JALT Public Relations | GroupVI

Contact Info | JALTPublicRelationsGroupVITaviannaWilliams

twilliams20@elon.edu

JeremiahChapman

jchapman4@elon.edu

AshleyFrance

afrance@elon.edu

LoganKnisely

lknisely@elon.edu

Table of Contents Steps1‐4;Appendix

STEP 1

A. DefiningtheProblem 1

PublicRelationsGoals

B. Publics 2

Issues&StakesinReachingPublics

C. Research 3

D. Summary 4

STEP 2

A. Goal1 6

B. Goal2 7

CampaignTheme

STEP 3

A. Design 9

Goal1Tactics1,2,4,5,7,8,10

B. Article 10

Goal1Tactic3B&6A

C. Panel 11

Goal2Tactic1

D. FreshmenClass 12

Goal2Tactic2

E. Q&A 13

Goal2Tactic3

F. AcademicAdvising 14

Goal2Tactic4

G. Budget 15

STEP 4

A. Goal1Evaluation 18

B. Goal2Evaluation 19

FinalEvaluation

APPENDIX

A. STEP1

FacebookEvent 21

SurveyQuestions 21

SurveyResults 25

Website 30

B. STEP3

Logo&Advertisements 32

UpdatedWebsite 34

Article 35

PanelOutline 38

PanelAdvertisement 39

Q&AOutline 40

Q&AAdvertisement 41

AcademicAdvisingCommunications 42

C. STEP4

EvaluationQuestions 44

STEP 1 Research

A. Definetheproblem

ThereismainlyonemajorproblemwithtryingtogetstudentstobecomepartofthenewCommunicationsSciencemajor:makingitrelevanttotheirgoalsincollege.Thisisaproblembecausechoosingamajorisalargedecisionforundergraduatestomakeanditisevenmoreriskywhenthemajorisnewandlackinganycredibilityintheeducationalcommunityorforprospectivecareers.PublicRelationsGoalsOurgoalsforeffectivelypromotingawarenessandactiontowardsthisnewmajorincludethefollowing:InformingStudentsWewanttoinformcurrentandperspectivestudentsabouttheCommunicationsSciencemajor,whatopportunitiesitallowsforapossiblecareerpath,andwhyitisconsideredacommunicationsmajorratherthananyotherartsandsciencesmajor.EffectivelyReachingStudentsWewanttofindwhattherighttimeofyearistostartpromotingthemajoroncampus(forexample,infallsemesterforpreparationofspringclassregistrationvs.inspringsemesterforfallsemesterregistration).Also,wewanttofigureouthowtogetpeopleinterestedinthemajorandreceivetheirfeedbackeffectivelyinaculturewhereonlinequestionnaires,typicaladvertisingtechniques,andeveninformationsentfromreliablesources(suchassurveyssentoutfromVicePresidentSmithJackson)arenolongerconsideredimportantenoughforstudentstogetinvestedinparticipating.Furthermore,wewanttofindthebestwaytouseElonUniversity’smediatopromotethemajor,andexplainitinawaythatitsoundsexcitingandrelevanttostudentsintoday’sundergraduateculture.

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B. PrimaryPublicsStudentsThesearetheindividualsthatwewanttospecificallyreach,andcanbesplitupintotwocategories.First,theactivestudentsarethefreshmenstudentsalreadyinacommunicationsmajororareconsideringacommunicationsmajorbuthavenotfoundtherightfitintheschool.Furthermore,therearethosefreshmencommunicationsstudentsinterestedinattendinggraduateschoolandwanttofindthebestmajorthatcanpreparethemforthatcourseofstudy.Second,theawarestudentsarethosefreshmeninvolvedinmajorspresentedbyElon’sCollegeofArts&Sciencesthatareinterestedinthecommunicationsindustry(acombinationofpsychology,sociology,history,andphilosophy)andwanttostudycommunicationscienceinpreparationforgraduateschool.SecondaryPublicsParentsTheseindividualssometimeshavethebiggestsayinastudent’schoiceofmajorandappealingtotheiropinionofthebenefitsofaCommunicationsSciencemajorwillgreatlyincreasethechancesofastudentfeelingconfidentandcomfortableinthemajor.ProfessorsFacultyatElonUniversityarealsoadvisorsandhavethepowertochangestudentpublicopinionbasedoffoftheircredibilityandstatusattheuniversity.Theirpositiveopinionofthemajorwillalsoswaythestudents,describedasprimarypublics,topursueamajorinCommunicationsScience.

