Telitha E. Lindquist College of Arts and Humanities 173 Department of Communication Department Chair: Dr. Sheree Josephson Location: Elizabeth Hall, Room 330 Telephone Contact: Patricia Burton 801-626-8924 Professors: Susan Hafen, Rebecca Johns, Sheree Josephson; Associate Professors: Kathryn Edwards, Colleen Packer, Ty Sanders; Assistant Professors: Anne Bialowas, Yeonsoo Kim, Sarah Steimer, Instructors: Cynthia Bishop, Clair Canfield, Ryan Cheek, Shane Farver, Omar Guevara, Mark Merkley, AnDrew Tyler Communication is a dynamic process that plays a complex and profound role in shaping both individuals and society and is vital to the free exchange of ideas central to a democratic society. The Weber State University Department of Communication seeks to promote an understanding of this process and the effective and ethical practice of human communication by focusing on how people create and use messages to generate meanings within and across various contexts, cultures, channels and media, including those delivered through technology. WSU Communication Department curricula and programs are grounded within a liberal arts tradition and designed to help students live vital and successful lives in an ever-changing global environment. The curriculum for the major is designed to provide a liberal arts-based study of human communication combined with a course of study that prepares graduates for entry-level employment in Communication and Communication-related careers. The major also serves to prepare students for graduate study in Communication and related disciplines. The Department is committed to enhancing student learning through required internships and through co-curricular opportunities afforded by our student-operated organizations, including our media organizations, The Signpost, KWCR-FM 88.1, and Studio 76 (digital media production), as well as our nationally prominent intercollegiate debate program. Communication majors may select one of six interdisciplinary concentrations: Civic Advocacy, Digital Media, Interpersonal & Family Communication, Multimedia Journalism, Organizational Communication and Public Relations & Advertising. A Communication Teaching Major with concentrations in either Communication Studies or Journalism also is available. Students may earn the Communication major as either a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science degree. The Communication minor and the Bachelor of Integrated Studies Concentration in Communication (BIS) are designed to provide the student with knowledge and skills in Communication that complement the student's major or other concentrations of study. These curricula, characterized by both required and elective upper-division course work after completion of a required core, also are designed to complement the student's overall program of study and to be compatible with the student's career goals. In addition to emphasizing knowledge, understanding and demonstrated competence in the skills of human communication, curricular and co-curricular programs emphasize the development of character in our students. Accordingly, Department faculty discourage symbolic expression that demeans and degrades other human beings and encourage symbolic expression that celebrates the fundamental dignity of all human beings. Obsolete Credit Credit earned more than 10 years earlier than the proposed date of graduation will not be accepted for the major, minor or BIS concentration in Communication unless validated through a challenge examination or department chair approval. Co-curricular and Extra-curricular Activities Scholarships Fellowships and/or tuition waivers are available to WSU forensics competitors and to The Signpost, KWCR-FM 88.1, and Studio 76 production staff members. Contact the department office at 801-626-8924 for more information. Professional and/or Honorary Organizations Communication students are encouraged to join one or more of the professional and/or honorary organizations affiliated with the department. Memberships in these organizations provide students with opportunities to meet and network with Communication professionals, learn about employment opportunities in the field of Communication, and participate in practical experiences relevant to future employment. See the faculty advisor for each organization for more information: Society of Professional Journalists (SP J) Shane Farver Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) Lambda Pi Eta Honor Society Departmental Honors Forensics Yeonsoo Kim Cynthia Bishop Susan Hafen Participation in intercollegiate forensic activities is conducted in conjunction with the instructional program in debate, public speaking, and oral interpretation of literature. Students participate in regional and national forensic meets under the direction of the debate coaches. High School Speech and Debate Contests The Department of Communication hosts the annual Weber State Leland H. Monson High School Debate and Individual Event Tournaments each year. Now in their ninth decade, these tournaments attract hundreds of competitors from Utah and neighboring states. A generous grant from the Keystone Foundation supports speaker awards for outstanding students. Weber State Student Media The Signpost Multimedia Journalism students have the opportunity to polish reporting, writing and multimedia skills at The Signpost, Weber State University's student-run news organization. Content is disseminated online and via newspaper. Weber State University 2013-2014 Catalog