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• Mission Statement

  Communication is a dynamic process that plays a complex and profound role in shaping both individuals and society and is vital to the free exchange of ideas central to a democratic society. The Weber State University Department of Communication seeks to promote an understanding of this process and the effective and ethical practice of human communication by focusing on how people create and use messages to generate meanings within and across various contexts, cultures, channels and media, including those delivered through technology.  ÈÕ±¾Ò»¼¶Æ¬ Communication Department curricula and programs are grounded within a liberal arts tradition and designed to help students live vital and successful lives in an ever-changing global environment.

  Note: The Department of Communication recognizes that communication is not just something we do; it is what makes us who we are and contributes significantly to the world in which we live. Therefore, communication majors are expected to apply their acquired knowledge and skills to affect their personal development and skills. Majors are expected to participate in the exchange of ideas resulting in responsible personal and social change.

• Student Learning Outcomes
  • Certificate (Not Applicable)

     

  • Associate Degrees

    Students completing the Associate of Science in Communication shall demonstrate the following outcomes:

    • 1. Writing: Write at a level expected of a professional communicator in a selected emphasis area. 
    • 2. Speaking: Speak appropriately, effectively, and ethically in a one-on-one interpersonal interaction, and in front of small and large groups in a variety of contexts.  
    • 3. Listening: Listen actively to acquire and analyze information.
    • 4. Interpersonal/Small Group Communication: Facilitate successful communication in interpersonal situations, small group settings, and within organizations.
    • 5. Media: Use and produce media to appropriately and effectively to communicate messages and critically evaluate media messages.
    • 6. History: Demonstrate knowledge of the history of the communication discipline and its societal and professional implications.
    • 7. Research: Find and evaluate peer-reviewed or professional research studies, describe and utilize a variety of research methods, and interpret and analyze research data.
    • 8. Critical Thinking: Analyze information from a variety of perspectives for understanding, persuasive argument or problem solving.
    • 9. Career Readiness: Demonstrate the skills required to enter a professional career or graduate school.  
    • 10. Creativity and Innovation: Devise new approaches to familiar problems or situations, resulting in original work.

     

    Students completing the Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, or Associate of Applied Science in Digital Media Production shall demonstrate the following outcomes:

    • 1. Writing: Write at a level expected of a professional communicator in a selected emphasis area. 
    • 2. Speaking: Speak appropriately, effectively, and ethically in a one-on-one interpersonal interaction, and in front of small and large groups in a variety of contexts.  
    • 3. Listening: Listen actively to acquire and analyze information.
    • 4. Interpersonal/Small Group Communication: Facilitate successful communication in interpersonal situations, small group settings, and within organizations.
    • 5. Media: Use and produce media to appropriately and effectively to communicate messages and critically evaluate media messages.
    • 6. History: Demonstrate knowledge of the history of the communication discipline and its societal and professional implications.
    • 7. Research: Find and evaluate peer-reviewed or professional research studies, describe and utilize a variety of research methods, and interpret and analyze research data.
    • 8. Theory: Explain how various communication theories have been developed, apply those theories, and evaluate them.
    • 9. Critical Thinking: Analyze information from a variety of perspectives for understanding, persuasive argument or problem solving.
    • 10. Career Readiness: Demonstrate the skills required to enter a professional career or graduate school.  
    • 11. Creativity and Innovation: Devise new approaches to familiar problems or situations, resulting in original work.

     

    Students completing the Associate of Arts or Associate of Science in Workplace Communication shall demonstrate the following communication outcomes:

    • 1. Writing: Write at a level expected of a professional communicator in a selected emphasis area. 
    • 2. Speaking: Speak appropriately, effectively, and ethically in a one-on-one interpersonal interaction, and in front of small and large groups in a variety of contexts.  
    • 3. Listening: Listen actively to acquire and analyze information.
    • 4. Interpersonal/Small Group Communication: Facilitate successful communication in interpersonal situations, small group settings, and within organizations.
    • 5. Research: Find and evaluate peer-reviewed or professional research studies, describe and utilize a variety of research methods, and interpret and analyze research data.
    • 6. Critical Thinking: Analyze information from a variety of perspectives for understanding, persuasive argument or problem solving.

