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- COM CM 301: Principles and Practices of Public Relations
An introduction to the field of public relations: its theoretical origins, scope, and principles. Discussion focuses on researching problems, setting objectives, identifying audiences, designing messages, choosing communication channels, and evaluating results for all types of organizations. Ethical decision making, on-line communication, and career opportunities are also analyzed case studies in the field. The format is a combination of informal lecture and small-group discussion, case analysis, and guest lecture. - COM CM 303: Organizational Structure and Behavior
Principles and practices in organizing and directing work flow in light of current findings from sociology, psychology, and industrial management studies. Topics covered include leadership, motivation, goal attainment, and other concepts against a background of organizational theory. - COM CM 311: Oral Presentation
Introduces students to theories and skills of effective public address through an intensive battery of practical public speaking assignments. Key course topics include clear, reasoned organization of messages; effective use of evidence; audience analysis and adaptation; skilled verbal, nonverbal, and audio/visual delivery; group communication; principles of persausion and argument; critical listening and evaluation of public address. - COM CM 313: Corporate Communication
Explores the trends and issues affecting corporations, crisis management, public affairs communication, consumer affairs, employee relations, environmental problems, and issues of multinationals. Uses case studies. - COM CM 317: Introduction to Advertising
Explores the history, nature, function, and social and economic aspects of advertising: ethical responsibilities, psychological appeals, marketing, media research, product analysis, creative strategies, and agency operation. Students prepare comprehensive advertising plans including marketing strategy and speculative advertising campaigns. - COM CM 321: Mass Communication Research
Introduction to the philosophy and process of social-scientific research and the most common methods used to study mass communication. Includes a variety of research methods, an examination of data-analysis procedures, and an analysis of mass communication issues. - COM CM 323: Design and New Media
Provides knowledge and practice for effective graphic design for all media. Develops a foundation in design principles and software skills including Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign. Students create projects demonstrating how graphic design is used to engage an audience and enhance comprehension of all forms of mass communication from traditional print to new media. 4 cr, either sem. - COM CM 331: Writing for Communication
Intensive exposure to some of the basic writing formats in communications: news releases, letters, features, and profiles. Lead writing, editing, and techniques of interviewing. Extensive writing and rewriting. Develop basic writing skills for various audiences. - COM CM 334: Advertising in the U.K.
Examines the structure and organization of the United Kingdom mass media from a commercial and business perspective. In particular, terrestrial and satellite TV, billboard and transport, newspapers and magazines, and radio and film are examined in a practical advertising context. - COM CM 335: Advertising Strategy
Provides an understanding of the ways in which advertising is effectively planned to achieve the objectives set in the overall marketing plan. This course examines the disciplines of agency account planning, research, and client brand management, enabling students to assess creative work critically in terms of strategy, objectives, and execution. - COM CM 345: Public Relations in Nonprofit Settings
Students examine the role of managed communication and marketing in public relations problems unique to health, education, and human and public service organizations. Analysis of organizational structure, publics, public relations and communication programs, and fund-raising practices of these agencies. - COM CM 380: Theory and Process of Communication
Focuses on the processes and consequences of both interpersonal and mass communication and how they differ. Discussions include the nature of verbal and nonverbal communication and the role of language in cognitive processing. Review of the factors that have shaped the nature of contemporary media, their content, and their audiences. Examines theories of the process and effects of mass communication and how these related to the goals and activities of professional communicators. - COM CM 405: New & Traditional Media Strategies
Examines media planning, buying, and sales as performed by advertising agencies, clients and the media. Research sources providing data on media audiences and product usage are evaluated. Examines contemporary trends in communications media and their effects on advertisers. 4 cr. either sem. - COM CM 409: Persuasion and Public Opinion
The theories, strategy, and techniques of persuasion as a means of shaping public opinion and attitudes. How individuals, business, government, and institutions craft messages and communicate through the press, entertainment media, advertising, and public relations. Ascertaining and understanding the beliefs, attitudes, and values of groups and society. - COM CM 411: Art Direction
A course for students intending to pursue careers as advertising art directors. The class covers fundamental skills and understanding required to communicate a strong and effective conceptual idea. Focusing on the print medium, it is a hands-on, idea driven course involving students in typography, photography and illustration selection, and lay out design decisions. The art director's role in other media such as broadcast is explored as well. Experience with the industry graphics software Quark, XPress and Adobe Photoshop will be helpful. - COM CM 412: Consumer Insight & Account Planning
Explores how to arrive at consumer insights that lead to better advertising and promotion. The course focuses on the set of skills necessary to create breakthrough advertising, including qualitative research, observation, interviewing skills, mapping, and presentation tools. Students learn to write effective, creative briefs. 4 cr. 2nd sem - COM CM 413: Problem Solving in British Public Relations
Problem Solving in British Public Relations Examines techniques commonly used by British Public Relations agencies using case studies that are drawn from specific internship placements used by the program. The course also examines the relationship between the British Press, other forms of media and public relations agencies in general, the role of marketing and advertising versus public relations in the UK, and the growth of the public relations industry in the UK and the rest of Europe since the mid 1980s. - COM CM 414: Computers in Communication
The use and purpose of computer technology in communication-related fields. Introduction to computer hardware and software along with practical experience using several types of programs for processing text, making spreadsheets, creating graphics, and analyzing data. New communication technologies and their role in society. - COM CM 415: Mass Media in Ireland
Introduction to the Irish media, with emphasis on print journalism, television, and film. Examines each of these media in terms of its historical development, its role in Irish social history, and the contemporary issues and debates surrounding it. Topics are contextualized sociologically and theoretically, with explanation of research methods where necessary. - COM CM 416: Strategic Brand Solutions
Explores the impact of current advertising and marketing issues from business, economic, political, social, legal, and ethical perspectives. Modified case method, with lectures from experts on selected issues.
