Richard West, M.A.
Senior Lecturer, Communication
Contact
- MB 2.248.04
- Richard.West@utsa.edu
- Curriculum Vitae
Bio
A former member of the 1960’s counterculture movement, former commercial radio announcer (“We were called DJ’s back when a DJ played records on the radio and ‘rap’ meant you sat down and talked with someone”) and public relations operative for the Governor of Illinois, Richard West would like to believe he brings some unique real-life experiences and perspective into the classroom.
With over 25 years of classroom experience, beginning in his native Illinois, then moving to the Alamo Community College District after coming to San Antonio, he joined the fledgling Department of Communication at UTSA in 2001 and has been a fixture ever since, bringing a blend of real-world experiences and an off-beat sense of humor (one of his heroes is George Carlin) into the classroom, noting “there’s no law that says you can’t have fun in a class while learning something.“
When not in the classroom, he can be found listening to his large collection of old-time rock and roll (“as Bob Seger said, ‘today’s music ain’t got the same soul.’”), unwinding with a book or watching a science fiction movie on DVD. “In the past,” he says. “you could have found me on the golf course in my spare time, but it’s just too hot for that here.” The golf world’s loss is the classroom’s gain.
Teaching
- Mass Media Law
- Intro To Communication
- Nonverbal Communication
- Oral Interpretation
- Public Speaking
Research Interests
- Mass Media Law
- Intro To Communication
- Nonverbal Communication
- Oral Interpretation
- Public Speaking
Degrees
- M.A. in Communication, Sangamon State University (now University of Illinois at Springfield), 1975
- B.A. in Speech and Theatre, Morris Harvey College (now University of Charleston), 1971
