Evolution of communication studies at the University of Iowa

Writing and communication have been at the center of the University of Iowa’s educational mission for a century; in fact, one of the preeminent scholars to help establish the field of communication studies, Wilbur Schramm, was the first director of the Iowa Writers’ Workshop from 1936-1941 before his focus moved to social science and mass communication. 

Today’s Department of Communication Studies began in 1920 as the Department of Public Speaking before being renamed later to Speech and Dramatic Arts in 1925 when Edward C. Mabie was appointed head of the department, laying the foundation for what would become a renowned theatre program at Iowa. Over the first half of the twentieth century, the department evolved by incorporating new technologies such as radio and television into its curriculum and it served as an interdisciplinary hub for innovative teaching and scholarship at UI—spawning what today are nationally respected programs in Theatre Arts, Communication Sciences & Disorders, and Cinematic Arts.

Today, Communication Studies continues this tradition of innovation in our curriculum, research, and collaboration, across our campus and around the world.