Christopher M. Stuart
Assistant Professor
Christopher Stuart, Ph.D. (He/Him) is an Assistant Professor of Communication Studies. Dr. Stuart teaches in integrated marketing communication (IMC) at both the undergraduate and graduate level in addition to visual communication.
His research interests are diverse, but largely concern interpersonal communication at the gaming table, gameplay experience, and tabletop roleplaying game design. He has published on the use of game-based learning principles in the classroom; integrating the philosophies of play and failure in pedagogy; and the ethical use of AI tools. His current work addresses issues of gamer identity; inclusivity at the gaming table; best practices for game facilitation; the semiotics of language regarding the roles of facilitators and players in tabletop roleplaying games; and the use of advertising as world building in the Fallout games.
He was fortunate enough to publish a micro-tabletop game to simulate a college freshman balancing academics, work, and mental health the Roll for Learning edited collection from Play Story Press.
A first-generation college student, Dr. Stuart worked through his A.A. at Ocean County College and his B.A. at Montclair State University focusing on Literature, Creative Writing, and Film Production. He completed his M.A. in Literature at Eastern Michigan University where he also received a graduate certificate in the Teaching of Writing. Finally, he received his PhD at Clemson University in Rhetorics, Communication, and Information Design (in 2020).
He has professional experience in Quality Assurance and Technical Writing.
Education
Ph.D. in Rhetoric, Communication, and Information Design, Clemson University
M.A. in Literature, Eastern Michigan University
B.A. in English, Montclair State University
A.A. in Liberal Arts, Ocean County College
Specialization in Teaching
COM 231: Introduction to Integrated Marketing Communication
COM 334: IMC: Message Design
COM 338: IMC: Campaign Design
COM 387: Desktop Publishing (Visual Communication)
COM 532: Critical Issues in IMC
COM 536: Digital Storytelling and IMC
Research Interests
Facilitation Best Practices; Interpersonal Communication at the gaming table; Gameplay Player Experience; Tabletop Roleplaying Game Design; Branding; Rhetorics of Possibility; Play and Failure