Interactive Communication Strategies (Major, Minor)

Communication Arts Department

Pamela O'Brien, Dean, School of Arts, Sciences and Business
Britt Christensen, Ph.D., Coordinator
Susie McShea, MA, APR
Pamela O'Brien, Ph.D.

Degrees offered

Major
Minor

Campuses

Main Campus

The Interactive Communication Strategies Program of Study combines vital coursework from Business, Computer Studies, and Communication Arts into a coherent curriculum applicable to the smallest of entrepreneurial start-ups or the largest of global corporations. The Program of Study stresses technological proficiency, organizational planning as well as strong writing, speaking, and critical thinking skills.

Summary

The Interactive Communication Strategies Program of Study in the School of Arts and Sciences offers a Major to students in the College of Adult Undergraduate Studies. Integrating courses in Business, Communication Arts and Computer Studies, the Major in Interactive Communication Strategies serves students whose primary interest is the communication function in organizations and prepares them to succeed in managerial positions in diverse types of organizations. Using their expertise in technology, graduates of this program are able to communicate effectively through organizational channels and to exercise leadership in helping organizations achieve desired strategic goals.

Organizations and their managers face many challenges in a world changing at an ever-increasing pace. Effective, timely, and accurate communication networks, communication processes, and information management are critical strategic imperatives for every organization. The Internet, global markets, and 24/7 competition place increased importance on the manager's role in communication and information management in every organization, from the largest corporations, to the entrepreneurial start-up, to the government agency, to the university or to the non-profit sector.

The Major enables students to meet these challenges through an understanding of theoretical models and principles from the fields of Communication, Computer Studies, and Management. Students test the practical applications of their learning to current professional problems and concerns of the workplace. The Program emphasizes the design and implementation of communication and information management plans with an emphasis on managerial roles and responsibilities. Proficiency in the application of technology to organizational planning and operations is stressed, as well as strengthening student writing, speaking, and critical thinking skills.

The educational goals of the Interactive Communication Strategies major are as follows:

Provide a multidisciplinary curriculum based in the liberal arts,
Prepare students for the complexities of managing communication and information technology in today's organizations,
Present a unique and diversified curriculum that will prepare students for professional positions and provide current professionals with opportunities for career advancement, and,
Expose students to the ethical standards required in the management and communication of information

The curriculum supports students who aspire to management roles in diverse organizational areas, such as communication, information technology, entrepreneurship and administration. This degree program has direct linkages to positions in training and development, public administration, business, customer services, institutional administration, education, sales, marketing, consulting, operations, information technology and strategic planning.

Some Interactive Communication Strategies courses are online.

A Minor in Interactive Communication Strategies is available by completing two courses listed in each area: business, communication arts and computer studies.

Students must earn a minimum grade of C in all courses taken to complete the requirements of the Major.

Program of Study

The Interactive Communication Strategies major requires 39 credits (13 three-credit courses).

Course descriptions may be found in their respective discipline listings.

Interactive Communication Strategies Core Curriculum

COM-101 Introduction to Media Writing
COM-210 Social Media
COM-313 Digital Media Skills
COM-430 Strategic Communication
CST-130 Introduction to Computer Applications
CST-261 Web Page Design
CST-355 Project Management
BUS-203 Principles of Marketing
BUS-310 Professional Communications
BUS-334 Teamwork and Negotiation

Electives

BUS-225 Data Analysis
BUS-400 Leadership
BUS-411 Special Topics in Business
COM-203 Media Writing
COM-319 Advertising and Analytics
COM-310 Media Literacy
COM-314 Reporting and Writing News
COM-331 Public Relations
COM-356 Communication Research methods
COM-375 Event Planning
COM-401 Writing for the Web
COM-403 Organizational Communication
COM-411 Special Topics in Communication Arts
DMA-100 Intro to Design Systems
DMA-102 Fundamentals of Design
DMA-411 Special Topics in Digital Media

Courses

BUS-203 Principles of Marketing

Introduces the language of marketing and examines the strategic marketing process. While formulating viable marketing strategies for diverse business situations, learners will gain experience gathering and analyzing industry and market data, as well as implementing core-marketing concepts such as market segmentation, targeting, positioning, and the marketing mix in the formulation and implementation of real-world marketing strategies. This course culminates in the development of a marketing plan for a new product, service or retail establishment. [ 3 credits ]

BUS-225 Data Analysis for Business Decisions I

Emphasizes the foundation areas of data management, interpretation, and analysis. The course focuses on methods tomanage and explain data, describe and interpret data quantitatively using statistical techniques, and apply the results to make better management decisions. Data Analysis involves using statistical methods to understand and interpret data acquired in business applications. In this course students will learn techniques to manage data using Excel tools, explain data through charts and graphs, and describe and interpret data in probabilistic terms. [3 credits]

BUS-310 Professional Communications

Explores communications contexts within organizations and refines written and oral communications skills used in business and professional settings. Emphasizes appropriateness, effectiveness, and nuance while taking into consideration situation, audience, and delivery mode. Learners use common business communications tools and technologies as well as social media. Prerequisite: ENG-101 or NDMU-100 (honors section). [ 3 credits ]

