Mass Communication

3 semester credits. In a pluralistic and multicultural society, it is important to provide individuals with the appropriate tools to develop balanced and integrated personalities that are capable of social interaction with sensitivity and a wide understanding. A skillful communication creates positive relationships and working teams as well as social groups including individuals from different cultures, religious beliefs, sexual preferences, age, and physical characteristics. In order to arrive at this form of intercultural communication, it is necessary to acquire basic competencies and psychological knowledge of the logic-verbal, intuitive, and creative areas. Course topics analyze the subjectivity of perception, the influence of cultural patterns on identity, the interdependence of contemporary life and working contexts, and the capacity to acquire useful skills and experience for effective communication.

3 semester credits. This course introduces students to the strategic roles and functions of the Public Relations (PR) practitioner. Students evaluate the context in which PR is practiced, gain an understanding of the potential and practice of PR as a management function, and critically analyze the structure of PR management, its role, and techniques. In addition, students will be introduced to the rhetorical arguments that impact PR activities and will be made aware of the importance of professionalism and ethics in the practice of public relations.

6 semester credits. This course introduces students to the strategic roles and functions of the Public Relations (PR) practitioner. Students evaluate the context in which PR is practiced, gain an understanding of the potential and practice of PR as a management function, and critically analyze the structure of PR management, its role, and techniques. In addition, students will be introduced to the rhetorical arguments that impact PR activities and will be made aware of the importance of professionalism and ethics in the practice of public relations. This course includes experiential learning hours with our Community Engagement Member Institutions (CEMI).

3 semester credits. This interdisciplinary course helps students from all areas of study to develop their critical thinking skills. The principles of reasoning, analysis, logic, and rhetoric will be introduced in both ancient and modern contexts during lectures. Students will be asked to participate in classroom exercises, examine arguments from both sides, learn to better analyze materials and therefore acquire a more thorough analysis of evidence, and apply these concepts to decision-making situations. The aim of the course is to arrive at a real-life application of these practical techniques that are relevant to all individuals, from the managerial level for professionals to everyday contexts.

3 semester credits. This course is based on the examination of personal and small group communication with particular emphasis on methods of perceiving information and transmitting messages, gender bias in communication, nonverbal behavior, and methods of communicating ideas and emotions. Students also learn about decision-making in groups and forces that influence group behavior. Course topics include a review of the ways in which people communicate with each other and an introduction to the skills needed to communicate effectively in professional environments. Students participate in small and large group discussions and problem-solving situations involving listening skills, interviewing skills, verbal and nonverbal communication, and public speaking.

3 semester credits. This course further examines topics gained in introductory public relations courses. PR is considered in terms of strategy and development when building relations. Coursework involves research and campaign building in the context of diverse communication and marketing environments. Course participants will analyze from an advanced perspective the uses and best practices of the visual aspects, professionalism and ethics, and relations management in public relations. Prerequisites: One communication course, introductory PR course, or equivalent.

3 semester credits. What do we mean by "community"? How do we encourage, discuss, analyze, understand, design, and participate in healthy communities in the age of many-to-many media? With the advent of virtual communities, smart mobs, and online social networks, old questions about the meaning of human social behavior have taken on renewed significance. Although this course is grounded in theory, it is equally rooted in practice, and much of the class discussion takes place in social cyberspaces. This course requires the active engagement of students and a willingness to experience a full immersion in social media practices. Much of the class discussion takes place in a variety of virtual world environments during and between face-to-face class meetings. Students who participate in this course will actively and productively engage in established and emerging forms of social media - and have some notion of how these practices affect the self and the community.

6 semester credits. What do we mean by "community"? How do we encourage, discuss, analyze, understand, design, and participate in healthy communities in the age of many-to-many media? With the advent of virtual communities, smart mobs, and online social networks, old questions about the meaning of human social behavior have taken on renewed significance. Although this course is grounded in theory, it is equally rooted in practice, and much of the class discussion takes place in social cyberspaces. This course requires the active engagement of students and a willingness to experience a full immersion in social media practices. Much of the class discussion takes place in a variety of virtual world environments during and between face-to-face class meetings. Students who participate in this course will actively and productively engage in established and emerging forms of social media - and have some notion of how these practices affect the self and the community. This course includes experiential learning hours with our Community Engagement Member Institutions (CEMI). Prerequisites: One communication course or equivalent.

Cross-listed from Decision Sciences

Cross-listed from Health Humanities

Cross-listed from Experiential Learning

Cross-listed from Experiential Learning