Master's in Public Relations & Corporate Communications
On-Campus Course Schedule for Spring 2024

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MPPR-6059-01

Crisis Communications

“It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it.” Warren Buffett In today’s world of increased access to information, social media, and global news, responding to a crisis or threat to an organization’s reputation has become more critical and immediate than ever before. Effective crisis communications can prevent or minimize the damage to an organization’s reputation as a result of a crisis. The stakes are high and a strong crisis communicator needs to be prepared, nimble, and responsive. This course is focused on the practical understanding and techniques of crisis communications learned and utilized over years of front-line experience. This class will equip students with the knowledge and practical skills necessary to prepare for and respond to incidents, issues, and crises that can threaten an organization’s valuable reputation. Comments: This change is specific to the online section -101 of Crisis Communications.

Note: Students must successfully complete MPPR 500/5000 and MPPR 508/5001 before registering for this course.

  • Course #: MPPR-6059-01
  • CRN: 45583
  • Instructor: Charles, M.
  • Dates: Jan 10 – May 11, 2024
  • Class Meetings:
    • Mon 5:20 PM - 7:50 PM

MPPR-5003-02

Elements of Comm Planning

Mastering communications planning is a building block for success in MPS PR/CC and in your career. Students learn the Georgetown way of step-by-step communications planning. The course focuses on each of the elements in-depth and provides opportunities for practice and ultimately mastery. Each element of the model builds on the next starting with the research to create a situational analysis to learning the difference between a goal and objective and strategies and tactics. Students learn how to identify key publics and to create targeted messaging. Evaluation and creating a budget and timeline are also examined. At the end of the course, students understand the planning model and know how to apply it a range of communications challenges. Students are prepared for their capstone experience and other coursework.

Note: Foundation course requirement for the PRCC program. Students must successfully complete MPPR 502/5002 and MPPR 508/5001 before registering for this course.

  • Course #: MPPR-5003-02
  • CRN: 45591
  • Instructor: Lyons, C.
  • Dates: Jan 10 – May 11, 2024
  • Class Meetings:
    • Wed 8:00 PM - 10:30 PM

MPPR-7275-01

Entertainment Communications

Entertainers, athletes, artists, and others in the public eye can lend their voice to issues to strengthen engagement and impact. This course will arm students with the resources to identify and develop strategies for connecting people with influence to causes in an authentic way, with purpose, that garners results. The course will discuss best practices, real-world case studies, and real-time partnerships in the media and other through communications channels.

Note: Students must successfully complete PR Ethics MPPR 500/5000 before registering for this course.

  • Course #: MPPR-7275-01
  • CRN: 46732
  • Instructor: Pate, J.
  • Dates: Jan 10 – May 11, 2024
  • Class Meetings:
    • Thu 5:20 PM - 7:50 PM

MPPR-6060-01

Govt Relations & Lobbying

Government relations is a specialized branch of public relations that assists organizations in communicating with directorate publics. It includes learning how to influence the actions, policies, and decisions of individuals. By building a relationship between organizations and governmental bodies, progress is made toward lobbying efforts, advocacy initiatives, and regulatory issues that impact hearts, minds, and bottom lines. Through this course, students will train to become leaders in government communications and gain acumen in how to help organizations push their agendas forward. From learning laws and techniques for advocacy, to changing and/or maintaining policy, to using advanced-level persuasion techniques, to influencing actions or decisions of officials, this course will cover the necessary ground to prepare students for a successful career at a state, national, or global scale.

  • Course #: MPPR-6060-01
  • CRN: 45584
  • Instructor: Swink, S.
  • Dates: Jan 10 – May 11, 2024
  • Class Meetings:
    • Wed 5:20 PM - 7:50 PM

MPPR-7011-01

Money and Media

Note: Students must successfully complete MPPR 500/5000 before registering for this course.

  • Course #: MPPR-7011-01
  • CRN: 45569
  • Instructor: Bjerga, A.
  • Dates: Jan 10 – May 11, 2024
  • Class Meetings:
    • Mon 8:00 PM - 10:30 PM

MPPR-7951-01

MPS PR/CC Internship I

This one-credit course is designed to give credit for students doing an internship with an organization that requires them to receive credit. The internships should be substantive and have the goal of providing relevant industry experience, portfolio items or other professional work for students to use when looking for jobs. This course is also meant as a way to help support students who are doing internships. Students are expected to check in every week with the instructor about their experience so that the instructor can give guidance for the internship and for working within a professional organization. Students must ask for permission to take this course.

  • Course #: MPPR-7951-01
  • CRN: 45587
  • Instructor: Pulitzer, J.
  • Dates: Jan 10 – May 11, 2024
  • Class Meetings:

MPPR-7952-01

MPS PR/CC Internship II

Note: Students must successfully complete MPPR 863/7951 before registering for this course.