C. Issues&StakesinReachingPublics

Wehavefoundacoupleofimportantissuesintryingtoreachspecificallyourprimarypublics.

‐ Hardtoreceivefeedbackandcommentaryonthenewmajorbecauseonlinequestionnairesareconsideredlike“wallpaper”asdescribedinPartA.

‐ TherearenoalumniornetworkofcurrentupperclassmenthatcanvouchforthebenefitsofmajoringinCommunicationsScience.

‐ Thewebsitedoesnottoagoodenoughjobofdescribingthenewmajor.Shorterdescriptionswouldsufficeforothercommunicationsmajorsbecausetheyhavebeenaroundlongerandstudentshavealreadydevelopedageneralopinionaboutthem.

‐ ThereisnotenoughinformationaboutspecificcareersforthosewhomajorinCommunicationsScience.

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D. Research

FormalWeidentifiedanddecidedtouseanonlinesurveycreatedusingSurveyMonkeyandsentusinganeventcreatedonfacebooktitled“CallingallElonFreshmen”tomostofourfreshmenfriends,encouragingthemtoasktheirfreshmenfriendstotakethesurveyaswell.[Allofthespecificinformationisincludedattheendofthispackettoallowforbetterorganization.]Basedonthesurvey,wefoundthatonlyeightpeoplerespondedtooursurveyrequest,onceagainshowingthegrowingfailureofonlinesurveysasawaytocollectaccurateinformationfromElonstudentswhoareconstantlybombardedwithsurveyrequests.Outofthoseeightfreshmenhowever,wefoundthat:

‐ 50%haddeclaredamajorpresently(half‐waythroughSpringSemester),‐ Thebestwaytheyfoundoutabouttheircurrentmajorwascategorizedas“other”

(37.5%),whichwasabove“parents”(25%),“peers”(25%),and“online”(12.5%).Wealsofoundthatnoonefoundoutabouttheirmajorthroughpamphlets.

‐ 50%consideredamajorincommunications‐ ThemostpopularcommunicationsmajorswereStrategicCommunicationsand

BroadcastandNewMedia‐ 85.7%ofthefreshmenwerealreadyconfidentintheirchoiceofmajor‐ 75%hadnotheardofCommunicationsScience‐ 50%wouldconsidermajoringinCommunicationsScienceafterreadingthe

descriptionprovidedthroughElon’swebsite.

Theseresultsshowthatthefreshmenwhoansweredthesurveygenerallydecideabouttheirmajorwithoutmuchoutsideinfluence,haveconsideredamajorincommunications,werealreadyconfidenceintheirchoiceofmajor,andhadneverheardofCommunicationsScience.Ofcoursetheseresultsarenotconcreteenoughforthegeneralfreshmenpopulationbecauseofthelownumberoffreshmenwhorespondedandthefactthatourfreshmenfriendsmayhavethesameinterestsasusandhaveabiasedviewoncommunicationsasawhole.However,itisimportanttotakeintoconsiderationourunderstandingandpersonalexperiencesaspastElonfreshmenandthroughdialogueovertheyears,andwehavefoundthatourownknowledgebasesupportstheinformationprovidedbythesurvey.

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SecondaryTheotherresearchweconductedincludedaQ&AwithoneofthecreatorsofthenewmajorDr.DonGradywhobasicallydiscussedalloftheinformationprovidedbythewebsiteandthecollectionofpamphletsfromAcademicAdvisinghandedoutatthesession.Thisinformationhasprovideduswithageneralunderstandingofthemajor,whichallowustobetterdescribeitspurposestoourpublics.InterviewAftertalkingwithonespecificElonfreshmen,anotherissueregardingthenewmajorwasthefactthatalotofherknowledgebaseaboutthemajorwouldhavetobeconductedonherown,whichincludedtheuseofElon’swebsite.However,shefoundthatitdidnotgointoenoughdepthaboutthemajor.Wedefinedthisasbeingthemajor’sworkloadandjobopportunities.Furthermore,sherepresentstheotherissueoftheamountofmotivationthatmustgointoresearchingamajortofindoutifitmaybeofinterest,whichisevenharderforamajorthatastudenthasnopriorknowledgeof.

E. Summary

Afterlookingoverthisresearch,weareconfidentinourownunderstandingofwhatthemajorpresentsandhowtopossiblystartpublicity.However,ithasalsoshownthepossiblefailuresofpublicrelationstacticsincludingtheuseofpamphlets,emails,andothernon‐verbalformsofcommunication.Itseemsthatforamajortobetakenseriously,theremustalreadybeageneralunderstandingofit,itmustalreadybycredible,andthebenefitsofthemajorshouldbeknown.

