Public Relations majors must complete the following core courses:
JOUR 201 History of News in Modern America (4) Understanding news today. A survey of how news is gathered, weighed, and disseminated and how historical events have shaped news in the 20th century.
JOUR 202 Newswriting: Print (3) Introduction to basic skills of print newswriting, news judgment, construction of print news stories. Social responsibility and ethical framework for print journalists. Typing ability required.
JOUR 203 Newswriting: Broadcast (3) Introduction to broadcast newswriting with emphasis on the ear and eye. News judgment. Social responsibility and ethical framework for broadcast journalists. Typing ability required.
JOUR 350 Principles of Public Relations (4) Theories, processes, and techniques involved in planning and implementing programs designed to influence public opinion and behavior through socially responsible performance and mutually satisfactory communication.
JOUR 351ab Public Relations Media (4-4) Research, design, production, and writing public relations media; includes news releases, features, pamphlets, brochures, financial statements, management reports, scripts, scenarios, and publicity.
JOUR 450 Advanced Public Relations (4) Application of principles and methods to intensive analysis of public relations problems, decision-making, programming, and evaluation in simulated staff and agency organization.
JOUR 462 Law of Mass Communication (4) Press law; government controls on the news media; legal responsibilities of the journalist.
JOUR 463 Research and Analysis (4) Use of social science research techniques in contemporary reporting and public affairs, including both interpretation and reporting of existing data and conducting of surveys.
One course from:
JOUR 451 Promotional Public Relations (4) Principles and practices of public relations as a basic component in the promotion and marketing of goods and services; regulatory considerations; consumerism.
JOUR 452 Public Relations in Entertainment (4) Public relations in the design, promotion, and presentation of popular entertainment, including films, broadcasting, music, expositions, amusement parks, resorts and arenas.
JOUR 455 Public Relations for Non-Profit Organizations (4) Introduction to the specialized field of public relations for non-profit and non-governmental organizations; emphasis on case studies, strategic and critical thinking, and campaign development.
JOUR 456 Public Relations for Diverse Audiences (4) Researching, planning, executing and evaluating communications campaigns aimed at audiences segmented by culture, lifestyle and other factors.
JOUR 458 Public Relations in Politics and Political Campaigns (4) Application of public relations principles to the context of political campaigns; emphasis on message development and delivery; relationship between candidate, news media, and electorate.
In addition, Public Relations students must complete 6 upper division journalism elective units approved by an advisor. See the
USC Catalogue
for a list of journalism classes. Please note that not every class is
available each semester. To see which classes are currently offered,
consult the
Schedule of Classes.