Communications

COMMUNICATIONS

Chair: Leonard L. Bartlett
Graduate Coordinator: Daniel A. Stout
F-553 HFAC
Provo, UT 84602-6403
(801) 378-7551

THE PROGRAM OF STUDIES

The master's program is intended to provide advanced preparation in communication theory and research. The emphasis is on analytical thinking with consideration for both continued academic advancement and professional growth. The program of study includes a core of communication theory and research courses as well as elective courses on a number of communication-related topics.

One degree is offered through the Communications Department: Mass Communication—MA. A minor in mass communication is also offered.

The department admits 15-20 students each fall to the master's program. The average time of study to complete requirements for the master's degree is 24-30 months.

Mass Communication—MA

The master's program is intended to serve as preparation for:

• Further doctoral studies where theory, teaching, and researching are emphasized.
• Other achievements in a mass communication profession.

Beyond the below-listed courses required by the department, students select—in consultation with advisors—the specific courses that best meet their goals and interests. Generally, students with noncommunications undergraduate majors will be expected to concentrate on communications electives. Those with a communications baccalaureate are encouraged to seek the broadening of electives outside the department.

Admission and Entry.

• Semesters of entry and application deadlines: fall, February 28 (international) and March 15 (U.S.).
• Application requirements: the entrance examination is the GRE; minimum required GPA is 3.0 for last 60 semester hours.
• Prerequisite: baccalaureate degree (if undergraduate preparation in communications is not adequate, the department graduate coordinator will require certain courses to satisfy the deficiency); background in research and statistics (prerequisite course required); professional experience in communications is desirable; professional competence in written and spoken English is necessary.

Requirements for Degree.

• Credit hours (33): minimum 27 course work hours plus 6 thesis hours (Comms 699R).
• Required courses: Comms 609, 610, 611, 616 (12 hours), 699R (6 hours); three courses from 604, 605, 613, 614, 615.
• Electives: determined in consultation with advisor and committee.
• Thesis.
• Examinations: (A) written comprehensive examination; (B) final oral examination and defense of thesis.

Mass Communication—Minor

Consult the department chair or graduate coordinator regarding a recommended program of study.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

The principal types of financial aid and awards available to mass communication graduate students are teaching and research assistantships. TAs oversee undergraduate classes and labs in advertising, broadcasting, journalism, and public relations. Applications are available by writing Bobeta Powell at E-509 HFAC, Provo, UT 84602-6403.

RESOURCES AND OPPORTUNITIES

Housed in The Harris Fine Arts Center, the Communications Department contains journalism, advertising, and broadcast laboratories and radio and television studios.

Communications Research Center. Mass communication graduate students can receive assistance from the director of the Communications Research Center and work with faculty members or receive guidance on their own research in broadcasting, journalism, advertising, and public relations. Computers with SPSS software are available in F-372 HFAC.

For a more detailed description of the graduate program requirements, send for a copy of the department's bulletin.

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

Class Schedule

604. Seminar in History of Mass Communication. (3)

In-depth investigation of the various aspects of the history of mass media.

605. Media Criticism/Critical Analysis of Mass Media. (3)

Methods and usefulness of communication criticism; critical approaches to media analysis; relating criticism to communication process components.

606. Management Seminar. (2)

Applications of classical and contemporary management and organizational theories as well as contemporary mass media issues and problems.

607. Seminar in International Communication. (2)

Role of communication internationally and its impact on culture, ethics, morality and politics around the world. Effect of fast-changing communication systems on discourse between governments, peoples, and businesses and organizations.

608. Communication Technology and Policy. (2)

Impacts of communication technologies and policy implications.

609. Proseminar. (2)

Introduction to graduate education, communication theory, and research. Faculty and working professionals present their research programs.

610. Studies in Communication Theory. (3)

Nature and content of contemporary communication theory.

611. Research Methods in Communication. (4)

Prerequisite: meet department statistics requirement (Stat 221 or 552).

Major methods of research used in communication.

612R. Research Practicum. (1)

Practical experience in research under direction of individual faculty.

613. Literature Seminar. (3)

Literature that contributes to understanding the functioning of communication processes.

614. Communication Ethics. (3)

Pooled efforts identify principles and illuminate selected ethical issues for existing and potential media environments.

615. Public Opinion Seminar. (3)

Concepts of public opinion and their links to interpersonal and societal processes; mass media.

616. Seminar in Mass Media and Society. (3)

Prerequisite: Comms 610, 611.

Mass media's roles in major social settings, historical development of open-system societies, contemporary ethical dilemmas, effects of new media.

617. Mass Communication and U.S. Government. (2)

Contemporary legal relationship between government and communication; philosophical and historical basis for regulation in light of constitutional guarantees.

618. Environmental Communication. (2)

Mass communication theory and research, process and practice as it relates to public communication campaigns, efforts to affect regulations and policy, and mass media coverage of environmental issues.

619. Mass Communication and Gender. (2)

Gender issues related to the communication process. Implications of recent theoretical developments in the feminist literature for communication studies.

620. The Media and Popular Culture. (2)

Cultural expression as a reflection of spirit of contemporary society. Popular culture as instrumental in furthering ideological foundations of society.

691R. Special Studies in Communications. (1-3)

Individual work on approved problems not leading to a thesis. Projects must be approved before registration.

695R. Topical Seminar. (1-3)

699R. Master's Thesis. (6V)

FACULTY 

BAKER, SHERRY L., Associate Professor. PhD, University of Utah, 1994. Communications Ethics and Cultural History as Evidenced in Media Texts.

EGAN, KATHRYN S., Professor. PhD, University of Southern California, 1972. Broadcast Women Research.

HAINSWORTH, BRAD E., Professor. PhD, University of Utah, 1968. Issues Management.

HUGHES, R. JOHN, Professor. International Media and Journalism; Editorials.

KAGEL, RICHARD I., Associate Professor. PhD, Columbia Pacific University, 1980. Advertising Research.

MARTIN, DENNIS G., Professor. PhD, University of Illinois, 1985. Advertising; Cultural Anthropology; History of Advertising.

NELSON, JACK ADOLPH, Professor. PhD, University of Missouri, Columbia, 1971. Magazines; Journalism History.

PALMER, ALLEN W., Assistant Professor. PhD, University of Utah, 1996. International Mass Communications Systems; Media and the Environment.

PORTER, WILLIAM C., Associate Professor. EdD, Oklahoma State University, 1986. New Technologies; Writing Theory.

PRATTE, PAUL ALFRED, Professor. PhD, University of Hawaii, 1976. Journalism History.

RUSH, J. D., Associate Professor. JD, Arizona State University, 1973. Telecommunications and Technology.

STOUT, DANIEL A., Assistant Professor. PhD, Rutgers University, 1993. Media and Religion; Social Impacts of Mass Media.

STRAUBHAAR, JOSEPH D., Professor. PhD, Tufts University, 1981. International Communications; Political Development.

THOMSEN, STEVEN R., Associate Professor. PhD, University of Georgia, 1994. New Media Technologies and Public Relations.

VALENTI, JOANN M., Professor. PhD, University of Michigan, 1983. Environmental Communications.

WHITING, GORDON C., Professor. PhD, Michigan State University, 1967. Assessment of Media Quality.

WILSON, LAURIE J., Associate Professor. PhD, American University, 1988. International Communications; Public Relations.

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