Associate Professor of Communication
801-626-7455 (office)
bjohns@weber.edu
EDUCATION
2001 Ph.D., University of Utah, Communication
1980 M.A., Brigham Young Univeristy, Communication
1974 B.A., Weber State University, Communication
COURSES TAUGHT
COMM 1010 Intro to Communication Studies
COMM 1020 Principles of Public Speaking
COMM 1020 Online version Public Speaking
COMM 2110 Interpersonal and Small Group
COMM 2200 Argumentation and Debate
COMM 3000 Communication Theory
COMM 3050 Theory and Literature of Interpersonal Communication
COMM 3060 Listening
COMM 3085 Family Communication
COMM 3090 Gender and Communication
COMM 3150 Communication Research
COMM 3550 Organizational Communication
COMM 4160 Contemporary and Rhetorical Communication Theories
COMM 3070 Performance Studies
COMM 4990 Senior Seminar
WS 1500 Intro to Women’s Studies
WS 4050 Research Methodologies
WS 4060 Research Project
WS 4860 Internship in Women’s Studies
WS 4900C Special Topics: Women and the LDS Church
WS 4990 Senior Seminar
PUBLICATIONS
Peer-reviewed Journal Article: “Hidden Strategies of Resistance in Female Mormon
Missionary Narratives: Two Case Studies,” Journal of Communication and Religion,
April, 2008, pp. 55-81.
Textbook: Johns, B. (2007). Chapters 1 and 2, In Johns, B. & Sline, R.W., (eds.)
Connecting: Interpersonal and Small Group Communication, 7th ed.. Belmont,
CA: Wadsworth-Thomson Learning (non-refereed)
Textbook Editor: Johns, B. (2007). Johns, B. & Sline, R.W., (eds.) Connecting:
Interpersonal and Small Group Communication, 7th ed.. Belmont, CA:
Wadsworth-Thomson Learning (non-refereed).
Film Documentary: Johns, B., author, director and producer, The Beginning of
an Era: David Eccles, produced in connection with the WSU Stewart Library
The Utah International Construction Center Project and Grant, 2007 (Currently
being re-edited)
RECENT PRESENTATIONS
Johns, Becky, National Communication Association Convention, Spirituality
Division, “Sadie’s Story and Spiritual Communication: Female Appropriation
Of Male Priesthood Rights,” Chicago, IL, 2007 (Refereed Paper)
Johns, Becky, WSU Faculty Forum, “Student Evaluations and Grades: Is There
a Connection? Part II,” 2007
Johns, Becky, Religious Communication Association Pre-convention, “A Feminist
Reading of Mormon Female Missionary Narratives: Rhetorical Strategies of
Appropriation,” (Refereed Paper), 2006
Johns, Becky, WSU Faculty Forum, “Learning by Immersion: Performances of
Civic Engagement at WSU,” 2006-07
Johns, Becky and polygamist representatives, WSU Diversity Conference,
Panel Organizer, Chair and Respondent, Panel: “The View from Inside:
Women Defend Polygamy,” 2005
Johns, Becky, WSU Faculty Forum, “Student Evaluations and Grades: Is There
A Connection?” 2005
TEACHING INNOVATIONS
Development of New Programs or Courses or Instructional Areas
Participated in significant Communication Department curriculum revision implemented in 2004-05. Developed the new Interpersonal and Family Communication concentration in the Communication major.
New Pedagogies
(a) Extensive use of Service Learning pedagogy in COMM 2110 and Women’s Studies 1500, both general education, diversity and lower-division courses. In COMM 2110 alone, I teach a minimum of four sections a year with approximately 25 students per section.
(b) The use of what I have termed Learning by Immersion speaking assignments in my COMM 1020 Principles of Public Speaking courses. This technique combines aspects of Performance Studies Theory, Narrative Theory and Civic Engagement pedagogy (2005-2008).
(c) Implemented Undergraduate Research with expectation of Presentation pedagogy in COMM 3000, COMM 3150, COMM 3550 and COMM 4990. Twenty students in past two years have presented their original research at regional or national venues.
PROFESSIONAL-RELATED SERVICE
National
Book Reviewer, Religious Communication Association National Book Award
Paper Reader, Religious Communication Association National Conference
Section Leader, Religious Communication Association National Conference, Communication Studies
State
Member, Utah State Board of Regents General Education Task Force
University
Chair, WSU Faculty Senate General Education Improvement and Assessment Committee
Member, Selection Committee, WSU Registrar
Liaison, Faculty Senate, WSU Academic Resources and Computing Committee (ARCC)
Member, Selection Committee, WSU Student Services Vice-President
Member, WEBCT Campus Implementation Committee
Member, WSU Planning Council
Member, WSU Adjunct Instructor Taskforce
Member, WSU Student Success Taskforce
Member, WSU Student Success Taskforce Subcommittee on University Entrance Tests
Chair, WSU Faculty Salary Committee
College
Member, Arts & Humanities Leader Caucus
Chair, Arts & Humanities Area Breadth General Education
Assessment Committee
Community service
Member and Officer, Weber County League of Women Voters, 1981-Present
Trustee, Mormon Alliance (investigates cases of ecclesiastical abuse by Mormon Church
Authorities), 1990—Present
Member and Officer, Weber County League of Women Voters, 1981-Present
HONORS AND AWARDS
Exemplary Collaboration Award, WSU, March, 2000
Exemplary Collaboration Award, WSU, March, 2008
MEMBERSHIPS
Member, National Communication Association
Member, Western Communication Association
Member, Religious Communication Association
Member, National Women’s Studies Association
Member, Southwest Institute of Research on Women