Course focuses on exploring current or special topics of relevance to public relations, journalism and communication majors and minors. Possible invited guest instructors or speakers will bring current professional expertise into the course. Expectations of the student in this course approximate those in other 300-level courses.

Utilization of case studies and events to decipher practical crisis management processes that will help prevent and handle unexpected organizational incidents that can damage corporate reputation and client trust. Planning, preventing and repairing unexpected organization incidents will be investigated. Inclusion of issues management with crisis communication. Issues management (IM) involves scanning the social, political and environmental communities for issues that affect the organization’s structure, function and responses.

An advanced review of both the purpose and process of public relations writing. This course emphasizes stylistic procedures of writing including; planning, researching, targeting an audience, using the appropriate media format and writing for new emerging media. Successful students will be able to attend job interviews with a strong assurance that they have had professional exposure to the writing required for a public relations career. (Prerequisite: COM 239)

This course offers students the opportunity to review, discuss, analyze and design public relations campaigns across a variety of disciplines. Students will enhance their understanding of public relations principles by analyzing past and present case studies, while developing their practical skills by creating public relations campaigns to address organizational needs.

An introduction to communication skills needed when working with people in small group settings. The focus is on developing a working knowledge of the theory and skills needed for participation in problem-solving groups.

This course will focus on issues of writing center administration related to research, assessment, and training. Students will explore various models of staff training, learn how to conduct assessment, and be exposed to research methodologies in writing center studies while undertaking their own research project related to the Immaculata Writing Center. Prerequisite: ENG 107 or ENG 117 (or equivalent).

Advanced research in a chosen area of writing studies, culminating in a scholarly written project with the aim of publication or conference presentation.

This course investigates recent advances and controversies in alternative communication including nonverbal communication theory and research. Nonverbal communication (NVC) is the transmission of messages or signals through a nonverbal platform such as eye contact (oculesics), body language (kinesics), social distance (proxemics), touch (haptics), voice (paralanguage), physical environments/appearance, and use of objects. These four main categories of NVC will be explored along with prevalent technological nonverbal communication methods including texting, abbreviations, memes, and use of emojis.

An advanced review of communication principles, communication skills, and leadership. Thus, the individual student gains much practice in public speaking. The best way to improve in this area is to repeat the process for understanding and confidence. The techniques of public speaking, such as eye contact, gaining audience interest, and organizing the presentation will be addressed.

Emerging communication technologies are drastically changing the current representations of the organizational environment. Constructs of identity, community, physical space, transparency, expediency of information dissemination, and the means through which it is expressed have all been altered reflecting the impact of the digital age and its processes. This course will explore the role of effective communication in the organization with an emphasis on learning current best communication practices, anticipating future communication developments in the digital age, and bridging the communication gap between younger generations inured in technology and those continuing to adapt to the frenetic changes such technologies inspire for organizations. The course will assess and practice implementing how new communication technologies affect the organization, its evolving culture, processes, and decision-making choices in light of this ever mutable digital age.