Venise Torriana Berry

 

School of Journalism and Mass Comm                     

E340 Adler Journalism Building                                 P. O. Box 5411.                                 

The University of Iowa                                               Coralville, IA   52241                        

Iowa City, IA   52242                                                 (319)  337-7557                     

(319) 335-3361                                                           venise-berry@uiowa.edu

 

 

EDUCATIONAL  HISTORY

Ph.D.     May 1989     The University of Texas,    Austin, Texas 78712

                                    Major: Radio, TV and Film,    Minor: Ethnomusicology

                                    Dissertation:  The Complex Relationship between Pop Music and

                                    Low Income Black Adolescents: A Qualitative Approach.

 

M.A.     July 1979       The University of Iowa   Iowa City, IA  52242  

                                    Major: Communication Studies

 

B.A.      May 1977      The University of Iowa   Iowa City, IA  52242  

                                    Major:  Journalism  

 

 

ACADEMIC  HISTORY

Associate Prof                

1998 - Present             School of Journalism and Mass Communication

2006 - Present             African American Studies

The University of Iowa,  Iowa City, IA  52242

 

Assistant Prof             School of Journalism and Mass Communication, The University of Iowa

1991-1997                   Iowa City, IA 52242  

 

Lecturer                       School of Music, The University of Texas,  Austin, TX  78712

1990 - 1991   

 

Associate Prof            Mass Communication,  Huston-Tillotson College,   Austin, TX  78702  

1990 - 1991                Assistant Professor 1983 - 1990      

   

Instructor                     Telecommunications, Texas Southern University,   Houston, TX  77004 

1980 - 1983         

 

ADMINISTRATIVE HISTORY

Associate Director       Undergraduate Studies, School of Journalism and Mass Communication,

2004-Present               The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242

 

Interim Director           School of Journalism and Mass Communication, The University of Iowa

2001-2002                   Iowa City, IA 52242

 

Consultant                    Program Evaluation Workshop,  Institute for Social and Economic

Nov 1994/Apr 1996    Development/ ISED,  Iowa City, IA  52240 

 

Coordinator                  Personal Empowerment Workshop,  Upward Bound Program  

Sum 1993                    Des Moines Area Community College,  Des Moines, IA   50314  

 

Special Assistant          Worked with the President as College Public Relations Consultant

1990 - 1991                   Huston-Tillotson College Austin, TX  78702

 

Department Head          Mass Communication,  Huston-Tillotson College,  Austin, TX  78702  

1989 - 1991        

 

Counselor                      Upward Bound Program,  Huston-Tillotson College   

1986 -1991                     Austin, TX  78702        

    

Director                          Instructional Improvement and Development Program,  Huston-   

1984 - 1991                    Tillotson College,  Austin, TX  78702   

  

  

PROFESSIONAL HISTORY

PR Director                     BerryBooks, Colored Sugar Water  (Dutton 2002), All of Me  (Dutton, 2000),

1993 - Present                 So Good  (Dutton, 1996) The 50 Most Influential Black Films  (Citadel 2001)      Coralville, IA 52241

Editor

1990-1991                       Three Year Book,  Huston-Tillotson College,  Austin, TX 78702    

 

Co-Editor                        Alumni & Friends Magazine, Huston-Tillotson College, Austin, 

Jan - May  1989              TX    78702         

 

News Director                 KAZI Radio, Austin, TX 78723

1983 – 1986   

           

News Reporter                KLBJ Radio, Austin, TX  78710

1983 - 1984     

 

News Director                 KTSU Radio,  Houston, TX 77004 

1982 - 1983         

           

Asst. News Director        KCOH  Radio, Houston, TX 77004      

1980 - 1983            

 

Newscaster                      KFRD Radio,  Rosenberg, TX  77471   

1979 - 1980        

 

HONORS AND AWARDS

May 30, 2003              Creative Contribution to Literature Award, Zora Neale Hurston Society

Oct  11, 2001              Iowa Author Award, Public Library Foundation of Des Moines 

