Dr. Cara Finnegan

Professor

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Biography

Cara Finnegan is a Professor in the Department of Communication at Illinois University with affiliated appointments in the Center for Writing Studies, Gender and Women's Studies, and Art History. She was named a University Scholar in 2017. Finnegan's research primarily examines the role of photography as a tool in public life. She explores how photographs can serve as powerful forms of communication that visualize social issues, reveal the invisible, and foster connections. Her book-length projects trace the rhetorical histories of photography, investigating its production, composition, circulation, and reception, particularly during specific moments in U.S. history. Her recent work, 'Photographic Presidents: Making History from Daguerreotype to Digital', published by University of Illinois Press in 2021, reflects her engagement with visual politics. Finnegan's insights on photography and visual politics have been featured in various publications within the fields of communication and U.S. history, and she has contributed to popular media outlets such as New York, CBS, and Vox.

Research Interests

Awards

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Distinguished Scholar Award

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Public Voices Fellow

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University Scholar

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National Endowment Humanities Fellowship

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NCA Rhetorical Communication Theory Division Faculty Mentor Award

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Winans-Wichelns Award for Distinguished Scholarship in Rhetoric and Public Address

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NCA Visual Communication Division Book Award

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Conrad Humanities Professor

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William S. Vaughn Visiting Fellow

2006-07-01
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NCA Golden Monograph Award

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Campus Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching

2005-06-01
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NCA Rhetorical Communication Theory Division New Investigator Award

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NCA Diamond Anniversary Book Award

Courses

CMN 340: Visual Politics CMN 396: Photography and Public Life CMN 423: Rhetorical Criticism CMN 450: Gender Rhetoric CMN 538: Problems in Public CMN 538: Rhetoric and Visual Culture CMN 538: Writing Rhetorical Histories CMN 538: Rhetoric in Context CMN 529: Writing for Graduate School

Requirements for University of Illinois

Master Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3
IELTS
Listening
Required:7
Reading
Required:7
Writing
Required:7
Speaking
Required:7
Overall
Required:7.5
TOEFL
Listening
Required:17
Reading
Required:19
Writing
Required:21
Speaking
Required:20
Total
Required:103
GRE General
Prerequisites
Mathematical background Linear Algebra Calculus
Application Checklist
  • Online application
  • Unofficial transcripts
  • 3 Letters of Recommendation
  • Academic Statement of Purpose
  • Resume/CV
Specialization Notes

GRE is optional for admission to all graduate programs in Statistics. Full status admission requires higher language scores than limited status.