Course description
The Public Relations major offered in the Communications Department is available with the following concentrations as options: Marketing, Print Journalism and Television Production. A Public Relations education gives students employment skills and training prized by all employers. Now more than ever, professionals must be able to effectively communicate ideas, inspire others, resolve conflict and reach across all cultures. Public Relations at Carroll will equip you with these strengths.
Carroll’s program offers real-world experience to build your PR skills along with your resume. While you’re an undergrad, you can intern at nearby Beartooth Communications television (NBC affiliate on campus), the Montana Governor’s Office, the state of Montana, Downtown Helena Inc., the American Civil Liberties Union of Montana, the Diocese of Helena, the Montana Arts Council, Montana Human Rights Network and the Montana Legislative Council. Carroll students take on real clients also during advanced courses in which they volunteer their public relations skills and put them to work for local nonprofits. SaintsTV (a Carroll news show with student reporters and anchors), Carroll Radio 88.5 KROL FM, and the Prospector student newspaper each provide additional chances for experience learning. Round it all out by competing on the nationally award-winning Talking Saints forensics team. As a Talking Saint, you’ll hone your speaking, presentation and think-fast talents while preparing yourself to become an attorney or company president.
CO: Courses in Communication Studies
Department of Communication Studies
CO 101 Basic Communication 3 credit
Introduction to the field of communication through the study of
life-enhancing communication principles such as listening, conflict
management, and gender communication. The study of how human
beings use verbal and non-verbal symbols to create meaning. Course
also includes training in public speaking. Each semester.
CO 108 Desktop Publishing 3 credit
An introduction to desktop publishing. Students learn to use desktop
publishing software programs such as Adobe InDesign for production
of pamphlets, newsletters and newspapers. Includes training in the
fundamental elements of page design. Offered every semester.
CO 111-112 Introduction to Forensics 1-3 credit
Preparation for intercollegiate forensics competition in individual
events and parliamentary debate. Events include extemporaneous,
impromptu, after-dinner speaking, persuasion, informative, prose,
communication analysis, poetry, duo, dramatic, program oral interpretation
and parliamentary debate. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.
Each semester.
CO 165 Fundamentals of Film & TV Production I: W riting for Film & TV 3 credit
Introduces students to the writing techniques and design of TV, Film
and video programs in both multi-camera and single-camera environments.
Students learn about writing styles and techniques, story
structure, narration, and dialogue through the writing of broadcast
news, persuasive (advertisements), documentary and drama scripts
for the audio-visual medium. Students will also have the opportunity
to translate their scripts into visual pieces through a hands-on camera
exercise. (Both CO 165 and CO 16 required before advancing to CO
265) CO 165 and CO 166 can be taken in any order. Every fall.
CO 166 Fundamentals of Film & TV Production II: Aesthetics of Film & TV 3 credit
Students learn about the creative process of producing film and television
programs: camera work, lighting, art direction, set design, costume
design, sound design, editing, and how they all contribute to the film
and TV production process. Through a hands-on approach (camera
work) and critical analysis, students will learn and understand how
messages are successfully and unsuccessfully crafted, targeted, and
delivered through the TV and film medium. (Both CO 165 and CO
16 required before advancing to CO 265) CO 165 and CO 166 can
be taken in any order. Every spring.
CO 206 Small Group Communication 3 credit
The study of group communication processes. Students will learn
group communication theory and then apply that theory through inclass
group games and out-of-class group projects. Fall; odd-numbered
years. Prerequisite: CO 101.
CO 208 Creative Communication in Education 3 credit
The study and application of oral communication techniques appropriate
for both elementary and secondary teachers. Class includes
training in story telling, oral interpretation of literature, and creative
dramatics. Spring semester.
CO 210 The Word and the Body 3 credit
A study of the current theory and research on the relationships between
language, non-verbal behavior, and communication in contemporary
American society. We will investigate the practices and techniques
involving verbal and nonverbal actions employed by interactants
in everyday encounters. Prerequisite: Sophmore or higher standing
required. Fall semester; odd-numbered years.
CO 211-212/311-312/411-412 Advanced Forensics 1-3 credit
Preparation for intercollegiate forensics competition in individual
events and parliamentary debate. The team competes in the Northwest,
the Rocky Mountain region, and at national tournaments. Prerequisite:
consent of instructor. Each semester.
CO 215-216 Introduction to Public Relations 6 credit
A two-semester introduction to the theory and practice of public relations.
The first semester focuses on theory and on writing. The second
semester focuses on case studies and the design of a public relations
campaign for a local organization. Sequence starts fall semester of
even-numbered years and continues in the spring.
CO 225 Professional Communication 3 credit
An advanced course in public speaking with practical career-training
emphasis, this course is aimed at preparing students to make polished
public presentations. The course will include units on listening, job
interviewing, and public speaking for professionals. Prerequisite: CO
101 or consent of instructor. Spring; even-numbered years.
CO 226 Community Assistant Seminar 2 credit
A course designed for paraprofessionals working in residence halls. By
means of readings, professional speakers, and discussions, students will
become more effective in performing duties and accepting responsibilities
of a resident assistant. Class begins one week before fall semester;
does not satisfy CORE communication course.
CO 265 Basic Single Camera Production 3 credit
This course focuses on camera production. Course will incorporate
time in the field shooting videos and time in the editing suite using
non-linear editing equipment in addition to classroom discussion and
demonstration. Student will assume the role of writer/director and
organize a production team and schedule. Lab required. Prerequisite:
CO 165. Each semester.
