PURDUE PROFESSOR TO PRESENT WEIS LECTURE NOV. 11

Dr. Charles Stewart will lecture on conspiracy theories at the Weis Lecture on Nov. 11 at Southeast Missouri State University.

Stewart, a professor of communication at Purdue University, will present a lecture on "Selling Conspiracy Theories." Stewart argues that a conspiracy theory is an "argument created in relation to another argument that most people accept as legitimate and crucial."Stewart has authored or co-authored nine books on interviewing, rhetorical criticism and persuasion in social movements. His research centers on protest rhetoric and the rhetoric of social movements, including the early labor movement, protest music, the ego function of protest rhetoric, Stokely Carmichael and the rhetoric of black power, and conspiracy rhetoric.

The Weis Lecture, which focuses on public speaking and related communications topics, will be held at 7 p.m.. in Crisp Hall Room 125.

Dr. Adelia Weis endowed the Weis Lecture in honor of her brother, Emil C. Weis, who had a distinguished record as a debate and forensics coach, a record, which included state and national championships. Weis graduated in 1918 from Southeast.