Course Listings
Public Relations
A major and a minor are available in Public Relations. See also majors and minors in Communication and Marketing.
Major in Public Relations
46 credit hours
- Bus3163
- One of the following courses:3
- COMM 101 Introduction to Communication3
- COMM 200 Communication Practice2
- COMM 202 Purposeful Presentation3
- COMM 204 Expository Writing3
- COMM 240 Communication Research3
- COMM 250 Journalism Essentials3
- COMM 270 Media, Law & Ethics3
- COMM 322 Organizational Communication3
- COMM 324 Principles of Public Relations3
- COMM 383 Communication and Society3
- COMM 409 Internship4
- COMM 410 Senior Seminar3
- COMM 412 Special Project1
- Selected from the following courses:3
- ART 208 Graphic Design 2: Typography
- BUS 121 Entrepreneurship
- BUS 220 Spreadsheet Skills
- BUS 315 Human Capital Management
- BUS 338 Professional Selling
- COMM 255 Photography
- COMM 260 Broadcast Writing
- COMM 308 Feature Writing
- COMM 326 Creating for the Web
- COMM 350 Reporting for the Public Good
- COMM 412 Special Project
- THEA 235 The Power of Story
- At least four semesters participation in GCTV, Record, PRSSA and/or WGCS NC
Student learning outcomes
Graduates in Public Relations will:
- Demonstrate knowledge of core communication principles and research methods.
- Create a diverse multimedia portfolio.
- Demonstrate a set of professional skills and competencies.
- Engage the campus and community through co-curricular media involvement.
- Demonstrate learning and competence in completing one or more internships.
- Report that courses and other collegiate training prepared them for a position in communication or a related career.
- Engage in meaningful discussion about media, professionalism, and ethics.
- Stimulate interest in the practice of public relations.
Planning guide
| First Year | Goshen Core Introduction to Journalism Communication Research 100-299 level courses in major |
| Second Year | Goshen Core Media Law and Ethics Expository Writing Other courses in major SST |
| Third Year | Goshen Core Communication and Society Courses in major |
| Fourth Year | Balance of Goshen Core Balance of major Internships Senior Seminar |
Planning and advising notes
Comm 200, Communication Practice should be with a co-curricular closely related to the major. The public relations major requires two internships: one for three credit hours and a second for one credit hour. A portfolio or its equivalent is required for graduation.
Academic requirements: public relations majors and minors must earn a grade of C- or higher in all courses required for their major or minor. Failure to attain this level of achievement requires the student to either repeat the course (for specific requirements) or take an additional course (an option for elective courses) and achieve a grade of C- or higher.
A maximum of 45 credit hours in communication courses may be applied to a degree. Also, no more than 12 credit hours in experiential learning (Comm 200, 209, 409 or 412) may be applied.
Minor in Public Relations
18 credit hours
- BUS 316 Marketing Management3
- COMM 101 Introduction to Communication3
- COMM 250 Journalism Essentials3
- COMM 322 Organizational Communication3
- COMM 324 Principles of Public Relations3
- Courses selected from the following:3
- BUS 244 Consumer Behavior & Customer Journey
- BUS 343 Brand, Identity, and Design
- COMM 108 Digital Design
- COMM 200 Communication Practice
- COMM 202 Purposeful Presentation
- COMM 212 Digital Media Production
- COMM 240 Communication Research
- COMM 255 Photography
- COMM 260 Broadcast Writing
- COMM 270 Media, Law & Ethics
- COMM 290 Radio Operations
- COMM 308 Feature Writing
- COMM 312 Advanced Digital Media Production
- COMM 326 Creating for the Web
- COMM 385 Studies in Communication
- COMM 409 Internship
- COMM 412 Special Project
Student learning outcomes
Graduates with a minor in Public Relations will:
- Demonstrate a set of professional skills and competencies.
- Report that courses and other collegiate training prepared them for a position in public relations or a related career.
BUS 316 Marketing Management
The nature of marketing in our society; how organizations develop marketing strategies that enable them to meet their objectives and the needs of their customers through adequate marketing mixes; the relationship of marketing to other management functions; marketing activities at...
COMM 101 Introduction to Communication
This course provides a comprehensive introduction to the field of communication, exploring its fundamental concepts, theories, and practices. Students will engage in self-assessment and career exploration, gaining insight into both traditional and emerging professional opportunities in the communication disciplines. Topics...
COMM 200 Communication Practice
Applied work in communication with The Record, Globe Media, FiveCore Media, the Public Relations Student Society of America, or other on-campus communication activity. A maximum of two hours applicable toward a communication major or minor. Consent of instructor required.
COMM 202 Purposeful Presentation
Students will polish their skills in public speaking, facilitation and active listening. Focusing on content creation and message delivery, this course is designed to provide practical experience in impromptu speaking, formulating and delivering persuasive arguments and effectively utilizing images and...
COMM 204 Expository Writing
(Cross-listed from Engl 204) Theory and practice of written communication. Assignments in a variety of prose forms aim at developing the student’s control of logic, organization, rhetoric, usage, and audience accommodation. Prerequisite: CORE 110 or equivalent.
COMM 240 Communication Research
An introduction to theory building and research methodology of mass communication. Course focuses on the practical aspects of communication research, providing a framework for conducting quantitative and qualitative research..
COMM 250 Journalism Essentials
Students will learn how to produce journalism – how to tell stories – in different forms and across various platforms. They will learn the techniques of interviewing and practice professional research methods. The course will provide a grounding in Associated...
COMM 270 Media, Law & Ethics
The course provides an introduction to the U.S. legal system and the major principles of media law. The course will cover issues like access to information, accuracy, conflicts of interest, deception, fairness, libel, obscenity, plagiarism and privacy. Students will devote...
COMM 322 Organizational Communication
An exploration of communication within organizations, as well as communication between organizations and the larger society. Topics include theories of communication and organizational structure; examination of power, culture, and conflict in organizations; and analysis of verbal and nonverbal messages in...
COMM 324 Principles of Public Relations
Introduction to public relations contexts, issues and practices – research, planning, communicating and evaluating. Emphasis on skills in analyzing public opinion and in communication with internal and external publics, with special attention to not-for-profit organizations. Prerequisite: Comm 240 or Bus...
COMM 383 Communication and Society
A study of communication issues in modern society with attention to the persons, institutions, media and systems that facilitate social interaction. An overview of communication philosophy as a basis for ethical and aesthetic perspectives.
COMM 409 Internship
Experiential learning, usually in an off-campus professional setting, for communication majors and minors. The student contracts with a faculty member in regard to goals, performance expectations, supervision, evaluation and course subtitle. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.
COMM 410 Senior Seminar
Senior Seminar offers a consideration of ethical and professional issues in the fields of art, communication, English, and theater. Assignments include information interviews with practitioners in the respective fields, oral presentations, and the preparation of a capstone portfolio and polished...
COMM 412 Special Project
Students may conduct research of particular interest or pursue specialized applied projects in communication under faculty supervision. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.