By student contributor: Katherine Fillion
Last semester, the Communication Department welcomed an impressive addition to the team! Formerly a Professor of Media Studies at Queens College, CUNY, Roopali Mukherjee joins us with a slightly new title: Professor of Race, Media, and Communication. After obtaining her PhD in Communication from The Ohio State University of Columbus, Roopali promptly began her journey as both an educator and author. Over the course of her career, Roopali has had the privilege of connecting with students across four prominent institutions: Indiana University at Bloomington, UCLA, Queens College (CUNY), and most recently, UMass Amherst. She notes that amongst the many joys of being an educator, one of the most meaningful is the ability to form lasting relationships with those she has taught. When asked what type of classroom setting she most enjoys teaching in, Roopali responded that smaller, seminar-style classrooms with about 20-25 students may take the cake. It is in these intimate settings where she has had some of the most fun not only teaching, but learning from her students as well. She explained that there is beauty and relief in being able to engage with a younger generation, learn about their unique struggles, and create meaningful connections with the next generation of builders. Her teaching style has brought comfort to many, with some former students even inviting her to their weddings. This speaks volumes about the quality of care Roopali has provided for her students, and we are so proud to have her here at UMass!
This past fall, Roopali taught Comm 430, Stories of Race in the United States. The course allowed students to dissect issues of race through a blend of historical text, modern essays, and the students’ own understanding of race and it’s implications in a systemically racist society. This spring, Roopali is using her expertise as a critical race scholar to teach a graduate student seminar titled “Stuart Hall and the Roots of Cultural Studies.” This seminar will serve as a deep dive into the works of Stuart Hall, a Jamaican-born cultural theorist who pioneered the field of cultural studies. But if you’re not a grad student, have no fear! Roopali happily shares her warmth and knowledge with the underclassmen as well. She is currently teaching Comm121, Intro to Media and Culture. Although Add/Drop has ended, it’s never too early to think about your Fall ’24 courses. So keep Roopali in mind — because who knows, you might just end up inviting her to your wedding!
Faculty Spotlight: Roopali Mukherjee