June 18, 2001              Honor Book Award, Black Caucus of the American Library Association

Fall 1999                     Sorors of Achievement Award, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Regional Conference

1997                            The Myers Center Award for the Study of Human Rights in North America

Spring 1996                Service and Dedication Award  NABJ/ NURU  University of Iowa 

Spring 1995                University of Iowa Developmental Assignment   (Spring 1995)

1990-91                       President's Outstanding Achievement Award, Huston-Tillotson College

1989-90                       Outstanding Faculty/ Humanities Division, Huston Tillitson College

1987-88                       United Negro College Fund Doctoral Fellowship

1987-88                       The Juneteenth Community Service Award

1986-87                       Sam Taylor Fellowship/ United Methodist Church

1987-88                       The University of Texas Graduate Fellowship

1985-86                       The University of Texas Graduate Fellowship

 

 

MEMBERSHIPS

Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (AEJMC)

International Association for the Study of Popular Music (IASPM)

National Association of Black Journalists  (NABJ)

Kappa Tau Alpha, Journalism Honor Society

Delta Sigma Theta, Public Service Sorority

 

 

TEACHING ASSIGNMENTS

 

The University of Iowa  (1991-Present)

            19:095             Media and Consumers  (Undergrad)

19:259             Theories of Popular Culture (Graduate)

            19:090             Social Scientific Foundations of Communication (Undergrad)

            19:165/215      African-Americans and Mass Communication  (Grad/Undergrad)

            19:123/233      Broadcast Reporting and Writing  (Grad/Undergrad)

            19:153/203      Popular Culture and Mass Communication   (Grad/Undergrad)

            19:139/249      Advanced Broadcasting Workshop (Grad/Undergrad)

            19:130/240      Diversity and News (Grad/Undergrad)

            19:130/240      Radio Workshop (Grad/Undergrad)

            36D:099          Screenwriting Correspondence Course

           

                                    Summer WriterÕs Festival,  American University & Howard University

                                    The Hurston/Wright Foundation   (Summer 2006 & 2003)

 

                        Iowa Summer Writer's Festival,

                                                ÒPowerful Plots: Building Your Novel One Layer at a TimeÓ

(2005-Present)

"Writing the Popular Novel"   (1996 - 2004) 

 

The University of Texas  (1990-91)

                                    The Music of Black Americans

 

Huston-Tillotson College  (1983-91)   

                                    Introduction to Radio and Television

Media Criticism

                                    Radio Production I

Print/ Layout and Editing

Script Writing

 

Texas Southern University   (1980-83)

                                    Introduction to Telecommunications

                                    Television Production I

Audio Production I

Media Management

 

STUDENTS SUPERVISED

Ph.D. Candidates  - Journalism and Mass Communication:

                                    Chair -   Vanessa Shelton (1996-present)

                                                   Robert Kuennen (2007-present) 

                                                  Alden Weight (2000-2005)

 

                                Co-Chair –  Christa Ward (2001 - 2003)

               Jim Sernoe (1993-2000)

                                       Sharon Honore (1992-1995)

 

Member –Arlecia Simmons (2006-present)

     Jim Trammel (2003-Present)

     Ann White (2003-Present)

     Gayane Torosyan (2002-2003)

     Matt Killmeier (2001-2003)

     Eva Tsai  (2000-2002)

                                                     Chiung Chen (1996-2000) 

                                                     Denita Gadsen  (1995-1997)                          

                                                     Lisa McLaughlin  (1992-1993)

 

Ph.D. Candidates  - Other Departments:

                                   Member – James Pobst – Communication Studies (2006-present)

    Kevin Shroth  Communication Studies (2006-present)

    Anthony Houghton  History (2005-present)   

    Brian Hemphill   Education   (1997- Present)

    Isiah Lavender English (2003-2004)

    Lionel Kimball  History (2001-2004) 

    Kelvyn Moore    Business (1998- 2004)

                                                    John Baskerville  Af-Am World Studies (1993-1997)

                            

