Public Relations (PUR)

An introduction to the field and study of public relations. Explores the history of the profession, the nature of public relations, its established code of ethics, and the responsibilities and duties of public relations professionals.

Addresses several common forms of public relations writing, including press releases, public service announcements, pitch letters, and newsletters. Students work with a local client (nonprofit organization or campus organization) so as they develop their writing skills, they are contributing to the good of our campus and our community.

This course offers students the opportunity to improve their writing skills and produce specific content required in the public relations industry. This includes writing for digital media platforms, video scripts, feature articles and speechwriting.

This course addresses the theories and norms used in the selection of strategies. This course will encourage students to think from a managerial, decision-making standpoint that focuses on planning and program development based on research findings.

An advanced PR class designed to help students gain an understanding of the specialized PR needs of nonprofit organizations. Through a service-learning project, students will gain hands-on experience and connect theories to practice as they work for local nonprofit organizations.

Course addresses both quantitative and qualitative research design, processes and techniques including public opinion polling and survey research; fact-finding and applied research; issue tracking; focus groups and interviews; media and clipping analysis and historical research.

Through specific case studies of PR campaigns (both successful and unsuccessful), this course teaches students about planning and program development, an emphasis on decision theory and management theory.