Public Relations and Corporate Communication Essentials

This course introduces students to various writing situations encountered by professionals working in public relations. Participants will review the basics of writing, editing, interviewing, and summarizing. Special emphasis is placed on reviewing and refining basic syntax skills. Participants will produce a number of written assignments using industry standard style and format.

This course is designed to help students prepare for their field placements and eventual employment by examining professional workplace conduct, practices, and ethics. Participants will examine the importance of professional practices as required in workplace situations, and will also consider the need for ethical standards in business, public relations and the media. Students will be encouraged to develop high standards of personal and professional ethics and practice. The course explores current workplace standards of behaviour and examines ethical challenges drawn from current events in the corporate, political and non-profit sectors. Issues related to team work, conflict resolution, leadership, and cross-cultural communication will also be explored.

This course lays the foundation for studies in public relations. A brief history of PR will be covered before looking at publics, PR planning and research, organizing special events, along with other facets of PR. A case study method combined with assignments and guest lectures will be used.

Students will build on the content of PBRL-6011 and discuss areas of specialty in public relations. Topics of study include internal communications, employee communications, communication audits, public affairs and community relations. Creation of communication and public relations plans will give students application of public relations and re-inforce the framework of public relations learned in PBRL 6011 Strategic Public Relations.

Effective media relations are an essential skill for any public relations professional. This course looks at key elements of media relations from media relations planning and how to develop and foster positive working relationships with media, to dealing with media during good news events or in crisis situations.