Strategic Communications

Online Bachelor's Degree Program

Course Objectives:

• Distinguish between the various theories of communication.
• Apply communication theories.
• Compare the strengths and limitations of basic theories of human communication.
• Explain how communication theories are accepted throughout society.

Course Objectives:

• Critically evaluate both peer and professional speeches.
• Compose arguments based on audience analysis and scholarly research.
• Demonstrate continuous self-improvement by submitting multiple drafts of an oral communication assignment.
• Deliver a variety of oral and electronically mediated presentations that demonstrate sound rhetorical judgment.
• Demonstrate context-appropriate principles of effective speech delivery.

Course Objectives:

• Communicate ethically, responsibly, and effectively as local, national, international, and global citizens and leaders.
• Communicate competently in groups and organizations.
• Monitor and model interpersonal communication competence.
• Construct effective written messages in various formats and styles, to a variety of audiences.

Course Objectives:

• Examine the importance of communication to business.
• Compose a message to the audience.
• Write business messages and documents with clarity and precision.
• Utilize the "you-viewpoint" and positive language in writing
• Organize and write clear business e-mails and letters.
• Prepare tactful and courteous negative messages.
• Create strategies to compose a variety of persuasive messages.
• Research and organize information in a report.
• Illustrate different kinds of textual and visual graphics and apply the guidelines of page designing to a report.
• Organize and create an effective formal presentation.
• Summarize effective communication across cultures.

Course Objectives:

• Describe the role of public relations in the business and social environment and its impact on government and business decisions.
• Define the meaning of the term “public relations” and the various publics that make up populations.
• Explain roles and relationships of the public relations professional and the importance of credibility.
• Describe the history of the public relations field, as well as five trends related to the evolution of PR.
• Explain the goals and theories of communication.
• Define the terms “public opinion” and “attitudes”.
• Outline how to build favorable images of organizations.
• Examine the management processes involved in public relations.
• Conceptualize and implement a public relations plan.
• Enumerate corporate, governmental, and journalistic ethical responsibilities; list the major laws that affect public relations.
• Describe the types and methods of public relations research and how to evaluate them.
• Describe the role of the public relations professional in working with print and electronic media, as well as the guidelines for being interviewed.
• Implement strategies for communicating with employees.
• Describe government relations, lobbying, political action committees (PAC’s), and the role of the White House Press Secretary.
• Trace the history of the consumer movement, consumerism, consumer activities on the Internet, and federal consumer agencies.
• Define the unique challenges of public relations in the 21st century, as well as public relations practices around the globe.
• Demonstrate how public relations fits into the marketing mix and how advertisers make use of public relations.
• Illustrate media relations and product promotion on the Internet and the effect of the Internet on public relations.
• Outline the five-step process involved in issues management and how to communicate and plan in a crisis.

Course Objectives:

• Discuss the implications of digital media in our lives.
• Create a digital or social media artifact.
• Examine the history and purpose of digital media.
• Analyze the significance and use of social media.
• Compare the purpose and features of different types of social media.
• Evaluate effective web design techniques.
• Examine media policy, law, and ethics.

Course Objectives:

• Define web analytics.
• Explain the functional components of Google Analytics.
• Explain the role of a web analyst in an organization.
• Determine important metrics and dimensions necessary to perform web analytics.
• Setup e-commerce goals and collect campaign data in Google Analytics.
• Report sampling and develop custom reports.

Course Objectives:

• Design a Web Page using HTML5.
• Create a Web Page using HTML5, selectors and CSS.
• Construct web pages using tables and CSS.
• Design and create web pages using forms.
• Compare and contrast websites based on fluidity, accessibility, and use of media.
• Create web pages using Bootstrap and web design tools.

Course Objectives:

• Use of HTML for building Web pages.
• Properly use graphics, color, and navigation methods when building Web sites.
• Use proper Web design techniques for different browser and viewing platforms.
• Describe appropriate planning and design principles.
• Use the CSS Box Element
• Publish and maintain a Web site.

Course Objectives:

• Use HTML5 and JavaScript for building Web pages.
• Apply Web site design principles.
• Use proper Web design techniques for different browsers and viewing platforms.
• Describe appropriate planning and design principles.
• Research the best practices associated with developing, publishing, and managing Web sites.

