Spring 20163899
Course Syllabus for COM 444 and 5444
Practices in Public Relations
Instructor: J. Mignon Kucia, Ph.D.
Tuesday 6 p.m. Aven 109
601-925-3899 (work)
kucia@mc.edu
Text: Public Relations Cases, 9th Ed. Hendrix and Hayes
ISBN - 10:1-34442-6
Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 6th Ed.
ISBN - 10:1-4338-0561-8
Graduate Students are expected to write a major research paper (20 pages of TEXT) and follow
APA 6th writing style correctly. The topics must be approved by the instructor prior to the
writing.
Catalog Description:
This course is an advanced study of public relations and is designed to utilize case studies which
allow the student to solve problems in public relations.
Prerequisites:
Junior/Senior standing or acceptance into graduate school for 5444. JOU 333 and COM 443 are
extremely helpful.
Academic Integrity:
Mississippi College students are expected to be honest. The college and the instructor does not
tolerate cheating, plagiarism, forgery or misuse of college documents. The penalty may include
loss of credit and possible dismissal from the college. The policy is stated in the Mississippi
College Tomahawk and in Policy 2.19. Copies of the policy are available online at mc.edu.
Papers will be submitted via TurnItIn.com.
Rationale for the Course:
This course is an integral part of the Public Relations concentration within the Department of
Communication. The course is also a part of the Master of Science in Communication and the
MBA Program as an elective.
Objective #1: Review basic public relations policies which are a part of the COM 443
course and which are necessary before any of the campaign can be accomplished.
Objective #2: Equip the student with information and skills
necessary to organize, plan and manage a COMPLETE public relations campaign. The
class will have access to a client in order to meet this objective.
Objective #3: Each student must plan and implement and in-depth interview with a PR
professional within the student’s chosen area of interest. Interviews must be presented
in class for the benefit of all students.
Objective #4: Each student will present in class content from two of the following areas:
Media Relations (Chapter 3), Social Media (Chapter 4), Internal Communications
(Chapter 5), Community Relations (Chapter 6), Public Affairs and Government Relations
(Chapter 7), Investor and Financial Relations (Chapter 8), Consumer Relations (Chapter
9), International Public Relations (Chapter 10), Relations With Special Publics (Chapter
11), Crisis Communication (Chapter 12), Integrated Marketing Communications (Chapter
13).
Course Presentation:
The course presentation is a combination of lecture, discussion and classroom activity,
reading assignments, written oral projects and one complete (group)Public Relations
campaign with a client.
Evaluation:
A. Two tests will be administered during the semester.
B. Each student will present in class one section of their
choice from the text TBD by individuals in the class. Outlines/PowerPoint must
accompany each presentation.
C. Each student will present an interview from a public relations professional after
conducting an interview/fact finding session. The professional will be selected
by the student.
D. Research paper for the Graduate students.
E. The complete public relations campaign (group) in consultation with the client will be
a large part of the grade.
Attendance
It is in your best interest to be here. Much of what will be on tests includes material
from class meetings. I will adhere strictly to the university policy on absenteeism which requires
that you be present for 75% of the class meetings. This means that if you miss more than 12
classes in a MWF, or more than 8 classes in a MW or TR class, you will be assigned an automatic
“F”. If you are absent, it is your responsibility to get the material you missed from another class
member. As noted previously, participation accounts for 10% of your final grade. Other than
the noted activities which can affect your participation grade, absences will also have an impact
on this grade. You will be allowed 3 absences with no penalty. After those 3 absences, you will
lose points on the participation grade. For a MW or TR class, the penalty will be 3 points, per
absence over 3, and for a MWF class there will be a 2 point reduction in your participation
grade for each absence over 3. In classes such as these, much of the learning is a result of the
interaction and activities which take place during class, therefore it is imperative that you be in
attendance was much as possible.
DISCLAIMER:
We will attempt to follow the outlined schedule. Be aware that changes will be made as
necessary.
SPECIAL NOTICE:
Tuition refund cannot be made on dropped classes after the first week of classes.
CLASS PARTICIPATION
You are expected to participate in class. You will note that this is 10% of your final grade.
Sleeping, texting, studying for other classes, tardiness and failure to turn in assignments are
some examples of behaviors that will negatively impact your participation grade. Additionally,
computers will not be open on your desk during lecture. Please see attendance policy as it
relates to this grade.
