Courses
Mass Communication, Advertising, and Public Relations
Check back on December 15th for Summer 2010 courses.
Courses in: | College of Communication | Metropolitan College |
Principles and Practices of Public Relations
COM CM 301
Introduction to origins, scope, and principles of professional practice. Covers the theories, strategies, and tactics used in public relations programs for corporate, governmental, and nonprofit institutions. Focuses on ethical decision-making in researching problems, setting objectives, identifying audiences, designing messages, choosing communication channels, and evaluating results. Examines opportunities and requirements for work in the field. 4 cr.
Oral Presentation
COM CM 311
Fundamental problems, concepts, and research findings regarding effects of personal, interpersonal, and public utterance on human behavior. Practice of common forms of public speaking, small-group interaction, and decision making. Section A1 meets with COM CM 714. 4 cr.
Introduction to Advertising
COM CM 317
History, nature, function, practice, and social and economic aspects of advertising; ethical responsibilities, psychological appeals, marketing, media, research, product analysis, creative strategies, and agency operation. Students prepare a comprehensive advertising plan including a marketing strategy and speculative advertising campaign. 4 cr.
Mass Communication Research
COM CM 321
Introduction to the philosophy and process of social-scientific research and the most common methods used to study mass communication. Includes a variety of research methods, an examination of data-analysis procedures, and an analysis of mass communication issues. 4 cr.
Design in Communication
COM CM 323
Provides knowledge and practice for effective graphic design for all media. Develops a foundation in design principles and software skills including Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign. Students create projects demonstrating how graphic design is used to engage an audience and enhance comprehension of all forms of mass communication from traditional print to new media. 4 cr.
Writing for Mass Communication
COM CM 331
Explores writing style and formats, including readability, clarity, crispness, color, and flow, for news releases, editorials, speeches, features, profiles, and scripts. Lead writing, editing, and interviewing also covered. Weekly writing assignments and rewriting. Develops ability to write publishable copy for varied audiences using basic formats. 4 cr.
Public Relations in Nonprofit Settings
COM CM 345
Prereq: COM CM 301. Students examine the role of managed communication and marketing in public relations problems unique to health, education, and human and public service organizations. Analysis of organizational structure, publics, public relations and communication programs, and fund-raising practices of these agencies. Meets with COM CM 715. 4 cr.
Theory and Process of Communication
COM CM 380
Focuses on the nature, processes, and functions of communication in human life. Discussions include basic assumptions of theory-building as applied to study of communication, cognition and language, and the contexts of communication. Models and theories are reviewed and evaluated. 4 cr.
Persuasion and Public Opinion
COM CM 409
The theories, strategy, and techniques of persuasion as a means of shaping public opinion and attitudes. How individuals, business, government, and institutions craft messages and communicate through the press, entertainment media, advertising, and public relations. Ascertaining and understanding the beliefs, attitudes, and values of groups and society. 4 cr.
Fundamentals of Creative Development
COM CM 417
Prereq: COM CM 317 and CM 331 or consent of instructor. Writing advertising copy and designing effective layouts. Elements of effective advertising: creating ads, motivating the reader, building campaigns, writing and rewriting, and preparing roughs and comps. Developing a portfolio. Emphasizes print advertising; includes radio and television. Meets with COM CM 717. 4 cr.
Portfolio Development for Advertising
COM CM 423
Prereq: COM CM 317, CM 331, and CM 417. A course for students intending to work in the creative area of the advertising industry. 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. 4 cr.
Media Relations
COM CM 441
Prereq: COM CM 301 and CM 331. Students study a variety of publicity tactics (news conferences, feature placements, special events, and media tours) which they combine into publicity campaign plans. The class involves lectures, in-class discussion, video cases, and individual take-home cases. Students are encouraged to plan most campaigns in their area of interest (e.g., business, arts, sports, and politics). Meets with COM CM 742. 4 cr.
New Media and Public Relations
COM CM 443
Prereq: COM CM 301. 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. Meets with COM CM 743. 4 cr.
Computers in Communication
COM CM 510
Introduction to the personal computer as a tool for human communication. Shows how computers are used to design, produce, and deliver communication in publishing, advertising, entertainment, and education. Students learn to use basic computer tools to build works of communication in a variety of media, including text, images, numbers, sound, and video. 4 cr.
