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Brigham Young University. Department of Communications

 Organization

Dates

  • Existence: 1963 - 2015

Administrative History

The Department of Communications (1963-2015) was responsible for communications courses under the College of Fine Arts and Communications at Brigham Young University.

The Department of Communications at Brigham Young University was established in 1963. Functioning under the College of Fine Arts and Communications, it was responsible for teaching public relations, advertising, marketing, journalism, and communications. Previously, communications courses were part of the Department of Journalism in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. The organization functioned to provide a professional program in communications which includes a broad base of general education, thorough orientation in the processes, functions and responsibilities of mass communication, and the development of skills in fact finding, analysis, and communication through the mass media. The department also sought to provide service courses to help students from other departments develop desired communication skills. Department chairs included: Oliver R. Smith (1964-1966), J. Morris Richards (1966-1972), Edwin O. Haroldsen (1972-1975), M. Dallas Burnett (1975-1980); Brent D. Peterson (1980-1983), J. LaVar Bateman (1983-1986), Ralph D. Barney (1986-1987), Gordon Whiting (1987-1991), David P. Forsyth (1991-1996), Leonard L. Bartlett (1996-1998), Laurie J. Wilson (1998-2002), Michael K. Perkins (2002-2004), Edward E. Adams (2004-2008; 2012-2015), Bradley L. Rawlins (2008-2012), and Edward E. Adams (2012-2015).

In 2015 the department was renamed the School of Communications.

Citation:
BYU Organizational History Project, May 4, 2012: Dept. of Communications (1963, College Fine Arts and Communications, public relations, advertising, marketing, journalism, and communications, previously Department of Journalism in College of Humanities and Social Sciences, professional program, broad base general, orientation, mass communication, fact finding, analysis, service courses, chairs Oliver R. Smith (1964-1966), J. Morris Richards (1966-1972), Edwin O. Haroldsen (1972-1975), M. Dallas Burnett (1975-1980); Brent D. Peterson (1980-1983), J. LaVar Bateman (1983-1986), Ralph D. Barney (1986-1987), Gordon Whiting (1987-1991), David P. Forsyth (1991-1996), Leonard L. Bartlett (1996-1998), Laurie J. Wilson (1998-2002), Michael K. Perkins (2002-2004), Edward E. Adams (2004-2008), and Bradley L. Rawlins (2008- ))

BYU Organizational History Project, February 1, 2024 (department chairs, Bradley L. Rawlins (2008-2012), Edward E. Adams (2012-2015); renamed as School of Communications in 2015)

Found in 49 Collections and/or Records:

Department of Communications student publications and correspondence, 1941-1965

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 560 Series 1 Sub-Series 11
Scope and Contents note

Contains administrative files, including error sheets, correspondence, reports, advertising, and circulation materials. Includes files on Y News, the Daily Universe, The Summer Universe, Wye magazine, the Salt Lake Tribune, and the Deseret News. Materials date from between 1941 and 1965.

Dates: 1941-1965
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections. University Archives / UA 560, Department of Communications records / Department of Communications chair records

Department of Communications student publications correspondence, 1950-1960

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 560 Series 1 Sub-Series 10
Scope and Contents note

Contains administrative correspondence regarding the student publication, "The Banyan". Materials date from between 1950 and 1960.

Dates: 1950-1960
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections. University Archives / UA 560, Department of Communications records / Department of Communications chair records

Department of Speech and Dramatic Arts records

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: UA 87
Scope and Contents

Includes the files and records of the department chair and other faculty.

Dates: 1917-1974
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections. University Archives / Department of Speech and Dramatic Arts records

G. Robert Ruff professional papers, 1942, 1981-2001

 Series — Box 1: Series 1; Series 2; Series 3 [Barcode: 31197239126771], Folder: 3-7
Identifier: MSS 9407 Series 2
Scope and Contents

Contains G. Robert Ruff's materials on the establishment of a school of communications at Brigham Young University, dated 1942, and 1981 to 2001. Includes correspondence related to his assignment as a member of the advisory board for the BYU Department of Communications, clippings, various meeting minutes and notes, and studies and drafted proposals for the establishment of the school. Also contains materials on aircraft pilot training, dated 1942.

Dates: 1942; 1981-2001
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / MSS 9407, G. Robert Ruff papers

Graduate Studies records on Department of Communications, 1975-2000

 Sub-Series — Carton 18: Series 6 [Barcode: 31197233639688], Folder: 3
Identifier: UA 1141 Series 6 Sub-Series 11
Scope and Contents

Materials are related to the graduate studies program of the Department of Communications from 1975 to 2000. Materials include reports, department reviews, and proposals.

Dates: 1975-2000
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections. University Archives / UA 1141, Graduate Studies records / Graduate Studies records on department and college reviews

Media Services records on Department of Communications, 1962-1978

 Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: UA 5373 Series 2
Scope and Contents

Contains annual reports and correspondence relating to the status of the Department of Communications. Materials date from between 1962 and 1978.

Dates: 1962-1978
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections. University Archives / UA 5373, Media Services records

Oliver R. Smith artifacts and Hill Cumorah Pageant records, undated

 Series
Identifier: MSS 2087 Series 6
Scope and Contents From the Collection: The six series in the Oliver R. Smith papers are arranged according to genre type. The first series contains Smith's correspondence. The second includes various family newsletters as well as writings by and about Smith. The third series is comprised of university memoranda from the '50s, '60s, and '70s. Another small series contains various photographs, including several of BYU. The largest series is Smith's subject files which contain information on BYU student clubs such as Delta Phi,...
Dates: undated
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / MSS 2087, Oliver R. Smith papers

Oliver R. Smith Brigham Young University memoranda, 1950-1979

 Series
Identifier: MSS 2087 Series 3
Scope and Contents From the Collection: The six series in the Oliver R. Smith papers are arranged according to genre type. The first series contains Smith's correspondence. The second includes various family newsletters as well as writings by and about Smith. The third series is comprised of university memoranda from the '50s, '60s, and '70s. Another small series contains various photographs, including several of BYU. The largest series is Smith's subject files which contain information on BYU student clubs such as Delta Phi,...
Dates: Other: 1950-1979
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / MSS 2087, Oliver R. Smith papers

Oliver R. Smith correspondence, 1939-1977

 Series
Identifier: MSS 2087 Series 1
Scope and Contents From the Collection: The six series in the Oliver R. Smith papers are arranged according to genre type. The first series contains Smith's correspondence. The second includes various family newsletters as well as writings by and about Smith. The third series is comprised of university memoranda from the '50s, '60s, and '70s. Another small series contains various photographs, including several of BYU. The largest series is Smith's subject files which contain information on BYU student clubs such as Delta Phi,...
Dates: Other: 1939-1977
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / MSS 2087, Oliver R. Smith papers

Oliver R. Smith family papers, 1940-1975

 Series
Identifier: MSS 2087 Series 2
Scope and Contents From the Collection: The six series in the Oliver R. Smith papers are arranged according to genre type. The first series contains Smith's correspondence. The second includes various family newsletters as well as writings by and about Smith. The third series is comprised of university memoranda from the '50s, '60s, and '70s. Another small series contains various photographs, including several of BYU. The largest series is Smith's subject files which contain information on BYU student clubs such as Delta Phi,...
Dates: Other: 1940-1975
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / MSS 2087, Oliver R. Smith papers

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