Master's Thesis Candidates - Journalism and Mass Communication

                                    Chair –Todd Papke (2006-present)

William Rogers (2003–present)

Pearlie Strothers-Adams (2000-present)

                                                Matthew Killimier (1992-1994)

 

Co-Chair - Vincent Rodriguez (1994-2002)   

 

Master's Candidates - Other Departments:

                                    Member - Dabian "Yari" Witherspoon Af-Am World Studies (2004-2005)

Member - Sabrina Madison Cannon - Theater/Dance (1997-1998)

 

Master's Professional Candiates  -  Journalism and Mass Communication:

                                    Chair – Brian Graves  1998-Present)

Sharon Carrington (1999-2003)

                                                Kelly Jennings (1993-1997)

                                                Terry Collins   (1994-1995) 

                                                Vanessa Shelton   (1993-1994)

 

                                    Member – Janine Brown (2005-2006)

     Evita Castine (1999-2001)

     Cynthia Canteen (1996- 1997) 

                                                     Janella Newsom (1996-1997)   

                                                     Jennifer Nathanson (1996-1997)  

                                                     Leslie Davis   (1994-1995) 

                                                     Lisa Wilson  (1993-1994) 

                                                     Mildred Jones   (1992-1992)

 

Honor's Projects - Journalism and Mass Communication

                                                Rebecca Harris (Fall 1998/Spring 1999) 

                                                Willeene Owens (Spring 1997) 

                                                Adam Rice (Spring 1997)    

                                                Rhonda Shause (Fall 1994)

 

Summer Research Opportunity Program - University

                                                Jason Ridenour (1996)  

                                                Harold Looney (1993)  

                                                Tamara Brown (1994) 

 

Undergraduate Scholar Assistant Program - University

Kevin Burrell (2003-2004)

Ryan Pierce (2001- 2003)                                          

Lauren Threatte (1999-2000)

                                                Rebecca Harris (1998-1999)   

                                                Jason Ridenour (1994-1998) 

                                                Tara Holiman (1994- 1998)

 

 

SCHOLARSHIP: PUBLICATIONS AND CREATIVE WORKS

 

Refereed

Journal  Articles:

*Venise T. Berry and Vanessa Shelton  "Watching Music: Interpretations of Visual Music

             Performance,"  Journal of Communication Inquiry,  23:2, April 1999, pp. 132-151.

 

Venise T. Berry, "Crossing Over: Musical Perceptions of Black Adolescent Culture," Journal of    Popular Music Studies,  5, Summer 1993,  pp. 26-39.

 

Venise T. Berry,  "Self Concept, Rap Music and Low-Income Black Adolescents," in Popular      

            Music and Society,  13:3,  Fall 1990, pp. 89-109.

 

 

 

Book Chapters:

Venise T. Berry,  "Redeeming the Rap Music Experience,"   in Adolescents and Their Music         

            (Ed.) Jonathan Epstein,  NY: Garland Publishers,  1994, pp. 165-188.

 

Venise T. Berry,  "From Good Times to the Cosby Show: Perceptions of Televised Black Fathers and Sons,"  in Men, Masculinity, and the Media, (Ed.) Steve Craig,  Newberry Park, CA:       

Sage Publications, 1992,  pp. 111-123.

 

Non-refereed

Fiction Novels:

Venise Berry,  Colored Sugar Water  (Dutton/Penguin/Putnam,  January 2002

Venise Berry,  All of Me,  Dutton/Penguin/Putnam,  January 2000

Venise Berry,   So Good,   Dutton/Penguin/Signet,  August 1996

 

Non-Fiction Books:

**S. Torriano Berry and Venise T. Berry,  The Historical Dictionary of African American Cinemas, 

Scarecrow Press  Spring 2007

 

**S. Torriano Berry and Venise T. Berry, The 50 Most Influential Black Films,  Citadel/Kennsington

 Spring 2001

 

*Venise T. Berry and Carmen Manning-Miller (Eds.), Mediated Messages and African-American Culture: Contemporary Issues, Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, 1996.

