he bedrock for human experience. He says, "Speech makes it all happen."
As a professor in the communication department and a lover of the spoken word, Herbeck was very active in debate throughout his undergraduate studies and often jokes that he was unique from other students in that he actually enjoyed writing papers and crafting speeches. Because he attended a small college, he had strong ties to his professors, who acted as his mentors. They saw his potential for success in debate and teaching and at their recommendation, Herbeck pursued an assistantship as a debate coach during graduate school. After graduating with his master's degree, he came to Boston College, which happened to be looking to add a debate coach to the communication faculty. Thinking back on this coincidence, Herbeck says the opportunity to come to BC was serendipity.
After joining the BC community, Herbeck acted as director of the nationally ranked Fulton Debating Society for nine years. While he felt passionate about his work with the debate team, it required constant traveling and time away from the classroom. So, in 1994, he decided to turn his complete attention to teaching. Four years later, he became chair of the communication department, a position he held until last year.
Throughout his time at BC, Herbeck has witnessed tremendous changes in the communication department. The faculty grew from "about a half dozen of us to over 20 full-time professors and 30 part-time professors." The number of majors increased substantially as well, from a few hundred students to thousands.
This trend of growth is undoubtedly linked to the ubiquity of media in our lives. Herbeck teaches courses concerning communication law, cyberlaw, argumentation, and freedom of expression. He notes that these classes have increased in popularity among students because the issues they cover translate into our everyday lives.
"It's something we can touch now," he says.
Defamation used to be a concern for journalists only, but with the creation of personal blogs and gossip sites like JuicyCampus, the threat is constantly hovering in the background. Copyright infringement in the form of illegal music downloads and suspect YouTube videos is an additional way that communication law can reach the average student with an adverse effect.
Herbeck acknowledges that in today's fast-paced and technologically driven society, speech and communication are evolving every day. He stresses that, as avid Internet users, it is important to understand the content that we view. Furthermore, a general understanding of defamation, copyright, and other elements of communication law "can act as a toolbox" and guide graduates throughout their careers in any number of fields, he says.
The communication department of BC is unique in that it is among the largest bachelor-degree-granting departments in the country. Many universities that feature communication are structured so that the program is in a school of its own, or students are required to pass an introductory period with a certain grade point average in order to continue on in the major. Since communication is open to all BC students, and its interdisciplinary approach appeals to many, it is one of the most popular majors available on campus. With its broad scope of disciplines and large number of students, it is important that majors have an outlined plan for their four years.
Herbeck says students should plan aggressively, taking their education into their own hands and charting their course of undergraduate study. He also stresses the importance of building and sustaining relationships with professors. He suggests taking multiple classes with a professor you enjoy, and getting to know him or her on a personal level. His professors were extremely helpful and influential and he hopes BC students will learn to benefit from their professors' advice in a similar way.
Herbeck's commitment to his students and his work is evident when you speak with him. He has spent many years researching and contributing to the ever-changing field of communication law. For the professor, freedom of speech is the single most important right we have as American citizens. And in teaching others how to exercise and understand that right, he has left an indelible mark in the ever-growing communication program. Hopefully, his students can continue the tradition.
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