An introduction to the discipline of communication and the fields of advertising, journalism, and public relations. Topics include: the history and evolution of the discipline, major theories, principles of ethics, methods of research, writing styles, digital portfolio development, professional organizations, and potential careers. Students meet professors in the School, explore opportunities to engage with the professional and academic community beyond the classroom.

Designing and creating visual messages is important for those entering the professional world. Both designers and non-designers benefit from skills that will enable them to illustrate their ideas and concepts. In this course students will learn principles of message design. A variety of industry standard software applications are available to support the research, writing, visualization, design, and production of messages. Students with a wide range of experience and computer skills will benefit from this course. The Digital Design course is an introduction to design, intended to help the student develop their understanding of basic design concepts and to develop basic design skills. Students will also get the opportunity to apply these principles to a variety of visual products such as advertisements, logos, brochures, resumes, etc.

An introduction to communication contexts and processes emphasizing both conceptual and practical dimensions. Participants engage in public speaking, small group problem solving and leadership, and writing exercises while acquiring theoretical background appropriate to understanding these skills.

This course introduces students to the managing and planning of advertising and public relations campaigns. It takes a team project approach thereby helping students learn how to work together in class as well as in a competitive agency. Service-learning will be used to expose students to community causes.

Communication, advertising, and public relations majors create a portfolio comprised of projects, papers, and related professional materials; Journalism majors complete a senior project. Near the end of every semester, the department hosts a portfolio review day when department of communication seniors present their portfolio or project work in a public space for review and comment by faculty, staff, and peers. The presentation constitutes completion of the course.