Department of Communication

Department Information

Department Chair: Arthur T. Challis
Centrum 213 ~ (435) 586-7861

Administrative Assistant: Tammi Miller
Centrum 213 ~ (435) 586-7861
Fax: (435) 865-8352

Student Success Coach/Academic Advisor:
Katya Konkle, katyakonkle@suu.edu,
ST 204 ~ (435) 586-5420

Website: http://www.suu.edu/hss/comm/
Also see the department for individual advisement in the communication emphases.

Faculty: Professors: Matthew H. Barton, Jon M Smith, Arthur T. Challis;
Associate Professors: L. Paul Husselbee, Patricia Paystrup; Kevin Stein
Professional in Residence: Ellen Treanor, Jennifer Burt
Lecturers: Lee Byers, John Gholdston, Jonathan Holiman, Lance D. Jackson, Calvin F. Rollins, Sage Platt

Degrees Offered

Graduate
Master of Arts in Communication

Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science
Communication - Communication Studies Emphasis, B.A.
Communication - Communication Studies Emphasis, B.S.

Corporate Communication Area - contact department
Interpersonal and Relational Area - contact department
Political Communication Area - contact department

Communication - Media Studies Emphasis, B.A.
Communication - Media Studies Emphasis, B.S.

Film Interest - contact department

Communication - Strategic Communication Emphasis, B.A
Communication - Strategic Communication Emphasis, B.S.

Communication Composite - B.A.
Communication Composite - B.S.

A composite consists of any two of the emphases above and does not require a minor.

Minor
Communication - Communication Studies Emphasis Minor

Corporate, Interpersonal & Relational, Political Communication - contact department

Communication - Media Studies Emphasis Minor

Film Interest - contact department

Communication - Strategic Communication Emphasis Minor

Certificates

Communication Speech Writing Certificate (This certificate is available only with a communication degree completion)

Technical Writing Certificate (This certificate is available only upon degree completion.)

Overview of Programs

Summary of Fields of Study

The department offers a choice of five emphases within the communication major, three minors related to the emphases and a speech writing certificate. A grade of C- or better is required for any course counted toward a major, minor or certificate.

Required Credits: 42 credits for the communication major, with a minor outside the department. 62 minimum credits for a composite of two emphases in the major. (Check with department about recommended elective credit for the composite degree).

Speech Writing Certificate

The Speech Writing Certificate requires the completion of 21 credit hours of coursework including an internship involving speech preparation. The certificate prepares students for speech composition and delivery. Evaluation of the students will be in each of the specific courses in the form of written assignments, speech preparation and delivery. This certificate is available only upon degree completion.

Mission

The Southern Utah University Communication Department provides opportunities for its students to apply the principles and theories of human communication and mass media in situations that simulate the professional world. The department operates in a student-centered environment to foster ethical behavior, superior communication skills, leadership abilities, and critical thinking.

Goal statement

The curriculum of this department consists of a careful blend of classroom courses in theory, methods, histories, and laboratory experiences in the various emphases with hands-on applications of these principles. The intent is to produce a well-rounded graduate who is conversant with the material in the communication fields and who can also proficiently apply that material. To this end, internships are strongly encouraged in the department. The department prepares students for careers in advertising, broadcasting, interpersonal communication, journalism, and public relations. It also prepares students to teach in the secondary schools. Through general education offerings at SUU in the communication core, and the humanities and social and behavior science knowledge areas, the communication department endeavors to give SUU general education students’ strong presentational skills and a background in communication principles and practices.

Department/Program Learning Outcomes

Assessment Criteria & Activities

The general education courses offered by the communication department will align carefully with the general education skill areas of communication, higher order thinking, information management, and the valuing process.
Communication students will pass their courses with a minimum grade of C-, as assessed by testing measures within each course.
Communication courses will contain activities that will enable students to demonstrate a reasonable level of proficiency in communication skills.
All Communication majors must take COMM 1010 and the writing course, ENGL 2010 . These two courses will prepare students for study in Communication.
Communication majors must take the core Communication Research 3020 course. This course is a prerequisite to two capstone courses, one of which must be taken. Communication Studies and Public Relations emphases students must take COMM 4350 Communication Theory . Strategic Communication and Media Studies students must take COMM 4050 Mass Media Theory & Effects . Students complete a capstone assignment for these classes. Composite majors are able to select a single capstone course that best fits their program of study regardless of emphasis.
Additional assessment is achieved through successful completion of practicum courses (newspaper, radio, television, and advertising) in the various emphases.

Other Information

Internships

Internships are strongly encouraged. Only communication majors or minors with a junior or senior standing and with the appropriate prerequisite courses may enroll for internship credit within the department. Students must contact the department for internship prerequisites and other information in advance of internship work. Only three internship credits can be applied toward the required credits in the major. Additional internship credit may be counted as elective credit with the approval of the department chair.