Communication focuses on understanding the processes that occur when individuals interact or link with one another, whether in interpersonal, small group, family, organizational, or public situations. Courses in Communication emphasize understanding what happens in direct verbal and nonverbal interaction between people, as opposed to written communication, or to interaction via television, radio, or film. Courses in Communication acknowledge both that communication occurs between persons who are diverse in gender, cultural background, and belief, and that such diversity is becoming increasingly apparent in an ever more complex and interdependent global society.  

The primary emphasis of courses in Communication is providing students with an understanding of the processes that occur when individuals interact with one another. Upper division courses focus on helping majors and minors develop their abilities to make informed, critical analyses of their own and others' communication acts, and to apply their knowledge in facilitating effective communication in social situations characterized by diversity in gender, cultural background, and belief. This background has led graduating majors to professional careers in law, government, education, and business. A secondary concern, particularly in the lower division courses, is to provide students with an understanding of human communication that will help them in developing their personal abilities to communicate with diverse individuals in a variety of social situations.

• Business Hours:                      M - F 8:15 am - 5:15 pm
• Department phone number:     907/474.6591
• Department e-mail:                  fycomm@uaf.edu

What is the Speaking Center?

The Speaking Center is a student-oriented service provided to facilitate preparing public presentations. Students can recieve coaching in refining their presentation topic, in organizing their presentation effectively, and in practicing their presentation. The Center makes it possible to digitally record and to watch one's practice presentation, receiving constructive feed back from a Speaking Center coach.

Who can use the Speaking Center?

The Speaking center is available to all students currently enrolled at UAF or at TVC.

Scheduling Procedures

Please call 474-5470 to schedule an appointment at the Speaking Center. Walk-ins are welcome, however, students can be served only if there are openings.

Individuals may schedule the Center's practice room daily any time prior to Speaking Center hours.

Speaking Center Policies

Speaking Center rooms are strictly for practice. The rooms cannot be used for quiet study, research, or writing the presentation. If such help is required, please contact your instructor.

Individuals may sign up for a single 30 minute block. Students preparing group presentations may sign up for a 60 minute block.

No food or drinks are permitted in the Center.

Rooms shoud be left as found (i.e., personal items removed and chairs placed in their original locations).

Only Department of Communication teaching assistants, staff, and faculty may operate the recording equipment and computers.

The Department will not keep recordings of the student presentations to protect confidentiality. A copy of a recording can be emailed to the student if they wish to maintain a record.

Where is the Speaking Center located?

The Speaking Center is located in the Department of Communication on the fifth floor of Gruening. Come to Room 507 to meet with a Speaking Center coach.