Bulletin Year: 2023 - 2024 Undergraduate Bulletin | View the current NMU Catalog.

Courses

Search for courses listed in this bulletin. To find a semester course schedule (including instructors, meeting times and locations), go to mynmu.nmu.edu.

PR 231 Introduction to Public Relations 4 cr.
  • Offered: Fall
  • Prerequisites: Admission to PR 231 requires a 2.25 GPA.

The theory and practice of public relations, its function in organizations and its role in society. Topics include the history, communication theories and ethics of public relations, areas of practice in public relations and career opportunities.

PR 250 Research in Public Relations 4 cr.
  • Offered: Fall
  • Prerequisites: EN 111 with a grade of "C-" or better and a "C" or better in PR 231 and PR 330. Admission to PR 250 requires a 2.25 GPA and declaration of a major or minor in public relations.

This course introduces students majoring or minoring in public relations to the research and writing requirements of the field. Writing proposals is emphasized, as is consideration of career options in the field of public relations.

PR 330 Public Relations Message Design 4 cr.
  • Offered: Winter
  • Prerequisites: EN 211 and a "C" or better in PR 231.

Focus is on research, writing and planning skills unique to public relations. Topics include news releases and media kits, backgrounders and position papers, newsletters and brochures, advocacy advertising and special event design.

PR 332 Sustainable Business 4 cr.  (4-0-0)
  • Offered: Fall

This course presents an in-depth exploration of the history, theory and practices of corporate social responsibility. Students will analyze case studies and organizational communication about social and environmental sustainability in multinational and local contexts. Students will develop their own professional code of ethics. 

PR 350 Sport Public Relations and Media 4 cr.
  • Offered: Every Three Semesters
  • Prerequisites: A 2.25 GPA, declaration of a major in Public Relations, and a “C” or better in PR 231.

Students learn about the sport public relations field with a focus on publicity and promotion techniques used to attract fan attention and generate revenue. Unique aspects related to media relations and social media promotion are also covered. 

PR 410 Sport Public Relations – Theory & Strategy 4 cr.
  • Offered: Every Three Semesters
  • Prerequisites: A 2.25 GPA, declaration of a major in Public Relations, and a “C” or better in PR 231 and PR 350.

Focuses on the major theories and promotional strategies that inform the practice of sport public relations. Case examples are analyzed and discussed to improve student recognition of best practices.

PR 430 Public Relations Case Studies 4 cr.
  • Offered: Fall
  • Prerequisites: A "C" or better in PR 231 and PR 330 and junior standing.

Examination of how public relations is done by agencies and organizations. Internal (employee-member) and external campaigns are studied as the discussion of public relations theories begun in PR 231 is extended.

PR 431 Campaigns 4 cr.
  • Offered: Winter
  • Prerequisites: PR 231, PR 250, and PR 430 with a minimum grade of "C" and junior standing.
    Cross listed as ESPR 431.

Focus on the technical and theoretical aspects of creating communication campaigns. Students are assigned “clients” at the beginning of the semester and develop a five-phase campaign assignment to present to their client, including research designs, budgets, campaign concepts, post-campaign evaluation and an oral presentation.

PR 432 Environmental Campaigns 4 cr.
  • Offered: Every third semester
  • Prerequisites: PR 231, PR 250, and PR 330 with a minimum grade of "C", junior standing or instructor approval.

This course will provide an in-depth exploration of the theoretical, methodological, and applied aspects of environmental and nonprofit campaign design. Students will put those understandings into practice with the creation of a campaign related to communicating an ecological or social issue, e.g., water quality, local climate change impacts, etc. Additionally, students will learn how to translate complex scientific information for diverse, public audiences.