Learn fundamental communication principles, common communication practices, and communication theories that will help you better understand the communication transactions that you experience in your daily life.
In the 1960s, H. Marshall McLuhan, media theorist, critic, and visionary, asserted that societies are changed by the advances of technology, especially communication technologies. He is well known for his prophecy that communication technology would one day make us one great 'global village'. In the end, the processes and theories regarding communication in our daily lives to exchange information, create meaning, and share understanding remain critical components of human relationships. Whether we are chatting with a stranger while waiting for a bus, solving a problem with a group of coworkers, or sharing our dreams and goals with our best friend, the principles and practices of human communication are at the foundation of each of these human transactions.
This course will introduce you to communication principles, common communication practices, and a selection of theories to better understand the communication transactions that you experience in your daily life. The principles and practices that you study in this course will provide the foundation for further study in communications. This course begins with an overview of communication as a process, along with basic principles and theories. Subsequent units in the course examine specific applications of human communication in your personal and professional life. These include interpersonal communication, small group communication, decision-making, and organizational communication. By the end of this course, you will be able to identify the process of human communication in a number of settings that affect your daily activities. Additionally, you will be able to use the principles and theories to improve communication transactions in your life and understand how communication adds to the success of professional and personal relationships.
- Unit 1: Foundations of Human Communication
- Unit 2: Interpersonal Communication
- Unit 3: Group Communication
- Unit 4: Organizational Communication
- Unit 5: Mass Communication
- Define the major components of the human communication process;
- Recognize the impact of diversity and culture on interpersonal communication and group communication;
- Identify competencies in interpersonal, small group, and organizational settings;
- List the components of conflict, and identify strategies for conflict management;
- Explain impression management both in formal and informal settings;
- Identify relationship development personally and professionally;
- Explain the role of critical and active listening in various communication climates;
- List the ethical responsibilities of communicators in a diverse society; and
- Identify and apply communication theories.
This exam requires the use of a proctoring service for identity verification purposes. The cost for proctoring for this optional exam is \$5 per session.
Prepare for public relations work in small start-up businesses, international companies, political campaigns, social programs, personal development, or other outreach projects.
Individuals, companies, organizations, and governments frequently use public relations strategies to enhance communications and influence public opinion and perception. Public relations (PR) professionals typically view the other disciplines they study in terms of how we relate and communicate with one another and how we can apply theories of human interaction to real-life situations. We can employ this mindset in nearly any endeavor, such as creating a start-up business, planning a political campaign, promoting a social program, enhancing our personal development, or getting involved in other outreach projects.
In this course, we explore best practice models and public relations' primary tools and components. We study how to build a public relations portfolio, which may include background references, position papers, news releases, pitch letters, crisis communications, and other elements of the strategic public relations toolbox. We also refer to diverse examples and resources from practitioners in the field.
- Unit 1: Public Relations Fundamentals
- Unit 2: Stakeholder Identification and Prioritization
- Unit 3: Writing for Public Relations
- Unit 4: Social Media and Public Relations
- Unit 5: Ethical PR and Crisis Response
- Unit 6: PR Careers and Development
- Discuss the origins, purpose, and methods of effective public relations;
- Apply research effectively when preparing a thorough public relations plan;
- Apply a range of communications that effectively reach and engage target audiences in commercial and social campaigns;
- Select appropriate outlets and correct message format for media relations;
- Apply ethical principles to effective public relations practice;
- Apply themes and images to create messages that connect with a multicultural audience; and
- Identify resources for professional networking and job opportunities in public relations.
