Courses

ACOM 2143. Introduction to Agricultural Communications and Leadership. 3 Hours.

A survey of agricultural communications and leadership theories and practices for students in the ACOM and AGLE concentrations and minors and anyone seeking a basic understanding of these disciplines. The course provides an overview of the history, philosophy, and theories of the disciplines and introduces students to career options, skills and practical competencies required of agricultural communicators and leaders. (Typically offered: Fall)
This course is cross-listed with AGLE 2143.

ACOM 3143. Communicating Agriculture to the Public. 3 Hours.

An overview of public communications theory and practices in the agricultural, food, and life sciences with a particular focus on technical writing, public relations and media relations writing, campaign planning, public speaking, and various mass media communication techniques, including print, broadcast, electronic, and social media. (Typically offered: Fall, Spring and Summer)

ACOM 3143H. Honors Communicating Agriculture to the Public. 3 Hours.

An overview of public communications theory and practices in the agricultural, food, and life sciences with a particular focus on technical writing, public relations and media relations writing, campaign planning, public speaking, and various mass media communication techniques, including print, broadcast, electronic, and social media. Prerequisite: Honors standing. (Typically offered: Fall, Spring and Summer)
This course is equivalent to ACOM 3143.

ACOM 3243. Ag Reporting and Feature Writing. 3 Hours.

This course will provide students an exposure to writing, interviewing, and editing news on agricultural issues in agricultural industry publications. Students will gain practical experience with journalistic interviewing, news writing, feature writing, digital photography, and writing for broadcast on agricultural issues. This course is designed for students with at least six hours of upper division courses. Pre- or Corequisite: JOUR 1033 and lab component. (Typically offered: Fall Odd Years)

ACOM 3943. Professional Development in Agricultural Communications and Leadership. 3 Hours.

Overview of professional and technical skills needed to succeed in internships and jobs in the field of agricultural communications. (Typically offered: Fall Even Years)
This course is cross-listed with AGLE 3943.

ACOM 400V. Special Problems in Agricultural Communications. 1-6 Hour.

Individual study or research for advanced undergraduates in the field of agricultural communication. (Typically offered: Fall, Spring and Summer) May be repeated for up to 6 hours of degree credit.
This course is cross-listed with AGED 400V, AGLE 400V.

ACOM 401V. Special Topics. 1-4 Hour.

Studies of selected topics in agricultural communications not covered in other courses. (Typically offered: Irregular) May be repeated for up to 4 hours of degree credit.

ACOM 4143. Electronic Communications in Agriculture. 3 Hours.

An overview of communication technology in the agricultural, food and life sciences. (Typically offered: Spring Even Years)

ACOM 4243. Graphic Design in AFLS. 3 Hours.

This course provides students with graphic design and software skills specific to industries in Agriculture, Food, and Life Sciences. Students will learn to use industry-standard software (InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, Microsoft Excel, etc.) to prepare text and graphics and package them for use in print production. Prerequisite: ASTM 2903 or ISYS 1123 or equivalent. (Typically offered: Fall, Spring and Summer)

ACOM 4343. Communication Campaigns in Agriculture. 3 Hours.

Students will develop understanding of the principles, practices and applications of social marketing, integrated marketing communications, advertising and public relations as they pertain to developing communication campaign strategies for the agricultural industry. Students will develop a communication campaign for an agricultural company and/or entity focused on a specific product or service. Prerequisite: Junior standing or higher, ACOM 4243, ACOM 3243, ACOM 3143, and (ACOM 2143 or AGLE 2143), or instructor permission. (Typically offered: Spring Odd Years)

ACOM 4543. Ag Publications. 3 Hours.

Students produce a magazine through classroom study mirroring a professional magazine staff and are provided an opportunity for their writing, advertisements, photographs and artwork to be published in the magazine. By using computer applications, students integrate various skills including writing, editing and layout in agricultural publications. Prerequisite: JOUR 1033. (Typically offered: Spring Even Years)

ACOM 4643. Agricultural Video Production. 3 Hours.

The goal of this course is for students to develop a practical understanding of video production with an emphasis on short-form videos commonly used in education and marketing in the agricultural, food and life sciences industry. The course content covers both theory and practical application and will include training with industry-standard video equipment and editing software. (Typically offered: Spring Even Years)

ACOM 475V. Internship in Ag Communications. 1-6 Hour.

A supervised practical work experience in ag communications which is designed to give the student an insight into the role of ag communications employees and an opportunity to gain professional competence in this area. (Typically offered: Fall, Spring and Summer) May be repeated for up to 6 hours of degree credit.
This course is cross-listed with AGLE 475V, ASTM 475V, EXED 475V.

ACOM 510V. Special Problems. 1-6 Hour.

Individual investigation of a special problem in agricultural communications which is not available through regular courses. These will be directed by a member of the graduate faculty. (Typically offered: Fall, Spring and Summer) May be repeated for up to 6 hours of degree credit.

ACOM 5143. Electronic Communications in Agriculture. 3 Hours.

An overview of communication technology in the agricultural, food and life sciences. Graduate degree credit will not be given for both ACOM 4143 and ACOM 5143. (Typically offered: Spring Even Years)

ACOM 520V. Special Topics. 1-4 Hour.

Topics not covered in other courses or a more intensive study of specific topics in agricultural communications. (Typically offered: Irregular) May be repeated for degree credit.

ACOM 5243. Graphic Design in AFLS. 3 Hours.

This course provides students with graphic design and software skills specific to industries in Agriculture, Food, and Life Sciences. Students will learn to use industry-standard software (InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, Microsoft Excel, etc.) to prepare text and graphics and package them for use in print production. Graduate degree credit will not be given for both ACOM 4243 and ACOM 5243. Prerequisite: ASTM 2903 or ISYS 1123 or equivalent. (Typically offered: Fall, Spring and Summer)

ACOM 5343. Communication Campaigns in Agriculture. 3 Hours.

Students will develop understanding of the principles, practices and applications of social marketing, integrated marketing communications, advertising and public relations as they pertain to developing communication campaign strategies for the agricultural industry. Students will develop a communication campaign for an agricultural company and/or entity focused on a specific product or service. Graduate degree credit will not be given for both ACOM 4343 and ACOM 5343. Prerequisite: Graduate standing. (Typically offered: Spring Odd Years)

ACOM 5543. Ag Publications. 3 Hours.

Students produce a magazine through classroom study mirroring a professional magazine staff and are provided an opportunity for their writing, advertisements, photographs and artwork to be published in the magazine. By using computer applications, students integrate various skills including writing, editing and layout in agricultural publications. Graduate degree credit will not be given for both ACOM 4543 and ACOM 5543. (Typically offered: Spring Even Years)

ACOM 5643. Agricultural Video Production. 3 Hours.

The goal of this course is for students to develop a practical understanding of video production with an emphasis on short-form videos commonly used in education and marketing in the agricultural, food and life sciences industry. The course content covers both theory and practical application and will include training with industry-standard video equipment and editing software. Prerequisite: Graduate standing. (Typically offered: Spring Even Years)

ACOM 575V. Internship in Agricultural Communications. 1-6 Hour.

Scheduled practical field experiences under supervision of a professional practitioner. (Typically offered: Fall, Spring and Summer) May be repeated for up to 6 hours of degree credit.