Integrating Communication, Teaching, and Music

Jeff St. Onge's Unique Approach

Jeff St. Onge, Ph.D., combines his expertise in communication and media studies with his passion for music as an Associate Professor at Ohio Northern University (ONU) in the Getty College of Arts & Sciences. He has developed a distinctive course that examines the communicative power of music while also addressing the influence of today's information climate on democracy.

Course Overview: Music, Communication & Cultures

St. Onge's popular course, Music, Communication & Cultures, is offered annually and takes an innovative perspective on how music communicates. "I wanted to create a class that was really about how music itself communicates," St. Onge shared. The course covers various music genres, including jazz, funk, reggae, heavy metal, hip hop, dance, blues, and country.

• Students collaborate using curated playlists to explore how different genres convey messages, analyzing elements like jazz improvisation and funk rhythm.
• The course attracts a diverse cross-section of the university community, including students from engineering, business, musical theatre, and pharmacy.

Addressing Information and Media Literacy

Beyond music, St. Onge's teaching and research focus on the public discourse and its implications for democracy. He emphasizes the importance of media literacy in an era where disinformation and propaganda are prevalent, particularly on social media platforms.

"Social media is an amazing propaganda tool," St. Onge noted, highlighting its frequent use without critical thinking. While acknowledging the positive aspects of the internet for journalism access, he cautioned against unverified information dissemination. His suggestion for improvement encompasses:

• Encouraging regular reading from diverse, reputable sources.
• Implementing media literacy courses for younger students in the United States.

The Importance of Civil Discourse

St. Onge believes that having open public discussions is essential for democracy. He emphasizes that even amidst differing opinions, civil discourse is achievable. In his writings, particularly an essay titled “On Radical Friendliness: Productive Citizenship in an Age of Division,” he proposes promoting positive interactions to mitigate polarization.

Ultimately, St. Onge advocates for a shared understanding of facts as a foundation for addressing pressing issues, such as climate change, in order to foster effective policies.