Brigham Young University. Department of Communications
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 12 Collections and/or Records:
Department of Communications activity correspondence, 1959-1962
Contains correspondence and reports on activities of department majors and graduates. Materials date from between 1959 and 1962.
Department of Communications building records, 1948-1964
Contains administrative files on furnishings, facilities, lab equipment, the Harris Fine Arts Center, McKay Building, Student Service Center, and Journalism Reading Room, including floor plans, correspondence, and room assignments. Materials date from between 1948 and 1964.
Department of Communications chair records, 1933-1971
Department of Communications instructions, catalog notes, and other material, 1959-1968
Contains administrative files, including Instructions, catalog notes, curriculum revisions, grade rolls, correspondence, graphs, class outlines, and enrollments. Materials date from between 1959 and 1968.
Department of Communications news releases, 1952-1964
Contains administrative files, including news releases and clippings. Materials date from between 1952 and 1964.
Department of Communications records
Contains records relating to the Department of Communications, including records on the American Society of Newspaper Editors (ASNE) as well as building project records and meeting minutes. Also contains course materials, correspondence, and records on faculty members, 1920-1999.
Department of Communications records
Includes the correspondence and department records of chairs Oliver Smith and J. Morris Richards. Materials date from between 1933 and 1974.
Department of Communications reports, 1951-1957
Contains annual reports by the department. Materials date from between 1951 and 1957.
Department of Communications student publications and correspondence, 1941-1965
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.
Graduate Studies records on Department of Communications, 1975-2000
Materials are related to the graduate studies program of the Department of Communications from 1975 to 2000. Materials include reports, department reviews, and proposals.