معرفی
Kate S. Kurtin is an Associate Professor in the Department of Communication Studies within the College of Arts and Letters at California State University, Los Angeles. She maintains her office in MUS 107 and can be reached at 323-343-6033 or kkurtin@calstatela.edu. Dr. Kurtin joined Cal State LA in 2013 after building professional experience in advertising and market research.
Dr. Kurtin holds a B.A. in Sociology from Occidental College, an M.A. in Advertising and Communication Research from Boston University, and a Ph.D. in Mass Communication from the University of Connecticut. Her educational background provided the foundation for her specialized research in media effects, particularly on children.
Her research program focuses on the evolving relationship between young people and media, with particular emphasis on parasocial relationships that children form with media characters. Dr. Kurtin's work examines how media consumption shapes children's social development, including how it influences gender perceptions and interpersonal relationships. She has extended this research to examine similar dynamics in adolescent and adult media consumption, particularly regarding digital platforms like YouTube.
Analysis of Dr. Kurtin's publications reveals a consistent trajectory examining media effects through developmental stages, from preschool children to adolescents. Her work spans traditional media effects theory while adapting to contemporary digital landscapes, showing particular interest in how parasocial relationships manifest across different media platforms and life stages.
Dr. Kurtin serves as faculty advisor for The Cal State LA PRSSA Chapter and the Communication Studies Department's student-run marketing agency, ZenX-LA. She has developed practical educational resources including her edited volume Advertising in Practice, which chronicles the career paths of advertising professionals to help students envision their own futures in the field.
Dr. Kurtin has authored four books covering communication studies, public relations, advertising, and media effects on children. Her scholarship bridges academic theory with practical application, reflecting her professional background in advertising agencies and market research before entering academia.
