In Memoriam
Dear Simpson community,
Professor Jim Grubbs, long-time Assistant Professor of Communication at Simpson, passed away this weekend (3/9/13). Professor Grubbs started teaching at Simpson in fall 1989, the school's first semester in Redding. He truly loved students and loved to teach, whether in the traditional undergraduate program or the ASPIRE program. Professors never fully know the impact they have had on the lives of others, but students chose to be Communication majors because of him. He combined elements of his master's degrees in Counseling and Speech Communication in a way that touched the lives of students. As a faculty colleague, he exhibited graciousness and a sacrificial servant's heart. His commitment to Christ was evident to all. We will sorely miss him.
Please keep Jim's family in your prayers in this very trying time. It is difficult to find comfort in words at such a time as this, but love and kindness will long be remembered.
While arrangements for services are pending, the Communication students plan to remember Professor Grubbs by meeting at Denny's on west Cypress this Wednesday at 9 p.m. where he held "office hours." The Communication students are also seeking to raise $500 from students to provide a tree and plaque on campus in Professor Grubbs' honor.
Thankful for "the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort" (II Cor. 1:3-5),
Robin Keith Dummer, Ed.D.
Interim Provost
More Information
Press Release
An official press release was issued March 12.
Service information
A service to celebrate Jim's life will be held at 6:30 p.m. Friday, March 15, at Bethel Church, 933 College View Drive, Redding.
Sharing memories
Those on campus or who live nearby are invited to share written memories of Professor Grubbs in leatherbound journals at the circulation desk in the library or at the front desk of the Owen Student Services Center.
Donations
Jim Grubbs Memorial Fund: A memorial fund has been set up through Bethel Church. Send a check (933 College View Drive, Redding, CA 96003, code GF510JB in memo line) or give online at ibethel.org (click the "igive" link" and enter the code GF510JB in the memo section).
To donate to a campus tree and plaque in Professor Grubbs' memory: Colleagues and friends at Simpson University wish to honor Professor Grubbs by planting a tree and placing a plaque in his memory. To support this effort, please go to simpsonu.edu/giving and give to the Student Scholarship Fund, noting in the "comments" section that your gift is in memory of James Grubbs (you can also send a check to the Advancement Office, 2211 College View Drive, Redding, CA 96003). All donations beyond the cost of the tree will go to the Student Scholarship Fund with a tribute to Professor Grubbs.
Facebook Comments
Communication
To be a communication major is to focus on becoming well-educated in the habit of public speaking, of debate, and of good ethical and moral interaction. A degree in communication can pave the way for many jobs, such as professional speaking, journalism, politics, teaching, and debating. Communication students at Simpson can pursue not only a degree in communication, but in specific tracks as well, such as journalism. We provide quite a few internships, scholarships, and research opportunities to aid our students in achieving their career goals.
Communication Department Mission
To produce students who are well-equipped with the theories of the communicative arts, to be well-informed individuals, and to be vessels of God by impacting their intended career fields.
Internship and Study Abroad Opportunities:
| Internships | Study Abroad |
| Redding Radio Broadcasting | Los Angeles Film Studies |
| Channel 7 News | Washington Journalism Center |
| Record Searchlight | The Scholars' Semester in Oxford |
Communication - General Track
FOUNDATIONAL STUDIES (62-65)
Exceptions:
Take the following course under HUMAN EXPRESSION:
COMM 1260 Oral Communication (3)
Take the following course under GLOBAL UNDERSTANDING:
*COMM 4330 Communicating Cross-Culturally (3)
MAJOR REQUIREMENTS (42)
COMM 1270 Interpersonal Communication (3; OF)
COMM 2090 Small Group Communication (3; EF)
COMM 2230 Fundamentals of Journalism (3)
COMM 2260 Survey of Mass Media (3; EF)
*COMM 3060 Argumentation and Debate (3; ESp)
*COMM 3230 Communication Theory (3; F)
COMM 3240 Communication Ethics (3; OSp)
*COMM 4130 Nonverbal Communication (3; OSp)
*COMM 4220W Seminar in Speech Communication (3; ESp)
*COMM 4290 Advanced Public Communication (3; F)
*COMM 4670 Communication, Leadership, & Organizations (3; OSp)
ELECTIVES (9 credits)
Choose a focus using:
Other Communication courses
Or other courses approved by the Communication chair and Registrar.
