Note: The Bachelor of Public Relations program is designed as a full-time program of study. All courses listed below have a professional studies classification, unless cross-listed with an arts or science discipline.
PBRL courses are open only to students who have been formally admitted to the Bachelor of Public Relations program and, with limited restrictions, to students in the BSc (Science Communication) program. Students who have formally declared a Minor in Communication Technology with the Registrar’s Office may take approved courses within the minor.
PBRL 2013 and 3013 are open to students in the Cultural Studies program. PBRL 1010 is open to all students in any discipline.
PBRL 1010Foundations of Public Relations0.5 unit
An introduction to public relations as a professional discipline. The course includes a survey of the historical evolution of the field, foundational theories, an exploration of publics, and an introduction to the process of strategic planning. Note: Students who have received credit for PBRL 1100 may not take this course for credit.
PBRL 1188Co-op Term I1.0 unit
Prerequisite: Completion of professional development program delivered by the Co-op Office. Completion of courses prescribed by the Public Relations Department course sequence (PBRL 2013, 2014, 2015, 3012) or permission of the department.
A 14-16 week term of full-time paid career-related experience in an organizational setting: corporate, non-profit or government. Students will work with industry professionals who provide feedback to the University on the student’s performance and development. The student will be required to set learning objectives, submit a work term report and participate in a return-to-campus/debriefing session. Evaluation for the successful completion of the co-op term is based on learning objectives, a work site visit, an employer evaluation and a satisfactory work term report.
PBRL 2012Public Relations Writing: Theory and Practice0.5 unit
An examination of public relations writing and the applications. Audience analysis, messages and their effects, and the tools used to research and write are examined within a framework of setting objectives. Students will learn to write news releases, short features and profiles. Note: Students who have received credit for both PBRL 1112 and 2212 may not take this course for credit. This course includes a lab component.
PBRL 2013Communication: Theory and Practice0.5 unit
An examination of communication theory and its application to public relations practice. Areas of human communication will be studied, including interpersonal, small group, organizational and intercultural.
PBRL 2014Organizational Context of Public Relations0.5 unit
Prerequisite: PBRL 1010 or permission of the Department
The function of public relations in the corporate setting and its relationship to other business functions such as general management, human resources, and marketing will be studied. Note: Students who have received credit for PBRL 2200 may not take this course for credit.
PBRL 2015Audiovisual Communications0.5 unit
The application of audio and visual technologies in public relations practice to achieve stated strategic objectives. Includes research for and writing and production of public service announcements, video news releases and promotional videos, and still photography. Particular emphasis on writing for the spoken word, script writing and oral presentations in an electronic context. Note: Students who have received credit for PBRL 2220 may not take this course for credit. This course includes a lab component.
PBRL 2205/COMM 2205Voice and Speech0.5 unit
A course designed to increase confidence and creativity through discussion and application of the principles and skills of effective oral communication on topics chosen by the student. The course covers: audience analysis, research, preparation and presentation of topics. Note: Students who have received credit for SPDR 2205 or 2211 or PBRL/COMM 2211 may not take this course for credit. Students enroled in the public relations program may not take this course for credit.
PBRL 2211/ COMM 2211Introduction to Public Speaking0.5 unit
A course designed to increase self- confidence through practical experience in presenting speeches geared to business interests. Students are trained in the skills of analysis, organization, development, adaptation of ideas, and delivery. The course also includes small group speaking, conducting meetings, preparing speeches for others, and using visual aids. Note: Students who have received credit for SPDR 2205 or 2211 or COMM/PBRL 2205 may not take this course for credit. This course includes a lab component.
PBRL 2288Co-op Term II 1.0 unit
Prerequisite: Completion of professional development program delivered by the Co-op office. Completion of courses prescribed by the Public Relations Department course sequence (PBRL 2015, 3012, 3013, 3014, 3022) or permission of the department.
A 14-16 week term of full-time paid career-related experience in an organizational setting: corporate, non-profit or government. Students will work with industry professionals who provide feedback to the University on the student’s performance and development. The student will be required to set learning objectives, submit a portfolio of work and participate in a return-to-campus/debriefing session. Evaluation for the successful completion of the co-op term is based on learning objectives, a work site visit, an employer evaluation and a satisfactory work term report.
PBRL 3012Persuasive Public Relations Writing0.5 unit
Prerequisite: PBRL 2012
An examination of elements of persuasion as they apply to public relations writing for both internal and external publics. Students will develop the skills required to articulate a position on an issue relevant to a particular organization and prepare print documents such as position papers, marketing features, opinion editorials, speeches and fundraising letters. Note: Students who have received credit for PBRL 3311 may not take this course for credit. Students may not take both PBRL 3012 and ENGL/WRIT 2220 for credit. This course includes a lab component.
PBRL 3013Mass Media and Public Opinion0.5 unit
Prerequisite: PBRL 2013 or permission of the department
A focus on the function of mass media in society and the role media play in shaping and influencing public opinion. Students examine the range of factors affecting media content and critically assess the implications of communication technologies.
PBRL 3014Managing Organizational Public Relations0.5 unit
Prerequisite: PBRL 2014
An examination of management theories and principles and their application to organizational public relations programming with special emphasis on social responsibility of organizations. Corporate culture and managing public relations campaigns are explored. Includes assessing an organization's public relations needs, determining a strategic approach, deploying resources (budgets, time and people management), and evaluating results. Note: Students who have received credit for PBRL 4407 may not take this course for credit.