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STEP 2 StrategicPlanning

Goal 1:increaseawarenessofCommunicationsSciencemajorinclasses2012and2013

Objective:increaseawarenessinpublicsby10%(approx.200outof2000students)

Strategy:increasepublicityinSchoolofCommunicationsandoncampusintwoways:

online(A)&oncampus(B)

Tactic1A:linkformajoronSchoolofCommunicationswebsitemoreenticing

(underlined,color,flashing,etc.)

Tactic2A:SchoolofCommunicationshomepagewithbannerformajor(flash/

advertisementforthemajor)

Tactic3B:ArticleinthePendulumaboutthenewmajorwithbasicinformation

&interviewwithDr.Gradywithexamplesofwhatstudentscando

withmajor(career,gradschooletc.)

Tactic5A:Enetadvertisement

Tactic6A:Enetarticle(sameasPendulum)

Tactic7B:AdonMoseleydigitalboards

Tactic8B:Postersandflyerstoputinbuildings,inmailboxes,andclassrooms

Tactic10:Usebrandingandcampaignthemeonallpublicity(seebelow)

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Goal 2:TomotivatestudentstobecomeCommunicationsSciencemajor

Objective:Topersuade20studentstobecomemajor

Strategy:TopersonallyengagestudentswithCommunicationsfacultythatareapartofnewmajor

Tactic1:Havepaneleventthatwilldiscussrelevanceofcommunications

researchinpresentindustry,makeitamandatoryculturaleventfor

freshmencomm.Students.

Tactic2:Havefacultymembersthatwillbeteachingcoursesinmajortotalkto

freshmencommunicationsclassesaboutnewmajor

Tactic3:Hold3Q&AsessionsforstudentstoconversewithDr.Gradyabout

newmajorandpossibilities

Tactic4:CooperatewithAcademicAdvisingandprovidemajordeclaration

sheetsatQ&AwithDr.Grady

Campaign Theme: • !RELEVANT(logoandbrandoneverything)

• Research+Communications=Relevant(catchphrase)

• “RELEVANTtoyourcareer,RELEVANTtoyour

future,RELEVANTtoyourlife.Communications

Science.”

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STEP 3 Action&Communication

1 CampaignDesignTohelpbrandthemajorandproviderepetitionforstudentstograspthatthereisanewcommunicationsmajoravailable,thecampaignnameandlogorevolvesaroundRELEVANT.RELEVANTrelatestohowthemajorisusefultostudentsnow,forfurtherundergraduatestudy,andforacareer.Theexclamationpointlogoaddstotheimportanceofthemajor.Inthefirststagesofthecampaignshownonthecalendar,thereisjustthesimpleintroductionofthelogothroughadvertisementsaroundcampus,similartoothersuchstudentawarenesscampaignsthatcreatea“buzz”.Afterthebrandhasbeenmadeawareinthestudents’minds,theywillseethelogoonallotherconsequentadvertisementsforeventsandactivitiesrelatedtothecampaign.TheadvertisementswillbeplacedontheMoseleydigitalboards,printedonflyersandposterstobeplacedaroundcampus,tabletents,andinthePendulum.TheCommunicationsDepartmentwebsitewillbeupdatedwithabanneradvertisementforthecampaignaswellastheplacementofthelogobesidethelinkofthemajor.Thecalendarhasbeenaddedasaseparatedocumentduetotheincompatibilityofprogramming.Pleaseseetheattachedcalendarforthedatesanddurationofthecampaign.Appendix38 |LogoandadvertisementsAppendix40 |Website

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2 ArticleInordertopromotethecredibilityofthemajorandafurtherunderstandingofwhatCommunicationScienceisallabout,atraditionallywrittenarticlehasbeencreatedtobesubmittedtothePendulumandEnetduringtheirsubsequentcirculationdatesatthetimesprovidedintheCalendar.ThespecificcirculationdatesforthePendulumhavenotbeenupdatedtoincludethe2009‐2010printingscheduleandthereforewillbeassessedaccordinglyduringthecampaign.

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3 PanelForstudentstogetamorein‐depth,descriptivepresentationofwhattheCommunicationSciencemajoroffersandhowcommunicationsresearchisrelevantintoday’sworkforce,apanelofcommunicationsfacultywillbesetuptocommentonindustrytrends,majorrequirements,andtherelevancyoftheclassesinthemajortoastudent’sfuture.Appendix44 |PanelOutlineAppendix45 |PanelAdvertisement

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4 FreshmenClassInordertoreachthestudentsthatwouldmostlikelysignupforthenewmajor,facultythatwillbeteachingtheclassesrequiredforCommunicationSciencewillvisitalloftheintroductorycommunicationscoursesinspring2010.Thefacultyandclasseswillbechosenbasedontheclassscheduleandprofessorplacementsforthatsemester.Allparticipantswillbenotifiedaccordingtothecalendar.