*Course has prerequisites
SAMPLE TOTAL PROGRAM
Foundational Studies 62-65
Communication Generalist 42
Unrestricted Electives 17-20
TOTAL 124
Journalism
FOUNDATIONAL STUDIES (62-65)
Exceptions:
Take the following course under HUMAN EXPRESSION:
COMM 1260 Oral Communication (3)
Take the following course under GLOBAL UNDERSTANDING:
*COMM 4330 Communicating Cross-Culturally (3)
MAJOR REQUIREMENTS (42)
COMM 2210 Writing for Mass Media (3, OSp)
COMM 2230 Fundamentals of Journalism (3)
COMM 2260 Survey of Mass Media (3, EF)
*COMM 3100 Editing (3, ESp)
*COMM 3230 Communication Theory (3, F)
*COMM 3240 Communication Ethics (3, ESp)
*COMM 3270 Desktop Publishing (3, OF)
*COMM 4130 Nonverbal Communication (3, OSp)
*COMM 4220W Seminar in Speech Communication (3, ESp)
*ENGL 3280 Seminar in English Grammar (3)
*ENGL 3360 Technical Writing (3, Sp)
One of the following:
*COMM 3060 Argumentation and Debate (3, Sp)
*COMM 4290 Advanced Public Communication (3, F)
ELECTIVES (6)
One of the following:
*COMM 2250/4120 Communication Practicum (3, TBA)
*COMM 4920/4922 Field Experience (2, TBA)
+ENGL 2231/3231 Newspaper Practicum (2)
+ENGL 2240/3241 Yearbook Practicum (2)
+Course may be taken for upper-division credit after the first two semesters at lower-division level.
*Course has prerequisites; check course descriptions in .
SAMPLE TOTAL PROGRAM
Foundational Studies 62
Journalism Specialization 42
Unrestrictive Electives 20
TOTAL 124
Spanish Journalism
FOUNDATIONAL STUDIES (62-65)
Exceptions:
Take the following course under HUMAN EXPRESSION:
COMM 1260 Oral Communication (3)
Take the following course under GLOBAL UNDERSTANDING:
*COMM 4330 Communicating Cross-Culturally (3)
MAJOR REQUIREMENTS (42)
COMM 2210 Writing for Mass Media (3, OSp)
COMM 2230 Fundamentals of Journalism (3)
COMM 2260 Survey of Mass Media (3, EF)
*COMM 3100 Editing (3, ESp)
*COMM 3230 Communication Theory (3, F)
*COMM 3240 Communication Ethics (3, ESp)
*COMM 3270 Desktop Publishing (3, OF)
*COMM 4130 Nonverbal Communication (3, OSp)
*COMM 4220W Seminar in Speech Communication (3, ESp)
*LANG 2530 Spanish III (3, F)
*LANG 2540 Spanish IV (3, Sp)
*LANG 3100 Advanced Spanish Grammar and Composition (3, ESp)
One of the following:
*COMM 3060 Argumentation and Debate (3, Sp)
*COMM 4290 Advanced Public Communication (3, F)
ELECTIVES (6)
One of the following:
*COMM 2250/4120 Communication Practicum (3, TBA)
*COMM 4920/4922 Field Experience (2, TBA)
+ENGL 2231/3231 Newspaper Practicum (2)
+ENGL 2240/3241 Yearbook Practicum (2)
+Course may be taken for upper-division credit after the first two semesters at lower-division level.
*Course has prerequisites; check course descriptions in catalog.
