Department of Communication
and Journalism

Ken Smith, Department Chair
428 Ross Hall
Phone: (307) 766-3122/6277, FAX: (307) 766-3812
Website: http://www.uwyo.edu/COJO

 

Professors:
MICHAEL R. BROWN, B.A. Wayne State College 1974; M.A. University of Wyoming 1984; Ph.D. University of Utah 1994; Professor of Communication and Journalism 2007, 1994.

GEORGE A. GLADNEY, B.A. Waynesburg College 1969; B.J. University of Missouri 1971; M.S. University of Oregon 1988; Ph.D. University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana 1991; Professor of Communication and Journalism 2005, 1995.

FRANK E. MILLAR, B.A. Wabash College 1966; M.A. Michigan State University 1971; Ph.D. 1973; Professor of Communication and Journalism 1989, 1985.
CONRAD SMITH, B.S. Ohio State University 1969; M.A. 1971; Ph.D. Temple University 1981; Professor of Communication and Journalism 1996.

KENNETH L. SMITH, B.S. Iowa State University 1970; M.S. 1973; Ph.D. University of Utah 1991; Professor of Communication and Journalism 2005, 1991.

 

Associate Professors:
GRACIE LAWSON-BORDERS, B.A. Michigan State University 1982; M.A. Northwestern University 1995; Ph.D. Wayne State University 2001; Associate Professor of Communication and Journalism, African American Studies 2006.

TRACEY OWENS PATTON, B.A. Colorado State University 1993; M.A. 1996; Ph.D. University of Utah 2000; Associate Professor of Communication and Journalism 2003.

CINDY J. PRICE, B.A. University of Sioux Falls 1989; M.S. South Dakota State University 1992; Ph.D. Southern Illinois University 2000; Associate Professor of Communication and Journalism 1999.

 

Assistant Professors:

EILEEN S. GILCHRIST, B.A. University of Houston 1990; M.S. 1997; Ph.D. University of Oklahoma 2008; Assistant Professor of Communication and Journalism 2007.

CHIA FANG HSU, B.A. Chinese Culture University 1995; M.A. Washington State University 1997; Ph.D. Washington State University 2002; Assistant Professor of Communication and Journalism 2003.

 

Senior Lecturers:
REBECCA ROBERTS, B.S. University of Wyoming 1993; M.A. 1995; Senior Lecturer of Communication and Journalism 2005, 1999. MATTHEW J. STANNARD, B.S. Brigham Young University 1993; M.S. California State University, Long Beach 2000; Senior Lecturer of Communication and Journalism 2005, 1999.

CAROL L. TARANTOLA, B.A. University of Wyoming 1972; M.A. 1974; Senior Lecturer of Communication and Journalism 1996, 1990.
ERIC WILTSE, B.A. State University College at Buffalo 1974; M.A. University of Montana 1983; Ph.D. University of Wyoming 2000; Publisher of Laramie Online; Senior Lecturer of Communication and Journalism 2001, 1990.

 

Assistant Lecturers:
BEAU BINGHAM, B.S. Idaho State University 2000; M.A. New Mexico State University 2002; Assistant Lecturer of Communication and Journalism 2007.

 

Visiting Lecturers:
Bob Beck, Mike McElreath, Justin Stewart, Shalee Turner

 

Emeriti
B. Wayne Callaway, William C. Donaghy, John W. Ravage


The Department of Communication and Journalism provides a broad range of professional and research courses, offering a sound interdisciplinary academic program for students who plan careers in communication or mass media. Courses are comprised of writing, speaking and analyzing messages; forms of interpersonal communication; mass media effects and audiences’ interpretations of media messages and images. Degrees are granted in communication and journalism with academic specialties in each of the degree areas. These specialties include news-editorial, public information (public relations and advertising), communication studies and organizational communication. Students are given academic preparation in communication skills (media writing and public speaking), coupled with opportunities for professional experience in their majors. The department also offers minors in public relations, communication and journalism for non-majors.

Marketing, Facilities and Research Activities

The department encourages majors to work actively in print media. The department offers unique professional opportunities for students with the student newspaper, The Branding Iron; and Laramie Online, an online newspaper.

Oral Communication Laboratory, Ross Hall 442. A resource for the entire University Community. The lab is open for anyone required to present material orally. Lab instructors offer assistance at any stage in the process—from topic selection, purpose statements and gathering materials—to organizing, outlining and rehearsal. They can help alleviate speech anxiety that may prevent or inhibit some individuals from achieving their overall academic or career goals. Clients can have their presentations video-taped for critical input and evaluation as well as for portfolio or interview applications.

