Strategic Communication Courses
STR 100. Graphic Design Technology
Using industry-standard technology, this course teaches the
fundamental concepts in electronic file development and digital
prepress techniques using image creation, editing software, and
page layout applications to prepare files for print, web, and
electronic media. Prerequisite: None. (U)(3) Fall and spring:
counts also for major/minor credit.
STR222, Principles of Strategic Communication
A survey of strategic communication for students interested in
public relations and advertising. Course emphasizes the strategic
communication industry, including its history, functions, theories,
ethics, and relations to marketing products, ideas, organizations,
and people, and the components of strategic communication
campaigns. Prerequisite: C- or above in JR112. (U)(3). Fall and
spring: counts also for major/minor credit.
STR228, Promotional Writing
Introduction to strategic communication writing for the fields
of public relations and advertising; emphasis on effective writing
for a variety of audiences across a number of media channels,
including print and digital, including social media. Prerequisite:
C- or above in STR222. (U)(3). Fall and spring: counts also for
major/minor credit.
STR251, Design and Production for Strategic Communication
This course introduces the principles and practice of graphic
design for strategic communication. Students will learn
foundational design techniques with critical thinking, typography,
and an introduction to concept development. Prerequisite: C- or
above in STR100 and STR222. (U)(3). Fall and spring: counts also
for major/minor credit.
STR321, Advertising Practices
This course is an introduction to the practice of advertising in
agencies and organizations, including analyses of agency functions.
Students study audience analysis, diversity in advertising,
creative briefs, copywriting, and strategic concept development for
advertising. Prerequisite: C- or above in STR222, STR228, STR251,
and STR327. (U)(3). Fall and spring.
STR322, Advertising Copywriting
This course is an in-depth examination of creative strategy and
advertising copywriting, with a practical emphasis on the
application of concepts, principles, and techniques to develop
persuasive copy tailored to various communication media.
Prerequisite: C- or better in STR222, STR228, and STR251. (U)(3).
Fall and spring.
STR324W, Ethics and Case Problems in Strategic
Communication
Ethical approaches in public relations and advertising are
examined using the case study method. The intensive-writing course
emphasizes best practices in strategic communication for internal
and external publics, as socially responsible citizens and
professional practitioners. Prerequisite: C- or above in STR222 and
STR228. (U)(3). Fall and spring: counts also for major/minor
credit.
STR327, Research Methods for Strategic Communication
Principles and exploration of qualitative and quantitative
methods for research employed in planning, monitoring and
evaluating public relations and advertising projects and campaigns.
Prerequisite: C- or above in STR222 and STR228. (U)(3). Fall and
spring: counts also for major/minor credit.
STR328W, Public Relations Writing
Advanced public relations writing, with an emphasis on strategic
public relations techniques for internal and external audiences
across multiple media channels including print, digital, and social
media. Prerequisite: C- or above in STR222, STR228, and STR251.
(U)(3). Fall and spring.
STR329, Strategic Media Planning
An introduction to media planning and media relations for
students interested in public relations and advertising. Course
emphasizes: media fragmentation, the concepts, theories, and
strategies involved in planning, buying, and pitching messages in
traditional and new media, and the development of strategic media
plans. Prerequisite: C- or above in STR222 and STR228. (U)(3). Fall
and spring: counts also for major credit.
STR331, Advertising Campaigns
The American Advertising Federation's National Student
Advertising Competition will provide the students with real-world
experience by creating a fully developed strategic advertising
campaign plans book for a corporate sponsor. Prerequisite: C- or
above in STR327 and permission of instructor. (U)(3). Fall
only.
STR332, Advertising Campaigns
The American Advertising Federation's National Student
Advertising Competition will provide the students with real-world
experience by creating a fully developed strategic advertising
campaign plans book for a corporate sponsor. Prerequisite:
Permission of instructor. (U)(3). Spring only.
STR341, Bateman Case Study Competition
Student teams develop and implement a communications campaign
for a national client in the Public Relations Society of America's
annual Bateman competition. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.
(U)(3). Spring only. STR342, Strategic Communication for
Nonprofits: This course helps students hone skills while developing
professional-quality communication tactics that will be published
in a variety of media, distributed to target audiences or staged
and presented as a special event. Communication activities are
implemented for a nonprofit selected by the instructor(s).
Prerequisite: Junior standing and permission of instructor. (U)(3).
Annually.
STR350, Strategic Communication Internship
Supervised strategic communication training that requires 15+
hours of work per week in an internship directly related to the
student's degree and career objectives. Prerequisite: C- or above
in STR222, STR228, STR251, and STR327. (U)(3). Fall and spring:
counts also for major credit.
STR352, Post Strategic Communication Internship
Supervised strategic communication training in an internship.
Students work 15+ hours per week in an internship directly related
to their degree and career objectives. Prerequisites: C- or above
in two semesters of STR350 at different internship sites. (U)(1).
Fall and spring.
STR353, Strategic Communication Internship
Supervised strategic communication training that requires 30+
hours of work per week in an internship directly related to the
student's degree and career objectives. Prerequisites: C- or above
in STR222, STR228, STR251, and STR327. (U)(6). Fall and spring.
STR353DC, Strategic Communication Internship DC
Supervised strategic communication training in Washington, DC
that requires 30+ hours of work per week in an internship directly
related to the student's degree and career objectives.
Prerequisites: C- or above in STR222, STR228, STR251, and STR327.
(U)(6). Fall and spring.
STR356, Sports Promotion
Overview of sports promotion, with particular emphasis on team
sports. Course includes exploration of promotions, sponsorships,
ticket sales, media relations, community relations, and event
management. Additionally, the interrelationship of the team, the
media, the corporate and civic communities will be explored.
Prerequisite: C- or above in STR222 and STR228. (U)(3).
Annually.
STR357, Hospitality and Tourism Promotion
This course introduces students to the field of hospitality and
tourism with the key objective to prepare students for careers in
this field. Students will learn essential strategic communication
methods to promote cities and attract more tourists and convention
groups. Prerequisite: C- or above in STR222 and STR228. (U)(3).
Annually.
STR424S, Public Communication Campaigns
Application of research-based strategic communication campaign
methods to address specific client problems and opportunities for
nonprofit organizations. The service-learning course integrates the
theories and skills required for professional practice; the course
serves as the capstone course for the major and fulfills an ICR
requirement. Prerequisite: C- or better in STR222, STR228, STR251,
STR 324W, and STR327. (U/G)(3). Fall and spring: counts also for
major/minor credit.
STR426, Special Topics In Strategic Communication
Thematic study of contemporary topics and issues in strategic
communication. May be repeated when topics change. Prerequisite:
Permission of instructor. (U/G)(3). Occasionally.