Sequence 1
Rhetoric and Strategic Public Relations
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Your first semester in the MSC program is Sequence 1, which covers rhetoric and strategic public relations. During this sequence you will learn how to navigate the unique structure of the program, meet and work with your specific team, and complete both individual and team projects. Sequence 1 is typically taught by one of the MSC program's co-chairs, Christy Seifert and Curtis Newbold. Given that the program is largely self-guided, the first sequence is an important step in working towards your degree. The skills and habits you develop during this sequence will likely stay with you for the rest of the program.
Program Structure and Projects
The MSC program is a self-guided program that will likely challenge your time management skills. Sequence 1 provides slightly more structure than the later sequences to help you ease into the unique design of the program.
During Sequence 1 you will complete three projects:
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​Individual Project 1
Examine a rhetorical artifact to determine what rhetorical techniques it uses and how well it uses them
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Individual Project 2
With a client, evaluate a public relations strategy and provide recommendations
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Team Project
This can be completed as a case study or with a client. Your team will examine how an organization handled a PR crisis and provide recommendations for how it could have been handled differently.
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Each of these projects will have multiple steps set by your instructor, along with corresponding recommended due dates. While these due dates are technically just recommendations, you will probably have an easier and more successful semester if you keep up with them as much as possible. These due dates are a useful guide for managing your time throughout the semester and can help ensure you don’t fall behind. Otherwise, you may end up scrambling to complete your projects at the very end of the semester.
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Although there are no scheduled class sessions in the MSC program (other than residency), you may find it helpful to schedule out time as if there were. You can use this time to work on your projects so that you can stay on top of everything successfully. If you are struggling to stay on top of the deadlines, please reach out to your instructor. They will be able to work with you to set a manageable timeline for your project so that you don’t fall behind.
Working with a Team
When you first start Sequence 1, you will be sorted into a team with 2-4 other students from your cohort. Your instructor will determine who is placed in which team based on skill set, background, and even procrastination level. Group work is often a daunting prospect, and you may have had terrible experiences with group projects in your previous academic work. We suggest leaving those fears behind when you enter Sequence 1.
The group you work with will include hard-working and qualified people like yourself who are in this program to learn and grow together. Connect with your group early on to start building your team, since you will be working with them on a team project for every sequence of the program. As always, communication is key – if you find yourself struggling during the sequence and are worried it will impact your team, let them know. That way you can work towards a solution together rather than struggling in silence.
Finding a Client
One of the major components of the projects in the MSC program is that they are mostly client-based. For nearly all of your projects after Sequence 1 you will need to find a real-world client to work with, both for your individual and team projects. This doesn’t have to be a large corporation; in fact, you’ll probably have a more rewarding experience by working with a local small business or non-profit organization. Smaller companies tend to have fewer communication materials, and you will gain a lot of experience working to build something from the ground up.
If possible, we would recommend finding clients and projects that you are passionate about, or that will help support your long-term goals. You’ll enjoy your projects far more if it’s focused on something that you care about. You will also be able to create a more robust portfolio if you can showcase projects that are suited for your future.
If you are ever having difficulty finding a client, we suggest you contact your instructor or program coordinator, and that you do so early on in the semester. Finding a client can be one of the more challenging aspects of the program, and you’ll find that it’s easier to complete your projects on time if you have a client lined up ahead of time.
