27 courses with the subject XD, each shown exactly as we captured it from the college's catalog, with every element we hold. Where the wording looks broken, that is our reading of the catalog, not the college's text.
XD 225Designing Experiences3
Pre-Req: EMS 101, EMS 101L, EMS 102, or EMS 102L Formerly IDCC 225 Life is about having experiences. You can think of your first day of college, a concert you attended, a sporting event, an ad campaign that went viral, or a vacation you took, among endless others. From the transformational to the mundane, we are constantly met with different types of experiences that can impact our lives in various ways. We can have effortless experiences that make things easy, or experiences that change who we are as people. Each has a place, and we need to know how to create both. This course explores the nature of experiences, how we perceive them individually and socially, and how they can be intentionally designed. We will examine from an interdisciplinary perspective to understand how we can craft experiences across industries and domains. Students will leave with a better understanding of experience design, along with how this can be applied to any areas of interest. Typically Offered: Fall and Spring
Pre-Req: EMS 104 or EMS 105 Formerly IDCC 230 If information is the commodity of the information age, effective content is the key to building value for organization. This course teaches the basics of content strategy about business and technical subjects. Students will embrace traditional, digital, social communication channels and content creation techniques for a variety of industries including fashion, health, and sports. In the process, students will be introduced to the profession and learn how to sharpen their writing, design, and communication skills. Typically Offered: Once a year
Pre-Req: EMS 104 or EMS 105 Formerly IDCC 250 This course consists of a survey of the main sectors of public relations activity, from marketing to issues management to crisis communications. Students explore real public relations problems including some still in progress with both a domestic and international perspective. They also survey the ethical challenges faced in this profoundly influential field, and prepare recommendations and pitch proposals on behalf of a specific organization. Typically Offered: Fall and Spring
Pre-Req: EMS 104 or EMS 105 Formerly IDCC 298 Experimental courses explore curriculum development, with specific content intended for evolution into a permanent course. A topic may be offered twice before it becomes a permanent course. Students may repeat experimental courses with a different topic for credit. Typically Offered: As needed
Pre-Req: EMS 104 or EMS 105 Formerly IDCC 320 This course approaches effective communication both as an essential personal-professional skill and as an important function of management. It also discusses the elements of communication (argumentation, structure, style, tone and visual appeal) and presents techniques for increasing effectiveness in each area. Students read, discuss and write about cases based on tasks that managers commonly face, such as explaining changes in policy, writing performance evaluations, analyzing survey results, and communicating with employees, shareholders, the press, and the public. Typically Offered: Fall and Spring
Pre-Req: EMS 104 or EMS 105; XD 240/IDCC 240 is highly recommended Formerly IDCC 340 This course prepares students to apply design methods and tools to professional communication projects. Building on the discussions of typography, color, layout, images and symbols in Fundamentals of Visual Communication (IDCC 240/XD 240), this course explores how to integrate their use and apply them to complex communication projects. Working in teams on projects for real clients, students will use design methodology to identify their needs and project constraints. Students will also develop a visual identity, estimate the budget, set the schedule for the project, and produce design copy suitable for delivery through multiple channels. Typically Offered: Once a year
Pre-Req: EMS 104 or EMS 105 Formerly IDCC 345 Wayfinding is behavior, and it means knowing where you are, knowing se your destination, following the best route to your destination, recognizing your destination when you arrive, and being able to reverse the whole process and finding your way back out. Wayfinding design systems are used internationally for exterior and interior environments. Usually these communication systems incorporate signs, symbols and pictograms to assist and guide visitors, tourists and consumers to find what they are looking for in museums, airports, train stations, zoos, brick and mortar retail environments, and city centers. This course serves as an introduction to the Environmental Graphic Design discipline through lectures, and assigned projects. Examples of Environmental Graphic Design include wayfinding systems, architectural graphics, signage, interpretive graphics, exhibit design, identity graphics, pictogram design, retail and store design, mapping and themed environments. Typically Offered: Every two or more years
Pre-Req: EMS 104 or EMS 105 Formerly IDCC 360 Introduces students to the tools, critical thinking and skills needed to manage and exploit information technology in high-tech public relations and public relations generally. Whether promoting a product or controlling a rumor, high tech plays an important role in public relations strategy. High tech opens the door to new audiences and shortens timelines. High tech provides an immediate means of dialogue, criticism and persuasion among companies and their audiences, both internal and external. The explosion of online media presents new opportunities for companies to deliver key messages about their products, services, activities and reputation. Typically Offered: Spring
Pre-Req: EMS 104 or EMS 105 Formerly IDCC 361 Sports are important socially and economically, globally and locally. Businesses, teams, athletes, nonprofit organizations and governments turn to public relations in order to maximize the benefits of sports whether promoting a particular sport or team, or a city or nation bidding to attract a major sporting event such as the Olympics. The ramifications of sport are felt politically, economically and socially, and this means that public relations practitioners are deeply involved with the sports business. In this course, you will explore the main publicity techniques used by the main stakeholders in the sports business, whether they are promoting a team, sport, athlete, location or corporate involvement. Students will also learn how sports public relations goes beyond traditional media relations to include specialist activities like issues and crisis management, reputation management, community relations and emerging technology. Typically Offered: Once a year
Pre-req: EMS 104 or EMS 105 The course examines the world of fashion, retail (traditional and online) and how creative consumers are changing the global retail landscape. In particular, it examines the history of fashion, the brands that dominate the global apparel, accessories and footwear industry and how the retail industry is adapting to changing shopping behaviors. The course includes a topical analysis of the fashion industry from fast fashion and streetwear to haute couture and how apparel is bought, borrowed, rented and DIY by creative consumers. Typically Offered: Spring 2026-2027-Undergraduate 207
