This course provides a hands-on introduction to online journalism and multimedia skills. Students will build two Web sites during the semester, and along the way they will learn a little about a lot: information architecture, design theory, basic Photoshop, HTML and CSS, online media history, how the Internet works, gathering audio and video, and more. There are two hours of lecture and two hours of lab each week. MMC 5015 is a prerequisite for the college’s other online journalism skills courses.

This is a graduate level survey class focusing on media law and its impact on the various media professions. Students will study the First Amendment, freedom of expression, censorship, defamation, privacy, copyright, commercial and political speech, and the laws and regulations affecting the broadcasting and cable industries. Additional topics include newsgathering and access to information, free press and fair trial issues, the constitutional protections afforded sexually explicit, or obscene speech and the ability of journalists to protect confidential sources. Students need a basic understanding of American government and the American legal system.

The course is centered on the analysis and discussion of issues and challenges in international communication. By participating in the course, students become more informed about the institutions and practices that structure the form and content global communications. Students demonstrate their mastery of international issues, institutions and networks of international communication, through written reports, oral presentations, discussions, and a final paper or project.

Success in the new global business environment requires executives, managers and staff who are knowledgeable about cultural differences and who know how to communicate effectively in increasingly diverse local, regional , national and global markets. This course sensitizes students to various factors which influence intercultural communication effectiveness. It equips them for success in the multicultural and global workplace of the 21st century. Students demonstrate their mastery of the subject through written reports, oral presentations, discussions, exercises and a final paper or project.

This course covers First Amendment constitutional interpretation as it relates to the mass media. The course uses a discussion format to cover the assigned readings and materials. A major goal of the course is to give students a greater comprehension of media law issues through more in-depth review and analysis of the law. To assist in this endeavor, students will be required to do a full-length legal research paper on a pre-approved topic and a class presentation on it. The course lists as a prerequisite MMC 5206 Advanced Law of Mass Communications, which is designed to give students an introduction to legal research methods. Students must have some proficiency in legal research or see the professor about doing what is necessary to achieve it.

This course includes a survey of some core journalism-focused mass media theories and examines contributions of other disciplines to media theory. Additionally, it includes an introduction to the fundamentals of academic research.

A number of courses are taught under this number—Brand Management, Mass Communication Perspectives, and Seminar in Experimental Methods.

Overview of the field of science and health communication. Nexus of scientists, journalists, public information officers and audiences. Topics include science literacy, framing of science issues, public involvement, impact of science communication on policy.

Mass communication and health communication theories examined as they related to intended and unintended effects on individual behavior and on public health policy. Focus on effects other than those associated with mass mediated public health campaigns.

This course provides an overview of common mass communication research methods. Specifically, we will discuss content analysis, experiments, surveys and focus groups. You will learn the benefits and shortcomings for each method. In addition, you will also be introduced to SPSS, a software program used to analyze data.

Sampling, category construction, calculation of intercoder reliability, and analysis of data. Evaluation of content analysis methods and opportunity to undertake project using this methodology. Focus on analysis of mass media messages, but includes content analysis of other communication content.

The focus of the class will be on major concepts, theoretical bases, and methods of qualitative research. Participants will read current articles and discuss problems frequently encountered in fieldwork, including ethical and practical problems. The format of the class is lecture/discussion. I try to gear readings to students’ interests. Because this is a small graduate seminar, it is expected that students will participate fully in all class discussions.

Experience in conducting team research. Student-faculty teams select and work through projects with intent to produce scholarly work for conference presentation, publication, or research grant proposal.

This course examines the relationships between communication technologies and democracy, not only in the United States but elsewhere as well. New communication technologies, such as the Internet, will not automatically lead to or improve democracy, but they do contribute to changes in the society as a whole. We will examine how changes related to communication media might enhance or curtail democracy, with a particular emphasis on the relationships among the press, the public, and the government in a democracy. Please note that the press includes TV, Internet, and other media. NGOs (nonprofits) also play a role in today’s democracies. This is not a course in political communication per se.

Our perceptions of race, gender and class profoundly affect our aspirations, relationships and behaviors. The purpose of this course is to examine the relationship between media representations and institutional, economic, political and social structures, and the impact these have on our experience and praxis of race, gender and class, in both U.S. and international contexts. The course introduces students to various analytical approaches to understanding the intersections of race, gender, class and media, and enhances their ability to do intelligent media and social criticism, thus becoming more competent practitioners of mass communication in multicultural/multiracial societies. Students demonstrate their mastery of the subject through written reports, oral presentations, discussions, and a final paper or project.

