Department
Communication Studies

Office Location
Sorenson Language and Communication Center (SLCC)  1113

Email Address
patricia.foley@gallaudet.edu

Secondary Email
pcfoley@comcast.net

Dr. Foley joined the Communication Studies Department in 2004.  Her work in the discipline focuses on the analysis and understanding of the communication between individuals, groups, and communities.  She is interested in how people use communication to socially construct the world in which they live.

Dr. Foley's participation in several community dialogue projects allows her to further study the areas of conflict management, community dialogue, and public engagement.  She is involved as a researcher, participant, and dialogue facilitator with The National Coalition on Dialogue and Deliberation (NCDD), the Intergroup Dialogue programs here at Gallaudet, and the dialogue and deliberation forums of the National Communication Association.  Her recent publications and conference presentations are related to intercultural interactions (deaf/hearing), critical pedagogy, "healing" in community settings, and the use and usefulness of community dialogue. 

As practitioner and teacher of Hatha yoga for many years, Dr. Foley often finds elements of yogic philosophy and meditation applicable to her teaching of communication subjects and interaction in dialogue settings. Among the many concepts that emerge in yoga and meditation is the encouragement to act mindfully and with compassion. Mindfulness and compassion in communication, according to Thich Nhat Hanh, becomes the basis for peace within each of us, as well as within our families, communities, and the world (2003, Hahn). 

Dr. Foley teaches classes in Interpersonal and Group Conflict Management, Interpersonal Communication, Communication Theory, Intercultural Communication, Political Communication, and Group Communication.

Communication perspective in research; conflict management & community dialogue; and interpersonal and intercultural communication

• Patricia C. Foley's CV