Public Relations

The course examines the messages individuals and organizations send to their respective publics.  Public relations is a communication function within the organization which addresses internal and external audiences.

CAVEAT: No graduate credit will be awarded if COM4445 has been successfully completed.

UPON COMPLETION OF THE COURSE, THE STUDENT WILL BE COMPETENT IN:

• Discussing the roles and the functions of Public Relations today.
• Listing and describing the various kinds of research used by the PR professional.
• Exploring how technology affects Public Relations today.
• Researching issues that affect publics utilizing appropriate online sources.
• Using research to write effective arguments to target specific audiences.
• Discussing the integral relationships among the audiences.
• Comparing and contrasting the advantages and disadvantages of the various media.
• Selecting appropriate media for a campaign.
• Preparing for a media interview.
• Writing internet, social media, and/or TV announcements for a publicity campaign
• Designing an event which will promote your organization and invite fundraising.
• Discussing the role of senior and upper management in influencing their organization’s internal/external public relations activities.
• Discussing how public relations can affect national and international audiences.
• Describing and giving examples of public relations crises that PR professionals must anticipate.
• Developing a plan to prepare for various crises.
• Suggesting methods for handling public relations crises.
• Designing a strategy for a company or a person with a tainted image.
• Writing material that will help build the image of a client.
• Developing the goal, theme, and publicity for a campaign.
• Exploring the student’s ethics as related to public relations.