of communication and dramatic arts.

From the University of Utah Press:

Three Brigham Young University scholars have edited Revisiting Thomas F. O’Dea’s The Mormons: Contemporary Perspectives (University of Utah Press, January 2008).

Fifty years ago, O’Dea, a Catholic sociologist who taught at the University of Utah from 1959 to 1964, published a landmark study titled simply The Mormons. It remains one of the most widely cited social science treatments of Mormon society and culture.

Now, after five decades of additional scholarly inquiry, this volume revisits O’Dea’s life and work, while offering new insights about the LDS Church and its members. Scholars from the U.S. and Europe contribute to an examination of the interplay between contemporary social issues and the church, including such topics as civil rights, the women’s movement, homosexuality, rising divorce rates, and childbirth outside marriage. The relationship of the church to the nation is considered. Finally, issues relating to the international church are also discussed.

Drawing from diverse fields such as sociology, economics, theology, psychology, and anthropology, each contribution offers a reflection of O’Dea’s The Mormons while considering the persistent themes and contemporary issues that face the church today.

Editors Cardell K. Jacobson, John P. Hoffmann, and Tim B. Heaton are all professors in the Department of Sociology at BYU. Contributors come from professors at institutions including Georgia Southern University (Statesboro); Washington and Lee University (Lexington, Va.); Utrecht University, The Netherlands; and Durham University, U.K.

Barton R. Bowen MPA’99 PhD’05 has published A United Order Model for a Globally Integrated Society: Based on Principles of Theodemocracy, Consecration, and Stewardship (VDM Verlag Dr. Mueller e.K., March 2008).

Frequently we hear talk about a “New World Order” or globally integrated society. In fact, it seems like every day we hear in the news about progress toward this end. A United Nation’s military, a common currency including the most recently designed “Amero,” a North American superhighway, and establishment of the newly formed regional “Trade Bloc” called CAFTA are just a few of the agenda items pushed by highly influential people who seek a “globalized” world.

Have you ever wondered, specifically, what life might be like under the currently designed New World Order plan? A United Order, Bowen’s doctoral dissertation, explores the foundations of a global political-economic system that not only eliminates worldwide poverty but also studies the possibilities of eliminating elitism and ensuring that free choice reigns supreme—a system where “all things are held in common” and everyone is consecrated their preferences conditioned upon a principle of accountability called “stewardship.”

Bowen, who received both his M.P.A. and Ph.D. from the U of U College of Social and Behavioral Science, is an adjunct professor (economics and mathematics) with Maricopa District Community Colleges, Arizona. He was previously a nuclear propulsion officer with the U.S. Navy and an account manager with Calgon Corp.

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