BUS-334 Teamwork and Negotiation

Analyzes the dynamics, structure and function of teams in businesses and other organizations. Examines the framework and components of conflict resolution and negotiation in both organizational and personal situations. Learners will assess and strengthen key interpersonal skills. This course utilizes active learning pedagogy extensively including role plays, small group exercises, and simulations. [3 credits]

BUS-400 Leadership

Identifies important leadership concepts used to critically evaluate students' perceptions about leadership and describe relevant leadership attitudes, behaviors, and skills. Incorporates a variety of experiences including self-assessment, skill development, and small group team activities to strengthen personal and organizational leadership. Integrates course learning, experience and feedback to assess individual leadership skills and identify personal development needs. Prerequisites: Junior/Senior standing. [3 credits]

BUS-411 Topics in Business

Explores contemporary topics in business such as non-positional leadership, leadership's dark side, managing human capital, healthcare and sports marketing. [3 credits]

COM-101 Introduction to Media Writing

Explores the various types of writing and rhetorical approaches used in crafting messages for the mass media. Provides experience in writing for journalistic, broadcasting, public relations and advertising needs, with diagnostic attention given to the individual student's writing skills. Writing requirements of the Web and digital media are previewed. Intensive laboratory work assists the student in improvement of skills. Offered in Women's College only. Prerequisite: ENG-101 or permission of department. [3 credits]

COM-203 Media Writing

Provides instruction in writing for print, broadcast, advertising, public relations and new online media. Students will learn skills for adapting written content to various media platforms. Additionally, writing objectively, developing story ideas, proper citation of sources, audience considerations, legal and ethical issues, information gathering, interviewing and fact checking are some of the concepts covered by this course. Prerequisite ENG-101. [ 3 credits ]

COM-210 Social Media

Engages students in a theoretical and critical look at the incursion of social media (such as blogs, Facebook, Twitter) into human communication processes and considers the implications of use of these media for the future of communication. [3 credits]

COM-310 Media Literacy

Explores visual and audio literacy through the balance of critical consumption and production skills. Employs a series of units in which students decode complex visual and audio images and then move to composition in both visual and auditory production. Creation of a Web-based portfolio is the culminating unit. [3 credits]

COM-313 Digital Media Skills

Provides hands-on experience in the use of digital and social media in professional contexts in the communication fields. Students will complete a number of projects applicable to professional situations that will enhance the job-search portfolio. [3 credits]

COM-314 Reporting and Writing News

Stresses the writing of accurate and stylistically compelling news and information and the development of interviewing skills. Students will use digital media and new technologies necessary for covering stories and preparing news packages in the field. Mobile reporting and convergence are stressed. [3 credits]

COM-319 Advertising and Analytics

Provides a foundation in the principles of advertising and studies the advertising media. Includes the planning of advertising strategy and making ads. Practical assignments advance understanding of key message objectives, copywriting principles and ad design principles introduced in COM-101. Discusses social and economic aspects of advertising and advertising research. [3 credits]

COM-331 Public Relations

Takes a social science approach to the study of public relations as relationship management. Examines communication strategies for reaching various publics and stakeholders. Provides practical experience in planning and writing publicity and public relations materials to reach communication goals. Opportunities to produce materials for the professional portfolio. [3 credits]

COM-356 Communication Research Methods

Serves as an introduction to research methods in the communication field, detailing how to gather and analyze data about communication processes and their effects. Emphasizes the relevance of research to helping communication practitioners make sound decisions in applied settings (e.g., print, video, advertising, public relations and interpersonal relations). In workshop and small group settings, students learn how to formulate and pursue research questions of interest. Prerequisites: COM-131, COM-201. [3 credits]

COM-375 Event Planning

Provides an overview of the necessary preparations for planning a major event. Course work includes a survey of the types of events, venue selection, catering, marketing and promotions, networking, budgeting, execution and evaluation of events. [3 credits]

COM-401 Writing for the Web

Explores techniques for making the transition from writing for traditional mass media to writing for online media. Teaches students to use online resources and produce online messages and "articles" of various types. Provides opportunities to develop materials for the professional portfolio. [3 credits]

COM-403 Organizational Communication

Studies communication systems, structure, problems and solutions within complex organizations, such as business corporations, governmental agencies, hospitals and schools. Students develop practical plans to improve communication within organizations. [3 credits]

COM-430 Strategic Communication

Serves as the capstone course for the corporate communications program; requires students to apply their knowledge from the program's core subjects in the analysis of communication, technology, and business problems reflected in case studies of specific organizations. [3 credits]

DMA-100 Introduction to Design Systems

Explore the depth of Adobe's industry-leading software suite in this intensive and hands-on course. Designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding and practical expertise, Adobe Creative Cloud offers a robust set of creative tools widely used in professional fields [ 3 credits ]

DMA-411 Topics in Digital Media

Surveys current topics of interest within the field of graphic design, video, animation, web and social media. Projects in typography, book design, motion, digital imaging and a variety of other methods will be addressed in different sessions to complete the course portfolio. May be taken more than once on different topics. Prerequisite: will differ depending on topic. [3 credits]