Dr. Mary B. Cassata

Professor and Director of Undergraduate Program
Office: 337 Baldy Hall
Email: commbc
Phone: (716) 645-1167

Degrees:

B.A., University at Buffalo
M.L.S., Geneseo
Ph.D., Indiana University

Teaches in these programs:

Bachelor of Arts Communication Department
Master of Arts Communication Department
Ph.D. Communication Department

Research Interests:

Dr. Mary Cassata is Associate Professor for Mass Communication, Director of Undergraduate Studies, and Director of the University's research endeavor, "Project Daytime." She teaches courses on the growth and development of the media; mass communication theory; media ethics, issues and controversies; social effects of the media, media literacy; and cultural indicators of daytime television. While her research interests broadly relate to the pivotal role the media play in society, more specifically they focus on cultural indicators relating to soap operas; i.e., institutional policy analysis, message systems analysis, and cultivation analysis. Dr. Cassata is the author of several articles, papers, and monographs on her teaching and research interests, and is recognized as a leading authority, nationally and internationally, on the subject of soap operas.