JOU 454/5454 Public Relations Writing
Fall 2015
Syllabus
TR; 9:25-10:40 a.m.; Aven 114
Instructor: Dr. Tim Nicholas
Office: Aven 110; phone 601-925-3462;
E-mail: tnichola@mc.edu
You may e-mail me as late as 11
p.m. expecting that I will see it.
Prerequisites: COM 443 and JOU 333
This course may be taken for graduate credit.
Required materials:
Public Relations Writing: Form and Style, Newsome and
Haynes, 9th ed.
Associated Press Styleguide, any recent edition
Rationale: This course is an integral part of the
journalism and public relations concentrations and is
designed to assist in preparing the student to write for
public relations as a professional.
Academic integrity: Students will perform their own work.
Any student found in violation will receive a failing
course grade and will be reported to the vice president for
academic affairs in accordance with policy 2.19 as stated
in the MC general bulletin. I have zero tolerance for
plagiarism.
Learning objectives:
1--The student will learn basic communication theories
which will help in planning and implementing effective
public relations strategies.
2--The student will develop targeted, effective news
releases for various publics.
3--The student will develop skills for writing memos,
speeches, financial information, and newsletters necessary
to communicate effectively to internal audiences.
4--The student will develop editing skills which include
mastery of the Associated Press Stylebook.
5--The student will learn to format his or her work for
electronic and print outlets.
6--The student will learn to communicate effectively with
specialized audiences such as stakeholders and customers.
Attendance: Those absent more than 25 percent of the
scheduled classes cannot receive credit for the course.
More than five absences drops the final grade by one
letter. Two tardies equals one absence.
Method of instruction: Methods will include lectures from
the instructor and occasional guests, writing various types
of public relations instruments, critiques of work from
both faculty and peers, and readings from the textbook and
outside sources. Class participation is required.
Graduate work: Students taking this course for graduate
credit are required to produce a well-researched paper of a
minimum of 20 pages on a public relations writing topic
approved by the professor.
Evaluation: Students will produce numerous news releases,
and other instruments of public relations communication.
Students will be linked with a non-profit organization and
produce materials for a campaign, and will produce a media
kit.
I reserve an additional 10 percent for class attendance,
participation, and homework completion.
Students taking JOU 5454 for graduate credit will be
required to produce an in-class newsletter, working from
the ideas to the final layout or produce an informationbased web page.
Grading: A=90-100; B=80-89; C=70-79; D=65-69; F=below 65.
Graduate students are eligible to earn B+ or C+, adding a
half quality point.
----Please note: "Tuition refund cannot be made on dropped
classes after the first week of classes."
---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 in Alumni Hall Room
#4 or they may be contacted via email at rward@mc.edu. You
may also reach them by phone at
601-925-7790.