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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 1 Collection or Record:

Department of Communications records, 1938-1998

 Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: UA 1215 Series 4
Scope and Contents note Contains various records relating to the Department of Communications, including press handouts and news clippings from the Washington Post, Denver Post, and Daily Universe. Also contains various publications, including Comm World, a journal published by the Department of Communications at Brigham Young University. Includes various records relating to the general management of the department, including records on accreditation, enrollment, and employment. Also includes self-studies,...
Dates: 1938-1998