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Satisfying the Junior Year Writing Requirement

All courses listed below meet SOM and UMass Junior Year Writing requirements. These requirements should be fulfilled during the junior year, to prepare you for senior courses. Pre-requisites: English 111 & 112 or 113. SOM 310/390 sections are open to SOM & Resource Economics majors only.

SOM 310, Management Communication

Focusing on basic business writing, critical thinking, and public speaking, this CORE course features a hand-on approach, offering both individual and team projects. In addition to the regular sections of SOM that are open to all we offer specialized 310 sections:

  • SOM 310 - Computer Lab. Offering the basic 310 experience, but in a computer lab. Class activities include writing and researching online.

  • SOM 310 – ESL. Featuring smaller classes, the ESL sections focus more directly on English language acquisition problems related to writing. For non-native English speakers/writers only.


SOM 390, Courses designed to develop knowledge and skills

These courses meet JYW requirements, but focus on specific skills and knowledge in various management fields and SOM majors. Not all courses are offered every semester – check the current schedule each semester.

  • SOM 313 - Organizational Communication. Exploring how organizations are “structured” by communication, class activities include technical writing and an onsite communication audit experience. Open to all SOM and Resource Econ majors.

  • SOM 315 - Marketing Communication. Focusing on marketing materials such as press releases, brochures, and ads, this course emphasizes research, analysis, and media relations. Primarily for SOM Marketing, HTM, and Sport Management majors, but open to all.

  • SOM 316 - Leadership Communication. Featuring discussion, research projects, community service, and public speaking, this course explores commitment to professional and personal development. Open to all SOM and Resource Econ majors.

  • SOM 390N – Hospitality Management Communication. Emphasizing basic writing and interpersonal communication, this course was designed for SOM Hospitality & Tourism majors.

  • SOM 390P - Sport Management Communication. Focusing on communication skills that sport management professionals need, this course features role-playing, and writing for global contexts. Designed specifically for Sport Management majors; open, but not relevant to all.

  • SOM 390R – Writing for Accounting. Focusing on communication skills that accounting professionals need, this course is designed to help accounting students relay technical information effectively to various audiences. Designed for Accounting majors; open, but not relevant to all.

In addition to our regular on-campus courses we also offer:

SOM 310 - Online. Offered during summer sessions, this course features writing assignments based on readings and discussion (no public speaking or team components). Suitable only for SOM Online BBA students; on-campus SOM students should not take this course.