CO 279 Writing About Movies 3 credit
Course is designed to teach a student to recognize and appreciate a
good film. Students will watch classic films, read film reviews, and
learn how to write film reviews. Prerequisite: CO 101. Fall semesters
even-numbered years. Fulfills writing intensive requirement.
CO 280 Gender Communication 3 credit
Examination of interactive relationships between gender and communication
in contemporary American society. Course will explore
ways that communication creates and perpetuates gender roles and
how socially created gender roles are enacted in public and private
settings. Students will connect research to everyday lives. Prerequisite:
Sophmore status absolutely required. Spring; odd-numbered years.
Fulfills National Diversity requirement.
CO/ENWR 306 Writing for the Print Media 3 credit
Students learn basic elements of journalistic writing for the print media,
including news reporting, feature writing, and column writing.
Course includes study of libel law, observation of community media,
and production of one issue of the school newspaper. Prerequisite: EN
102 or consent of instructor. Spring semester. Fulfills writing intensive
requirement.
CO 308 Communication Ethics 3 credit
Course seeks to deepen insights into ethical issues arising on all frontiers
of communication, ranging from small groups to news media. Students
will read case studies of ethical crises and learn to apply philosophical
and religious ethical principles to those crises. Prerequisite: Junior
standing or consent of instructor. Spring; odd-numbered years.
CO 310 Mass Media 3 credit
The study of the history and theory of contemporary mass media
including radio, television, and print media. Course examines the
cultural forces that shape and define mass media as well as the way
mass media shapes our culture. Prerequisite: CO 101. Fall, evennumbered
years.
CO 320 Organizational Communication 3 credit
The study of the communication patterns found in organizations.
Course includes study of hiring, promotion, firing, and power, as well
as a study of organizational dialogue. Prerequistie: Junior standing or
consent of instructor. Spring semester.
CO 325 Intercultural Communication 3 credit
The study of the theory and practice of intercultural communication.
Students will study topics such as customs, language, non-verbal
communication, and time and examine how each affects encounters
between people of different cultures. Includes intercultural experiences.
Prerequisite: CO 101. Offered even-numberd Fall semesters. Fulfills
national diversity requirement or global diversity requirement.
CO 340 Interpersonal Communication Theory 3 credit
The study of interpersonal communication from both a personal and
theoretical standpoint. Topics include the initiation, maintenance and
termination of platonic, romantic and family relationships as well as
attraction, courtship, affection, conflict, and destructive behavior.
Prerequisite: Sophmore or higher standing. Spring semester; evennumbered
years.
CO 360 Communication and Well-Being 3 credit
A theoretical and practical examination of how communication affects
health and well-being. Students will examine communication issues
that have a daily effect on emotional and physical well-being such
as empathy, therapeutic listening, and social support. Health care
relationships—as presented through videotapes and audio tapes—will
be used as case studies. Designed to serve all students, including those
seeking careers as health-care professionals. Prerequisite: Junior or
higher standing. Fall semester; even-numbered years.
CO 365 Saints TV : Television Production 3 credit
An application of the structure and aesthetics of message design in
film and television. Course is an extension and application of CO 165
and CO 265. It is designed to broaden student exposure to single and
multi-camera production procedures and technology in the classroom
and in the field. Students will incorporate script, picture, and sound
to create television programs for Saints TV. Prerequisite: CO 165, CO
166, CO 265. Each semester.
CO 395 Research Methods Seminar 3 credit
A discussion of selected communication issues associated with researching
and reporting about human interaction. The student will
investigate the scope, central concepts, and practices of communication
research with particular focus upon microanalysis, ethnography,
surveys, and experiments. Prerequisite: Junior or higher standing.This
seminar is for junior communication studies majors. Fall semester.
CO 414 Human Communication Theory 3 credit
A critical study of classical and contemporary communication research.
Students analyze contemporary communication case studies through
application of models such as Aristotle’s Rhetoric, Burke’s pentad and
Marxist/Feminist theory. Prerequisite: Junior or higher standing. Fall
semester; odd-numbered years.
CO 417 Methods of Teaching Speech-Communication 1-3 credit
Theoretical and applied study of teaching communication and coaching
speech. Students will read works on the philosophy of education
and will complete a teaching and coaching project. Each semester.
CO 420 Globalization, Gender and Communication 3 credit
This course explores globalization and its socio-econo-cultural impact
on gender. Students will identify the political, social, and cultural fault
lines created by the concept of globalization. The course will examine
issues such as power shifts and a reconfiguration of political power and
civil society and changing gender roles within the context of national
cultures and the global economy. In addition, the course will also examine
the impact of wars, media, and international institutions on the
loss of nation state autonomy and borders as will as global and gendered
inequality. Offered every fall semester beginning 2009.
CO 425 Communication Career Internship 3 credit
An option available to the communication major who is preparing for
a career in public relations, TV/radio broadcasting, public information,
communication consulting, or as a media specialist. The student
will intern in an appropriate business, state office, or federal agency
in the Helena community for supervised, practical experience in the
area of the intended career. This course may be taken more than once.
Each semester.
CO 426-427 Prospector Internship 1-3 credit
Students work on the staff of the Carroll College campus newspaper,
The Prospector. Prerequisite: CO/EN 306. Each semester.
CO 495 Senior Practicum: The Graceful Exit 1 credit
A capstone course about life transitions – particularly the graceful
exit from college and the humble entrance into a post-college career.
Course includes units on selecting and applying to graduate schools,
job interviewing, resume writing, web-based job searching and conference
call interviews with successful communication and public
relations alumni. Fall semester.