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5 Q&AToaddressanypressingormoredetailedstudentconcernsaboutthenewmajor,QuestionandAnswersessionswillbeheldwithDr.Grady,theCommunicationsDepartmentChair.Thesewillserveasamoreintimateconversationaboutthemajorthatthepanel,websites,andflyerswouldnotbeabletoprovideandallowsforinformationthatDr.Gradywouldusuallyprovideduringaone‐on‐onemeetingwithacurrentstudent.ThesessionsareheldoneweekpriortotheregistrationperiodinSpring2010sothatstudentshavethemajorprevalentintheirmindwhilescheduling.Appendix46 |Q&AOutlineAppendix47 |Q&AAdvertisement

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6 AcademicAdvisingInordertoactuponstudents’willingnesstoparticipateinthenewmajorafterattendingthepanelandQ&Aevents,MajorDeclarationsheetswillbeprovidedateachoftheQ&Asessionstocapitalizeonthestudents’urgency.Thisremovestheproblemsofstudentsforgetting,nothavingenoughtime,orlosingtheenthusiasmneededtodeclareamajor.Appendix48 |CommunicationswithAcademicAdvising

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7 BudgetGoal1DigitalPosters$0.00Digitalpostersarefreeofcharge.Thereisnodeadlineforthepostertobesubmitted,butitmustbee‐mailedtomoseleyads@elon.eduforapproval.Iftheposterisapproved,itwillbedisplayeduntilthedayoftheevent,butfornomorethantwoweeks.E‐net$0.00E‐netarticlesarefreeofchargeanditemscanbepostedasoftenasyouplease.Youcreatethepost,submitit,anditisreviewedbeforeitisactuallyposted.Thereisneverachargetodothis.PendulumAd$250.00totalThiscostwouldbesplitintohalftoadvertiseduringbothregistrationperiodsduringtheschoolyear.A$125.00advertisementwouldbe1/8ofapageinblackandwhiteat4.60’’x3.70.’’Theadvertisements,alongwiththecontractshouldbesubmittedtothePendulumtheFridaybeforethenextissue.Tabletents$0.00Postinganadonthetabletentsisfreeofcharge.Fortheadvertisementtohaveaplaceonthetabletent,itshouldbesubmittedtheTuesdaybeforetheweekyouwouldliketohaveitonthetent.

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Goal2PanelRentingaroom$0.00Rentingaroomontheuniversity’scampuswouldbefreeofcharge.Ifweplanonhavingthepaneldiscussionaround[date],itwouldbebesttoreservetheroomasearlyaspossible,mostlikelyaround[date]toavoidanyconflictingschedulesorhavingnoavailablerooms.Rentingalaptop$0.00forthedurationoffourhoursCheckingoutalaptopfrommediaserviceswouldbefreeofchargeforthedurationoffourhours.Iftheequipmentisreturnedafterfourhours,afeewillbeincurred.Therewillbeafivedollarchargeforthefirstday,thentendollarsforeachadditionalday.Sincethepanelwillnotrunoverfourhours,theextrafeesshouldbeofnoconcerntoyou.Foraneventthissize,reservationsshouldbemadeatleastthreedaysinadvancetoensurethatthelaptopisreceived.Advertisements$25.00‐color$1.75‐black&whiteThecostofreproducingtheflyervariesaccordingtowhetheryouwantblackandwhite,orcoloredcopies.Toreproducecolorcopiesoftheadvertisement,thepricewouldbe$0.50asheet,totaling$25.00for50sheets.Toreproduceblackandwhitecopiesoftheadvertisement,thepriceis$0.04asheet,total$1.75for50sheets.Projector$0.00forthedurationoffourhoursCheckingoutaprojectorfrommediaserviceswouldbefreeofchargeforthedurationoffourhours.Iftheequipmentisreturnedafterfourhours,afeewillbeincurred.Therewillbeafivedollarchargeforthefirstday,thentendollarsforeachadditionalday.Sincethepanelwillnotrunoverfourhours,theextrafeesshouldbeofnoconcerntoyou.Foraneventthissize,reservationsshouldbemadeatleastthreedaysinadvancetoensurethattheprojectorisreceived.

