COM 510 Media Ethics (3)
Students learn about various ethical questions and assumptions that surface daily in the communications field. Fall 2008 and Spring 2010

COM 520 Group Communication and Leadership (3)
Students learn the importance of building and maintaining relations within their organizations, across organizations and departments, and with various audiences. Students therefore learn about group communication processes and leadership theories in order to maintain these relations and further develop their communicative skills. Fall 2008 and Spring 2010

COM 525 Interviewing and Practice (3)
Students learn to conduct, analyze, and write effective interviews for a variety of media outlets. This course will have as its focus interviewing for various print and electronic media. Fall 2008 and Spring 2010

COM 550 PR History and Practice (3)
Students learn the history of public relations from its advent in the early 1900s through today. The course emphasizes the various skills required for today’s practitioners, such as but not limited to advertising, web design, and media relations, in addition to the more traditional skills of writing press releases and organizing events. 

COM 555 Crisis Communications (3)
Students learn how previous public relations crises were handled and also learn to handle current and future crises effectively. They also learn the importance of how to effectively route information through various media outlets, including their own media outlets (i.e., web sites, newspapers, or magazines). Spring 2009 and Fall 2010

COM 558 External Relations  (3)
Students learn about the relationships with various constituencies (Government, Media, Business and Community) and how to develop, maintain, and strengthen these relationships to be effective communications practitioners. Spring 2009 and Fall 2010

COM 564 Journalism History and Practice (3)
All communications practitioners should have a working knowledge of the history of journalism and how its practices have changed over time. This course would provide a context for doing journalism and show its connections to public relations. Fall 2009 and Spring 2011

COM 568 Online Journalism (3)
With the advent of online newspaper and magazines, and the growing role of online journalism for public relations practitioners, this course would focus on developing students’ skills in writing for an online medium. Students could create their own online newspaper or magazine as a class, and could learn to use Blogs and even Podcasts to gather and report their stories. Spring 2009 and Fall 2010

COM 570 New Media Production (3)
This course has as its focus the creation of websites, streaming videos, using graphics, etc. in order to assist communications practitioners in reaching multiple audiences, internally and externally to an organization. Students create course content in various ways using these technologies, such as, but not limited to, online company newsletters or community outreach through web site development. Summer I 2009 and 2010

COM 575 Digital Video Production (3)
Students learn the importance of technology in being effective communications practitioners and then learn and apply digital video production skills by creating and editing videos using current technologies. Students are required to create their own video for either journalism or public relations. Fall 2009 and Spring 2011

COM 580 Topics in the Discipline (3)
Topics related to the field of communications. Offered as Needed

COM 590 Capstone Course (3)
Students propose, produce, analyze, and present an independent final product that demonstrates their understanding of theories and practice in the areas of public relations, journalism, and/or technology. Students cannot register for this course until all other coursework has been completed. Permission of Graduate Coordinator Required.
Additional Courses Available Through Advisement

COM 595 Field Experience (1-6)
For certain students who have not worked in communications prior and who do not currently work in the field, practical experience may be deseriable. In these instances, this course may be recommended by the student's advisor. Learning will focus on decision-making and policy-level activities. Course is graded Pass/Fail. Additional limitations may apply; refer to the Department Graduate Manual for details.

COM 598 Independent Study (1-6)
A communications topic of particular interest to the student may be studied. Must be arranged in advance with graduate program coordinator, and contingent upon the availability of a faculty mentor for the study. Additional limitations apply; see Graduate Coordinator of the Communications program. Prerequisite: minimum 12 credits of graduate study at Saint Rose.