Governance (GOVN) 444
Media Relations (Revision 1)
Revision 1 is closed for registrations, replaced by current version
Delivery Mode: Individualized study online
Credits: 3
Area of Study: Social Science
Prerequisite: None. CMNS 301 or a course in communication theory is recommended but not required.
Precluded course: GOVN 444 is a cross-listed course—a course listed under 2 different disciplines—CMNS 444. (GOVN 444 may not be taken for credit by students who have obtained credit for CMNS 444 or HSRV 444).
Faculty: Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences
Governance, Law & Management Home Page
GOVN 444 has a Challenge for Credit option.
Overview
This course is intended for students of media relations, practitioners and those with a more general or theoretical interest. It relies on theories of the mass media in order to addresses the role of media relations in organizations and the practice of media relations in the context of both old and new media. The course makes use of current issues and topics in order to explore the historically complex relationship between journalists and media relations practitioners.
Learning Objectives
Media Relations is intended to
- Define the role and nature of media relations within organizations.
- Explain the interconnected history of journalism and media relations.
- Discuss the sociology of news production.
- Discuss the fundamental role and nature of the news media.
- Understand the design of information in the context of media and audience.
- Describe media ownership and convergence in Canada.
- Explain the role and objectives of media relations research.
- Build an effective media relations plan on which to base practice.
- Describe key media drivers and the role of the news release.
- Describe the growing role of “new media” in news gathering and dissemination, and their impact on traditional media.
- Identify best practices in citizen generated media.
- Outline the ethical considerations for proper media relations practice.
Outline
- Unit 1: Producing the News: The Role of Media Relations
- Unit 2: News Media and Public Relations: A Mutual Evolution
- Unit 3: Effective Media Relations: No Accident
- Unit 4: Constructing the News: Tools and Strategies
- Unit 5: “New Media” Relations
- Unit 6: Corporations, Critics and Other Challenges
Evaluation
To receive credit for GOVN 444, you must complete all three assignments and the final examination, and achieve a minimum composite course grade of “D” (50 percent). You must pass each assignment and the final examination with a minimum grade of 50 per cent. The weighting of the composite mark is as follows:
Assign. 1 | Assign. 2 | Assign. 3 | Final Exam | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|
10% | 35% | 25% | 30% | 100% |
The final examination for this course must be taken online with an AU-approved exam invigilator at an approved invigilation centre. It is your responsibility to ensure your chosen invigilation centre can accommodate online exams. For a list of invigilators who can accommodate online exams, visit the Exam Invigilation Network.
To learn more about assignments and examinations, please refer to Athabasca University's online Calendar.
Course Materials
Textbook
Carney, W. W. (2008). In the news: The practice of media relations in Canada (2nd ed.). Edmonton, AB: The University of Alberta Press.
Other Materials
Most of the course materials for GOVN 444 are available online through the myAU portal. There is also a printed Reading File that will be sent to you before your course start date.
Challenge for Credit Course Overview
The Challenge for Credit process allows students to demonstrate that they have acquired a command of the general subject matter, knowledge, intellectual and/or other skills that would normally be found in a university level course.
Full information for the Challenge for Credit can be found in the Undergraduate Calendar.
- Undergraduate Challenge for Credit Policy
- Undergraduate Challenge for Credit Procedures
Challenge Evaluation
To receive credit for the GOVN 444 challenge registration, you must achieve a grade of at least “D” (50 percent) on the examination.
Part I: Take home essay exam | Part II: Paper exam | Total |
---|---|---|
50% | 50% | 100% |
Undergraduate Challenge for Credit Course Registration Form
Athabasca University reserves the right to amend course outlines occasionally and without notice. Courses offered by other delivery methods may vary from their individualized-study counterparts.
Opened in Revision 1, January 18, 2011.