Public Relations
Courses in the public relations major seek to develop Christian perspectives on the media, on the ways media serve and might serve their communities, and on the roles our graduates will play within media organizations. These courses are complemented by the leadership and production experience students gain as members of Crosswalk Media, a departmental production group serving the broader community, and the Beacon, the college newspaper. The public relations major requires an internship—and excellent internship opportunities are available in Los Angeles, Washington D.C., and Chicago.
Communications department homepage
Major requirements:
COM 101x - Mass Media and Society
(4 credits) Examines the historical development, organization and structure of the mass media in contemporary society, as well as related issues and problems. Suggests Christian perspectives on use of and participation in the mass media.
Cross-Referenced: Cross-referenced in theatre/speech.
COM 185WI - Media Writing
(4 credits) (Writing intensive) Students learn genres of writing for print and broadcast journalism and video, as well as for public relations and advertising. They learn these genres in relation to each other and in relation to their organizational contexts and audiences. Included are reporting, organizing and writing, as well as basic legal and ethical guidelines for reporters and writers in journalism and PR. Prerequisite: COM101x or permission of instructor.
COM 215 - Practicum in Public Relations *
(1 credit) Practical experience in public relations related projects such as publicity, promotions, employee and customer relations, special events, advertising, Web design, corporate research, grant writing, and human resources development and training. Project sites and sponsors may be campus departments and organizations, community businesses, and non-profit organizations. Prerequisites: completion of, or enrollment in, any of the following courses: COM230, 261, 263, 315, 332, 355, and ENG288, or permission of instructor.
COM 225 - Media Law and Ethics
(2 credits) This class explores the ethical and legal judgments of media professionals both past and present in an attempt to reveal the process by which important communications decisions are made. By exploring the successes and failures of others, students will learn to hone their own decision-making skills. They will also learn how the law affects their field and ultimately the decision-making processes of members of the media. Finally, this course will show students there is no such thing as a universal ethic and that their own principles will not always agree with the principles of others. Students will come to understand the differences between secular ethical considerations and their own Christian values. Prerequisite: COM101.
COM 230 - Principles of Public Relations
(3 credits; alternate years, consult department) Introduction to the field of public relations. Its focus is on public relations theory and practice with an emphasis on emerging trends. This course is offered as an overview covering public relations history, theories, strategies and tactics.
COM 415SR - Advanced Public Relations: Strategy and Implementation
(4 credits) This course is designed to further define the ethical practice of public relations, to reflect on the student's study of communications and the NWCore, to examine the student's role in the vocation of public relations, to provide experience in the research, design, presentation, and evaluation of a communications campaign for a client, and to examine individual and corporate responsibility to the greater world. There is considerable emphasis on writing and speaking. Prerequisites: COM185WI and COM230, COM263 or permission of instructor.
COM 332 - Advertising Campaigns
(3 credits, alternate years, consult department) The primary objectives of this course are knowledge integration and skills application. By conceiving, researching, creating, executing, and evaluating a comprehensive advertising communication plan that incorporates research, creative, media, and promotions, students will understand how various components work together to provide a client with a cohesive campaign that communicates their message. Students will give a formal oral presentation to their client that includes a usable campaign and all the creative materials needed to execute the campaign.
COM 355 - Organizational Communication
(4 credits; alternate years) Examination of the role of communication within and between organizations. Attention to communication tasks within an organization such as news releases, memo writing, conducting meetings, and communicating to an organization's constituencies.
COM 417 - Internship
(4 credits may apply toward the major) Experience in an approved internship.
Choose eleven credits:
COM 261 - Feature Writing
(2 credits; non-yearly, consult department) Study of interviewing practices, research methods, organization, and interest-gathering techniques necessary for writing longer articles, profiles, columns and consumer affairs writing. Prerequisite: COM185WI or permission of instructor.
COM 310 - Advanced Topics in Communications *
(2-4 credits; alternate years, consult department) This course is designed to be an upper- level course providing in-depth and additional knowledge and/or skill in specific discipline areas that are not well covered in the current curriculum. Topics will vary according to students' interests and needs, changes and developments in the communication discipline and practice, and faculty skills and interest. Potential topics may include additional instruction in advertising, public relations, magazine writing, advanced news writing and editing, advanced video editing, digital video directing, and international and intercultural communication. Prerequisites: to be determined by department.
COM 340 - News Writing and Editing
(4 credits, non-yearly, consult department) Principles of clear and forceful journalistic writing. Includes fact gathering, story planning, lead and head writing. Attention to editing for improved copy, headline writing, and selection of photographs and art work. Prerequisite: COM185WI or permission of instructor.
ART 164 - Photography I
(2 credits) Taught as a medium of creative expression or as an art form and as a journalistic tool. Film processing and printing are taught as well as camera techniques, darkroom procedures and presentation of work for exhibitions.
Note: A fee is associated with this course.
ART 220 - Graphic Design I
(4 credits) Graphic Design I is an introduction to the computer applications used in the communication, design and publishing fields. There will be an introduction to graphic design problems and projects in order to learn how these applications all work together.
ART 320 - Graphic Design II
(4 credits) Graphic Design II is a course for students to gain the understanding of what good design is and how to clearly communicate with it. Students will produce finished examples of graphic design with a specific use in mind such as advertising, public information, business communication, etc. Prerequisite: ART220.
COM 263 - Layout and Design
(3 credits) Covers basic principles of design as they apply to a wide variety of publications. Emphasis on selecting type, art and graphics appropriate to subject matter, purpose and audience.
COM 315 - Writing and Design for the Web
(3 credits; alternate years, consult department) Study of writing and design for a Web environment. Students will analyze Internet sites and design sites of their own, using a standard program for Web design. Prerequisites: ENG184 or equivalent and any of the following: COM263, ART220, ART230, or permission of instructor.
Cognate Requirements:
BUS 200 - Principles of Marketing
(2 credits) This course introduces students to marketing terminology; defines the elements necessary in moving a product, service or idea from concept to market sales; and enables students to understand and replicate the marketing process at an entry level.
BUS 201 - Principles of Management
(2 credits) This course introduces the student to the basic principles of management. It includes the understanding of manager's actions in the work place, on the organization and employees. It includes the study of basic management tools and techniques.
Choose one course:
BUS 309 - Human Resource Management
(4 credits) Students study the development of human resources management, including history, policies, practices and applications. Specific attention is paid to the study of the processes involving the management of human resources and its legal environment. Prerequisites: BUS201 or permission of instructor.
BUS 401 - Consumer Behavior
(4 credits) This course explores the cultural, social, personal and psychological factors influencing buyer behavior; buying-decision processes and stages; and learning theory integrated with consumer beliefs and attitudes. Prerequisite: BUS200.
ECO 101SS - Everyday Economics
(4 credits) (NWCore option under Self and Society) What is the economy? What drives the boom and bust of the market? Why do people choose what they choose? How should I think about money? What is the role of our government? How do I view
inequality? Every decision we make and everything we see in the modern society has something to do with economics. In this course, we will cover the ABC's of micro and macroeconomics that are most relevant to our everyday life. We will also learn a brief history of economic thought, and build our foundation on the Christian principles.
Note: This course is not intended for business or economics majors.
Total credits required: 52
Notes:
*COM310 must be a topic in Public Relations. COM215 is a 1 credit course to be taken twice.
Internships range from 2-12 credits. The maximum credits applied to the major are noted under the 417 course designation.
