Mass Communication 330
Public Relations
Spring 2005 – 3T
(219 Peltier)
Nicki Boudreaux, M.S.
Office: 100 B Talbot
Phone: (985) 439-2537
Email: nicki.boudreaux@nicholls.edu
Office hours: M-W-F 9:40-10:35 (3M) ; T-Th 8:30-10:20 (2T), 1:00-3:30; and by appointment
1. Course description: Effective use of promotion, publicity, advertising, research techniques, internal and external publications and the news media. [Open to all students.]
2. Course prerequisites: The university stipulates that a student must have completed English 101/102 and Math 101 before enrolling in a 300-level course.
3. Course objectives: To impart to students an understanding of the field of public relations. Students will demonstrate writing abilities. Through the study, discussion, and testing, students will demonstrate knowledge of public relations activities and issues and will relate public relations concepts to "real world" situations through case studies and current observations of media coverage. Students will demonstrate knowledge and application of PRSA's Code of Professional Standards for the Practice of Public Relations. Students will demonstrate knowledge pertaining to the practice of public relations in a variety of areas including
¬ Professional issues related to the field;
¬ The role of public relations as it relates to management, government, publics, and society;
¬ History of public relations;
¬ Ethical practice of public relations;
¬ Public relations activities including media relations, publicity, advertising, promotion, and research;
¬ Crisis management, and writing;
¬ The public relations process;
¬ Multicultural issues and diversity in public relations.
4. Materials and Textbooks: Public Relations: A Value Driven Approach by David Guth and Charles Marsh (Allyn and Bacon, 2000).
5. Course Requirements:
¬ Class Procedure and Student Participation: Class time will be composed of lecture, class discussion, and exercises. Participation is required and constitutes 10 percent of the course grade.
¬ Attendance: Attendance and punctuality are expected at all class meetings. While the University allows three absences without grade repercussions, students with more than three unexcused absences will suffer a letter grade drop off the final grade with EACH unexcused absence. Students marked absent because they are tardy are responsible for contacting the professor at the end of that class period so that the correction can be made. This is the only time a student can expect to have an absence erased from his/her record. In addition, tardiness is a disservice to you and your classmates. Absence (excused or unexcused) does not excuse students from assignments due at the missed class. Make-ups will be allowed only when the instructor or appropriate University office excuses absences. It is the responsibility of the student to approach the instructor about make-ups for a mutually agreed upon appointment no later than one week after the missed class.
¬ Readings: Students are expected to read all assigned materials prior to each class period. Reading prior to class is essential. An unannounced quiz on reading materials may take place at the beginning of any class period.
¬ Blackboard: This course uses Blackboard software. You are required to check the Blackboard site for this class at least every other day. You are responsible for all materials posted to the Blackboard site.
¬ News Consumption:
1. Read any two newspapers weekly, in addition to The Nicholls Worth
2. Watch or listen to national broadcast news programs at least three times a week
3. Watch or listen to local public affairs programs at least twice a week
6. Academic Honesty: Plagiarism and other forms of dishonesty will be dealt with severely, the minimum penalty being failure of the course.
7. Thoroughness: Students must complete all the work (i.e. tests, projects, presentations, papers, productions, writing assignments, etc.) required for the course. Completion of all required work does not guarantee a passing grade. Failure to complete any required work will result in a grade of F in the course.
8. Exams and Assignments:
¬ Exams: There will be two. The first will cover chapters 1-7; the second will cover chapters 8-16. [Each will be worth 30 percent of the final grade. Total: 60 percent.] Note: Make-up exams will be given at the discretion of the instructor. In most cases, if not all, they will be in essay form.
¬ Project: Students will be given detailed instructions on the individual project titled ÒPublic Relations on the Web: A tool for analysis.Ó Students will be required to complete various aspects of the project based on the timeline given by the instructor. [Will be worth 30 percent of the final grade.]
¬ Assignments/class discussion/participation: Students are expected to turn in all assignments, to read the outside readings and book chapters, and to be aware of current developments in the field so that they can coherently discuss issues in class. The essential point is that homework and class participation is crucial and will be noted throughout the course. [Class participation, quizzes and completion of other assignments will be worth 10 percent of the final grade]
¬ Format: ALL out-of-class assignments must be typed, Times 12 pt., double spaced. NO EXCEPTIONS.
9. Grading: The course grade will be comprised of two exams, outside readings and assignments, an individual project, and [useful] class participation. All grading is on a 10 point scale.
10. Requirements: Students must complete all work on time. Late assignments will NOT be accepted unless the student provides an excuse that is approved by the instructor and the appropriate university office.
11. Etiquette/Class Conduct: All cellular telephones, beepers and other noise-making, disrupting devices must be silenced during class. NO ONE should answer a cell phone during class! If a disruption occurs, the instructor reserves the right to answer the call or to instruct the student to leave the class. Students may be penalized for disruption and must receive permission from the instructor to return to the class. These devices will be allowed only for emergency purposes and the student must receive prior permission from the instructor. No children or other visitors will be allowed in class due to University liability policies.
This course encourages the free exchange of opinions and ideas as class discussion is an integral part of the course. Everyone is expected to be respectful of one another, the instructor, and any guest lecturers in the classroom.
12. Portfolios: A portfolio is required of every mass communication student. The student's portfolio will be presented and graded in the capstone course of the student's emphasis. Further details on the portfolio may be found in the MACO Student Handbook. All work in MACO courses should be corrected and archived on disk and in hard copy for possible inclusion in the portfolio.
13. Plagiarism: Plagiarism and other forms of dishonesty will be dealt with severely, the minimum penalty being an F in the course.
14. Disability Services: Any student that has a documented disability that requires assistance needs to register with the Office of Disability Services for coordination of your academic accommodations. The Office of Disability Services is located in Peltier Hall, Room 100-A. The phone number is (985) 448-4430 (TDD 449-7002)
Note: Students should be mindful of how ethics, diversity and current affairs apply to each unit covered. These items will be discussed in class.
Week 1 (Jan. 18, 20)
Week 2 (Jan 25, 27)
Week 3 (Feb 1, 3)
Week 4 (Feb 10)
Week 5 (Feb 15, 17)
Week 6 (Feb 22, 24)
Week 7 (Mar 1, 3)
Week 8 (Mar 8, 10)
Week 9 (Mar 15, 17)
Week 10 (Mar 22, 24)
Week 11 (Mar 29, 31)
Week 12 (Apr 5, 7)
Week 13 (Apr 12, 14)
Week 14 (19, 21)
Week 15 (Apr 26, 28)
FINAL EXAMS (TBA week of May 2-6)