Pre-Req: EMS 104 or EMS 105 Formerly IDCC 365 , Crises are an increasing fact of corporate life. Disasters, scandals, and rumors and are forcing corporations, governments, and nonprofits to reevaluate their approach to communication, both nationally and internationally. Today's public relations professionals need to be familiar with various crisis types and understand the impact of these crises. Shortening time frames, globalization, outsourced activities, and social media complicate the task of rescuing an organization thrown into the public spotlight. The escalation of uncertainty into crisis occurs more rapidly, with less time for stricken organizations to gain control of the turbulent crisis environment. This course helps students develop skills in crisis planning and responding through theory application, in-class discussions, case studies, development of crisis communication plans, and simulations. Typically Offered: Fall and Spring
Pre-Req: EMS 104 or EMS 105 Formerly IDCC 370 This course introduces best practices in user experience and user interface design through hands-on project work in responsive web design and mobile app design. Students will address business goals, audience needs, content strategy, navigation, usability, and accessibility in the design of digital experiences. Through group and individual assignments, students will sketch, wireframe, AI-generate designs, and gain experience with essential design software while learning the fundamentals of user experience design: creating experiences that are useful, usable, and desirable. Typically Offered: Fall and Spring
Pre-Req: EMS 104 or EMS 105 Formerly IDCC 375 Everything we interact with has a user interface, from newspapers and grocery stores to cell phones and websites. Designing user interfaces is an important and difficult process, which students will learn and practice with hands-on activities. Understanding how to approach a design problem also helps with doing research for almost any ill-defined problem in business, entrepreneurship, and society. Students will practice sketching and paper prototyping, physical prototyping, and digital prototyping of services and customer experiences with an emphasis on wayfinding, accessibility, and iteratively approaching an ill-defined problem through testing and feedback. Typically Offered: Fall
Pre-Req: Two or more courses from XD 225, XD 240, XD 370, XD 375, and XD 376, or instructor permission Formerly IDCC 380 Through interdisciplinary projects spanning content strategy, product design, user testing, and interface design, students acquire advanced skills in empathy and interaction design. This course mixes hands- on practice and results-driven business goals to create sustainable, inclusive, and transformative experiences. Students will delve into real- world challenges and shape human-to-human, human-to-environment, and human-to-technology interactions. By prioritizing user needs, students will enhance usability, accessibility, and inclusivity across solutions, platforms, and technologies including mobile apps, kiosks, wearables, voice, multimodal interfaces, context-aware design, immersive interfaces, and whatever comes next. Typically Offered: Once a year
Pre-Req: EMS 104 or EMS 105 Formerly IDCC 385 Students will deeply explore the fundamentals of a user experience and evaluate and reflect on the world around them. The class includes a deep review of experience design research and evaluation methods, including usability testing, interviews, and observational research, and prepares students to choose the best approach given proposed scenarios and constraints. This course introduces human cognitive processes that apply to perception, memory, and decision-making, and it culminates with students presenting a project that showcases their ability to apply theoretical knowledge to a real-world experience. Typically Offered: Spring
Pre-Req: EMS 104 or EMS 105 Formerly IDCC 390 This course discusses current topics in experience design based on readings in the professional literature and assigned texts. This course examines a different topic each semester offered. Students undertake individual or group research projects. (Allows repetition for credit.) Typically Offered: As needed
Pre-Req: EMS 104 or EMS 105 Formerly IDCC 399 Experimental courses explore curriculum development, with specific content intended for evolution into a permanent course. A topic may be offered twice before it becomes a permanent course. Students may repeat experimental courses for with a different topic for credit. Typically Offered: As needed
Pre-Req: Instructor permission Permits superior students to study special topics in experience design. (Allows repetition for credit.) Typically Offered: As needed
Pre-Req: (EMS 104 or EMS 105) and instructor permission Formerly IDCC 411 Requires students to select, in consultation with the departmental adviser, a topic related to experience design; to undertake both bibliographical and field research, as appropriate; and to prepare and submit for approval a substantial documented report. Typically Offered: As needed
Pre-Req: Internship coordinator permission The course introduces students to the real world of design and research related to products, interfaces, and services in the industry or other professional organizations. The internship is both task- and research-oriented, emphasizing the practical aspects of user or customer research, prototyping, testing, and stakeholder communication. During the semester internship, the direct supervisor and the faculty coordinator monitor the intern's progress jointly. Typically Offered: Fall and Spring
The course introduces students to practical, hands-on field engagement in the experience design or public relations industry. The course emphasizes skill-building and technical expertise in an array of design, writing, and media-related activities. The internship is task-oriented, allowing students to increase their professional network and strengthen their resumes. During the semester internship, the direct supervisor and the faculty coordinator monitor the intern's progress jointly. Typically Offered: As needed
Bentley Global Experience (BGX) courses are 3-credit intensive study abroad experiences offered during semester breaks, usually 10 to 15 days in length during January break, Spring break (as part of a Spring semester course), or in May after exams. The professor leads his/her students on an immersive learning experience in a region of the world where the professor has expertise, offering students the opportunity to combine cultural activities with business, NGO, or other relevant site visits. Students benefit from personal interactions with companies and organizations they would not encounter as a tourist. The intensive format allows students to study abroad without missing a semester at Bentley. Please visit https://www.bentley.edu/offices/international-education to learn more. Typically Offered: As needed Falcon Discovery Seminar (FDS)
