Category:Communications

From College of Fine Arts and Communications

Daily Universe editors Don Woodward, Hartt Wixom, Steve Hale, Ralph Barney, Bob Koenig, and Jerry Cahill, 1960.

1 The Department of Communications
2 Department Chairs
3 Department History and Evolution of Department Programs
4 Alumni and Students
5 External Links
6 References

The Department of Communications

"The Department of Communications at Brigham Young University was created in response to an increasing demand for professionals who could both facilitate mass media communication, and the transfer of ideas among people. The present day Communications Department, a division of the College of Fine Arts and Communications, is located in the George H. Brimhall building on the south end of the BYU campus. The Communications Department currently offers bachelor degrees in Public Relations, Advertising and Marketing Communications, Broadcast Journalism, Communications Studies, and Print Journalism; and a Masters degree in Mass Communications. The Mission Statement of the Communications Department defines its goal thus:

"'Recognizing the crucial need to truthfully inform and be informed, the BYU Department of Communications seeks excellence in communications by stressing personal integrity, rigorous scholarship, moral values, professional competence and ethical conduct.

The Department:
(1) broadly educates men and women;
(2) fosters respect for free, responsible and truthful expression;
(3) champions democratic values;
(4) prepares graduates who will effectively serve their professions, their communities, and their nations' (Communications)."

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Department Chairs

The Journalism Department started in 1933 as a division of the English Department (Pratte, 5). In 1936, it became its own department. The following served as department chairs for the Journalism Department:

Harrison Reuben Merrill (1936-1938)
J. Marinus Jensen (1939-1940)
Carlton Culmsee (1940-1944)
T. Earl Pardoe (1945-1946)
Oliver Smith (1946-1949)
Edwin J. Butterworth, Jr. (1949-1951)
Oliver Smith (1951-1960)
Jean R. Paulson (1960-1962)
M. Dallas Burnett (1962-1963)

In 1963 the Print Journalism Department underwent significant changes as it was moved from the College of Humanities to the College of Fine Arts, and Broadcast Journalism and Print Journalism were brought together to create the Communications Department. (Pratte, 9)

Oliver Smith (1963-1966)
J. Morris Richards (1966-1971)
Edwin O. Haroldsen (1972-1975)
M. Dallas Burnett (1975-1979)
Brent Peterson (1979-1981)
LaVar Bateman (1981-1984)
Ralph Barney (1985-1986)
Gordon Whiting (1986-1990)
David P. Forsyth (1990-1995)
Leonard Lee Bartlett (1995-1997)
Laurie Wilson (1997-2001)
Michael Perkins (2001-2003)
Edward Adams (2003-2008)
Bradley Rawlins (2008-Present)

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Department History and Evolution of Department Programs

The Department of Communications was born out of a diverse academic background. category:BA Communications - Advertising Emphasis was introduced to BYU in 1912 and later became a course requirement for graduation from the College of Commerce. Journalism classes were first offered in 1919 by the English Department. In 1919 the Department of Speech and Dramatic Arts was started, offering classes in elocution, public speaking, and debate. These classes served as the foundation for the Broadcast Journalism Division. In 1921, President Franklin S. Harris introduced the Extension in Division, which was responsible for Public Relations and publications.

Over the next eighty plus years, these classes and divisions evolved into the current Department of Communications. At different times, the Department included Photography, Film, organizational communications, and even high school journalism.

The Department of Communications, as currently comprised, consists of Advertising, Broadcast Journalism, Communications Studies, Print Journalism, Public Relations, and oversees the lab activities of The Daily Universe, DailYNews, NewsNet, Bradley Public Relations and the Ad Lab.(Pratte, 5)