2003 - 2004 Master of Professional Communication Courses

Provides theoretical and historical background for understanding present-day social and political contexts of journalism, advertising, and public relations. Debate ensues about whether current U.S. mass communication practices enhance or debase the democratic process.

Introduces students to the history of rhetoric and addresses practical application relevant to professional communication. Readings trace the evolution of rhetorical theory and outline strategies for producing effective rhetorical communication. Students develop skills in persuasion, argumentation, and critical thinking.

Focuses on the principles of writing professionally and the application of those principles to specific writing projects. Students learn to plan and organize effectively, to write clearly, and to develop polished final products through revision.

Teaches students to develop writing skills and produce public communication documents beyond the conventional press release. Students also study public communication models and theories and their application to an overall campaign in a real-life setting.

Introduces students to the various writing forms required by the computer industry and other high-tech industries. Students review basic rhetorical concepts to enable them to organize and write user manuals, promotional materials, and/or in-house communications pertinent to the industry. Prerequisite: MPC 610.

Develops an understanding of the communication needs of the business world. Students learn to work collaboratively and to write professional-quality business documents. The course exposes students to changes in business communication attributable to advances in computer technology and to the globalization of business. Prerequisite: MPC 610.

Introduces students to the concepts particular to writing for lay readers. Students analyze pieces written for publications ranging from magazines to brochures in preparation for writing various types of documents for popular audiences. Prerequisite: MPC 610.

Focuses on the organizational models and journal requirements unique to peer-reviewed publications. Students work in areas of subject matter expertise or collaborate with other professionals in the preparation of manuscripts suitable for publication in professional journals. Prerequisite: MPC 610.

Introduces students to the field of editing. Fundamentals of copy editing and substantive editing are introduced and then applied to a number of editing projects. Class activities focus on the skills needed in editing, which include a thorough knowledge of grammar, punctuation, and the organization and design of reports. Prerequisites: MPC 610 and at least one additional class from MPC 614-617.

Covers various theories of organizational communication. Students analyze organizational structures and systems while focusing on their individual roles in and responsibility for organizational communication.

Explores basic theories of visual perception as contexts for the study of visual messages. Students identify basic principles that underlie their understanding and analysis of visual media, as well as develop written analyses of how visual messages communicate. Explores specific aspects of visual communication such as photographs, information graphics, the use of color, etc.

Provides an overview of basic design and layout principles and hands-on training in professional desktop publishing software. Students apply their understanding of design, layout, and desktop publishing to the creation of a variety of publications, such as the MPC newsletter, specialty advertising, corporate profiles, and packaging. Prerequisites: MPC 610; COMM 307 or consent of instructor.

Focuses on advanced multimedia technologies in communication, education, and training. Students analyze numerous delivery systems, such as CD-ROM, digital audio and video, a variety of web-based media, and DVD.

Introduces students to the Internet, the World Wide Web, and their associated technologies. Students learn design and organizational principles that apply to electronic media and the Web. They also receive hands-on training in the use of Web site production software. All students will create their own Web site.

Introduces students to digital imaging tools and techniques. Using appropriate software packages, students learn to create quality digital images and to manipulate scanned images for both print and electronic projects.

Explores the process of planning, producing, testing, promoting, evaluating, and maintaining a Web site for a business or other organization. Students learn to interact with clients from the perspective of a Web development team. Student teams plan a Web site for a client and produce documents relevant to each phase of the development process. Prerequisite: MPC 637.

Covers a variety of methods by which the effectiveness of communication pieces can be measured. The class focuses on communication plans and strategies and on the use of survey instruments, usability tests, and focus groups in gathering information and evaluating communication effectiveness.

Explores the facets of managing a documentation project from research and planning to implementation. Students apply project management theories related to scheduling and budgeting, managing multiple development cycles and deliverables, facilitating collaborative work groups, and establishing meaningful evaluation metrics to comprehensive, strategic communication projects.

Presents a theoretical and practical approach to delivering effective presentations. Students learn and practice effective presentation skills using a variety of visual aids, including multimedia.

Explores techniques of planning, preparing, and delivering effective presentations for use in classroom and business environments.

Covers design principles and applies them to specific projects including annual reports, newsletters, and other publications. The course includes hands-on work.

Emphasizes the management and research processes involved in writing a successful grant proposal. Students use both Internet research and traditional research methods to identify appropriate funding agencies and gather data for writing grant proposals. Potential projects include writing a grant proposal, reviewing and evaluating grants, and presenting grant proposals. Prerequisite: MPC 610.

Teaches students to identify audiences and provides an overview of the format, style, and content of various types of proposals. With attention to appropriate models, students write individual proposals. The field project proposal for MPC 690 can be used as the proposal project for this class.

Briefly introduces broadcast writing in public relations, with a focus on the public service announcement or PSA. Students learn the concept of the PSA and gain experience in writing and producing PSAs for radio.

Focuses on the personal attributes, skills, and qualifications needed by those who undertake freelance careers in writing and editing. Those who are serious about a freelance career create a marketing plan and design their marketing materials; other students explore the steps needed to establish successful careers within more conventional corporate settings.

Allows students to undertake independent research and readings on special topics not fully covered in the MPC Program. Prerequisites: consent of instructor and school dean.

Presents a number of changing topics allowing study in areas of special interest.

Serves as the culmination of the MPC Program. The field project can be an internship in a local business or agency, an actual field study of some communication function in the work place, or a major project including significant amounts of professional-quality writing and/or editing. Students must plan the project with a communication faculty member and an outside professional. Prerequisites: 27 hours of course work and approval of field project proposal by MPC Program faculty.

Allows students to continue work on their field projects. Continuing registration is required until the field project is complete, and a fee of $250 is assessed each semester.