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= Jennifer Mercieca =

Jennifer Mercieca, occupies a multitude of different roles. These roles can include being a professor and member in the communications department at A&M University in Texas, a scholar in political rhetoric and language in thin United States, as well as a published author and founder of Aggie Agora, a political community, established and run within the university. Alongside, these projects and roles, Mercieca is most well known for her two published books: “founding fictions” as well as “The Rhetoric of Heroic Expectations: Establishing the Obama Presidency”. Both these books are evidence as to Mercica’s in depth knowledge of American and world politics, with Mercieca often being asked to attend live talk shows, feature in interviews as well as be quoted in for newspaper and magazine stories. Another project in which Mercieca is heavenly involved in is “Citizen Critics”, a non-judgmental and non-bias forum where individuals are able to debate and discuss topics to do with language and its use as well as misuse, specifically in politics and public forums.

Work as an Associate University Professor:
Jennifer Mercieca has a prominent role in the communications department at A&M University in Texas as an associate professor. His role includes contributing to and encouraging learning within the classroom, to allow students to develop through their learning an education opinion and perspective surrounding Mercieca’s specialty: rhetoric and political language. A&M University in Texas was established in 1876 and is well known for its research projects and preparation of students for the real world. It is unknown as to how long Mercieca has been working at the university, however, it is evident that she has had a significant impact on the University, through her involvement in Aggie Agora. Additionally, Mercieca works in the communication’s department in the university and teaches the multifaceted and complex way messages can be portrayed in various ways to depict specific meanings. Mercieca is relevant to the communication sector as she is depicted to be interested in the way in which communication and the complex way these messages can be embedded throughout society, politics and language.

Aggie Agora:
Aggie Agora is a concept, developed and recently implemented by Jennifer Mercieca at the A&M University. Now as the Director of this initiative, Mercieca has a huge influence over the workshops and core values this initiative employs. Aggie Agora’s main mission is to catalyse the engagement throughout the college campus and state of Texas about societal issues, events and current affairs. Additionally, the group aims to strengthens democratic features already evident in the university initiative. This is done through a multitude of different forms, such as; campus workshops which students can attend, lectures open to both students and non-students as well as events aimed at promoting engagement within the society.

Events Implemented by Aggie Agora:

 * “workshop Wednesdays” - aimed at checking facts and stories that travel through our societies as well as having difficult conversations with people
 * “Friday Lecture Series” - specialise in American politics
 * “Coffee hours” - casual conversations with highly influential scholars
 * “Marquee Lectures” - these are more formal lectures by more high-profile scholars and expert practitioners
 * “free speech week” - a lecture that is put on by Aggie Agora to highlight the needs and rights of freedom of speech
 * “Difficult Dialogues on Campus, race relations” - teaches students active listening skills as well as how to think critically – this is most needed when discussing issues of race and gender equality
 * “Constitution day” - allows students to debate different amendments of the constitution and whether they agree or disagree with them

Citizen Critics
Citizen Critics in an online forum that is a mix between the writings and opinions of both scholars and experts. They report on stories about society, politics and debate and conversations happening the  public and around politics. Jennifer Mercieca is the managing editor of Citizen Critics, ultimately, creating and enforcing deadlines as well as overseeing all of the edits as well as opinions and beliefs being promoted. The aim of Citizen critics it to promote the discussion and debate around politics and matters surrounding what is best for the publics, specifically, in the way language can be used and abused in the wrong way. Additionally, Citizen Critics aims to reach individuals not only within the Unites States but globally, to promote a discussion around world politics and the world as a whole society. Examples of what is published in citizen critics are: articles, currents, commentary, chats, podcasts and are all capped off at certain word lengths and have differing roles, all edited and read over by Mercieca.

