Academics
 

Professional Communications Minor

Required Courses
  

Credits
COM 210 – Public Speaking
Experience in the preparation, design, and delivery of oral presentations, including an understanding of audiences and settings. Attention will be given to techniques of informative and persuasive speeches. Emphasis on the development of professional presentation and speaking skills.		 3

COM 254 – Basic Public Relations
A study of the increasingly important role of public relations in contemporary society. The course emphasizes the basic skills of the public relations field and analyzes aspects of public opinion. Students design a PR campaign for an existing company.		 3

COM 255 – Public Relations Writing
Application of basic public relations skills though the writing of news releases, fact sheets, feature stories, speeches, and the preparation of newsletters and brochures. The course focuses on writing skills, attention to one's audience, and how professionals deal with issues ethically. Writing-intensive course.		 3

COM 315 – Organizational Communication
Theories of how contemporary organizations function and communicate. An exploration of the structure and operation of communication practices in companies and institutions, including the factors that create organization cultures. Specific issues include organization conflict, leadership, decision making, and problem-solving skills. Designed for students interested in business, health care, and other professional settings.		 3

Plus one of the following:		  

COM 211 – Gender and Communication
Study of the complex ways in which communication, gender and culture interact. Exploration of the ways gender is socially constructed and how one's verbal and nonverbal communication affirms or challenges prevailing gender standards. Students will participate in research and oral presentations on gender-related topics.		 3

COM 213 – Intercultural Communication
An exploration of multiculturalism and diversity, focusing especially on communication processes. Designed to give students the knowledge to become effective communicators with people from diverse international cultures and American co-cultures.
 3

COM 259 – Introduction to Advertising
An exploration of advertising in a free-market economy and its effects on society. Students explore the history of advertising, its current practices and techniques from both a theoretical and practical perspective. Students are introduced to the organization of advertising professions and processes from the perspective of consumers, market research, media planning, concept of campaign creation, measuring advertising effectiveness, and budgeting.		 3

COM 313 – Interpersonal Communication
A study of the theories of perception and response in person-to-person relationships, particularly as they relate to verbal and nonverbal communication. An exploration of the social and environmental factors that promote or inhibit satisfying communication between people in social and professional settings.		 3

COM 364 – Foundations of Communications Theory
Theoretical and empirical literature on human communication and its complex systems. The study of messages, interactions, and meaning in the processes of verbal and nonverbal communication. Topics include language, message flow, organizational culture, power, and politics. Theories covered include standpoint theory, agenda setting, uncertainty reduction theory, functionalism, and cultural theories.		 3

COM 468 – Communications Internship
An opportunity for semester or summer involvement in selected professional and/or business organizations, including television networks, public relations departments and other appropriate concerns. Students will be supervised by department personnel and by cooperating personnel in the organization to which they are attached during the internship.		 3