Course Objectives:

• Explain the primary aim and basic concepts of marketing.
• Describe the elements of the marketing mix (Four Ps).
• Analyze marketing’s role in companywide strategic planning.
• Identify the elements of the marketing planning process and the importance of following up on a marketing plan.
• Define a business market and identify the major factors that influence business and consumer buying behaviors.
• Identify the major factors that influence business and consumer buying behaviors.
• Define the new product development process and the product life cycle.
• Identify the eight key processes of excellent supply chain management and describe their functions and activities.
• Explain what marketing channels and channel intermediaries are, and describe their functions and activities.
• Identify the major types of advertising.
• List the steps in the marketing process for building profitable relationships with targeted consumers.
• Describe ethical behavior in business.
• Discuss the importance of global marketing.
• Explain Distribution & Pricing Methodologies/Strategies.

Course Objectives:

• Recognize the nature of the communication process and the critical role communication plays in marketing programs and apply a communications model to marketing issues.
• Assess the concepts and levels of a totally integrated advertising and marketing communications approach, link to a company’s overall mission, products and services in advertising programs, and expand that approach to the global level.
• Utilize principles of effective advertising to be certain the message has the best chance of reaching and affecting the audience and master the process of creating a media strategy.
• Understand the nature of a corporate image and why it is important and develop tactics and plans to build an effective corporate image, brand, and product positioning.
• Tie consumer promotions with trade promotions and other elements of the promotions mix and match them with the overall IMC program to build strong ties with members of the marketing channel.
• Apply the database to customer relationship management (CRM) and develop a strong e-commerce program.
• Describe the role of the public relations department in conjunction with the marketing department.
• Understand the challenges facing entrepreneurs and small business owners, especially in marketing communications.

Course Objectives:

• Explain how today’s global media environment impacts everyday life.
• Generate a working definition of civility in mass media, incorporating development in technology, culture, and critical theory discussed in class.
• Evaluate artifacts from various mass media outlets (social media, print, or digital media) in light of the working definition of civility.
• Show the role ethics and law play in various contexts.
• Create possible solutions to incivility in various contexts.

Course Objectives:

• Examine the history of mass media.
• Evaluate how the principles of law and ethics are applied in mass media.
• Illustrate the effects of mass media upon society.
• Apply theories to explain and/or predict effects of mass media.
• Analyze the impact of mass media on our cultural perceptions.
• Distinguish between the various terminologies used to effectively communicate key concepts.

Course Objectives:

• Contrast how leadership differs from management.
• Explain the fundamental concepts, theories and practice of leadership.
• Analyze contextual issues that create leadership challenges.
• Explore how strategic leadership relates to the management of knowledge.
• Analyze case studies in an effort to strengthen decision making and critical thinking skills.
• Analyze individual leadership skills.

Course Objectives:

• Examine fundamental leadership concepts and principles.
• Identify traits and characteristics associated with effective leaders.
• Identify contingency factors and situational variables that affect leadership in an organization.
• Recognize and identify the purpose of an organization, the importance of management, the management functions, and the notion of an organization as a network of systems.
• Define various styles of leadership and explain the impact of values, attitudes, and personality on each.

Course Objectives:

• Explain the four functions of management.
• Describe the various types of managerial planning: strategic, tactical, and operational plans.
• Illustrate the basics of motivation, the motivational model, and how visionary leadership helps leaders achieve strategic leadership.
• Describe the basic control process and the different methods to achieve control in an organization.
• Explain how managers can effectively communicate and manage teams across an organization.
• Explain why innovation and managing change matters to a firm's competitive advantage.
• Explain the strategic importance of information and the basics of capturing, processing, and protecting information.
• Describe what influences ethical decision making, and what makes an organization socially responsible.

Course Objectives:

• Evaluate the evolving role of strategic human resource management in business organizations which are being challenged by technology and global competition.
• Explain the importance of business ethics and workforce diversity in human resource management and how they are opportunities for effective management.
• Identify the legislation, regulations, and significant federal court decisions affecting recruitment, selection, and promotion of employees and managers.
• Give examples of the uniform guidelines, adverse impact, and Affirmative Action programs as used in employment practices.
• Identify the ethical, regulatory, environmental, social, political and technological issues in all phases of human resource activities.
• Describe job analysis, human resource planning, recruitment, and selection in multinational organizations.
• Define the importance of human resource training and development for all levels of staff.
• Analyze performance appraisal approaches and the emergence of performance management.
• Discuss how compensation and benefits programs are developed and administered.
• Recognize the importance of workplace safety and health factors, employee programs, and labor unions in day-to-day business operations.
• Outline how human resource management and globalization of business are interrelated.

