118 MENG 6830. Directed Readings (1-3) This course allows students credit for individual study with a professor, usually for further study that grows out of course work. The student and professor agree to a written contract for study which must be approved by the program director. No more than 3 credit hours of directed readings may apply toward the MA degree unless approved by the program director. This course is designed to allow students to explore in depth and/or breadth, subject matter which goes beyond the established courses in the Master's Degree Program. MENG 6940. Masters Project (3-6) This course provides for the creation and execution of a project growing out of graduate study particularly as it applies to the workplace. Project credit may be taken in increments of 1-3 hours in any term. MENG 6960. Thesis (6) Thesis credit may be taken in increments of 1-3 hours in any term. The thesis is a capstone research and scholarly writing course for the Master's Degree Program. DEPARTMENT Communication Chain Dr. Randolph Scott Location: Elizabeth Hall, Room 330 Telephone Contact: Virginia Stevens 801-626-8924 Professors: Susan Hafen, Sheree Josephson; Associate Professors: Colleen Packer Garside, Rebecca Johns, Ty Sanders, Randolph Scott, Richard Sline; Assistant Professors: Anne Bialowas, Mukhbir Singh; Instructor Specialist: Allison Barlow Hess; Instructors: Cynthia Bishop, John Foy Omar Guevara, Mark Merkley, Howard Noel, Terri Reddout Uommunication 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 which 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 newspaper, the Signpost, our student-operated radio station, KWCR-FM, student- produced news program, Weber State News, and by our nationally prominent intercollegiate forensics program. Communication majors may select one of six interdisciplinary concentrations: Civic Advocacy, Electronic Media, Interpersonal & Family Communication, Journalism, Organizational Communication and Public Relations & Advertising. A Communication Teaching Major with concentrations in either Communication Studies or Journalism also is available. Depending upon future plans, individual needs and preferences, 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 ten (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. Cocurricular and Extracurricular Activities Scholarships Activity scholarships are available to WSU forensics competitors and to Signpost, KWCR-FM and Weber State News staff members. Contact the department office at 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 inf ormation: Delta Sigma Rho-Tau Kappa Alpha— Forensics National Broadcasting Society/AERho— Electronic Media Society of Professional Journalists— Journalism Public Relations Student Society of America Lambda Pi Eta Honor Society Departmental Honors Omar Guevara Terri Reddout Sheree Josephson Howard Noel Cynthia Bishop Sheree Josephson Susan Hafen Forensics Participation in intercollegiate forensic activities is conducted in conjunction with the instructional program in debate, public speaking, and oral interpretation of literature. Students take active part in regional and national forensic meets under the direction of the debate coach. 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 eighth 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 University 2010-2011 Catalog