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Q&AReservetheater$0.00ReservingMcEwen011wouldbefreeofcharge.SinceweplanonhavingtheQ&Asessionaround[date],itwouldbebesttoreservetheroombyatleast[date].Theonlydrawbacktotryingtoreservethisspaceearlyisthatyoucanonlystartthereservationprocessafterthefirsttwoweeksofthesemesterhavepassed.Advertisements(50copies)$25.00‐color$1.75‐black&whiteThecostofreproducingtheflyervariesaccordingtowhetheryouwantblackandwhite,orcoloredcopies.Toreproducecolorcopiesoftheadvertisement,thepricewouldbe$0.50asheet,totaling$25.00for50sheets.Toreproduceblackandwhitecopiesoftheadvertisement,thepriceis$0.04asheet,total$1.75for50sheets.Food$63.52totalThistotalisbrokendownintothreeparts.Thefirstpartisthesmallcheeseandcrackertray.Weexpectanattendanceofabout15‐25people.Thetotalforthistraywillbe$36.59anditwillfeed10‐25people.Thetwopartsarethedrinks.Assortedsoftdrinkswilltotal$22.35for15people.The12‐ouncebottleddrinksare$1.49each.Twogallonsofwaterwilltotal$4.58at$2.29foreachgallon.

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STEP 4 Evaluation

GOAL 1AWARENESSBenchmarksEventsAtthepanelandQ&Aeventswewilldoasimpleheadcountasawaytohelpdeterminehowmanystudentsarebeingmadeawareofthenewmajor.PostersAtthespecificdateslistedonthecalendar,wewillcheckthattheadvertisementsfortheeventsandforthecampaignarestillfunctioningcorrectly(postersarestillup,MoseleyBoardpostersareworking,tabletentsareupdatedandthePendulumad).SurveyAsawaytocheckthedesiredpublic’sawarenessofthemajor,anonlinesurveywillbeeitheremailedoutbyacrediblesourceorplacedontheEnethomepageaskingclosed‐endedquestionsaboutthecampaign(“HaveyouheardoftheCommunicationSciencemajor?”,“Haveyouseenthe!RelevantPosters?”etc.).Itshouldbesentoutabouthalf‐waythroughthecampaignandattheendofthecampaign.Thiswillprovideareasonablemeasurementoftheeffectivenessthecampaignhashadonthedesiredstudents.AdvisorsDuringtheregistrationperiod,advisorsinthecommunicationsdepartmentwillbeaskedtoinquireastowhatwaystheiradviseesweremadeawareofthenewmajor.Thiswillcollectusefuldataonwhatpartsofthecampaignworked,andalsocanbeusedasatactictocontinuemakingcommunicationsstudentsaware.AsimpleonlinedatabaseorphysicaltallysheetforDr.Grady’susewillcontributetothepreviousgeneralsurvey’saccuracyinreachingthedesiredpublics.ProfessorsWewillcheckinwiththeprofessorswhowereaskedtovisitfreshmencommunicationsclassesonhowmanyclassestheyvisited,when,andifthestudentswerereceptive.SummaryOurgoalwastomake10%ofthedesiredpublic(Elonfreshmenandsophomores),whichisestimatedtobearound200students,awareofthenewmajor.Thenumberscollectedfromthesurveys,headcountstakenattheevents,andadvisortallieswillprovideuswithadefinitenumberofstudentsmadeaware.Whereastheclassroomvisitsandpostervisibilitywillprovideuswithanestimateofstudentsmadeaware.

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GOAL 220STUDENTS

BenchmarkByMay1,2010(afteradd/dropdayforSpring2010),checkwithAcademicAdvisingforthenumberofstudentswhohavedeclaredCommunicationScienceastheirmajor.

Final Evaluation FocusGroupsInordertounderstandwhatpartsofthecampaignworkedincompletingthesegoals,afocusgroupwillbeheldApril26,consistingofstudentsfromourdesiredpublic.Thisfocusgroupwillgivecommentaryandassessmentsofthetacticsandprovideusefulfeedbackonhowtobetterthemajor’sappealtoElonstudents.DataThedatacollectedfromtheaforementionedAdvisorquestionnairewillalsogivequantitativefeedbackonwhatpartsofthecampaignweremostsuccessfulandwhatpartsshouldberemovedorimprovedupon.Appendix50 |Survey,Advisor,FocusGroup,ProfessorQuestionsStep3 18 |Calendar

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Appendix

Research Index | Survey

A. FacebookEventsPage EventDescription

“WeneedasmanyElonfreshmenaspossibletotothissurveyforourPublicRelationsclass.ItliterallytakesONEMINUTEtocomplete.Ifyoucandothisforus,itwouldbeawesome!!Thanks!!ThelinkisbelowPS‐Invite/tellotherElonfreshmenaboutthisevent!<ahref="http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=310upQm3sNMZDKPeHfel2g_3d_3d">ClickHeretotakesurvey</a>”

B. SurveyMonkey

Questions

1. Default Section 1. Have you declared a major?

Yes

No 2. How did you find out about this major?

