Return to Communication | Courses Index
[1] Courses in Public Relations (PRLS)
NOTE: Successful completion of any indicated prerequisites or consent of instructor is required before enrollment in the course will be permitted.
2305 INTRODUCTION TO PUBLIC RELATIONS Required foundation course for public relations majors and minors that provides an introduction to concepts, theories, and skills needed by public relations professionals. Covers the historical and social contexts, as well as current policy, legal, and ethical issues in the field. Fall, spring.
3V21 PUBLIC RELATIONS INTERNSHIP (Variable credit: 1-4 credit hours.) Elective course for public relations majors that ranges from one to four credit hours. Requires working a minimum of 40 to 160 hours, depending on the number of credit hours, under the supervision of an external public relations professional and faculty coordinator. Emphasizes gaining practical experience and developing a portfolio of work produced at the internship site. Prerequisites: Junior standing; GPA requirements; PRLS 2305, 3305, 3310; JOUR 2300, 3305; and consent of Internship Committee and department chair. Fall, spring, summer.
3305 PUBLIC RELATIONS TECHNIQUES Required course for public relations majors and minors that emphasizes applying tactics and tools used in traditional and online media relations. Focuses on news conferences, media lists, media pitches, blogs, infographics, and basic social media. Prerequisites: COMM 2308 and PRLS 2305. Fall, spring.
3310 WRITING FOR PUBLIC RELATIONS Required course for public relations majors that emphasizes clear, concise strategic writing. Focuses on gathering information to write public relations materials that include fact sheets, news releases, feature articles, brochures, and email newsletters using Associated Press style. Prerequisites: JOUR 2300 and PRLS 2305. Fall, spring. [UD UCA Core: D]
4V80 DIRECTED STUDY IN PUBLIC RELATIONS (Variable credit: 1-3 credit hours.) Elective course for public relations majors and minors. Provides opportunities for advanced study of specific topics in public relations in a one-on-one or small group context. Students who have completed basic and intermediate courses may apply to work with a specific faculty member to study topics that are not regularly offered in the curriculum. Prerequisites: COMM 2308 and PRLS 2305 and 3305, and consent of department chair. On demand.
4305 PUBLIC RELATIONS CASES AND CAMPAIGNS Required service-learning capstone course for public relations majors. Students work in teams in a competitive-agency model to develop comprehensive campaign proposals for a nonprofit client. Students also analyze case studies applying the four stages of the public relations process: research, planning, implementation, and evaluation. Prerequisites: COMM 2308 and PRLS 2305, 3305, 3310. Fall, spring. [UD UCA Core: Z]
4308 PUBLIC RELATIONS MANAGEMENT Required course for public relations majors and minors. Explores the intersection between the practices of public relations and management within the organizational context. Topics include strategic versus tactical public relations, measurement and evaluation, corporate social responsibility, issues management, and digital media. Focuses on the role of public relations counsel to senior management and the relationship of public relations to related organizational functions. Prerequisites: COMM 2308 and PRLS 2305 and 3305. Fall, spring. [UD UCA Core: I]
4310 NONPROFIT PUBLIC RELATIONS Elective course for public relations majors and minors. Presents a comprehensive overview of founding and managing nonprofit organizations as a basis for establishing an internal identity and external image. Students develop a public relations plan to promote a specific nonprofit and enhance its reputation based on its overall strategic direction. Prerequisites: COMM 2308 and PRLS 2305 and 3305. On demand.
4312 INTERNATIONAL PUBLIC RELATIONS Elective course for public relations majors and minors. Introduces students to a wide range of international communication campaigns. Students learn how to use research, planning, implementation, and evaluation strategies to effectively reach diverse audiences. Additionally, students are encouraged to recognize international public relations as an ongoing negotiation of culture, meaning, and identity among people of various backgrounds. Prerequisites: COMM 2308 and PRLS 2305 and 3305. On demand.
4316 SPECIAL TOPICS IN PUBLIC RELATIONS Elective course for public relations majors and minors. Provides opportunities to study specific topics in public relations. Students who have completed basic and intermediate courses may study specific topics that are not regularly offered in the curriculum. Prerequisites: COMM 2308 and PRLS 2305 and 3305, or consent of instructor. On demand.