Role of communication in political process, including study of news coverage of political events, political advertising, political debates, international political communication, and politics and new technologies.

Role of advertising in politics. Political advertising theories, research on negative advertising, political advertising and women candidates, international political advertising, and news media coverage of political advertising.

The purpose of this course is to give students in journalism, advertising, public relations, telecommunications, and other mass communications fields the opportunity to explore issues in the interaction between mass media/mass communication institutions and society. The course is aimed at helping students to develop a critical perspective on mass media as they consider different ways in which media institutions and media content affect — and are affected by — individuals and society. In particular, students are expected to engage in evaluation and discussion of the responsibilities media practitioners and media organizations have toward the larger society and how those responsibilities should be translated into individual behavior and organizational (or governmental) policies. Because the focus of the course is on contemporary issues and problems involving mass media institutions and professions, readings tend to be drawn from recent works rather than classic or seminal ones, although the classic works certainly may sometimes inform the debate.

This seminar focuses on important theories regarding the protection of both speech and press in the United States. Theories examined include, among others, the marketplace of ideas, democratic self-governance, self-realization and the Fourth Estate model. In addition, theories of access to the media and government-intervention in media ownership are discussed. Students must complete a research paper in which they apply theories to a current, real-life legal controversy.

This intensive, writing-based seminar focuses on the research and writing skills that are essential to scholarship in the area of mass communications law. Using online legal databases, students must gather information, including law journal articles, judicial opinions and federal/state statutes, and write a research paper during the seminar that must be an original piece of scholarship on a mass communications law topic. The seminar includes in-class discussions and critiques of students’ writing.

Execution of individual or group research project on specialized topic under close supervision of instructor. Offered in spring semester, even-numbered years

Typically, students taking Individual Work must conduct original research. Building on an exhaustive search of the literature, students must make an original contribution to the understanding of mass communication. The finished products ideally would be accepted for publication or presentation at a conference. Regular meetings with the course supervisor must be scheduled. This course is letter-graded.

Under rare circumstances graduate students may take an undergraduate class for graduate credit as MMC 6905. You must discuss with the instructor, and have approved by your advisor, a plan of action to elevate the course work to graduate level. See registration form for proposal details. (Departmentally controlled—registration form required with appropriate signatures.)

Proposals for taking this S/U course must include 1) the goal of the activity; 2) the specific duties to be fulfilled; 3) how often and for how long the student will confer with the instructor, and 4) the method of evaluation. (Departmentally controlled—registration form required with appropriate signatures.)

Required at beginning of program for each student in the law track as an introduction to the mass communication program and graduate studies. If the course is not offered during the first semester in which the student is enrolled in the law track, he or she may substitute another proseminar in any other area (but not an independent study).

This course is designed to enhance opportunities for doctoral student success as an academic, researcher and professional. The first part introduces students to the College, the doctoral program, available resources, overall research issues, approaches and methodologies. The second part covers: job search and interview strategies, the tenure and promotion process, conference presentations, qualifying exams and dissertation, etc.

The course is designed for both those with college teaching experience and those without teaching experience to develop and practice some of the skills involved in being an effective teacher. The course includes teaching theory and discussion of factors that affect teaching and learning in higher education. You will teach class on a topic related to teaching in higher education, such as designing multiple choice tests, working with students with learning disabilities, and incorporating technology into teaching. You also will create materials for an undergraduate communications course, including a course syllabus, assessment critieria, and lesson plans. The final project is preparing a teaching portfolio for use in applying for university faculty positions.

A number of courses are taught under this number including:

Covering the Arts—This course focuses on fundamentals of arts coverage and marketing arts journalism pieces. It also includes critiques of arts journalism and provides an overview of current trends in the business of the arts. The class features tours of local arts venues and multiple guest speakers from the arts community.

Interactive Health Communication—The course is designed for graduate students who are interested in the issues and opportunities of health communication employing interactive media technologies. The course covers critical topics in interactive health communication (IHC), including users’ search of health information on the Internet, factors affecting users’ evaluation of online health information, and IHC research and campaigns. It also introduces students to unique characteristics of specific interactive media such as search engines, blogs, social network media, e-games, podcasts, and mobile phones, and their effective utilization for IHC campaigns. As the course is organized in a seminar format, students are expected to actively participate in class discussions based on their critical review of the literature. This course is an advanced graduate course. Students are required to conduct original research and produce a conference-level research paper by the end of the semester.  Contact Dr. Kim for more information (hkim@jou.ufl.edu).