SAMPLE TOTAL PROGRAM
Foundational Studies 62
Spanish Journalism Specialization 42
Unrestrictive Electives 20
TOTAL 124
Mass Communication
FOUNDATIONAL STUDIES (62-65)
Exceptions:
Take the following course under HUMAN EXPRESSION:
COMM 1260 Oral Communication (3)
Take the following course under GLOBAL UNDERSTANDING:
*COMM 4330 Communicating Cross-Culturally (3)
MAJOR REQUIREMENTS (50)
COMM 2210 Writing for Mass Media (3, OSp)
COMM 2230 Fundamentals of Journalism (3)
COMM 2260 Survey of Mass Media (3, EF)
*COMM 3230 Communication Theory (3, F)
*COMM 3240 Communication Ethics (3, ESp)
*COMM 4130 Nonverbal Communication (3, OSp)
*COMM 4220W Seminar in Speech Communication (3, ESp)
*COMM 4670 Communication, Leadership, & Organizations (3, OSp)
One of the following:
*COMM 3100 Editing (3, ESp)
*COMM 3270 Desktop Publishing (3, OF)
ELECTIVES (9)
COMM 1330 Acting I (3, F)
*COMM 3250 Interpretive Reading (3)
COMM 3330 Acting II (3, F)
COMM 3420 Shakespeare on Film (3, EF)
COMM 4810 World Cinema (3, OSp)
COMM 4820 American Cinema (3, ESp)
*COMM 2250/4120 Communication Practicum (3, TBA)
*COMM 4920/4922 Field Experience (2, TBA)
*Course has prerequisites; consult course descriptions in .
SAMPLE TOTAL PROGRAM
Foundational Studies 62
Mass Communication Specialization 42
Unrestricted Electives 20
TOTAL 124
Public Communication
FOUNDATIONAL STUDIES (62-65)
Exceptions:
Take the following course under HUMAN EXPRESSION:
COMM 1260 Oral Communication (3)
Take the following course under the GLOBAL UNDERSTANDING:
*COMM 4330 Communicating Cross-Culturally (3)
MAJOR REQUIREMENTS (42)
COMM 1270 Interpersonal Communication (3, OF)
COMM 2090 Small Group Communication (3, EF)
COMM 2260 Survey of Mass Media (3, EF)
*COMM 3060 Argumentation and Debate (3, Sp)
*COMM 3230 Communication Theory (3, F)
*COMM 3240 Communication Ethics(3, ESp)
*COMM 3250 Interpretive Reading (3)
*COMM 4130 Nonverbal Communication (3, OSp)
*COMM 4220W Seminar in Speech Communication (3, ESp)
*COMM 4290 Advanced Public Communication (3, F)
*COMM 4670 Communication, Leadership, & Organizations (3, OSp)
POLS 2700 Introduction to Political Science (3, F)
ELECTIVES (9)
Choose a a pairing of electives:
COMM 1330 Acting I (3, F)
COMM 3350 Acting II (3, F)
OR
COMM 2210 Writing for Mass Media (3, OSp)
COMM 2230 Fundamentals of Journalism (3)
OR
*COMM 3040 Preaching I (3, F)
*COMM 3050 Preaching II (3, OSp)
OR
*POLS 3700 International Relations (3, Sp)
Political Science elective (3)
OR
*COMM 4920/4922 Field Experience (2, TBA)
+ENGL 2231/3231 Newspaper Practicum (2)
+Course may be taken for upper-division credit after the first two semesters at lower-division level.
*Course has prerequisites; consult course descriptions in .