  • Course #: MPPR-7952-01
  • CRN: 45588
  • Instructor: Garcia, G.
  • Dates: Jan 10 – May 11, 2024
  • Class Meetings:

MPPR-7953-01

MPS PR/CC Internship III

This one-credit course is designed to give credit for students doing an internship with an organization that requires them to receive credit. The internships should be substantive and have the goal of providing relevant industry experience, portfolio items or other professional work for students to use when looking for jobs. This course is also meant as a way to help support students who are doing internships. Students are expected to check in every week with the instructor about their experience so that the instructor can give guidance for the internship and for working within a professional organization.

Note: Students must successfully complete MPPR 863/7951 and MPPR 873/7952 before registering for this course.

  • Course #: MPPR-7953-01
  • CRN: 47093
  • Instructor: Garcia, G.
  • Dates: Jan 10 – May 11, 2024
  • Class Meetings:

MPPR-7052-01

Personal Branding

Thought leadership and personal branding are two essential, yet often ambiguous ingredients in a career strategy. This course will arm students with the resources to evaluate, improve, and employ personal branding strategies for themselves and for key members of their organizational team. The course will discuss personal branding strategies in both digital and event contexts – including social media platforms, presentations, and networking opportunities. Note: Students must have completed core/foundation courses MPPR 500 Ethics and MPPR 508 PR Writing to register for this course.

Note: Students must successfully complete MPPR 500/5000 and MPPR 508/5001 before registering for this course. This course is cross-listed as MPMC 7052-01.

  • Course #: MPPR-7052-01
  • CRN: 28496
  • Instructor: Blymire, C.
  • Dates: Jan 10 – May 11, 2024
  • Class Meetings:
    • Wed 5:20 PM - 7:50 PM

MPPR-7600-01

Pitching and Public Speaking

The most important part of any successful communications career is the ability to present your business ideas clearly. Frankly, it doesn’t matter how smart or well prepared you are unless you’re able to communicate effectively with others. We know that presentations are not exclusively one person, standing alone at a podium. They are often impromptu, in groups, to various audiences and even in written form. Therefore, this course will explore all types of persuasive presentations and help you grow your skillset for many opportunities. Through lectures, class exercises, workshops and (of course) presentations of various lengths, this course will give you the tools to craft effective communications. The overall goal is for you to feel comfortable presenting yourself and your ideas with the right supporting materials.

  • Course #: MPPR-7600-01
  • CRN: 46762
  • Instructor: Mike Long
  • Dates: Jan 10 – May 11, 2024
  • Class Meetings:
    • Tue 8:00 PM - 10:30 PM

MPPR-7990-01

PR & Corp Comm Capstone

Capstone is the final academic opportunity to assess and apply your strategic communications skills and knowledge. The course focuses on the comprehensive skills you have built throughout your time in MPS PR/CC by evaluating your writing, strategic thinking, creativity, and ethical framework in a real-time context. During your final challenge, you will apply your strategic communications skills to an existing communications challenge identified by a company/organization of your choosing. Working individually, you will respond to a communication problem or opportunity for your client. At the close of the semester, you will be expected to write and present a well-researched, insightful, creative plan that illuminates how your strategic considerations will lead to positive outcomes for your client. Your plan will tell the story of the original research, implementation plan, timelines and budget necessary to meet the client’s communication goal. Although the primary focus for the semester is on creating a comprehensive plan, there will be in-class assignments to review and diagnose your mastery of specific concepts in strategic communications planning and responsible communication. The capstone experience is intended to ensure you have the strategic skills and confidence necessary to be a leader in responsible communication, and provide a unique networking and career-enhancing opportunity. In addition to the minimum, cumulative grade point average of 3.0 required for graduation from the MPS PR/CC program, you must receive a minimum grade of a B in the capstone course to graduate. Students with a 3.0 cumulative GPA, who receive a final grade of a B- or below may receive one opportunity to retake the course, if approved by the associate dean.

Note: Students must receive a grade of a "B" or better in this course.

  • Course #: MPPR-7990-01
  • CRN: 22469
  • Instructor: Wilson, L.
  • Dates: Jan 10 – May 11, 2024
  • Class Meetings:
    • Mon 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM

MPPR-7990-02

PR & Corp Comm Capstone

Capstone is the final academic opportunity to assess and apply your strategic communications skills and knowledge. The course focuses on the comprehensive skills you have built throughout your time in MPS PR/CC by evaluating your writing, strategic thinking, creativity, and ethical framework in a real-time context. During your final challenge, you will apply your strategic communications skills to an existing communications challenge identified by a company/organization of your choosing. Working individually, you will respond to a communication problem or opportunity for your client. At the close of the semester, you will be expected to write and present a well-researched, insightful, creative plan that illuminates how your strategic considerations will lead to positive outcomes for your client. Your plan will tell the story of the original research, implementation plan, timelines and budget necessary to meet the client’s communication goal. Although the primary focus for the semester is on creating a comprehensive plan, there will be in-class assignments to review and diagnose your mastery of specific concepts in strategic communications planning and responsible communication. The capstone experience is intended to ensure you have the strategic skills and confidence necessary to be a leader in responsible communication, and provide a unique networking and career-enhancing opportunity. In addition to the minimum, cumulative grade point average of 3.0 required for graduation from the MPS PR/CC program, you must receive a minimum grade of a B in the capstone course to graduate. Students with a 3.0 cumulative GPA, who receive a final grade of a B- or below may receive one opportunity to retake the course, if approved by the associate dean.

