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John Oddo's research explores theories of rhetoric, discourse, and multimodality to critically examine how powerful agents use language and symbols to generate support for war. A focal point of his research is 'intertextual rhetoric', which investigates how rhetoric operates across texts over time. He is particularly interested in how U.S. political leaders reuse generic rhetorical techniques to manipulate public opinion during times of conflict. One major aspect of his work examines how media institutions recontextualize and modify claims made by political leaders in the lead-up to war, often enhancing the 'call-to-arms' message. His book, 'Intertextuality in the 24-Hour News Cycle', analyzes Colin Powell's 2003 address to the United Nations as reported and reformulated by various news outlets. His recent book, 'Discourse of Propaganda', seeks to unpack how propaganda functions by examining the manipulative discourse surrounding the Persian Gulf War and the 'War on Terror'. He aims to critically study the mystifying language of war, hoping to find pathways to peace at home with his wife and daughters.
Admission is extremely competitive with no strict GPA cut-offs; holistic review is used.