SAMPLE TOTAL PROGRAM
Foundational Studies 62
Public Communication Specialization 42
Unrestricted Electives 20
TOTAL 124
Organizational Communication
FOUNDATIONAL STUDIES (62-65)
Exceptions:
Take the following course under HUMAN EXPRESSION:
COMM 1260 Oral Communication (3)
Take the following course under GLOBAL UNDERSTANDING:
*COMM 4330 Communicating Cross-Culturally (3)
MAJOR REQUIREMENTS (50)
BUSS 1900 Introduction to Business (3, F)
*BUSS 2940 Principles of Management (3, F)
*BUSS 4900 Human Resource Management (3, F)
*BUSS 4920 Principles of Marketing (3, F)
COMM 2210 Writing for Mass Media (3, OSp)
COMM 2260 Survey of Mass Media (3, EF)
*COMM 3240 Communication Ethics (3, ESp)
*COMM 4110 Public Relations (3, ESp)
*COMM 4220W Seminar in Speech Communication (3, ESp)
*COMM 4670 Communication, Leadership, & Organizations (3, OSp)
ONE of the following:
*COMM 1270 Interpersonal Communication (3, OF)
*COMM 2090 Small Group Communication (3, EF)
TWO of the following:
*BUSS 3930 Business Law I (4, F)
*COMM 3060 Argumentation and Debate (3, Sp)
*COMM 3230 Communication Theory (3, F)
*COMM 4130 Nonverbal Communication (3, OSp)
*COMM 4290 Advanced Public Communication (3, F)
*Course has prerequisites; consult course descriptions in catalog.
SAMPLE TOTAL PROGRAM
Foundational Studies 62
Organizational Communication / Public Relations Specialization 42-43
Unrestricted Electives 19-20
TOTAL 124
Communication Minor
12 Requirements
- COMM 1260 Oral Communication (3)(To be taken in foundational studies.)
- COMM 1270 Interpersonal Communication (3, OF)
- *COMM 4220W Seminar in Speech Communication (3, F)
-
ONE of the following:
- *COMM 3060 Argumentation and Debate (3; ESp)
- COMM 4090 Small Group Communication (3)
- *COMM 4280 Advanced Public Address (3; F)
Electives (9)
THREE of the following (two must be upper division):
- COMM 2090 Small Group Communication (3, EF)
- COMM 2210 Writing for Mass Media (3, OSp)
- COMM 2230 Fundamentals of Journalism (3)
- COMM 3260 Survey of Mass Media (3; OSp)
- *COMM 3040 Preaching I (3; F)
- *COMM 3050 Preaching II (3, OSp)
- *COMM 3060 Argumentation and Debate (3; ESp)
- *COMM 3250 Interpretive Reading (3)
- *COMM 4130 Nonverbal Communication (3, OSp)
- *COMM 4220W Seminar in Speech Communication (3; ESp)
- *COMM 4330 Communicating Cross-Culturally (3)
- COMM 4670 Communication, Leadership, & Organizations (3; OSp)
*Course has prerequisites; consult course descriptions in catalog.
SAMPLE TOTAL PROGRAM
Required 12
Electives 9
TOTAL 21
Mass Communication Minor
24 REQUIREMENTS
- COMM 2210 Writing for Mass Media (3, OSp)
- COMM 2230 Fundamentals of Journalism (3)
- COMM 2260 Survey of Mass Media (3)
- *COMM 3240 Communication Ethics (3, ESp)
- *COMM 3270 Desktop Publishing (3, OF)
- *COMM 4220W Seminar in Speech Communication (3)
-
Two from the following (one must be upper division):
- *COMM 3100 Editing (3, ESp)
- COMM 3240 Shakespeare on Film (3, EF)
- *COMM 4120 Communication Practicum (3)
- COMM 4810 World Cinema (3, OSp)
- COMM 4820 American Cinema (3, ESp)
- *COMM 4920/4922 Field Experience (3)
*Course has prerequisites; consult course descriptions in catalog.
Journalism Minor
24 REQUIREMENTS
- COMM 2210 Writing for Mass Media (3, OSp)
- COMM 2230 Fundamentals of Journalism (3)
- COMM 2260 Survey of Mass Media (3)
- *COMM 3100 Editing (3, Esp)
- *COMM 3230 Communication Theory (3, F)
- *COMM 3240 Communication Ethics (3, ESp)
- *COMM 3270 Desktop Publishing (3, OF)
- *COMM 4220W Seminar in Speech Communication (3)
Spanish Minor
Simpson University offers a Spanish minor under the Communication Department. This minor is a total of 22 credits and is ideal for anyone who wishes to develop their knowledge, understanding, and use of the Spanish language.
