2023-24 Catalog ARCHIVED CATALOG: Content may no longer be accurate.
Department of Communication
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Department Chair: Dr. Anne Bialowas
Location: Elizabeth Hall, Room 330
Telephone: 801-626-6426
Professors: Anne Bialowas, Sheree Josephson, Colleen Packer Berg, Sarah Steimel; Associate Professors: Michael Ault, Nicola Corbin, Nicole Defenbaugh, Hailey Gillen Hoke, Alexander Lancaster, Jean Norman; Assistant Professors: Aaron Atkins, Andrea Baltazar, Li Chen, Mylynn Felt, Robin Haislett, Leslie Howerton, Nathan Rodriguez, Elaine Schnabel, Ashkan Soltani-Stone; Instructors: Mark Galaviz, Natalie Hales, Lauren Johnson, James McAllister, Stephen Salmon, Deann Shepherd, Brent Warnock
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 are 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 prepares 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 award-winning student-operated organizations, including The Signpost, KWCR Wildcat Radio, Ogden Peak Communications, Studio 76, and Weber State Debate and Speech Team.
Communication majors may select one of six emphasis areas: Civic Advocacy, Digital Media, Interpersonal & Family Communication, Multimedia Journalism, Organizational Communication, and Public Relations & Advertising. They may also select a Communication Teaching major with emphases in Communication Studies or Multimedia Journalism. 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 students with knowledge and skills in Communication that complement the major or other concentrations of study.
The interdisciplinary associate’s degree in Workplace Communication & Writing is a career-oriented program designed to prepare students for entry-level careers in many fields while also preparing students for bachelor’s degrees in Communication. The Associate of Science in Communication is another two-year degree offered that benefits students from many professions where communication plays a critical role.
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 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 Tuition Waivers
Scholarships and/or tuition waivers are available to WSU Policy Debate Speech Team competitors and to The Signpost, KWCR Wildcat Radio, Ogden Peak Communications, and Studio 76 staff members. Other academic scholarships are also available. Contact the department office at 801-626-6426 or visit the department website at weber.edu/communication 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. Professional organizations in Communication include:
Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) |
Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) |
Lambda Pi Eta Honor Society (LPH) |
Weber State Debate and Speech Team
Participation in intercollegiate debate and speech team activities is conducted in conjunction with the instructional program in argument, public speaking, and civic advocacy. Students participate in debate and speech team tournaments under supervision of the program’s directors. The Department of Communication hosts the annual Bob Mukai College Classic, the annual Val Browning Round Robin, and the state high school debate and speech championship. Policy debate is a two-on-two format, centering on a policy question derived from a resolution. Policy debate simultaneously challenges and improves student research, analytical, advocacy, and public speaking skills. Speech competition is a contest between individuals or teams in various argument and advocacy skills that can be used and applied across the educational spectrum. There are four main categories of competition: platform speaking, interpretive speaking, limited preparation, and individual debate.
The Signpost
Multimedia Journalism students polish reporting, writing, and multimedia skills at The Signpost, Weber State University’s student-run news organization. Content is disseminated online 24/7 and via newspaper two days a week.
KWCR Wildcat Radio
Students practice and develop their knowledge and resumes by joining Weber State’s student-run, digital-streaming radio station KWCR Wildcat Radio. Student staffers gain experience in audio production, podcast creation, live broadcasting, public relations, live event planning, social campaigns, and seeking music promoters and sponsorship opportunities. KWCR streams music, local sports, news, and specialty programs on the MyWeberMedia app and the RadioFX app.
Studio 76
Studio 76 produces high-quality video content for campus and community organizations as well as creates multiple studio shows ranging from a weekly newscast produced for The Signpost to in-studio entertainment shows. Studio 76 also offers live-streaming services to many campus clubs and organizations. Content is shown online via MyWeberMedia.com or Studio 76’s YouTube channel.
Ogden Peak Communications
Students run a public relations and advertising agency to apply the skills they have learned in the classroom. Ogden Peak Communications works with clients to develop content and campaigns. Students take on the same roles and responsibilities as PR professionals.
My Weber Media
Members of each student media co-curricular area collaborate through the My Weber Media Group and distribute media content on the converged media site MyWeberMedia.com. Students develop multimedia skills and learn about cross-promotion. The My Weber Media site contains news and views from The Signpost, video content from Studio 76, music and interviews from KWCR Wildcat Radio, as well as promotional material from Ogden Peak Communications. Additional content includes student films and live streaming of important events.
Interdisciplinary Associate’s and Minor
The Communication Department participates in the interdisciplinary associate’s degree in Workplace Communication and Writing (AA) . Students who wish to enroll in this program should contact the Communication Department or one of the college advisors for the College of Arts & Humanities who will help them work out a schedule. The department also participates in the Linguistics Minor/BIS . Students who wish to enroll in this program should indicate their desire to do so with the program coordinator who will help them work out a proper combination of courses to fit their needs. (See the Engaged Learning, Honors, and Interdisciplinary Programs section of this catalog.)
Courses
Communication Course Descriptions
ProgramsAssociate of ArtsAssociate of Applied ScienceAssociate of ScienceBachelor of ArtsBachelor of ScienceEmphasis Option for Bachelor of Interdiscplinary Studies
BIS emphases are also offered for most programs with a minor.
MinorTeaching Minor
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