Pamphlet

Online

Peers

Parent/relative

Other 2. 1. Is this major in communications?

Yes

No

2. If you answered yes to question 3, which specific major have you chosen?

Journalism

Strategic Communications

Broadcast and New Media

Cinema

Communication Science

Didn't Answer Yes 3. Are you confident in this choice as a major?

Yes

No 3. 1. Have you heard of Communication Science?

Yes

No 2. "The Communication Science major explores how people use messages to inform, persuade and entertain. Students apply social science theory and research to contemporary issues in media and professional communications. For instance, media effects research can focus on public opinion, political communication, media and social change, and the framing of public policy issues. Communication Science also can probe the practices,

processes and effects that influence attitude and behavior change. Communication Science students are prepared to launch creative and meaningful careers in roles involving communication research, organizational development, information resources, communications strategy, or going directly to graduate school or law school." After reading the above description, would you be interested in this major?

Yes

No

24

SurveyResults(SectionBcont’d)

Have you declared a major?

answered question 8

skipped question 0

Response Percent

Response Count

Yes 50.0% 4

No 50.0% 4

How did you find out about this major?

answered question 8

skipped question 0

Response Percent

Response Count

Pamphlet

0.0% 0

How did you find out about this major?

Online 12.5% 1

Peers 25.0% 2

Parent/relative 25.0% 2

Other 37.5% 3

Is this major in communications?

answered question 8

skipped question 0

Response Percent

Response Count

Yes 50.0% 4

No 50.0% 4

If you answered yes to question 3, which specific major have you chosen?

answered question 6

If you answered yes to question 3, which specific major have you chosen?

skipped question 2

Response Percent

Response Count

Journalism 0.0% 0

Strategic Communications 33.3% 2

Broadcast and New Media 33.3% 2

Cinema 0.0% 0

Communication Science 0.0% 0

Didn't Answer Yes 33.3% 2

Are you confident in this choice as a major?

answered question 7

skipped question 1

Are you confident in this choice as a major?

Response Percent

Response Count

Yes 85.7% 6

No 14.3% 1

Have you heard of Communication Science?

answered question 8

skipped question 0

Response Percent

Response Count

Yes 25.0% 2

No 75.0% 6

"The Communication Science major explores how people use messages to inform, persuade and entertain. Students apply social science theory and research to contemporary issues in media and professional communications. For instance, media effects research can focus on public opinion, political communication, media and social change, and the framing of public policy issues. Communication Science also can probe the practices, processes and effects that influence attitude and behavior change. Communication Science students are prepared to launch creative and meaningful careers in roles involving communication research, organizational development, information resources, communications strategy, or going directly to graduate school or law school." After reading the above description, would you be interested in this major?

answered question 8

skipped question 0

Response Percent

Response Count

Yes 50.0% 4

No 50.0% 4

29

Research Index | Website

C. CourseDescription

“Wecommunicatetoproduceaneffectononeanotheroronlargegroupsofpeople.TheCommunication

Sciencemajorexploreshowpeopleusemessagestoinform,persuadeandentertain.

Studentsapplysocialsciencetheoryandresearchtocontemporaryissuesinmediaandprofessional

communications.Forinstance,mediaeffectsresearchcanfocusonpublicopinion,politicalcommunication,

mediaandsocialchange,andtheframingofpublicpolicyissues.CommunicationSciencealsocanprobethe

practices,processesandeffectsthatinfluenceattitudeandbehaviorchange.

CommunicationSciencestudentsarepreparedtolaunchcreativeandmeaningfulcareersinrolesinvolving

communicationresearch,organizationaldevelopment,informationresources,communicationsstrategy,or

goingdirectlytograduateschoolorlawschool.

