Public Relations

Requirements for the Major in Communications: Public Relations

*Click here to view the Communications Concentration Form

General Core Requirements (15 units)

A. Lower Division Required Courses (3 units)
    COMM 2020 Introduction to Communication Studies

B. Upper Division Required Courses (9 units)
    COMM 3000 Theories of Communication
    COMM 3010 Mass Media Law
    COMM 4908 Senior Seminar

C. Upper Division Writing Course (3 units)
    COMM 3008 Technical and Report Writing

Public Relations (15 units)

Designed for students interested in careers in public relations, organizational/corporate/intercultural communication, and the related field of marketing.

Required Courses:
COMM 2110 Issues and Practices in Journalism
COMM 3210 Public Relations
COMM 3220 Public Relations Writing and Strategy 
COMM 3230 Strategic Public Relations Research 
COMM 4210 Public Relations Campaigns 

Communications Studies Courses (6 units)

Select two upper-division courses:
COMM 3020, 3048, 3050, 3058, 3060, 3070, 3077, 3078, 3068 or 3098, 3088, 3240, 4077

Electives Courses (6 units)

Six (6) additional upper-division units in Communications courses selected in consultation with a faculty advisor.

Portfolio Requirement

As part of COMM 4908 (Senior Seminar), each student will prepare a portfolio that displays what has been gained from the major in Communications. The portfolio is a collection of materials that address each of the goals that the program 129 COMMUNICATIONS faculty expects students to achieve It also includes a personal statement and a brief analysis of each course taken for the major in Communications.

To create a portfolio, each student should maintain evidence from all communications courses and from other experiences that provide support for the student’s accomplishments as a Communications major. Questions about the portfolio may be directed to the student’s advisor or to any communications faculty member.

Lower Division Core Courses

COMM 2020 Introduction to Communication Studies (3)

Survey of the role of communication in daily life; concepts and contexts therein. Emphasis on the acquisition of media literacy skills and critique, as may be applicable, for upper division work in the discipline. Prerequisite: COMM 1008.

Upper Division Required Courses

COMM 3000 Theories of Communication (3)

How theories are constructed. Survey of theoretical approaches to communication drawing on the social sciences and humanities. Prerequisite: COMM 2020 or the equivalent for majors.

COMM 3010 Mass Media Law (3)

Designed to broaden the student’s understanding of laws that pertain to the mass media. Philosophical appreciation of the legal framework within which the mass media operates and pragmatic familiarity with the legal problems most often encountered by journalists and related professionals is anticipated. The course will examine the development of the law regarding the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and such related legal areas such as libel, obscenity, censorship, privacy, free press and fair trial, journalist’s privilege, the right of access to government information, access to the press, the doctrine of commercial speech (advertising), and copyright.

COMM 4908 Senior Seminar (3)

An advanced course in analysis and application of communication research methods. Specific topics will vary. Individual student research projects and reports. When possible, students contribute to ongoing faculty research. Students will submit a portfolio demonstrating skills and knowledge gained in the Communications major. Prerequisite: COMM 3000.

Upper Division Writing Course

COMM 3008 Technical and Report Writing (3)

Extensive practice in writing clearly and persuasively in technical and specialized forms such as reports of experiments, abstracts, business reports and proposals, letters, and memoranda. Prerequisite: ENGL 1109 or the equivalent with a grade of “C” or better and upper-division standing.  GWAR

Public Relations Required Courses

 

COMM 2010 Issues and Practices in Journalism (3)

Study of the problems and techniques of journalism, including audiences and resources. Overview of history and development of print media. Examination of news sources, interviewing, reporting, writing, and ethics. Frequent exercises in news gathering and writing and preparing copy for publication.

COMM 3210 Public Relations (3)

A study of the theory and practice of public relations with an emphasis on two-way communication, the four-step process of public relations, publics in public relations, and settings for public relations including business, education, labor, government, and other organizations. Explores the roles of public relations professionals in their organizations and the importance of public relations in contemporary organizations. Introduction to the basic tools of the public relations professional including the news release and other forms of public relations communications. Prerequisite: COMM 2010 for majors.

COMM 3220 Public Relations Writing and Strategy (3)
Study and application of strategies and tactics used in the public relations profession with an emphasis on written communication through news releases, brochures, newsletters, annual reports, magazines, media kits, and other public relations communication tools. Discussion of media relations and placement. Emphasis on the planning and execution of public relations communication. Discussion and application of communication theories that inform public relations writing and communication. Prerequisite or corequisite: COMM 3210.

COMM 3230 Strategic Public Relations Research (3)
Learning multiple research methods (case study, field research, survey, focus group, content analysis, experiment, etc.) executed in different contexts of public relations practices. From the basic to the advanced knowledge, study of systematic research applicable in the entire public relations planning and practice process. Prerequisite: COMM 3210.

COMM 3260 Public Relations Management (3)
Analysis and application of public relations management strategies, with an emphasis on public relations research. Focus on the four-step process of public relations and current management practices in the profession including the use of research to identify organizational goals and objectives in public relations planning and research. Emphasizes crisis communications and issues management. Also addresses other important management elements of the profession and the advisor/counselor role of the public relations professional. Prerequisite: COMM 3210.

For Elective Courses, please visit the CSUB 2022-2023 Course Catalog