  • Bachelor Degrees

    Students completing the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in Civic Advocacy shall demonstrate the following outcomes:

    • 1. Writing: Write at a level expected of a professional communicator in a selected emphasis area. 
    • 2. Speaking: Speak appropriately, effectively, and ethically in a one-on-one interpersonal interaction, and in front of small and large groups in a variety of contexts.  
    • 3. Listening: Listen actively to acquire and analyze information.
    • 4. Interpersonal/Small Group Communication: Facilitate successful communication in interpersonal situations, small group settings, and within organizations.
    • 5. Media: Use and produce media to appropriately and effectively to communicate messages and critically evaluate media messages.
    • 6. History: Demonstrate knowledge of the history of the communication discipline and its societal and professional implications.
    • 7. Research: Find and evaluate peer-reviewed or professional research studies, describe and utilize a variety of research methods, and interpret and analyze research data.
    • 8. Theory: Explain how various communication theories have been developed, apply those theories, and evaluate them.
    • 9. Law/Ethics: Demonstrate knowledge of communication law and ethics to enable legal and ethical communication.
    • 10. Critical Thinking: Analyze information from a variety of perspectives for understanding, persuasive argument or problem solving.
    • 11. Career Readiness: Demonstrate the skills required to enter a professional career or graduate school.  
    • 12. Diversity: Communicate competently across difference, identify, explain perceptual bias and discrimination, and know the value of diversity.   
    • 13. Creativity and Innovation: Devise new approaches to familiar problems or situations, resulting in original work.

     

    Students completing the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in Digital Media shall demonstrate the following outcomes:

    • 1. Writing: Write at a level expected of a professional communicator in a selected emphasis area. 
    • 2. Speaking: Speak appropriately, effectively, and ethically in a one-on-one interpersonal interaction, and in front of small and large groups in a variety of contexts.  
    • 3. Listening: Listen actively to acquire and analyze information.
    • 4. Interpersonal/Small Group Communication: Facilitate successful communication in interpersonal situations, small group settings, and within organizations.
    • 5. Media: Use and produce media to appropriately and effectively to communicate messages and critically evaluate media messages.
    • 6. History: Demonstrate knowledge of the history of the communication discipline and its societal and professional implications.
    • 7. Research: Find and evaluate peer-reviewed or professional research studies, describe and utilize a variety of research methods, and interpret and analyze research data.
    • 8. Theory: Explain how various communication theories have been developed, apply those theories, and evaluate them.
    • 9. Law/Ethics: Demonstrate knowledge of communication law and ethics to enable legal and ethical communication.
    • 10. Critical Thinking: Analyze information from a variety of perspectives for understanding, persuasive argument or problem solving.
    • 11. Career Readiness: Demonstrate the skills required to enter a professional career or graduate school.  
    • 12. Creativity and Innovation: Devise new approaches to familiar problems or situations, resulting in original work.

     

    Students completing the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in Interpersonal and Family Communication shall demonstrate the following outcomes:

    • 1. Writing: Write at a level expected of a professional communicator in a selected emphasis area. 
    • 2. Speaking: Speak appropriately, effectively, and ethically in a one-on-one interpersonal interaction, and in front of small and large groups in a variety of contexts.  
    • 3. Listening: Listen actively to acquire and analyze information.
    • 4. Interpersonal/Small Group Communication: Facilitate successful communication in interpersonal situations, small group settings, and within organizations.
    • 5. Media: Use and produce media to appropriately and effectively to communicate messages and critically evaluate media messages.
    • 6. History: Demonstrate knowledge of the history of the communication discipline and its societal and professional implications.
    • 7. Research: Find and evaluate peer-reviewed or professional research studies, describe and utilize a variety of research methods, and interpret and analyze research data.
    • 8. Theory: Explain how various communication theories have been developed, apply those theories, and evaluate them.
    • 9. Law/Ethics: Demonstrate knowledge of communication law and ethics to enable legal and ethical communication.
    • 10. Critical Thinking: Analyze information from a variety of perspectives for understanding, persuasive argument or problem solving.
    • 11. Career Readiness: Demonstrate the skills required to enter a professional career or graduate school.  
    • 12. Diversity: Communicate competently across difference, identify, explain perceptual bias and discrimination, and know the value of diversity.   
    • 13. Creativity and Innovation: Devise new approaches to familiar problems or situations, resulting in original work.

