YOUNG HARRIS, Ga. — Young Harris College Assistant Professor of Communication Dr. Joshua Guitar recently published his first book, “Dissent, Discourse, and Democracy: Whistleblowers as Sites of Political Contestation.”
“Although government whistleblowers contest authoritarian power, critical scholars have only minimally examined whistleblower discourses and hesitate to substantively interrogate the ideology of statism,” says Guitar. “In ‘Dissent, Discourse, and Democracy: Whistleblowers as Sites of Political Contestation,’ I address these exigencies and critique prominent government whistleblowing discourses through an anarchist lens. In reifying rhetorical patterns of statism, I theorize the concept of abstruction, both as a rhetorical manifestation of ideology and method of critical rhetorical inquiry. Progressing chronologically, I employ abstruction analysis to extrapolate the compounding implications of prominent government whistleblower discourses in U.S. history. In my book, I reveal how whistleblowing, a quintessential tool of dissent within democracy, has been systematically constrained within the public forum and weaponized in defense of the anti-democratic state. The contents of this book appeal to scholars interested in rhetoric, political communication, and critical inquiry.”
Guitar earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communication at Adrian College, and he went on to earn a Master of Arts and a Doctor of Philosophy in Communication from Wayne State University. He is serving in his second year as Associate Professor of Communication at Young Harris College, where he teaches classes in rhetoric, critical media studies, and political communication. Guitar’s research has been featured in communication journals like “Critical Studies in Media Communication, First Amendment Studies,” and “Western Journal of Communication,” and he wrote a chapter in the book, “City Places, Country Spaces: Rhetorical Explorations of the Urban/Rural Divide.”
Guitar donated a copy of “Dissent, Discourse, and Democracy: Whistleblowers as Sites of Political Contestation” to the Zell & Shirley Miller Library at Young Harris College. The book is now accessible to the campus and Young Harris community.
“Since arriving at YHC less than two years ago, Dr. Guitar has already become an invaluable colleague and faculty member,” says YHC Dean of the Division of Humanities Dr. Eloise Whisenhunt. “In particular, his dedication to undergraduate research is simply outstanding. Dr. Guitar is a dedicated teacher and scholar. We are fortunate to have him here at YHC.”
About Young Harris College
Young Harris College is a private baccalaureate and master’s degree-granting institution located in the beautiful mountains of North Georgia. Founded in 1886 and historically affiliated with The United Methodist Church, Young Harris College educates, inspires, and empowers students through an education that purposefully integrates the liberal arts and professional studies. The College has four academic divisions: Fine Arts; Humanities; Mathematics, Science and Technology; and Professional Studies. More than 1,400 students are enrolled in its residential and Early College programs. The College is an active member of the NCAA Division II and remains a fierce competitor in the prestigious Peach Belt Conference. For more information, visit yhc.edu.
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