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Introduction to Public Relations Course
Introduction to Public Relations Course
The Special Project: Experiential Learning in Public Relations and Introduction to Public Relations courses offered at FUA have the unique opportunity to have hands-on professional experiences within the community of Florence, specifically with the Corridoio Fiorentino photography and design gallery, located at Corso Tintori 21. Corridoio Fiorentino is open to the public as part of FUA’s Community Engagement Member Institutions (CEMI).
The objective of these courses is to involve the students in PR related activities which have concrete outcomes in professional contexts involving real audiences. Students gain an understanding of the practice of PR as a management function, and critically analyze the structure of PR management, its role, and techniques. In addition, students are introduced to the rhetorical arguments that impact PR activities and are made aware of the importance of professionalism and ethics in the practice of public relations. Communication strategies, including social media, are a major emphasis in public relations-related projects.
Prior to each Corridoio event, the students have a briefing with their instructor. They are then required to create pre-event social media posts for FUA social media as well as write a press release in collaboration with the FUA Press office. During the event, the students welcome and accommodate guests, interview the artists involved in the exhibit and produce a post event article including photographs. This article is then published on the DIVA school website. Some articles are also included in the Blending Newsletter, which is a monthly newsletter produced by Ingorda, the FUA university press. Another aspect the PR students are involved in is event promotion writing exercises in which they produce material to be used in collaboration with Firenze Spettacolo, a local event magazine.
During these events, and throughout the entire semester, the students learn how to interact with a variety of clients. All of the assignments allow the students to plan, participate and reflect on the real life aspect of public relations. Managing time and deadlines are a crucial part of the PR business which the Corridoio Fiorentino provides for them. The students receive feedback on how the Press Release was written and then can progressively improve upon this during the semester. Overall the Corridoio Fiorentino provides a unique environment which students can learn in.
Future editions of this course can be consulted at the FUA academic schedule.