Course Objectives:

• Define interpersonal communication.
• Describe the models and principles of interpersonal communication.
• Determine how perception influences communication.
• Utilize verbal and nonverbal communication skills to improve relationships.
• Derive ways of improving nonverbal communication.
• Apply mindful listening and effective listening.
• Evaluate the influence of emotion and communication in relationships.
• Analyze effective communication during conflict.
• Apply effective interpersonal communication principles to friendships, romantic partners, and family relationships.

Course Objectives:

• Investigate how ethics from the individual, group, and organizational system affect the organization.
• Compare how communication channels and barriers affect the individual, group, and organizational system.
• Analyze individual behavior within the organization, including;
  • increased personal awareness
  • diversity
  • job satisfaction
  • emotional intelligence
  • personality
  • perception
  • decision-making processes
  • motivation and reward systems
  • application of motivational theories
• Assess group behavior within the organization, including;
  • positive traits of influence
  • importance of feedback
  • leadership
  • power and politics
  • change management
  • conflict management
  • negotiations
• Appraise the organizational system, including;
  • increased positive interaction
  • organizational structure
  • job design
  • corporate culture
  • social responsibility
  • performance management
  • internal and external pressures forcing change
  • increased need for people-oriented management

Course Objectives:

• Ascertain hidden opportunities for marketing effectively.
• Consider situational analysis, SWOT and competitive advantages in the marketing environment. Evaluate segmentation, price and target marketing within a marketing plan.
• Understand, analyze and evaluate branding and positioning within the marketing environment. Employ a wide array of tactics for targeting specific audiences.
• Examine ethical issues in marketing as they relate to social responsibility and accountability. Analyze the marketing environment and identify appropriate strategies for successful product promotion.
• Create and develop a plan to address customer needs and satisfaction leading to long term customer relationships.

Course Objectives:

• Analyze ethical issues in the mass media.
• Differentiate between technological, social, cultural, and economic effects on the media and how those impact moral decision making.
• Apply critical thinking skills to ethical issues in the media.
• Evaluate the major ethical approaches that have affected moral decision making in the media today.

Course Objectives:

• Create written documents with tables, pictures, headers, and various formatting styles in Microsoft Word.
• Create spreadsheet workbooks in Microsoft Excel.
• Use functions, formulas, charts, and what-if analysis to analyze and present information.
• Create professional graphic presentations with transitions, pictures, shapes, and lists in Microsoft PowerPoint.

Course Objectives:

• Explain fundamental computing concepts and terms.
• Navigate within a directory structure.
• Organize folders and files within a computing system.
• Utilize Microsoft Office tools and templates in the creation of documents, spreadsheets, and slideshows.
• Integrate concepts of Microsoft Office applications.
• Practice basic computer safety and cybersecurity measures.

Course Objectives:

• Compare and contrast the hardware and software of different computer systems.
• Analyze the problems in using e-commerce to market products internationally.
• Demonstrate an understanding of data systems by creating a database in Access.
• Compare and contrast different information and support systems such as knowledge management systems, artificial intelligence and expert systems.
• Describe the characteristics of the Internet, Intranets and Extranets.
• Implement a system design by creating a flow chart.
• Describe the personal and social impact of computers.

Course Objectives:

• Describe the role of statistics in business decision-making.
• Identify the major sources and types of data.
• Appropriately organize numerical data using tables, charts, and graphs.
• Use descriptive statistics in the context of exploratory data analysis.
• Apply basic probability concepts and describe the role of probability in Statistics.
• Apply basic discrete probability distributions including Binomial Probability distribution and Poisson probability distribution.
• Describe the importance of the central limit theorem.
• Calculate confidence intervals and determine sample sizes.
• Define and demonstrate hypothesis testing using one-sample tests.

Course Objectives:

• Identify the fundamentals of the relational model and a relational database.
• Describe Structure Query Language (SQL).
• Explain the purpose and role of a data model.
• Transform E-R data models into relational designs.
• Apply the normalization process.
• Recognize database administration techniques.
• Explain web database processing.