PBRL 3016
Research Methods in Public Relations0.5 unit
Prerequisite: Math 2208
An introduction to research methods as applied to both the professional practice of public relations and the academic approach to the discipline as a field of study. Topics include sampling and survey methods, focus group research and content analysis. Students analyse and evaluate practice-based and academic research studies and, under the direction of faculty, carry out a research project. Note: Students who have received credit for PBRL 4409 may not take this course for credit. This course includes a lab component.
PBRL 3022Text-Based Media: Theory and Practice0.5 unit
Prerequisite: PBRL 2012
A focus on the role of the public relations practitioner as the manager of an organization's program of text-based materials for traditional and online distribution. Students will learn to plan, design, write, edit, manage, and evaluate organizational publications, and will produce “deliverable” publications. Note: Students who have received credit for both PBRL 3312, 4012, 4412 may not take this course for credit. This course includes a lab component.
PBRL 3388Co-op Term III1.0 unit
Prerequisite: Completion of professional development program delivered by the Co-op office. Completion of courses prescribed by the Public Relations Department course sequence (PBRL 2015, 3012, 3013, 3014, 3022) or permission of the department.
A 14-16 week term of full-time paid career-related experience in an organizational setting: corporate, non-profit or government. Students will work with industry professionals who provide feedback to the University on the student’s performance and development. The student will be required to set learning objectives, present a reflective seminar to new co-op students and participate in a return-to-campus/debriefing session. Evaluation for the successful completion of the co-op term is based on learning objectives, a work site visit, an employer evaluation and a satisfactory work term report.
PBRL 4014Advanced Public Relations Management0.5 unit
Prerequisite: PBRL 3014
A continuation of the study of public relations as a management function using the two-way symmetrical communication model with a specific emphasis on leadership as distinct from management. Issues related to PR counselling, organizational issues management, crisis communication, the process of consulting, entrepreneurship and broader leadership issues within PR as a professional field are explored. Note: Students who have received credit for PBRL 4408 may not take this course for credit.
PBRL 4015Media Relations0.5 unit
Prerequisite: PBRL 3014
An examination of the relationship between public relations practitioners and the media, including analysis of media practices, the organization of print and electronic news and current affairs programs. Particular emphasis is placed on relationship-building strategies, media training, media policies, proposing stories to the media, and researching and planning alternative media approaches. Note: Students who have received credit for both PBRL 3320 and 4420 may not take this course for credit. This course includes a lab component.
PBRL 4019
Crisis Communication Management0.5 unit
Prerequisite: PBRL 3014
An examination of the theoretical and practical dimensions of crisis management, with particular emphasis on a strategic framework that incorporates a communications component. The value of the crisis communications plan is assessed. Strategic and objective-driven models for critique and for simulated events are developed.
PBRL 4100Special Topics in Public Relations0.5 unit
Prerequisite: PBRL 3014
A study of specialized area of public relations practice. Courses will be offered from time to time.
PBRL 4101Employee Relations0.5 unit
Prerequisite: PBRL 3014
An exploration of the role of public relations in developing and maintaining internal relationships in an organization. The practitioner’s functions as facilitator, advisor and mediator in developing and implementing internal communications which are effective and manageable, and which recognize external factors affecting the employer and employees will be examined.
PBRL 4102Public Relations in the Not-for-Profit Sector0.5 unit
Prerequisite: PBRL 3014
An examination of how public relations functions in the not-for-profit sector. Topics will include donor relations, fundraising, board relations, volunteer relations, client relations, and the role of publicity, lobbying, and ethical issues related to not-for-profit public relations.
PBRL 4103Financial Public Relations0.5 unit
Prerequisites: PBRL 3014, BUSI 1112, ECON 1101 or permission of the instructor
An advanced course that explores the key function of investor relations within publicly-owned companies. The course will provide students with greater insight into the theory and practice of investor relations, as well as the role, responsibilities and knowledge base of IR practitioners.
PBRL 4105Public Relations and Gender0.5 unit
Prerequisite: PBRL 3014 or permission of the instructor
An examination of the feminisation of public relations and its impact on the occupation and on the careers of public relations professionals. Topics include: issues around encroachment of the managerial function; status of women compared to women in other professions; history of women in the field; feminist analyses of public relations issues.
PBRL 4106Public Relations and Fundraising0.5 unit
Prerequisite: PBRL 3014 or permission of the instructor
An examination of the role and function of fundraising in the not-for-profit sector. Topics will include the relationship between public relations and fundraising, the nature of philanthropy, theories and practices of fundraising, the fundraising volunteer, and ethical issues in fundraising.
PBRL 4107Advanced Public Relations Writing0.5 unit
Prerequisite: PBRL 3012
The application of advanced writing techniques and strategies, particularly those of creative non-fiction, to public relations writing. Emphasis will be placed on advanced research and editing skills. Students will produce magazine-style features and personal essays.
PBRL 4403Directed Study0.5 unit
PBRL 4404Directed Study0.5 unit
Prerequisites: advanced standing in public relations, PBRL 3014, and permission of faculty supervisor
A course permitting advanced students of public relations to study in a specified area of public relations practice. This study may take the form of an extensive examination of a specific public relations problem, or of field research under the direct supervision of a faculty member or of directed reading in a chosen area of public relations.
PBRL 4405Senior Seminar0.5 unit
PBRL 4406Senior Seminar0.5 unit
Prerequisite: open to advanced public relations students
A seminar devoted to current problems and issues in public relations, aimed at allowing senior students of public relations to integrate their knowledge of the field through presentations and discussion.