School of Communication (Northwestern University)

School of Communication (Northwestern University)
Name	School of Communication
Established	1878
Type	Private
Parent	Northwestern University
Dean	E. Patrick Johnson
City	Evanston, Illinois
State	Illinois
Country	United States
Website	communication.northwestern.edu

School of Communication (Northwestern University). The School of Communication is one of the twelve constituent schools of Northwestern University, located in Evanston, Illinois. Founded in 1878 as the School of Oratory, it has evolved into a comprehensive institution focused on the study of human communication across performance, science, and media. The school is consistently ranked among the top communication programs in the United States and is renowned for its interdisciplinary approach and influential research.

History

The school traces its origins to the 1878 founding of the School of Oratory by Robert McLean Cumnock, which initially focused on elocution and public speaking. It was later renamed the School of Speech in 1921, reflecting a broader academic mission under the leadership of James Hugh McBurney. A pivotal moment came in 2002 when it was renamed the School of Communication to encompass its expanding scope in communication sciences, media, and performance. Throughout its history, the school has been integral to the development of the communication studies discipline, with early faculty like Franklin H. Knower contributing foundational texts. Its growth has paralleled the expansion of Northwestern University itself, with its programs gaining national prominence, particularly in theatre, audiology, and media studies.

Academics

The School of Communication offers a wide array of undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees through its six academic departments. The Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders is highly ranked for its programs in speech-language pathology and audiology. The Department of Radio/Television/Film is a leader in media production and theory, while the Department of Performance Studies is considered the birthplace of that academic field. Other key departments include the Department of Communication Studies, the Department of Theatre, and the Department of Instruction & Social Policy. The school provides unique interdisciplinary opportunities, such as collaborations with the Medill School of Journalism and the McCormick School of Engineering. Notable programs include the MFA in Writing for the Screen and Stage and the PhD in Media, Technology, and Society.

Research centers and institutes

The school houses numerous interdisciplinary research centers that drive innovation in communication. The Center for Behavioral Intervention Technologies develops digital tools for mental health. The Communication and Public Policy Program analyzes the impact of media on society and law. The Sound and Music Experience Laboratory researches audio perception and design. Other significant institutes include the Center for Human-Computer Interaction + Design, a partnership with the McCormick School of Engineering, and the Center for Media and Social Impact. These centers often collaborate with entities like the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago and receive funding from agencies such as the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation.

Notable faculty and alumni

The school's community includes many distinguished individuals. Renowned faculty have included Tony Award-winning director Mary Zimmerman, communication theorist Ernest G. Bormann, and pioneer of performance studies Dwight Conquergood. Its alumni network is vast and influential across entertainment, academia, and public life. Notable alumni include Warren Beatty, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Stephen Colbert, Heather Headley, Zach Braff, and Gigi Pritzker. In broadcasting, graduates include Charlayne Hunter-Gault and Brent Musburger. Leaders in other fields include former U.S. Senator Richard Lugar and playwright Bruce Norris.

Facilities

The school's primary facilities are located on Northwestern's Evanston campus. The central building is the Annie May Swift Hall, a historic landmark that houses many departments and studios. The Virginia Wadsworth Wirtz Center for the Performing Arts complex includes multiple theatres, such as the Ethel M. Barber Theater and the Josephine Louis Theater. State-of-the-art resources include the John J. Louis Hall for the Department of Radio/Television/Film, featuring sound stages and post-production suites, and the Frances Searle Building, which contains research labs for communication sciences. The Shakespeare Garden on campus is often used for outdoor performances.

Student life and organizations

Student life is vibrant with over thirty student-led organizations dedicated to performance, media, and professional development. Notable groups include SGSC, the student governance body, and WNUR, the university's famed radio station. Performance opportunities abound through groups like The Waa-Mu Show, one of the nation's oldest collegiate musical revues, and Northwestern University Theatre. Students in Radio/Television/Film frequently contribute to Niteskool and the Senior Film Thesis screenings. Many students also engage with the National Student Speech Language Hearing Association and participate in annual events like the Chicago Humanities Festival.

Category:Northwestern University Category:Communication studies in the United States