Courses

• COM CM 417: Fundamentals of Creative Development
  Writing advertising copy and designing effective layouts based on clients' advertising strategies. The course teaches the foundations for the development of effective advertising: creative concepts, big ideas, building campaigns, writing, and preparing layouts. Emphasis on print advertising.
• COM CM 419: Advertising Management
  Administration of a complete advertising program. Case-study method used to explore the marketing mix, budgeting, medial strategy, planning, coordinating advertising with promotion, working with client or agency, and the social responsibility of advertisers.
• COM CM 420: Ad Lab
  Experience in student-run, full-service advertising agency. Students organize, manage, and perform all functions: solicit business, perform market and consumer research, contact clients, write plans, create advertising campaigns, evaluate media, and prepare campaign evaluations for community-service agencies.
• COM CM 423: Portfolio Development for Advertising
  A course for students intending to work in the creative area of the advertising industry. Throughout the semester, students develop a portfolio of advertising campaigns for presentation during their search for employment at advertising agencies. Print and broadcast ads are designed to provide solutions to the clients marketing problems. 4cr either sem
• COM CM 425: Advanced Copywriting
  This course builds on the concept development and copywriting foundations learned in prerequisite courses. Emphasis on print and the creation of long and short copy in a variety of categories such as consumer business, technology, financial and medical as well as some broadcast, direct marketing, collateral, and interactive. 4 cr, 1st sem.
• COM CM 437: Portfolio Development II
  A continuation of Portfolio Development I, this course covers the final stages of portfolio development. Students refine concepts, revise and improve the details of the art direction and copywriting and broaden the range of samples to cover a wide variety of products, services and target audiences. Executional strategies, tactics and values for the preparation of comped work, as well as final presentation of portfolios will also be covered. 4 cr, 1st sem.
• COM CM 441: Media Relations
  Students study a variety of publicity tactics (news conferences, feature placements, special events, and media tours), which they combine into publicity campaign plans. Involves lectures, in-class discussions, video cases, and individual take-home cases. Students are encouraged to plan campaigns in their area of interest.
• COM CM 443: New Media and PR
  Explores the effects of new media on the fundamental theories, models, and practices of public relations. Studies how websites, blogs, citizen journalism, social media, direct-to-consumer communication, podcasting, viral marketing, and other technology-enabled changes are affecting interpersonal, small group, and mass media relationships. Also covers and uses the interactive tools that are re-defining the practice of public relations. The course combines lecture, discussion, guest speakers, case study, and research to help students uncover and appreciate the power and potential of interactive media. 4 cr, either sem
• COM CM 471: Communication Internship
  Students are placed in advertising and public relations agencies, communication departments of firms, sales departments of firms, sales departments of media, and sales promotion agencies. Minimum of 15 hours per week during school semesters, or full time during the summer. Instructor and sponsor oversee student work. A comprehensive final report completes coursework.
• COM CM 473: PRLab
  A full-service, student-run public relations agency. Students work professionally on an individual basis with nonprofit clients to develop, assist, and implement public relations programs. Course provides students with hands-on experience.
• COM CM 474: Directed Study
  Individual or group project on specific problems in communication.
• COM CM 481: Law of Communication
  Study of the laws that apply to communication practitioners. Topics covered include the First Amendment, defamation, invasion of privacy, copyright, regulation of advertising, obscenity, and indecency, and the emerging field of cyberspace law. 4 cr, 2nd sem
• COM CM 508: Video Production for Marketing Communication
  An introduction to the techniques and principles used in designing and directing video productions for advertising and public relations purposes. Use of videography, composition, color, lighting, editing, sound, and special effects in producing news releases, interviews, talk shows, and commercials.
• COM CM 510: Computers in Communication
  This course introduces students to using new media tools as a source and vehicle for creating expression and media communication. Students will acquire building blocks for design thinking and hands-on skills to successfully communicate ideas using media technology. Students will experience the design process: ideation to execution. Topics on Media Technology, interface design, information architecture, and interaction design will be covered. 4 cr, either sem.
• COM CM 513: Investor Relations
  Students examine the challenges of marketing a company to the financial community. The course is broken down into three areas: the development of IR as a profession; the tools of the trade, such as bonds and stocks; and the field's communication techniques. Students prepare case analyses as a way of understanding various SEC disclosure requirements, communication with analysts and the media, and financial marketing techniques. Core public relations requirements should be fulfilled before taking this course.
• COM CM 514: New Communication Technologies
  Course prepares students for careers in an environment of constant technological development and institutional change. Provides an overview of current and near-future developments in telecommunications; a theoretical base and exercise in systems analysis for assessing the potential uses and importance of these technologies in media-related institutions; and consideration of legal, regulatory, and social issues which these technologies and their uses may raise for telecommunications and media industries and society in general.
• COM CM 515: Community Relations
  A complete examination of the evolution of community relations, the theory behind it, and the techniques employed by its professionals. Using a case-study approach, students learn how to select a site for expansion; conduct a community relations audit; work with state, local, and federal governments; and develop sound relationships with the media and with advocacy groups in the corporate and nonprofit arenas.
• COM CM 516: Advertising Media Planning and Buying
  Examines media planning, buying, and sales as performed by advertising agencies, clients, and the media. Research sources providing data on media audiences and product usage are evaluated. Examines contemporary trends in communications media and their affects on advertisers.
• COM CM 518: Creating Video Campaigns
  Techniques for creating television advertising that attract and hold viewer attention. Students create advertising concepts, write commercials, prepare storyboards, and consider the problems of casting, directing, editing, and testing.
• COM CM 519: Interactive Marketing Communications
  An overview of the theories, practices and techniques in the emerging field of interactive marketing communications (IAMC). Students gain an understanding of the strategy and tactics of IAMC and its place in the more comprehensive business of marketing communications. in addition students review IAMC's relationship to and its effect on society, culture and the economic system. 4 cr, either sem.

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