Department of Communication and Journalism

223 Ross Hall, (307) 766-3122
FAX: (307) 766-5293
Web site: www.uwyo.edu/COJO
Department Chair: Cindy Price Schultz

Professor:

TRACEY OWENS PATTON, B.A. Colorado State University 1993; M.A. 1996; Ph.D. University of Utah 2000; Professor of Communication and Journalism 2012, 2003.

Associate Professors:

CHIA FANG (SANDY) HSU, B.A. Chinese Culture University 1995; M.A. Washington State University 1997; Ph.D. Washington State University 2002; Associate Professor of Communication and Journalism 2009, 2003.

KRISTEN D. LANDREVILLE, B.S. University of Florida 2004; M.A. 2006; Ph.D. Ohio State University 2010; Associate Professor of Communication and Journalistm 2017, 2010.

LI LI, B.A. Hebei Normal University 2001; M.A. China University of Mining and Technology 2004; M.A. Ohio University 2009; Ph.D. 2012; Associate Professor of Communication and Journalism 2019, 2012.

CINDY J. PRICE SCHULTZ, 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 2005, 1999.

Assistant Professor:

KATHRYN (KAATIE) COOPER, B.S. Trinity University 2008; M.A. Ohio State University 2013; Ph.D. 2018; Assistant Professor of Communication and Journalism 2019.

Senior Lecturers:

BEAU BINGHAM, B.S. Idaho State University 2000; M.A. New Mexico State University 2002; Senior Lecturer of Communication and Journalism 2007, 2003.

JUSTIN STEWART, B.A. University of Wyoming 2003; M.A. 2005; Senior Lecturer of Communication and Journalism 2017, 2005.

Assistant Lecturers:

MATTHEW LIU, B.A. University of Mary Washington 2009; M.A. Wake Forest University 2014; Assistant Lecturer of Communication and Journalism 2019.

MITZI STEWART, B.A. University of Wyoming 2007; M.A. 2015; Assistant Lecturer of Communication and Journalism 2019.

Emeriti:

Michael R. Brown, B. Wayne Callaway, William C. Donaghy, George A. Gladney, John W. Ravage, Kenneth L. Smith

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 media. Courses are comprised of writing, speaking and analyzing messages; forms of interpersonal communication; 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. 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, journalism, and marketing communication.

Facilities and Research Activities

The department encourages majors to work actively in professional opportunities. The department offers unique experience for students with the student newspaper, The Branding Iron.

Oral Communication Center, 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 recorded for critical input and evaluation as well as for portfolio or interview applications.

Debate. The department conducts a nationally recognized program of Cross Examination Debate Association (CEDA) and has a British Parliament team. Teams and individuals representing the university attend national intercollegiate tournaments each year. Participation in the forensics program is open to all University of Wyoming students on a credit (COJO 2099) or non-credit basis.

Laboratories. The department has computer laboratories that support the professional, academic and research programs. These include a computer lab and digital production equipment.

Research. The department encourages undergraduate and graduate research. Faculty and students participate in research projects in social, cultural and political aspects related to 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 the Branding Iron, students can complete internships with newspapers; advertising and public relations agencies; non-profit organizations; businesses, professional and university sports organizations; governmental agencies; and many others. Note: a maximum of 6 hours in COJO 3480 and COJO 4990 count as fulfillment of the requirements for a major. Up to 12 hours will count toward graduation as upper-division hours.

Student Organizations

Professional Organizations. The department has a chapter of Lambda Pi Eta, communication 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 independently managed and produced by university students, it features poetry, short stories, essays, photography and artwork.

Frontiers Magazine. 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. Most are managed by Student Financial Aid.

Undergraduate Programs

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

Students majoring in the department must 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.

Minors

The department offers minors in communication, journalism, marketing communication, and public relations. All minors must have a 2.000 minimum in minor classes. If a student is a communication or journalism major, only six credits can double count for the major and the minor.

Graduate Study

The Department of Communication and Journalism offers graduate work leading to the master of arts degree in communication (either thesis or non-thesis) with emphasis on human communication or media communication.

The program offers coursework and study in rhetorical, critical/cultural, and social scientific perspectives and methodologies. The program is designed to be flexible such that students can examine questions that relate to their specific interests in human communication and/or mediated communication. Areas of interest include but are not limited to 1) communication processes in media (e.g., journalism, social media, advertising, public relations) about various issues such as politics, race and ethnicity, science, health, law and ethics, and international relations; 2) communication processes in human relationships (e.g., in interpersonal, small group, and organizational settings) about various issues such as culture, diversity, education, technology, science, and politics; and 3) communication as an agent of stability and change in diverse social systems.

Program Specific Admission Requirements

A cumulative minimum grade point average of 3.000 (A=4.000) on previous coursework is required for full admission.

The GRE is not required for admission to the graduate program. However, anyone who wants to be considered for a graduate assistantship in the department must take the GRE.

For international graduate students, the minimum acceptable TOEFL score is 540 (76 iBT). The minimum acceptable IELTS score is 6.5. International students must also provide proof of financial support (see UW Admissions for more details).

All graduate student applications, both domestic and international, must provide a writing sample of their work, whether that is a research paper, media publication, or another example of scholarly work. Please contact the director of graduate studies with any questions about the writing sample.

Programs

Major

Minor

Graduate

Communication, M.A.