STUDENT ASSISTANCE
Early Alert System
Mississippi College has adopted the practice of finding students early in the semester who may
be exhibiting behaviors that could ultimately have a negative impact on their academic
progress. These behaviors are often called “red flag” behaviors and include, but are not limited
to, excessive absences, poor test grades, and lack of class participation or evidence of nonengagement. Identifying these behaviors early gives the instructor the opportunity to raise the
“red flag” on behalf of a particular student so that the student can take the appropriate action
to redirect his/her progress. The system alerts the student, the student’s advisor, and the
Office of Student Success.
These messages are intended to help a student recognize an area of concern and to encourage
him/her to make some choices to improve the situation. When a student receives an Early
Alert message, the student should quickly make an appointment to talk with his/her professor
about the situation. Also, students can make full use of the Office of Student Success to set
academic goals and connect to campus resources.
Students with Disabilities
In order for a student to receive disability accommodations under Section 504 of the Americans
with Disabilities Act, he or she must schedule an individual meeting with the Director of Student
Counseling Services immediately upon recognition of their disability (if their disability is known
they must come in before the semester begins or make an appointment immediately upon
receipt of their syllabi for the new semester). The student must bring with them written
documentation from a medical physician and/or licensed clinician that verifies their disability. If
the student has received prior accommodations, they must bring written documentation of
those accommodations (example Individualized Education Plan from the school
system). Documentation must be current (within 3 years).
The student must meet with SCS face-to face and also attend two (2) additional follow up
meetings (one mid semester before or after midterm examinations and the last one at the end
of the semester). Please note that the student may also schedule additional meetings as
needed for support through SCS as they work with their professor throughout the semester.
Note: Students must come in each semester to complete their Individualized Accommodation
Plan (example: MC student completes fall semester IAP plan and even if student is a continuing
student for the spring semester they must come in again to complete their spring semester IAP
plan).
Student Counseling Services is located on the 4th floor of Alumni Hall) or they may be contacted
via email at mbryant@mc.edu . You may also reach them by phone at 601-925-7790. Dr.
Morgan Bryant is director of MC Student Counseling Services.
Makeup Work:
All makeup tests requests must be accompanied by an excused absence. They must be
arranged at a time convenient for the instructor within one week of the original test date. All
classroom assignments must be completed and turned in on or before the scheduled date.
Presentations will be made at the next presentation time. NO ASSIGNMENTS WILL BE
ACCEPTED LATE!!!
Grading Scale:
Undergraduate
A=94-100
B=93-85
C=84-78
D=77-70
F=69Graduate
A=94-100
B+ =92-93
B= 85-91
C+=83-84
C=78-82
Grade Components:
Graduate
Research Paper
Interview
Tests
Content Presentations
Campaign
Class Participation
10%
10%
20%
10%
40%
10%
100%
Undergraduate
Interview
15%
Tests
20%
Content Presentations 15%
Campaign
40%
Class Participation
10%
100%
Calendar of Events:
Jan 12 - Introduction of class and syllabus review
Jan 19 - Chapter 1
Jan 26 - Chapter 2
Feb 2 TEST – Chapters 1-2
Feb 9 - Introduction of Client
Feb 16 - Chapters 3 - 4 Student Presentations; Group work; Demographics discussion
Feb 23 - Chapters 5-6 Student Presentations; Group work
Mar 1 - Chapters 7-9 Student Presentations, Group work, Demographics Pretest
Mar 8 - SPRING BREAK
Mar 15 - Chapters 10-11 Student Presentations; Group work; Survey Discussion
Mar 22 - Chapters 12-13 Student Presentations; Survey Pretest
Mar 29 - TEST
Apr 5 - PR professional interview presentations, Group work
Apr 12 - Graduate Research Presentations, Group work
Apr 19 - Graduate Research Presentations
Apr 26 Client PR Presentation
Please read the following statements and initial in the blanks provided. After you have read
and initialed the statements, please sign and date the bottom of the list.
I have read the syllabus and understand the requirements and expectations for this class____
Grad Students (Research paper – 20 pages text) in APA 6th _____
All students will prepare chapters and cases as assigned to present in class ______
I understand the absentee policy as it relates to my final grade_____
I understand that plagiarism is the basis for a “0” on any assignment_____
Texting (and getting caught) will result in a 10 point deduction in my Participation grade essentially a 1 point deduction in my final grade_____
Signed
___________________ Name
___________________Date
What is a phone number with which I could reach you in a class-related situation if necessary
________________
Is there anything that I need to know about your current life/school/work situations that would
allow me to help/understand you better?