This is a great minor for anyone who wants to work with Hispanic culture and people. It is also a great pair with any major, like the Spanish Journalism specialization of the Communication major, Cross-Cultural Studies or Psychology.
Take a look at some of the courses that are available as a part of the Spanish minor.
- LANG 2530 Spanish III (3; F)
- LANG 2540 Spanish IV (3; Sp)
- LANG 3025 Hispanic Short Stories (3; OF)
- LANG 3100 Advanced Spanish Grammar and Composition (3; ESp)
- LANG 3200 Advanced Spanish Oral Expression (3 EF)
- LANG 4100 Film in Spain and Latin America (3; OSp)
- LANG 4530 Spanish Practicum (1-4; TBA)
Daniel R. Berger, Ph.D.
 |
Professor of Communication
|
Profile:
Dr. Berger is a Professor of Rhetoric and Philosophy at Simpson University. He is the author of Speaking the Truth in Love, and Mysterious Romantic Wonder: Engaging Philosophy. He was raised in the forested foothills of the Oregon Coastal Mountains on the edge of the Willamette Valley. Dan and his wife Glenda have been married for over 30 years and have seven wonderful children.
Educational Background:
- Ph.D., University of Oregon
- M.Div., North American Baptist Seminary
- B.S., Western Baptist College
Courses Taught:
- Philosophy and Critical Thought
- Advanced Public Address
- Argumentation and Debate
- Communication Ethics
- Communication Seminar
- Communication Theory
- Oral Communication
Links:
James T. Grubbs, M.A.
Assistant Professor of Communication
jgrubbs@simpsonu.edu |
Profile:
Educational Background:
- M.A., University of San Francisco
- M.A., California State University, San Jose
- B.S., University of California, Berkeley
Courses Taught:
Links:
Debora J. Rager, M.A.T.L.
 |
Assistant Professor of Communicationdrager@simpsonu.edu |
Profile:
Professor Rager is Simpson University’s part-time instructor of Spanish. She teaches all levels of Spanish for the university. Prior to coming to Simpson, Professor Rager taught French and Spanish at a local private school for 11 years. She also taught French for one year at Shasta College in Redding.
Educational Background:
- M.A.T.L., University of Southern Mississippi
- B.A., California State University of San Diego
Courses Taught:
- Spanish I-IV
- Hispanic Short Stories
- Advanced Oral Expression
- Advanced Grammar and Composition
- Film in Spain and Latin America
- Spanish Practicum
- Communicating Cross-Culturally
Links:
Molly Rupert, M.A.
 |
Assistant Professor of Communicationmrupert@simpsonu.edu |
Profile:
Molly Rupert has been teaching at Simpson University for three years. She teaches several journalism/communication classes and has had 20 years of journalism experience, including her time working for the Record Searchlight (the local newspaper). She has been married to Brad Rupert, the baseball coach at Shasta College in Redding, for 16-and-a-half years. They have two children - Reilly, 12, and Calley, 10. She is currently studying with Gonzaga University for a Masters Degree in Communication and Leadership Studies.
Educational Background:
- M.A., Gonzaga University
- B.A., California State University Chico
Courses Taught:
- Fundamentals of Journalism
- Oral Communication
- Nonverbal Communications through Quantitative Research
- Newspaper Practicum (Advisor of "The Slate" student-run newspaper)
- Desktop Publishing
Links:
R. Walter Quirk, M.A.
 |
Assistant Professor of Business
rquirk@simpsonu.edu |
Profile:
Wally Quirk is also a business professor. Please click here to read his profile.
- Communication Theory: Students will comprehend, understand, and apply communication theory in diverse practical contexts.
- Ethically Appropriate Argument: Each student will be able to develop content that reflects ethically appropriate argument in multiple contexts.
- Communication Artifacts:Students will be able to evaluate, analyze, and synthesize communication artifacts with skill in relating them to similar communication products.