Wyoming Internet Student Radio (WISR). The department operates a web-based student radio station that offers a diversity of on-demand audio programs. Students learn desktop digital audio editing skills and the use of web-based audio.

Forensics. The department conducts a nationally recognized program of Cross Examination Debate Association (CEDA) and parliamentary debate, as well as eleven National Individual Events Tournament (NIET) events. Teams and individuals representing the university attend more than 20 national intercollegiate tournaments a year. Participation in the forensics program is open to all University of Wyoming students on a credit (COJO 2060) or non-credit basis.

Laboratories. The department has computer and research laboratories that support the professional, academic and research programs. These include a computer lab, electronic newspaper lab, photojournalism studio, and digital (audio and video) production lab.

Research. The department encourages undergraduate and graduate research. Faculty and students participate in research projects in social, cultural and political aspects related to mass media, interpersonal and organizational processes.

Internships. Journalism majors are required to complete internships in their field. Communication majors are encouraged to complete internships in their field. In addition to working with Laramie Online, and the Branding Iron, students complete internships with state, regional, and national weekly and daily newspapers; advertising and public relations agencies; non-profit organizations; businesses, professional and university sports organizations; and governmental agencies. Note: a maximum of 6 hours in COJO 3480 and 4990 count as fulfillment of the requirements for a major. All remaining hours will count toward graduation as upper-division hours.

Student Organizations

Professional Organizations. The department has chapters of the Society of Professional Journalists and Delta Sigma Rho, the national forensics honorary.

Student Activity. Within the department, student representatives participate on faculty committees where they assist in forming policies of the department.

The Branding Iron. The daily campus newspaper is independently managed by students at UW. It provides professional experiences for reporting, editorial, photojournalism, publication design and advertising.

The Owen Wister Review. The literary and arts magazine is published twice a year. Independently managed and produced by university students, it features poetry, short stories, essays, photography and artwork.

The Frontiers Magazine. Published twice a year, the magazine is independently managed by UW students. Containing general interest content, the publication offers students opportunities to improve their professional skills in feature writing, in-depth reporting, photography, layout, design, advertising and marketing. Like the Branding Iron and Owen Wister Review, Frontiers is published under the auspices of UW Student Publications.

Scholarships and Awards

The department has several scholarships available to qualified students. Check the Communication and Journalism website for additional information.

Graduate Program

The department offers a graduate program leading to a Master of Arts degree. A description of the graduate program may be found in the Graduate Bulletin. Students interested in pursuing graduate study should contact the graduate studies director.

Undergraduate Programs

The department offers courses leading to baccalaureate degrees in communication and journalism.

Students majoring in the department are required to earn a grade of C or better in departmental required courses. Students may not take a course for S/U credit to satisfy requirements of the major.

Departmental Core Courses

In addition to the university studies requirements listed in this bulletin, all students majoring in communication and journalism must take the four departmental core courses.

Required Courses Hours
COJO 1000 Intro to Mass Media 3
COJO 2100 Reporting and Newswriting 3
COJO 3070 Intro to Communication Research 3
STAT 2070  Intro to Statistics for the Social Sciences 4

Communication Major

Communication is a liberal arts degree relevant to a variety of careers in community relations, public relations, politics, administration, law, sales management and human resource management.

Required Courses Hours
Departmental core courses 13
COJO 1010 Public Speaking 3
COJO 1040 Intro to Human Communication 3
COJO 3010 Business/Professional Communication 3
COJO 3040 Advanced Communication Theory 3
Departmental electives (At least 15 elective hours must be upper division) 18

Journalism Major

The journalism major is designed to prepare students for careers as reporters, editors and writers with urban newspapers, community newspapers, news services, magazines, public information, public relations and advertising.

Required Courses Hours
Departmental core courses 13
COJO 2400 Intro to Photography 3
COJO 3200 Graphics of Communication
or
COJO 3480 Internships
1-12
COJO 4120 News Editing 3
COJO 3530 Online Publishing 3
COJO 4500 Mass Communication Law 3
Departmental electives 15

At least 12 elective hours must be upper-level and at least 6 hours must be from one of the following specialty areas:

News-Editorial
COJO 3100 Government Reporting
COJO 4100 Investigative Reporting

Advertising
COJO 3300 Advertising
COJO 4300 Advertising Campaigns

Public Relations
COJO 3310 Public Relations
COJO 4310 Public Relations Campaigns

Photojournalism
COJO 4200 Visual Communication
COJO 4400 Photojournalism

Minors

The department offers minors in public relations, journalism, communication, and marketing communication for non-majors. For further information, contact the Department of Communication and Journalism.

Communication and Journalism (COJO) Courses


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Last Change: 03/13/08