Note: Students must receive a grade of a "B" or better in this course.

  • Course #: MPPR-7990-02
  • CRN: 33840
  • Instructor: DeSalvo, B.
  • Dates: Jan 10 – May 11, 2024
  • Class Meetings:
    • Mon 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM

MPPR-5001-01

Public Relations Writing

Despite Internet-driven mass communications' impact on public relations strategies, a core strength of any successful communications professional is a solid understanding of what is newsworthy, coupled with strong writing skills. This course is designed to help students develop professional writing skills expected of PR practitioners, and covers many forms of public relations writing including press releases, statements, public service announcements, media correspondence, media advisories, newsletter articles, fact sheets, and talking points. Good writing takes practice, hard work, discipline, focus and persistence. Through in-class assignments and homework, students will learn to organize and plan their writing both with and without deadline pressure. Successful students will be able to continue in their PR career or pursue a job in public relations with the assurance that they have had professional exposure to a breadth of writing that will serve them well in their professional lives.

Note: Foundation course requirement for the PRCC program.

  • Course #: MPPR-5001-01
  • CRN: 33832
  • Instructor: Mike Long
  • Dates: Jan 10 – May 11, 2024
  • Class Meetings:
    • Tue 5:20 PM - 7:50 PM

MPPR-5002-01

Research Methods for PR

The best ideas are only as good as the research behind them. This statement is top-of-mind for every PR practitioner, and is the key to success for every communications plan. Through this course, students will get in-depth training in executing secondary and primary research and will learn how to obtain actionable insights that can be used to support/guide/inform decision-making within the organization. Beginning with the foundations of audience targeting, as well as hypothesis and research question development, students will learn how to set the stage for meaningful inquiry. Then, students will learn about the different types of primary research and work to uncover key insights that help develop client recommendations. The course will conclude through simulations of real-world research activities, like mock focus groups, Qualtrics surveys, and interviews, as well exploring case studies from today's headlines. By the end of the semester, students will not only be prepared to conduct communications research, but create data-driven solutions that solve today's most pressing communication problems.

Note: Foundation course requirement for the PRCC program.

  • Course #: MPPR-5002-01
  • CRN: 33829
  • Instructor: Booms, J.
  • Dates: Jan 10 – May 11, 2024
  • Class Meetings:
    • Tue 5:20 PM - 7:50 PM

MPPR-6004-01

Social Media

Social media is the interaction between individuals to create, share, and exchange information. Platforms are ever-changing, always exciting, and forever in need of strategic practitioners to manage the conversation. Through this course, students will develop the skills necessary to communicate and engage with key publics on social media. The course will begin by exploring the differences between legacy and emerging (new and trendy) social media, and how to determine which to use to best achieve client goals and objectives. Students will then apply their new-found platform fluency to practice developing engaging content, write resonating copy, and monitor for impact. In addition, the course will focus on community management practices, social listening techniques, and social media campaign measurement, helping students prepare for real-time strategy and activation. By the end of the experience, students will have hands-on experience developing social media campaigns and be prepared to integrate effectively into communications planning.

Note: Students must successfully complete MPPR 505/5003 before registering for this course.

  • Course #: MPPR-6004-01
  • CRN: 44425
  • Instructor: Wilson, L.
  • Dates: Jan 10 – May 11, 2024
  • Class Meetings:
    • Wed 8:00 PM - 10:30 PM

MPPR-7053-01

Speech Writing

Speeches can be powerful tools not only of persuasion but also of inspiration, hence the work of speech writing is often seen as daunting. Yet speech writing is only another form of professional writing: it is subject to organization and is a function of critical thinking. Speech writing can be one of the most fulfilling and enjoyable kinds of writing given the very public employment of the work product, but perhaps the greatest satisfaction comes from the act of mixing subject expertise, critical analysis, arcane knowledge, wordplay, personality, and the ability to impose new structures on familiar ideas. In this course, students will learn the classic elements of speeches and will explore traditional and alternative formats for speeches and oratory. Through lectures, in-class workshops of assignments, and discussion, students will significantly enhance their ability to produce speeches matched to speaker, occasion, and subject.

Note: Students must successfully complete PR Writing MPPR 508/5001 before registering for this course.

  • Course #: MPPR-7053-01
  • CRN: 45586
  • Instructor: Leary, B.
  • Dates: Jan 10 – May 11, 2024
  • Class Meetings:
    • Mon 5:20 PM - 7:50 PM