Designing Interactive Communication
COM CM 523
Prereq: COM CM 510. Focuses on designing communications that combine several media and are interactive on the computer. Using the software tools that are used in the multimedia industry, students learn to conceptualize, design, prepare, and program works for eventual publication on CD-ROM. Topics include planning, animation, user interface design, prototyping, permissioning, and usability testing. 4 cr.
Special Topics: Digital Marketing: Creating Brand Dialog
COM CM 561
Shows marketing, advertising, public relations, and communications students how to confront eroding control over brand messages and invent new ways to engage brand stakeholders who no longer play by traditional media consumption rules. Today's brands are being shaped as much by Google as Madison Avenue. Emphasis is on strategic analysis, tactical planning, and conceptual development in digital channels, not web development or programming. We examine varied marketing channels including blogs, microbloging, social media, game marketing, branded content, etc. Students will move beyond the silos/labels of journalist, advertiser, public relations practitioner, graphic designer, videographer, and media gatekeeper. Through lecture, case study, discussion, and hands-on projects, students will wrestle with speculative and real brand assignments from a media-neutral, multiple-disciplinary perspective. 4 cr.
Special Topics: Event Planning and Management
COM CM 561
Presents students with a comprehensive understanding of the importance of event management for communication professionals. Explores the emerging literature that forms the body of knowledge in the event management field. Also outlines the increasing international recognition of event management and prepares students with the practical knowledge necessary for industry success. 4 cr.
Oral Presentation
COM CM 714
Study and application of the principles of oral presentation, persuasion, and interviewing. Ingredients of effective preparation for and delivery of informative and persuasive presentations. Emphasis on self-criticism for self-improvement. Meets with COM CM 311 A1. 4 cr.
Public Relations in Nonprofit Settings
COM CM 715
Prereq: COM CM 701. Principles and practices of public relations in social, health, educational, and public service institutions. Analysis of the structure, publics, public relations, communication, and marketing programs unique to nonprofit agencies. Attention to recruitment and management of volunteers, fund-raising, budgeting, and intra- and inter-agency relationships. Meets with COM CM 345. 4 cr.
Fundamentals of Creative Development
COM CM 717
Examines the creative process in advertising including concept development, copywriting, layout, and campaign strategies. Emphasis is on print advertising, but radio and television commercials are also included. Assignments include consumer and trade advertisements for both new and mature products. Meets with COM CM 417. 4 cr.
Media Relations
COM CM 742
Prereq: COM CM 701 and CM 707. Students learn publicity techniques used in media of mass communication including daily and weekly newspapers, magazines, radio, television, and film. Case study method and workshop sessions with informal discussion. Meets with COM CM 441. 4 cr.
New Media and Public Relations
COM CM 743
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. Meets with COM CM 443. 4 cr.
Advertising and Society
MET CM 702
Analyzes the impact of advertising on individuals and society and evaluates the ethical, moral, and legal questions relating to the advertising industry. The history of advertising and the rise of consumerism are studied to create a paradigm for understanding the social effects of advertising. Students study the issues of advertising in cyberspace and questions of privacy and protection from intrusive communication messages. Permission required for non-MET students. Contact 755 Commonwealth Avenue, Room 103 (617-353-3000) for more information. 4 cr.
Principles and Practices of Advertising
MET CM 708
Overview of the nature, function, practice, and social, economic, and behavioral aspects of advertising. Student teams develop advertising plans, create campaigns, and explore problems of account management, creativity, production, and ethics. Permission required for non-MET students. Contact 755 Commonwealth Avenue, Room 103 (617-353-3000) for more information. 4 cr.
Computers in Communication
MET CM 716
Introduction to the personal computer as a tool for human communication. Shows how computers are used to design, produce, and deliver communication in publishing, advertising, entertainment, and education. Students learn to use basic computer tools to build works of communication in a variety of media, including text, images, numbers, sound, and video. Permission required for non-MET students. Contact 755 Commonwealth Avenue, Room 103 (617-353-3000) for more information. 4 cr.
Directed Study
MET CM 810
Independent study in advertising under faculty guidance. Requires approval of program director. Contact Professor Cakebread (ccakebre@bu.edu) for more information. 4 cr.