TheCommunicationSciencemajorrequires52credithoursintheSchoolofCommunications,plus

completionofGST115PublicSpeakingandaminordesignedtointegratelearningacrossdisciplines.Hereis

thecurriculumfortheCommunicationSciencemajor:

COM100CommunicationsinaGlobalAge(4)

COM110MediaWriting(4)

COM220DigitalMediaConvergence(4)

COM260TheProcessofCommunication(4)

COM300Persuasion(4)

COM362CommunicationResearch(4)

COM381CommunicationsInternship(1‐2)

COM400MediaLawandEthics(4)

COM460CommunicationInquiry(4)

COM495GreatIdeas:CapstoneinCommunications(2)

Atleastonecourseselectedfrom:

COM230MediaHistory,MediaToday(4)

COM330InternationalCommunications(4)

COM332OrganizationalCommunications(4)

ChoiceofelectivesintheSchoolofCommunicationstototalatleast52COMhours,includingtheoptionof

pursuinganemphasisinwriting,advertising,photojournalism,documentary,sportscommunications,audio

recordingorinternationalcommunications.

EighthoursofCOMelectivesarewaivedforanystudentcompletingadoublemajoroutsidetheSchoolof

Communications.”

31

Logan Knisely

4/19/09

New Major

School of Communications now offering new major

Elon University’s McEwen School of Communications is now offering a fifth major,

Communication Science. This new and highly relevant major explores the social science

theory and research fields and how people can apply these techniques to contemporary issues in

media and professional communications.

Regarded as one of the university’s premier academic departments, the school of

communications has recently been searching for new ways to adjust its curriculum to better

adhere to current issues within the field.

“The Communication Science major is applicable to both the media and human

understanding of the study of communications itself and how it impacts the process of media

and human interaction,” said communications department chair Dr. Don Grady.

--more--

35

Logan Knisely

New Major

Page Two

The school has worked to design the best possible curriculum to sufficiently supply

students with the proper core classes necessary in achieving a more adequate understanding of

the Communication Science field. Required classes have already been announced for the major

and at least 5 students have declared Communication Science as their major.

Although Dr. Grady’s current goal is only somewhere in the ballpark of 100 students,

promotional efforts are still underway. The school will specifically target freshman and rising

freshman that have yet to declare a major and display interest in the communications field.

The school will advertise the new major by holding several interactive events during

which Dr. Grady as well as other professors in the department will speak directly to interested

students. There is an information panel session that will be held in mid-February of 2010. This

will enable students to gain a general understanding of the major and its precepts through the

presentations of several professors.

--more—

36

Logan Knisely

New Major

Page Three

A question and answer session has been scheduled for early April of 2010. This event

will provide students with an opportunity to engage in conversation with faculty about more

specific aspects of the field.

“The major is especially unique in the sense that it is supporting a substantive area and

looks at the field of communications directly for the purpose of discovery,” Grady said.

Elon’s school of communications has continued to display excellence in academic

education and the addition of this new and relevant major helps the school to boast a more in

depth and contemporary curriculum.

--30--

37

Event:PanelPlace:McKinnon(stageportion)Date:February25,2010Time:5:15‐6:45pm(15minutesforsetup&15minutesforremoval)Needs:Roomreservation(McKinnon)Professorstospeakattheforum(EspeciallyDr.Grady)Questions(Prompts)ProjectorandScreenStudentfromCommunicationschooltoreadpromptsInpreparationforevent—ToDo:ByNovember9,2009,makereservationforMcKinnon.GotodownstairsMoseleyandmakerequestforroom.Gotomediaservicesandrentprojectorandscreen.Talktophysicalplantaboutset‐upPossibleQuestions:Whatisthisnewmajor/Whatiscommunicationscience?Whatistherelevanceofthismajorintherealworld?Whatkindsofjobsareavailableformajors?Wouldthishelpwithgraduatestudies?Whatkindsofclassescanstudentslookforwardtotaking?Whatskillswillbedevelopedbychoosingthismajor?Whatkindofissuesintheindustrycouldthismajoraddress?PossibleProfessors/Faculty/Staff(Itreallydependsonwhowillbeteachingthecourses): DeanParsonsDr.DonGradyProfessorBushProfessorGallagherSchedule:5:15‐5:25‐Setupchairs,projectorandscreen5:25‐5:35‐Allowstudentstocomein5:35‐5:45‐Introductionofpanelandmajor5:45‐6:15‐Discussion,leadbystudentprompter6:15‐6:30‐Questionsfromaudience6:30‐6:45‐Clean‐up

