Spring 2012
Course Syllabus for COM 444 and 5444
Practices in Public Relations
Instructor: Tim Nicholas, Ph.D.
Monday 6 p.m.
Aven 112
601-925-3462 (work)
tnichola@mc.edu
You may communicate with me at home via e-mail until 11 p.m.
with a reasonable expectation that I will see it then.
Course 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. (3 credits) (May be taken for graduate credit as
COM 5444).
TEXT: Public Relations Cases, Seventh Edition, by Jerry
Hendrix and Darrell Hayes. (ISBN: 0-495-05028-8)
Graduate students are expected to write two major research
papers (Topic chosen by instructor and student in
consultation). The papers will be written in APA style and
are due no later than April 16.
Objective #1: Review basic public relations policies which
are a part of the 443 course and which are necessary before
any of the campaigns can be accomplished. Ability to write a
news story will be necessary. Also, you must be able to use
English grammar and spelling rules correctly.
Objective #2: Equip the student with information and skills
necessary to organize, plan and manage a press conference.
Objective #3: Equip the student with information and skills
necessary to plan, organize and execute a “roll out” plan.
Objective #4: Equip the student with information and skills
necessary to plan, organize and execute a promotional
campaign.
Objective #5: Equip the student with information and skills
necessary to carry out a crisis management plan.
Course presentation: This course is a combination of
lecture, discussion and classroom (and outside) activity,
reading assignments, and written/oral projects.
Evaluation:
A: A minimum of two discussion or short-answer tests will be
administered during the semester.
B: Each class member will participate in case study
presentations. A grade will be assigned for the oral
presentation and the written analysis of each case.
C: Students will produce the following projects:
1. “Real world” project
2. A “roll out” project, which will be 1/3 of the grade.
3. Crisis management plan
I will attempt to offer students a “real world” project. The
“real world” project grade weight depends on the amount of
work produced. I will give class time for these projects.
Other grades, such as tests and analyses, count equally. I
reserve 10 percent of the grade for class participation,
attendance, and homework.
Grading scale: A=90-100; B=80-89; C=70-79; D=65-69; F=64-0
Those taking the course for graduate credit may earn B+ or
C+, according to the points earned.
Assignment schedule: All assignments are due at the
beginning of the class for which they are assigned to be
turned in. Plan for emergencies. In other words, get the
work to me on the due dates despite emergencies. You have
adequate time to complete the work on time. Scheduled tests
will be made up only when there is an excused absence. Any
class activity which is missed due to an excused absence
will be reassigned. If it is a project which requires group
activity, the project will be made up with an alternate
assignment.
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. Absence for more than 25 percent of classes is
automatic failure of the course.
Class meeting #1 (Jan. 9): Introduce the class to the
requirements and expectations of the course. I will assign
the first graded paper tonight which will show me you have
digested chapter 2. In class we will review chapters 1 and
2. “Public Relations in Action,” and “A Public Relations
Process.” Assignment: Produce a problem solution that
incorporates an understanding of contents of chapter 2. (I
will give you a written assignment sheet.)
Jan. 16 is a holiday.
Class meeting #2 (Jan 23): Examine case studies which will
be due next week.
Class meeting #3: (Jan. 30): Read chapters 3, 4, and 5.
“Media Relations,” “Internal Communications,” and “Community
Relations.”
Class meeting #4 (Feb. 6): Discuss the planning necessary to
have an open house.
Class meeting #5 (Feb. 13): Students present the case
studies to the class and discuss the merits of each.
Class meeting #6 (Feb. 20): Discuss chapters 6, 7, and 8.
Assignment: Due date is two class meetings from now. Write
up a case study that will follow generally the same process
used for the first case study assignment. I expect these to
be even better than the first ones.
Class meeting #7 (Feb. 27): We will use class time to meet
and work through the case studies. I will be available to
offer direction and suggestions for completing the projects.
Class meeting #8 (March 5): Present case studies.
Assignment: Prepare individually written “White Papers.”
March 12 is a part of spring break.
Class meeting #9 (March 19) We will have a guest lecturer.
Class meeting #10 (March 26): Discuss the process for
arranging a press conference.
Class meeting #11 (April 2): Further reading assignment:
chapters 9 and 10. Begin the news conferences if there is
enough time.
Class meeting #12 (April 9): Read chapter 11 on emergency
public relations. Presentation of the white papers.
Assignment: You are to design a crisis management plan for
Mississippi College. I will give you detailed instructions
for its production.
Class meeting #13 (April 16): Discuss the disaster plans.
Discuss chapters 9 and 10. Work in class on the crisis
projects.
Class meeting #14 (April 23): Our last class--review.
April 30--Final exam at 6 p.m. It will likely be a takehome.
Please note: “Tuition refund cannot be made on dropped
classes after the first week of class.”
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.