This course requires 100 credit hours for each one credit hour taken. The S/U course is required for some degree plans and serves as electives for some others. (Departmentally controlled—registration form required with appropriate signatures.)

This S/U course is required for all Master’s degree plans. Master’s thesis students are required to take credits in the term of graduation—3 credits if spring or fall and 2 credits if summer—no matter how many thesis credits they have already completed. (Departmentally controlled—registration form required with appropriate signatures.)

This S/U course is required for all students completing a project-in-lieu-of-a-thesis. Students in Telecommunication register for RTV 6973. See the individual degree plan for the number of credits required and in which semester. (Departmentally controlled—registration form required with appropriate signatures.)

This S/U course is for doctoral students before the successful completion of the Qualifying Examination. (Departmentally controlled—registration form required with appropriate signatures.)

This S/U course is for doctoral students who have been admitted to candidacy following the successful completion of the Qualifying Examination. (Departmentally controlled—registration form required with appropriate signatures.)

The purpose of the course is to develop an understanding of the theoretical body of knowledge in public relations and its application to professional practice. The course objectives include the following: to provide the conceptual framework that underlies the theoretical body of knowledge in public relations; to examine and discuss professional standards, ethics, and values in public relations; to examine how public relations theory informs professional practice; to provide a synthesized perspective on theory in public relations that allows master’s students to complete a project or thesis successfully; to provide the same perspective to doctoral students as a foundation for further development of theoretical knowledge; and to foster an appreciation for diversity of people and viewpoints as well as a respect for debate and the right to dissent.

This course is the introductory course in the public relations master’s curriculum. The course focuses on the roles and responsibilities of public relations professionals, theories and principles of public relations, and public relations programming. The overall goal of the course is to help students develop the knowledge, expertise, and skills that lead to professional competence in the field. The emphasis is on strategic public relations management, although students also will gain experience in essential writing tactics/techniques that are basic tools of public relations technicians. The Arthur W. Page Principles provide the ethical framework for the course.

This graduate course provides an in-depth examination of the principles and practice of fund raising, a high demand, low supply occupation unique to the charitable nonprofit subsector. The organizational function is approached as a specialization of public relations. Emphasis is on theory and theory-based practice. The managerial role of practitioners is the central focus. The course is designated an “Advanced-level course” in the College of Journalism and Communications doctoral program, meaning Ph.D. students enrolled in the course are required to complete an original scholarly paper (academic conference quality) that advances knowledge in the field.

This course provides an in-depth examination of the principles and practice of philanthropic giving by individuals, corporations, and foundations. Emphasis is on giving to the charitable nonprofit subsector in the United States. For corporations and foundations, philanthropy is an organizational function that is approached as a specialization of public relations. Emphasis is on theory and theory-based practice. The managerial role of practitioners is the central focus. The course is designated an “Advanced Level” course in the College of Journalism and Communications doctoral program, meaning Ph.D. students enrolled in the course are required to complete an original scholarly paper (academic conference quality) that advances knowledge in the field.

This course introduces graduate students to methods of research used by public relations professionals and academics. We will work to develop an understanding of the principles of research for the strategic management of public relations. Considerable emphasis is placed on conceptualization and operationalization of variables relevant to the study of public relations. We will cover such topics as literature review, concept definition, instrument creation, data collection, computer usage, statistical data analysis, and presentation of final results. Generally, in this course you will: 1) acquire tools to help you think critically about the importance of research to the practice of public relations (Identifying the major research methods used in mass media research and asking the right questions), 2) develop an understanding of research design issues including ethics, sampling, and measurement, and 3) develop an understanding of and proficiency executing the various research methodologies available to and used by public relations managers and communications researchers.

This course involves the application of strategic management principles to the development of public relations plans and programs. A particular emphasis is placed on public relations as a management function between an organization and its key stakeholders. Through case studies, you will examine these principles in the primary public relations functions, including media relations, employee relations, community relations, government relations, consumer relations, etc.

Public relations is practiced by all types of private, public, non-for-profit, activist, and non-governmental organizations and institutions that progressively engage in building and maintaining relationships with stakeholders in many locations worldwide. This graduate seminar includes content and discussions on global issues affecting the public relations profession, the professional, the specialized practices, and the engagement of stakeholders, simultaneously at home, host, and transnational levels. For instance, the course includes an evaluation of the various factors that determine the profession’s evolution and practice in different countries. Also, this course aims to introduce and analyze the main concerns affecting the management of the public relations function, such as transnational crises; coordination and control mechanisms (i.e., integration and localization efforts); professionalism levels; trends; and the practitioners’ social roles, responsibilities, and competences. Despite the emphasis on the global, the readings and debates of this course clearly address the subjects of diversity and multiculturalism, which are also relevant for the practice and study of public relations in complex national and regional environments.

