Dr. Lauren A. Sowa, Ph.D.
Dr. Sowa has a PhD in Communication from USC’s Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism and is currently a Professor at Pepperdine University where she teaches Public Speaking & Rhetorical Analysis and History of Screen Arts. She holds an MA and Master of Communication Management from USC, as well as a BFA in theatre from NYU Tisch School of the Arts. She studied Improvisation at Second City in Chicago and trained in the Professional Acting Shakespeare Program at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London (RADA).
Inspired by her several-decade career in the entertainment industry as an actor in Chicago, New York, and Los Angeles with SAG/AFTRA and AEA, she combines her academic training and theatrical experience through her work as a public speaking coach and media content consultant. Dr. Sowa has presented at conferences internationally including Prague, Czech Republic; Washington, D.C.; Chicago, IL; Seattle, Washington; and Denver, CO.
EDUCATION
2022
2019
2015
2010
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA – Los Angeles, CA
Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism
Master of Communication Management
NEW YORK UNIVERSITY – New York, NY
Tisch School of the Arts
Bachelor of Fine Arts with Honors
Major: Theatre
Minor: Sociology
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA – Los Angeles, CA
Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism
Ph.D. Communication
Committee:
Dissertation:
Drs Henry Jenkins (co-chair), Josh Kun (co-chair), and Larry Gross
These are Their Stories: Two Decades of Showrunner Production, Content and Context in Law & Order: SVU
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA – Los Angeles, CA
Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism
Master of Communication
Qualifying Exam
Committee:
Drs Henry Jenkins, Josh Kun, Larry Gross, Tara McPherson, and Sarah Banet-Weiser
ACADEMIC POSITIONS
2022 - Present
Visiting Assistant Professor of Communication
PEPPERDINE UNIVERSITY – Malibu, CA
Seaver College, Communication Division
PUBLICATIONS
Sowa, L. A. (2022). Beyond Benson: From Law & Order: SVU to Holland’s Grenslanders, Female Masculinity in Crime Dramas Fall Victim to Feminized Tropes. Communication, Culture, and Critique. 15(3) 425-423. doi:10.1093/ccc/tcab063
Sowa, L. A. (2022) Historical and Contemporary Representations of Youth and Teens in Media Fictions. International Journal of Communication.
Sowa, L. A. (2021). Breaking Stereotypes or Stereotypical Breakdowns?: Analyzing Television Casting Breakdowns for Latina Characters. International Journal of Communication. 15: 3358-3378.
MEDIA & PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT
2023
2023 - Present
2023
2022 - Present
2022
Interviewed as a TV and Pop Culture Specialist for the Los Angeles Times: “Is it ever OK to date your friend’s ex? In Love Is Blind, it’s a mess”
Co-Content Editor: POP JUNCTIONS: Reflections of Entertainment, Pop Culture, Activism, Media Literacy, Fandom and More.
Consulting Television and Culture Expert Source for Los Angeles Times
Editorial Board Member: POP JUNCTIONS: Reflections of Entertainment, Pop Culture, Activism, Media Literacy, Fandom and More.
A Dream is a Wish You Manifest into Your Own Reality: Celebrating All Disney Princesses as Feminists
From Stage and Screen to the Academe, It’s All About Storytelling for New PhD
Podcast Guest on How Do You Like It So Far? Episode 92: Disney Theme Parks with Rebecca Williams and Lauren Sowa
Featured Storyteller for USC Annenberg’s #WeAreListening Social Media Campaign