This course will explore the relationship between mass media, culture, and society. The history of media will be studied, including that of newspapers, recordings, radio, film, television, and the Internet. Further, students will examine the functions and limitations of each medium historically and in the present. The implementation and migration to digital platforms will also be studied. The ability to critically evaluate and recognize ethical dilemmas in the past and present of mass communications as a field is also part of this course. Students will hone media literacy skills and develop a greater appreciation for the power mass media has in shaping cultural and social trends.

Publics relations is an essential part of strategically managing an organization's image and place within the public eye. This course introduces students to the world of public relations, focusing on communication methods, message dissemination, and perception across media types. Students learn how the field began and evolved over time, with a look to present and future developments. Key topics and strategies include brand management, incident response, media analysis, and ethics.

This course will teach students how to write copy that stands out, connecting with the target audience. Good copywriters employ not only good writing skills but superior critical thinking skills. Copy goes beyond advertising, and students will study the value of copy for ads, emails, blog posts, brochures, and other marketing content. The relationship between effective copy and visual design elements will also be explored. Creativity and innovation are essential for effective copywriting. Further, students will engage in writing copy and how to support brand identity by creating a brand guide and a suite of documents for a brand.

All communications contain a sender, message, and audience. Without these three essential components, there is no communication. All facets of mass communication, therefore, rely on the audience. This course will examine the role the audience plays in the development and execution of media in print, online, and video. Further, students will analyze audience response to media, examining how content (i.e., social issues, politics, world news, entertainment) impacts audience behavior. This course will also explore quantitative and qualitative audience research practices. Understanding audience engagement is crucial because contemporary media continually changes.

This course is designed for students nearing completion of their Digital Marketing and Communications program, bridging the gap between theory and practice. Through hands-on work in professional environments, students will learn how digital strategy, content creation, branding, and audience engagement connect theory to real-world application. Interns will strengthen their skills in writing for digital platforms, collaborating with creative teams, and communicating effectively across diverse media channels. Working under the guidance of marketing and communications professionals in organizations such as digital agencies, media companies, nonprofits, corporate communication departments, and brand marketing teams, students will gain practical experience in areas including social media management, content development, email marketing, analytics, public relations, and digital campaign execution. This internship provides exposure to the fast-evolving landscape of digital communication and helps students understand how organizations build and maintain their public presence.