             Venise T. Berry - Introduction: Racialism and the Media

 

Invited Book Chapters:

Venise Berry, ÒSaving ShalondaÓ in On The Line, edited by Donna Hill.  Kimani/Sepia  Publishers

2007

 

Venise Berry, ÒDriving Miss VeniseÓ in Color Him Father, edited by Stephana Colbert,

Kinship Press,  June 2006.

 

Venise Berry, ÒSomething Special,Ó in Proverbs of the People, edited by Tracey Price-Thompson

 and TaReesa Stovall, Kensington,  2003.

 

*Venise T. Berry and Harold Looney,  "Rap Music, Black Men and the Police,"  in  Mediated        Messages and African-American Culture: Contemporary Issues,  Thousand Oaks, CA:          

            Sage Publications, 1996, pp. 263-277.

 

Venise T. Berry,  "Feminine or Masculine: The Conflicting Nature of Female Images in Rap Music," 

             in Cecilia Reclaimed: Feminist Perspectives on Gender and Music  (Eds.) Susan   

            Cook and Judy Tsou,  Chicago: The University of Illinois Press, 1994, pp. 183-201.  

 

 

*Venise T. Berry and Kim Karloff,  "Perspectives on the Gulf War in Popular Black Magazines," 

in Viewing War: How the Media Handled the Persian Gulf  (Eds.) Lauren Rabinovitz and  

            Susan Jeffords,  New Jersey: Rutgers University Press,  1994, pp. 249-269.

 

Other Writing:

Venise Berry, ÒLearning to LayerÓ in Write Now: Writing Exercises by TodayÕs Best Writers and

Teachers, edited by Sherry Ellis, Tarcher Press, 2006.

 

Venise Berry, Venise Berry Biography, in 101+ Iowa Writers, editor Barry Benson, Des Moines,

IA, Spring 2006.

 

Venise Berry  Powerful Plots, a Blueprint for Novels and Screenplays   A handbook on developing

the plot and structure of a novel or screenplay  Iowa Summer Writing Festival  2006-1998.

 

Venise Berry,  "Start From Where You Are,"  in Living Free Within Ourselves: Lessons for Black

            Writers  by Jewell Parker Rhodes, Doubleday.  December 1999.

 

***Venise Berry, Time and Chance an Iowa Murder Mystery, University of Northern Iowa:

            KUNI/KHKE, 1998, pp. 37-48.

 

Venise Berry,  "Write the Popular Novel," Writers Digest, Vol. 78, No. 10, October 1998,

            pp. 21-23.

 

Venise Berry, "What External Factor has the biggest Impact on the fiction writing process today?

             in Chat Room, Fiction Writer,  May 1998, p. 67.

 

Venise T. Berry, "Success Stories: People Who've Made It,"  Planning Job Choices 1998:

            Minorities Edition,  Bethlehem, Pa: National Association of Colleges and Employers,         

            1998, *E100.

 

 

 

Book Reviews:

Graceland by Chris Abani, in Iowa Alumni Magazine, University of Iowa, December 2005.

 

African American Viewers and the Black Situation Comedy: Situating Racial Humor by Robin R.

Means Coleman, forward by Alvin Poussaint in Ethnic and Racial Studies, Department of

 Sociology, University of Surrey, United Kingdom, (2001).

 

Whitewash Racialized Politics and the Media by John Gabriel, in Ethnic and Racial Studies,

Department of  Sociology, University of Surrey, United Kingdom, (1999).

 

"The Notion of Soul"` A Review Essay for Just My Soul Responding: Rhythm and Blues,

            Black Consciousness, and Race Relations by Brian Ward, California Soul:

            Music of African Americans in the West  edited by Jacqueline Cogdell DjeDje and

            Eddie S. Meadows, and Soul: Black Power, Politics and Pleasure,  edited by Monique

            Guillory and Richard C. Green.  In Journal of Communication (1999).

 

 

Fear of the Dark: Race Gender and Sexuality in Cinema by L. Young in Ethnic and Racial Studies,