Interactive Communication Strategies (Major, Minor)
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
Minor
Campuses
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
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
COM-203 Media Writing
COM-210 Social Media
COM-310 Media Literacy
COM-313 Digital Media Skills
COM-314 Reporting and Writing News
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
COM-356 Communication Research Methods
COM-375 Event Planning
COM-401 Writing for the Web
COM-403 Organizational Communication
COM-430 Strategic Communication
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 ]