     

    Students completing the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in Multimedia Journalism shall demonstrate the following outcomes:

    • 1. Writing: Write at a level expected of a professional communicator in a selected emphasis area. 
    • 2. Speaking: Speak appropriately, effectively, and ethically in a one-on-one interpersonal interaction, and in front of small and large groups in a variety of contexts.  
    • 3. Listening: Listen actively to acquire and analyze information.
    • 4. Interpersonal/Small Group Communication: Facilitate successful communication in interpersonal situations, small group settings, and within organizations.
    • 5. Media: Use and produce media to appropriately and effectively to communicate messages and critically evaluate media messages.
    • 6. History: Demonstrate knowledge of the history of the communication discipline and its societal and professional implications.
    • 7. Research: Find and evaluate peer-reviewed or professional research studies, describe and utilize a variety of research methods, and interpret and analyze research data.
    • 8. Theory: Explain how various communication theories have been developed, apply those theories, and evaluate them.
    • 9. Law/Ethics: Demonstrate knowledge of communication law and ethics to enable legal and ethical communication.
    • 10. Critical Thinking: Analyze information from a variety of perspectives for understanding, persuasive argument or problem solving.
    • 11. Career Readiness: Demonstrate the skills required to enter a professional career or graduate school.  
    • 12. Diversity: Communicate competently across difference, identify, explain perceptual bias and discrimination, and know the value of diversity.   
    • 13. Creativity and Innovation: Devise new approaches to familiar problems or situations, resulting in original work.

     

    Students completing the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in Organizational Communication shall demonstrate the following outcomes:

    • 1. Writing: Write at a level expected of a professional communicator in a selected emphasis area. 
    • 2. Speaking: Speak appropriately, effectively, and ethically in a one-on-one interpersonal interaction, and in front of small and large groups in a variety of contexts.  
    • 3. Listening: Listen actively to acquire and analyze information.
    • 4. Interpersonal/Small Group Communication: Facilitate successful communication in interpersonal situations, small group settings, and within organizations.
    • 5. Media: Use and produce media to appropriately and effectively to communicate messages and critically evaluate media messages.
    • 6. History: Demonstrate knowledge of the history of the communication discipline and its societal and professional implications.
    • 7. Research: Find and evaluate peer-reviewed or professional research studies, describe and utilize a variety of research methods, and interpret and analyze research data.
    • 8. Theory: Explain how various communication theories have been developed, apply those theories, and evaluate them.
    • 9. Law/Ethics: Demonstrate knowledge of communication law and ethics to enable legal and ethical communication.
    • 10. Critical Thinking: Analyze information from a variety of perspectives for understanding, persuasive argument or problem solving.
    • 11. Career Readiness: Demonstrate the skills required to enter a professional career or graduate school.  
    • 12. Diversity: Communicate competently across difference, identify, explain perceptual bias and discrimination, and know the value of diversity.   
    • 13. Creativity and Innovation: Devise new approaches to familiar problems or situations, resulting in original work.

     

    Students completing the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in Public Relations and Strategic Communication shall demonstrate the following outcomes:

    • 1. Writing: Write at a level expected of a professional communicator in a selected emphasis area. 
    • 2. Speaking: Speak appropriately, effectively, and ethically in a one-on-one interpersonal interaction, and in front of small and large groups in a variety of contexts.  
    • 3. Listening: Listen actively to acquire and analyze information.
    • 4. Interpersonal/Small Group Communication: Facilitate successful communication in interpersonal situations, small group settings, and within organizations.
    • 5. Media: Use and produce media to appropriately and effectively to communicate messages and critically evaluate media messages.
    • 6. History: Demonstrate knowledge of the history of the communication discipline and its societal and professional implications.
    • 7. Research: Find and evaluate peer-reviewed or professional research studies, describe and utilize a variety of research methods, and interpret and analyze research data.
    • 8. Theory: Explain how various communication theories have been developed, apply those theories, and evaluate them.
    • 9. Law/Ethics: Demonstrate knowledge of communication law and ethics to enable legal and ethical communication.
    • 10. Critical Thinking: Analyze information from a variety of perspectives for understanding, persuasive argument or problem solving.
    • 11. Career Readiness: Demonstrate the skills required to enter a professional career or graduate school.  
    • 12. Creativity and Innovation: Devise new approaches to familiar problems or situations, resulting in original work.

