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 38 Collections and/or Records:
Department of Communications records on American Society of Newspaper Editors, 1920-1995
Contains revision drafts of "Gods Within the Machine: A History of the American Society of Newspaper Editors, 1923-1993," a study written by Brigham Young University communications professor Paul A. Pratte. Also contains related research records, including minutes, correspondence, the organization's bulletin, journal articles, and presidents' speeches and records, 1920-1995.
Department of Communications reports, 1951-1957
Contains annual reports by the department. Materials date from between 1951 and 1957.
Department of Communications special projects and events records, 1947-1967
Contains administrative files, including correspondence, surveys, programs, clippings, proposals, photographs, posters, newsletters, student assignments and exams, theses, and petitions. Materials date from between 1947 and 1967.
Department of Communications strategic plan records, 1992
Collection of plans, presentations and programs relating to the Department of Communications strategic plan. Includes minutes for BYU's Assistant Vice President's meeting and a copy of BYU's strategic plan for the Department of Communications - including proposals for their Media Ethics Studies program, BYU's Communication Research center, a plan on the recruitment and equal treatment of women and minority faculty/students, etc. Dated February 1992.
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.
Department of Communications student publications correspondence, 1950-1960
Contains administrative correspondence regarding the student publication, "The Banyan". Materials date from between 1950 and 1960.
Department of Speech and Dramatic Arts records
Includes the files and records of the department chair and other faculty.
Media Services records on Department of Communications, 1962-1978
Contains annual reports and correspondence relating to the status of the Department of Communications. Materials date from between 1962 and 1978.