Social Media Marketing minors are introduced to marketing with a primary focus on utilizing social media as a medium for campaigns.
You will be introduced to skills such as developing campaigns in response to creative briefs, marketing analytic tools, and optimizing results for search engines. You will learn to discern which platforms are ideal for marketing to specific demographics, and the legal limitations of marketing on those platforms.
These requirements are from an excerpt from the University Academic Catalog, which outlines the requirements for a student to earn the distinction of being a Castleton University graduate. The complete catalog is available online.
Every day, more and more business resources are being focused on the Internet, making an effective Social Media strategy a must for every organization. Students in this minor will develop an online target market (persona), develop creative briefs, create promotional material, optimizing search engines, expand promotions into a campaign, learn retargeting of ads, and explore the basics of measurement.
Social Media career paths include: Event Coordinator, Digital Social Media Manager, Campaign Operations, Social & Display Marketing Manager, Community Manager, and Digital Media Coordinator.
Students wishing to complete a Social Media Marketing minor must complete the five required courses and choose one elective from the list below, for a total of six courses.
Code | Course | Credits |
---|---|---|
BUS 2230 |
Principles of MarketingComplete these courses (15 cr): This course introduces the role of marketing as it relates to manufacturing, wholesale, retail, and service businesses. Topics include product development, pricing decisions, promotional consideration, and distribution options of both goods and services. Students will also examine the emerging role of electronic marketing, and its impact on today’s businesses. Prerequisite: BUS 1270. Every semester |
3 |
BUS 2035 |
Content Marketing and Professional NetworkingSocial Media is changing the way organizations interact with consumers, business partners, and their supply chain. The Content Marketing approach includes marketing strategies, context of the customer decision process, and development of a professional network. Content transfers the organization's values, culture, ethics, differentiation, and positioning to the target market through written word, pictures, videos, podcasts, and infographics. This course fulfills a Social Science general education requirement. Periodically |
3 |
BUS 3272 |
Social Media MarketingFacebook®, Twitter, LinkedIn®, and YouTube™ have changed the way consumers communicate today and businesses must be a part of this social discussion or risk losing significant marketing opportunities. This course lays the conceptual foundation and practical approach to developing successful social media marketing plans while achieving desired marketing goals. The most productive marketing tactics for each type of major social media platform are examined in depth. A significant portion of the course will be devoted to hands-on development and discovery of social media tools. Students must be willing to work as a social team collaborating on the cloud, writing a blog, creating a LinkedIn persona, tweeting, developing YouTube videos, and sharing information on the Internet. Prerequisite: BUS 2230 or COM 2150 Spring |
3 |
COM 1211 |
Introduction to Video and FilmmakingThis 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. This course fulfills an Arts and Aesthetics general education requirement. Fee Studio fee $20. Every Semester |
3 |
COM 2340 |
Social Media: History, Theory, and PracticeThis course will explore the historical, theoretical, and practical dimensions of social media. Beginning with social media's origins and development, the course will examine the importance of the form to individuals, businesses, institutions, and communities. Particular attention will be paid to the political and global dimensions of social media, issues of privacy and anonymity, and the power or algorithms and analytics. Periodically |
3 |
BUS 3270 |
Data-Driven MarketingAnd complete 1 of the following (3 cr): Students will learn the latest analytical techniques to help maximize ROMI (Return on Marketing Investment). Data-Driven Marketing provides comprehensive coverage of what works and what makes the difference in this important, yet misunderstood area. Students will develop a systematic framework for strategic measurement of key marketing metrics such as ROMI and Customer Lifetime Value. Topics include: introduction to DDM and marketing metrics, non-financial metrics for marketing campaigns, financial return on marketing investment (ROMI), internet marketing metrics and optimization, data mining and segmentation, and data-driven strategy. Prerequisite: BUS 2230 Fall, odd years |
3 |
CIS 3040 |
DatabasesAn in-depth study of the Theory of Data Base Technology. Topics include: Data Models, Data Independence, Network, Hierarchal and Relational Models. Students will be required to create, modify, and maintain a Relational Data Base. Prerequisite: BUS 1270 or Introductory Computer skills course. Fee Materials charge $20. Spring, even years |
3 |
CIS 3150 |
Web Design IThis first course in web design covers the principles of web page design, navigation, content creation, graphics, and creating sites that meet the needs of the organization. The course will introduce the use of page layout tools, templates, the basics of scripting languages, database integration, and image manipulation. Students will gain an understanding of good web design principles. Prerequisite: BUS 1270 and BUS 2230 (or concurrent enrollment). Fee Materials charge $20. Periodically |
3 |
COM 2150 |
Public RelationsThis 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 |
3 |
COM 2220 |
Web Content and Site DevelopmentThis 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 |
3 |
COM 2221 |
Graphic Design I: Intro to Graphic DesignThis course will introduce students to the basic principles, language, tools and practice of graphic design and teach them how to apply concepts through visual problem solving and communication. Students will also learn the process of design: research, ideation, iteration, implementation via industry-standard graphics software, and critique. Fee Fee $50 Every Semester |
3 |
ART 3130 |
Motion Graphics and Animationor COM 3133 - Motion Graphics and Animation 3 cr This course will introduce the study and application of the basic technical and aesthetic components of motion design. Using industry standard time-based media software, students learn animation principles ans skills as applied to a variety of media on computer and video screens. Topics include character animation, animation layering, motion logo development, and motion typography. Prerequisite: ART 2221 or COM 2221 Fee Fee $50 Periodically |
3 |