!relevant campaign
DESCRIPTION
A campaign created for Elon University's new communications major: communications science.TRANSCRIPT
JALT Public Relations | GroupVI
Contact Info | JALTPublicRelationsGroupVITaviannaWilliams
JeremiahChapman
AshleyFrance
LoganKnisely
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‐[email protected],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
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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
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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.”
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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
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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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