This course covers a number of topics including:

– Persuasion Theory & Research: In the field of public relations and related areas, we are constantly surrounded by messages intended to influence how people think, feel, and behave. To better understand how the process of influence operates, this course provides a broad overview of the main scholarly perspectives in persuasion. The course is designed to introduce you to the principal theories and empirical research programs exploring how communication, particularly from public relations efforts, impacts persuasion. While the primary focus is conceptual, we will also examine persuasion in applied settings, including political campaigns, health communication, and public information/social action campaigns. Persuasion research has a rich scholarly history, drawing from a variety of academic disciplines, thus making an exhaustive introduction to it impossible in the span of just one semester. As a result, the readings for this class are designed to expose you to a wide range of information, with each week’s readings representing a larger body of literature in the field.

– Communication for Development and Social Change: Public relations and strategic communications have played a major role in the design, execution and evaluation of communication for development and social change efforts. These efforts have sought to identify and address social needs in local communities, national landscapes, and at a global scale. The communication practices involved in these efforts have evolved providing a new opportunity for communication professionals. Changes have spanned the conceptualization of communication for development and social change as well as the strategies and tactics employed in these efforts. This course seeks to introduce students to a discussion about practical theory and a series of applications for local and global (glocal) public relations for development and social change. The role of the multinational corporation as it relates to the growing call for corporate social responsibility and the need for multi-sector partnerships will also be explored. Additionally, this course will expose students to overlapping concepts and emerging paradigms in the communication for development and social change, and public relations fields. The overlap will be discussed as an opportunity for professional and scholarly cross-pollination. Students will be prepared to investigate, through empirical research methods, topics in the area of public relations for development and social change of their interest.

– Social Responsibility in the Global Corporation: The seminar will focus on the precursors to different types of corporate social responsibility and the effects of social responsibility on corporate stakeholders. The class will have two components. First, we will be reviewing original research, summarizing the results of that research, critiquing it, and making suggestions for follow-up studies. Second, the seminar members will work on research papers designed to further understanding of global corporate social responsibility.

– Public Relations in the Digital Age: The class is based on the analysis of existing theories as well as research findings and in-depth discussion. During the semester, students are expected to conduct research on a public relations relevant topic, particularly in the context of digital communication and present it to their peers. We will carefully examine a body of literature in public relations and particularly in the context of digital communication. This course will offer important insights into theories, practices, and critical issues of public relations with an emphasis on computer mediated communication. The course is aimed at developing and enhancing both students’ theoretical and practical knowledge of public relations in the digital age and research skills based on critical thinking and problem solving abilities. Topics include, but are not limited to, the interplay of how social media influences public relations practices, the effects of Digital Public Relations on particular audiences, and critical issues such as the proliferation of digital technologies and how they change the traditional sense of public relations practices. We will discuss and research public relations in the digital age in a number of contexts, including (1) challenges and opportunities presented to public relations practitioners in the digital age, (2) how social media are changing public relations practices, (3) what would be the most effective public relations practices in the digital age, and (4) other critical issues such as professional ethics and social responsibility.

Examines the role of the several branches of government in the development, implementation and enforcement of laws and regulation of the electronic media; and of the structural and behavioral laws and regulations pertinent to the electronic media.

The study of audiences and their behavior from both theoretical and practical perspectives, using both quantitative and qualitative methods. Understand, interpret, and use industry data, audience research software, and audience theory. Understand the role technology and economics play in the audience formation process. Students learn to think strategically and theoretically in approaching, conceptualizing, and carrying out audience analysis and behavior studies.

Management principles of the telecommunications industry, with practical and theoretical application for television, radio, film, online, and other electronic media sectors.

Structural and procedural elements of broadcast stations, cable systems, and other local radio-television facilities. Review of research and models in telecommunications administration, economic planning and control, merchandising and positioning, sales and advertising.

This S/U course is required for all students in the Telecommunication track who are completing a project-in-lieu-of-a-thesis. See the TC degree plan for the number of credits required and in which semester. (Departmentally controlled—registration form required with appropriate signatures.)