     

    Students completing the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in Social Media and Data Analytics shall demonstrate the following outcomes:

    • 1.Writing: Write at a level expected of a professional communicator in a selected emphasis area.
    • 2. Speaking: Speak appropriately, effectively, and ethically in a one-on-one interpersonal interaction, and in front of small and large groups in a variety of contexts.
    • 3. Listening: Listen actively to acquire and analyze information.
    • 4. Interpersonal/Small Group Communication: Facilitate successful communication in interpersonal situations, small group settings, and within organizations.
    • 5. Media: Use and produce media to appropriately and effectively to communicate messages and critically evaluate media messages.
    • 6. History: Demonstrate knowledge of the history of the communication discipline and its societal and professional implications.
    • 7. Research: Find and evaluate peer-reviewed or professional research studies, describe and utilize a variety of research methods, and interpret and analyze research data.
    • 8. Theory: Explain how various communication theories have been developed, apply those theories, and evaluate them.
    • 9. Law/Ethics: Demonstrate knowledge of communication law and ethics to enable legal and ethical communication.
    • 10. Critical Thinking: Analyze information from a variety of perspectives for understanding, persuasive argument or problem solving.
    • 11. Career Readiness: Demonstrate the skills required to enter a professional career or graduate school.
    • 12. Diversity: Communicate competently across difference, identify, explain perceptual bias and discrimination, and know the value of diversity.
    • 13. Creativity and Innovation: Devise new approaches to familiar problems or situations, resulting in original work.

     

    Students completing the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in Communication Teaching shall demonstrate the following outcomes:

    • 1. Writing: Write at a level expected of a professional communicator in a selected emphasis area. 
    • 2. Speaking: Speak appropriately, effectively, and ethically in a one-on-one interpersonal interaction, and in front of small and large groups in a variety of contexts.  
    • 3. Listening: Listen actively to acquire and analyze information.
    • 4. Interpersonal/Small Group Communication: Facilitate successful communication in interpersonal situations, small group settings, and within organizations.
    • 5. Media: Use and produce media to appropriately and effectively to communicate messages and critically evaluate media messages.
    • 6. History: Demonstrate knowledge of the history of the communication discipline and its societal and professional implications.
    • 7. Research: Find and evaluate peer-reviewed or professional research studies, describe and utilize a variety of research methods, and interpret and analyze research data.
    • 8. Theory: Explain how various communication theories have been developed, apply those theories, and evaluate them.
    • 9. Law/Ethics: Demonstrate knowledge of communication law and ethics to enable legal and ethical communication.
    • 10. Critical Thinking: Analyze information from a variety of perspectives for understanding, persuasive argument or problem solving.
    • 11. Career Readiness: Demonstrate the skills required to enter a professional career or graduate school.  
    • 12. Diversity: Communicate competently across difference, identify, explain perceptual bias and discrimination, and know the value of diversity.   
    • 13. Creativity and Innovation: Devise new approaches to familiar problems or situations, resulting in original work.

     

• Curriculum Grid

• Assessment Plan

  We are in a transitional process of collecting data as we recently changed the scale from a 5-point scale to a 3-point scale (3-Exceeds expectations, 2-Meets expectations, 1-Does not meet expectations). We are attempting to evaluate the entire program and each emphasis area. We are attempting to identify courses that can act as an early benchmark in each emphasis area in the department and then more of a capstone course. For example, COMM 1130 Media Writing would act as a benchmark for the Multimedia Journalism emphasis area and COMM 4130 In-depth & Investigative Journalism is the capstone course. We hope to compare the assessment data from those two courses as a bit of a pre/post-test model to measure improvement. In each emphasis area, entry benchmark classes have been identified and capstone courses have been identified. However, the goal to collect from all eight emphasis areas every semester was ambitious. During conversations with the Office of Institutional Effectiveness in Summer 24, we decided to really focus on two emphasis areas each semester and are starting this process Fall 2024 (Public Relations and Strategic Communication & Digital Media). This still means that we ask faculty to complete almost all classes each semester, but will really hone in on two emphasis areas each semester to get a robust sample over 2 years. Faculty are asked to follow of how to upload the rubric into their canvas course and then complete at the end of the semester. These rubrics have the student learning outcomes that are attached to the course embedded into a rubric. However, often after submitting grades completing one more rubric is not always done as people are tired and it is not a habit yet. We discussed as a faculty, different strategies to remind faculty and decided to create google calendar appointments during the last week of classes and finals week to act as reminders. Since the canvas course closes, it can be harder to complete after the semester has ended. 

