Public Relations Program Requirements

COM 1040

Media Writing

This course introduces students to the basics of writing for 21st century media, exploring both forms that have their origins in print, and emergent forms native to the digital landscape. Students will practice writing for news and entertainment outlets, film and video, podcasting and radio, advertising, public relations and social media.

Prerequisite: ENG 1061

Every Semester

COM 1211

Introduction to Video and Filmmaking

This is a project-oriented course in which students develop their abilities to communicate in a wide range of video applications. It offers hands-on instruction, practice and guidance in writing, producing, directing, camerawork, audio recording, single and multi-camera production, and editing. Depending on their interests, students produce, direct and/or appear on camera in a number of in-and out-of class productions.

Restrictions This course counts towards the Aesthetic Understanding Frame of Reference.

Fee Studio fee $20.

Every Semester

COM 1220

Introduction to Media and Communication

This course introduces students to the study of communication processes and media literacy practices. Students will explore print media, audio-visual media and mobile platforms. They will also examine historical and technological developments, and subsequent cultural, political and economic implications of these platforms.

This course fulfills the Social and Behavioral Understanding Frame of Reference.

Every Semester

COM 2140

Race, Gender and Sexuality in Media

OR COM 2260 - Media and Society 3 cr

Media are among our primary sources of images of people, places and things we do not encounter ourselves in our everyday lives. This course examines the images of women and racial and sexual minorities who have been on the fringes of policy development and yet at the center of narratives created by mainstream media. It takes a detailed look at the symbolic and social power of commercial media's role in constructing social and cultural differences around age, gender, race, class and sexuality.

This course counts towards the Aesthetic Understanding Frame of Reference.

Prerequisite: COM 1220 or consent of instructor.

Fee Fee $20

Spring

COM 2150

Public Relations

This course presents a functionalist examination of past and present public relations practices and associated controversies. Students will be required to analyze and produce public relations programs using a variety of media skills. This course will frequently include a service-learning component. Recommended for students with sophomore or junior standing.

Prerequisite: ENG 1061.

Every semester

COM 2212

Video Production II: News and Feature Production

This production course fosters the development of storytelling skills through the creation of news and feature segments for a web-based video magazine with hands-on skills and guidance in commercial filmmaking. Students create projects from pre-production through distribution.

Prerequisite: COM 1211

Fee Fee $20

Every Semester

COM 2220

Web Content and Site Development

This course will provide an overview of website design & development. Students will learn the basics of HTML and CSS, principles of graphic design for the web, content strategy, search engine optimizations and web analytics. This course will culminate with the creation of a hosted website using the organizational, design, and coding skills learned through the course.

Fee Fee $15

Spring

COM 2230

Introduction to Journalism

Students will learn to report and write both hard news and short feature stories, including one story stemming from a local government meeting. They will learn journalistic interviewing skills and use digital devices to assist storytelling across multiple platforms.

Prerequisite: ENG 1061 or equivalent

Every semester

COM 3050

Media and Activism

OR COM 3750 - Special Topics in Public Relations 3 cr

This course examines how various media forms can, and have been, used to bring about social and political change. Because computer related media technologies, community, and alternative media are generally more accessible and multi-faceted than mainstream corporate outlets, in recent times they have been deployed more easily to influence or directly enact social or public policy change. Students study all these efforts. An important aspect of the course will be examining the current political system and media's integral role in both maintaining and challenging the status quo.

This course fulfills the Social and Behavioral Understanding Frame of Reference.

Fall, even years

COM 4510

Communication Portfolio

In this course students develop and organize materials to support their career development efforts. Drawing from papers, stories, scripts, graphics, videos, audio files, etc. produced during their time as undergraduates, students produce online and hard copy portfolios and "reels." Students reflect on their overall growth and development within their fields of study, and thoughtfully address the works selected for their portfolios.

Restrictions Restrictions: Senior Standing

Fall

COM 4810

Internship in Communication

and one of the following courses:

The student takes on a position of responsibility in an off-campus professional environment under the direction of an on-site supervisor and a faculty member. Experiences are available in newspapers, magazines, large and small radio and television stations, production companies, marketing and PR firms, nonprofits, and other areas. All students enrolled meet periodically to discuss experiences. (Students may take up to 15 credits in COM 3810 and COM 4810 combined.)

Signed contract required at time of registration.

Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.

COM 4850

Senior Project in Communication

The student produces an independent project in his or her field under close supervision of a faculty advisor. Projects may be production oriented (short film) or analytical (thesis paper). Such projects may be in coordination with the university radio station, newspaper or local television facilities, but may not consist of an established position within these organizations. All students enrolled meet weekly to discuss projects.

Prerequisite: Permission of instructor and senior standing.