Journal Articles and Perspective
Mercieca explores the relationship between the history of America in terms of politics as well as rhetoric in language, she ultimately uses the combination of these two ideas to develop a deeper understanding of the practices used by democratic parties and individuals. In discussing Mercieca’s perspective, she has a modern and particular perspective of citizenship within America, she believes that individuals' ability to act against or on their government for control is limited due to the irony that the perspective of Mercieca combined with other viewpoints, creates discourse within society. These notions as well as Mercieca’s own perspective is evident in journal articles she has written.

'What is the Role of the Communication Discipline in Social Justice, Community Engagement, and the Public Scholarship? A Visit to the CM Cafe.'
In 'What is the Role of the Communication Discipline in Social Justice, Community Engagement, and the Public Scholarship? A visit to the CM Cafe', Jennifer Mercieca, as well as other well-known scholars are quoted, specifically, in a discussion surrounding issues in the world to do with social justice within communities as well as societal participation and the way in which public figures use communication to their advantage. Specifically, this article goes through a number of questions such as: “What does it mean to be a social Justice Scholar?” as well as other topics, including; reform within the political system and how communication scholars impact the engagement within the community. Additionally, throughout this article, Mercieca touches on a multitude of key aspects which she draws on from her experience in teaching as well as within the communication realm. Mercieca also highlights the differentiation between herself and the scholars she is surrounded by, by specifically stating that her background in political science and theory might make her perspective a bit more unique.

'A Vernacular Republican Rhetoric: William Manning's 'Key of Liberty'
In 'A Vernacular Republican Rhetoric: William Manning’s ‘Key of Liberty’', Mercieca employs a biography form of writing to construct a piece about William Manning, an author during the late 1700’s and early 1800’s. Specifically, Mercieca explores manning’s focus on the divide between the “few” and many” and the way in which vernacular and language was used. Mercieca also discusses key aspects of rhetoric and specific choices of language used by William manning, that ultimately aided him in turning his experience into writings as well as facilitating critiques of public sentiment and argumentation during his time.

'The Irony of the Democratic Style'
In 'The Irony of the Democratic Style', Mercieca, explores the features of Democracy in America as well as the rise of Jacksonian Democracy. Specifically, Mercieca explores how the term democracy came about and the way in which America challenged the republican view with that of a democratic one. Additionally, notions of democracy are also debated surrounding historical and cultural styles.

Published Books
Jennifer Mercieca has published two books: “Founding Fictions” and “The Rhetoric of Heroic Expectations: Establishing the Obama Presidency”. These two books discuss language and politics in terms of their history in America as well as the impact rhetoric can have in politics. Additionally, Mercia has a third book that is currently being written about Donald Trump, from what is known, this book will be named: 'Demagogue for President: The Rhetorical Brilliance of Donald Trump'

'Founding Fictions'
Jennifer Mercieca’s 'Founding Fictions' merges the history of American and world politics with criticisms towards the use of rhetoric in politics and social order, specifically during 1764 to 1845. Additionally, ‘Founding Fictions’ questions the audience's perspective towards governments and political based systems, specifically, in relation to individuals and their opinions and perceptions of society, ultimately catalyzing for a renewed perspective of democracy today.

'The Rhetoric of Heroic Expectations: Establishing the Obama Presidency'
‘The Rhetoric of Heroic Expectations: Establishing the Obama Presidency’, is another book published by Mercieca. This book, specifically goes through the themes of Barack Obama’s presidency as well as the way rhetoric and language were used in his campaign. Mercieca includes direct quotes from Obama’s speeches in this book and analyses the power within the words carefully chosen and the impact those words have on the audience, being the American Public. What is unique about this book, is that each chapter discusses a key problem that Obama faced during his presidency, this can include Foreign policy and media coverage. Additionally, throughout the book Mercieca also analyses the way in which Obama used his language and speeches to respond to the expectations that were placed upon him and his presidency.

In the works: "Demagogue for President: The Rhetorical Brillance of Donald Trump”
‘Demagogue for President: The Rhetorical Brilliance of Donald Trump’ is currently being written by Jennifer Mercieca and is under publishing contract with the Texas A&M University Press so there is no information about the content within this book.