  We also as a faculty needed to have multiple conversations about what the 3-point scale (3-Exceeds expectations, 2-Meets expectations, 1-Does not meet expectations) is measuring or else the numbers are not consistent in meaning. Some faculty shared that adjuncts could be reluctant to score lower on the scale as it could reflect their teaching ability if many students did not meet expectations. We assured faculty and adjuncts that the data is not used in a punitive way to evaluate teaching ability. We created a student persona guide to help faculty know how to evaluate and complete the scoring rubric. These personas will be used starting Fall 24. Student persona: “We want to evaluate each student against what they would be expected to know as a graduating senior. That means we expect students in lower division classes to score less highly than we would expect students to score in upper division classes as they have had more time and instruction on the concepts.” Creating this student persona will be helpful for intercoder reliability moving forward. 

  We continue to explore the process of data collection and getting more information as we see these biennial reports as preparation for the larger program review. We appreciate the feedback and support from the Office of Institutional Effectiveness as we continue to reflect and refine the assessment plan. One area that is part of the plan for the future is making stronger connections of the exit surveys from the COMM 4890 internship class that every student completes. Currently, there is an exit survey that students complete. However, the questions are not as directly tied to the student learning outcomes. This is a project that is currently being worked on for Spring 25 in preparation for the next assessment report.  Also, COMM 4990 has an e-portfolio that is part of the course with connection to student learning outcomes. However, the sample size was not large enough to capture data for this report, but strategies are in place to improve collection for next time along with the exit survey for that course. 

  Overall, we see these biennial reports as an opportunity to prepare for the larger program review. Our program review is slated for the 28-29 year and we appreciate these smaller reports to identify areas where we need to still improve. We plan to implement this plan for the next report after we have updated COMM 1020 and COMM 2110 over the past review cycle. A new OER textbook and Canvas Sandbox was created for COMM 2110. This was a year-long process and we are now in a place to begin collecting data with larger sample sizes to report. This current Fall 24 report will share data that has been collected across a range of courses that does not quite fit our goal of a pre and post-test model for each emphasis area, but still is connected to our overall department student learning outcomes. 
   

• Program and Contact Information

  The Communication program provides undergraduate education for students wishing to major in seven emphasis areas that include Civic Advocacy, Digital Media, Interpersonal & Family Communication, Multimedia Journalism, Organizational Communication, Public Relations & Advertising, and Communication Teaching in either Communication Studies or Journalism. It offers a Communication minor, a Communication teaching minor, and a BIS option. An Associate of Science in Communication is also offered. The Communication Department also serves students seeking general education in three courses: COMM 1020 Principles of Public Speaking, COMM 2010 Mass Media & Society, and COMM 2110 Interpersonal & Small Group Communication. The 2110 class is offered as a Concurrent Enrollment course in local high schools.         

  Students who major in Communication hone their knowledge and skills in writing, speaking, listening, interpersonal and small group interaction, new media, research methods, communication theory and law, and critical thinking. Many students get involved with co-curricular organizations, including The Signpost, KWCR Wildcat Radio, Ogden Peak Communications, Studio 76/Wildcat ONE TV, and ÈÕ±¾Ò»¼¶Æ¬ Debate where they can get hands-on learning. They conclude their academic experience by preparing an e-portfolio and resume, and completing an internship with a professional organization. Graduates work in a variety of fields or attend graduate and law school.        

   

  Contact Information:

   

  Dr. Anne Bialowas
  Department of Communication
  Weber State University
  1395 Edvalson St., Dept. 1407
  Ogden, UT 84408-1407
  801-626-6454
  Elizabeth Hall, Room 335

•  

• Assessment Report Submissions

  
  2019-20 - Conducted Program Review
  
  
  

• Program Review

  2019-2020

  2014-15

This information is part of the cyclical program review process. Details such as mission statements, learning outcomes, etc., are updated as part of the biennial assessment reporting process, an integral component of program review.