Public Relations Major - Bachelor of Communication Studies

Most papers last one semester and are worth 15 points. Students must complete 120 points each year (360 points for the entire degree).

Year 1

• COMM502 Interpersonal Communication (15 points)
  
• COMM505 Image and Sound (15 points)
  
• COMM506 Media Production Workshop (30 points)
  
• COMM509 Media Communication I (15 points)
  
• PHIL580 Applied Media Ethics (15 points)

You also choose 30 points from the optional papers listed below or any other paper in the Bachelor of Communication Studies.

Year 2

• COMM601 Media Communication II (15 points)
  
• COMM603 Intercultural Communication (15 points)
  
• PUBL600 Public Relations Writing (15 points)
  
• PUBL601 Public Relations Communication (15 points)

You also choose 60 points from the optional papers listed below or any other paper in the Bachelor of Communication Studies. We recommend that you take prerequisite papers from another major.

If you want to take a minor, 30 points of these papers at level 6 can be in your minor subject area.

Year 3

This year, you can plan and execute PR strategies through Outside the Square (OTS), our student-run consultancy. You work in teams to interpret a brief from a real client, develop a communication strategy and implement the plan on time and on budget. Recent clients included Hockey New Zealand, Surf Life Saving, Problem Gambling Foundation of New Zealand, The NZ Music Foundation and Starship Foundation.

Outside the Square website

You study the following papers:

• COMM707 Media Communication III (15 points)
  
• PUBL702 Reputation Management (15 points)
  
• PUBL704 Public Relations Strategy and Practice (30 points)

Choose one paper from:

• COMM709 Persuasive Communication (15 points)
  
• PUBL701 Digital Public Relations (15 points)
  
• PUBL705 People and Organisations (15 points)

You also choose 45 points from the optional papers listed below or any other paper in the Bachelor of Communication Studies. If you want to take a minor, 30 points of these papers at level 7 can be in your minor subject area.

Throughout the year you can also apply for internships and gain work experience.

Optional papers

Level 5  papers

• COMM507 Performance Communication (15 points)
  
• COMM511 Introduction to Popular Culture (15 points)
  
• MUSC500 Technology and Composition (15 points)
  
• RADC501 Audio Production Techniques (15 points)
  
• TVSP501 Screen Production Fiction I (15 points)

Level 6  papers

• MARS603 Communications in Marketing, Advertising, Retailing, Sales (15 points)
  
• MUSC600 Technology and Creative Expression (15 points)
  
• TVSP600 Screen Production Fiction II (15 points)

Level 7 papers

• ADVT773 Advanced Copywriting (15 points)
  
• ADVT774 Selected Topics in Advertising Creativity (15 points)
  
• ADVT775 Advanced Advertising Art Direction (15 points)
  
• CIND703 Selected Topics in Creative Industries (15 points)
  
• CIND706 Creative Marketplace (15 points)
  
• CIND707 The Film Industries (15 points)
  
• COMM703 Media and Politics (15 points)
  
• COMM704 Promotional Culture (15 points)
  
• COMM705 The Music Industries (15 points)
  
• COMM710 Performance for Camera (15 points)
  
• DIGM705 Selected Topics in Digital Media (15 points)
  
• HIST770 Popular Monsters (15 points)
  
• JOUR703 Data Journalism (15 points)
  
• JOUR704 News Editing and Design (15 points)
  
• JOUR705 Magazine Journalism (15 points)
  
• JOUR706 Radio Journalism (15 points)
  
• JOUR707 Photo Journalism (15 points)
  
• JOUR708 Television Journalism (15 points)
  
• JOUR709 Selected Topics in Journalism (15 points)
  
• JOUR711 Reporting the Pacific Region (15 points)
  
• JOUR712 Maori and Pasifika Media Industry (15 points)
  
• MARS705 Trends and Innovations (15 points)
  
• PUBL700 Communication in a Business Environment (15 points)
  
• PUBL703 Selected Topics in Public Relations (15 points)
  
• PUBL706 Sponsorship and Promotion (15 points)
  
• RADC704 Radio and Society (15 points)
  
• RADC705 Selected Topics in Radio (15 points)
  
• TVSP702 Screenwriting: Drama (15 points)
  
• TVSP703 Screenwriting: Documentary (15 points)
  
• TVSP704 Advanced Studio Production (15 points)
  
• TVSP705 Screen Interviews and Production (15 points)
  
• TVSP707 Screen Production Management (15 points)
  
• TVSP708 Selected Topics in Television and Screen Production (15 points)

More details about papers in this programme

Detailed programme structure and paper outlines (Blackboard)

Search for a paper (Arion)

Enrolment in papers is subject to meeting all requirements and availability of papers.