38

Event:Q&APlace:FilmTheater011(downstairsMcEwen)Date:April5,6,&8,2009Time:5:30‐6:30pmNeeds:Roomreservation(ScreeningroomindownstairsMcEwen)Professorstospeakattheforum(EspeciallyDr.Grady)Questions(Prompts)Snacks(fingerfoods)Inpreparationforevent—ToDo:ByAugust31,makereservationforscreeningroom.Gotowww.elon.edu.Goto“Spacerequest”.Followtheprompts(clickFaculty&Staff).Currently,thescreeningroomisavailable.(R25)BesuretoaskacademicadvisingfordeclarationformsProfessors: Dr.DonGradySchedule:5:20‐5:30:Set‐Up(IfProfessorGradychooseshaveaslideshow,thenhe’llhavetosetupthescreenandhislaptop)5:30‐5:40:Studentsarrive5:40‐5:50:Briefintroaboutmajorandslideshow5:50‐5:55:Snacks5:55‐6:30:Questionsfromstudents

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From:BeckyOlive‐TaylorSent:Tue4/21/200911:18AMTo:AshleyFranceSubject:RE:AcademicAdvising

Ashley,

Keepuspostedandwe’llworkitoutforsomeonefromadvisingtoattendtheevent.

BeckyOlvie‐Taylor

From:AshleyFranceSent:Tuesday,April21,20098:22AMTo:BeckyOlive‐TaylorSubject:RE:AcademicAdvising

Ms.Olive‐Taylor,

Wearedefinitelyhavingacoupleoffacultymembersfromcommunicationsattendtheevent.Weplannedonhavingitheldduringthespringsemester,possiblyaweekortwobeforefallregistration,alittleafter5pm.Consideringthetimeofthedaywewanttheeventtotakeplace,woulditstillbepossibleforsomeonefromyourareatocomeandspeak?

‐Ashley

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From:BeckyOlive‐TaylorSent:Tue4/21/20095:51AMTo:AshleyFranceCc:d108Subject:RE:AcademicAdvising

Ashley,

Iwouldassumethatacommunicationfacultymembercouldspeakmoreknowledgeablyaboutthemajor,butsomeonefromacademicadvisingcouldtalkaboutthedeclarationprocessandbepresentwithformsforstudentstodeclare‐‐ifindeedtheyarereadytodoso.Yousay"incomingfreshmen"soareyouconsideringaneventlatenextfall?winterterm?nextspring?TimingisimportantsincestudentsarewiththeirElon101advisorsduringfallterm.

BeckyOlive‐Taylor

From:AshleyFranceSent:Mon4/20/20099:21PMTo:BeckyOlive‐TaylorSubject:AcademicAdvising

Ms.Olive‐Taylor,

MynameisAshleyFranceandI'mastudentinJessicaGisclair'sPublicRelationsclass.I,alongwithmygroupmembersarecreatingacampaigntopromotethenewmajorintheschoolofcommunications:CommunicationScience.Onepartofourprojectinvolvescreatinganeventthatwillactuallytakeplace.Wewanttheschoolofcommunicationstohostapanelforincomingfreshman,tellingthemaboutthisnewmajor.Wewouldliketoknowifitwouldbepossibleforsomeonefromacademicadvisingtocomespeaktothestudents,andpossiblyhavesomemajordeclarationsheets,andhaveafewstudentsdeclaretheirmajorattheevent.Thankyou!

‐AshleyM.France

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Evaluation Questions Survey:‐HaveyouheardoftheCommunicationSciencemajor?‐Haveyouseenthe“Relevant”postersaroundcampus?‐HaveanyofyourCommunicationsprofessorstoldyouaboutthemajor?‐Areyouawareoftheupcomingeventstodiscuss/promotethemajoranditsrelevancetothefield?‐Hasyouracademicadvisormadeyouawareofthemajor?‐Haveyoushowedanypersonalinterestinthemajor?Advisors:‐HaveyourCommunicationsprofessorsmadeyouawareaboutthemajorandhavetheyadequatelyexplainedit?‐Havevisualadvertisementsaroundcampuscaughtyoureye?‐Havetheeventsyou’veattendedbeeneffectiveinexplainingthemajor?Professors:‐HaveyoupromptedyourCommunicationsstudentsaboutthemajor?‐Hastheinformationyouprovidedsparkeddiscussion/conversationamongstthestudentsinregardstothemajor?‐Doyouthinkthatintroducingthemajortostudentswasausefulstrategyinregardstopromotingthemajor?FocusGroups:‐Doyoufeelasifthestrategiesusedeffectivelypromotedthemajortostudents?‐Doyouthinkthatthe“Relevant”posterswereagoodresonatingvisualexample?‐Doyouthinktheeventshelpedtocreateawarenessaboutthemajor?‐Didtheeventsadequatelyexplainthemajorandprovidestudentswithinsightintowhattheymaydoaftergraduationwiththedegree?

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