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Fall, 2013 Bill Brewer, APR Clinical Faculty COM 259 Introduction to Public Relations

Required Text: Think:Public Relations, by Wilcox, Cameron, Reber, and Shin, Second Edition with MySeachLab
Recommended: The New York Times, Wall Street Journal

Instructor: Bill Brewer, APR
Office: 150 Williams
Office Phone: 529-3548 (Williams Hall number)
E-Mail: brewerwe@miamioh.edu
Office Hours: Mon. 4-5, Tues. and Thurs. 10:30-11:30 and 1-2, Friday 11-12 and by appointment. We also have virtual office hours through Webex on Sunday from 3-5 pm.

Teaching Assistants:
Kaitlyn Blaney blaneyka@miamioh.edu
Joe Dahm dahmjm@miamioh.edu
Robert Engle englerj@miamioh.edu
Sarah Grega gregasm@miamioh.edu
Grayson Hagerman hagermgp@miamioh.edu
James Harper harperj5@miamioh.edu
Madison Mullen mullenmm@miamioh.edu
Tyler Springhetti springtr@miamioh.edu

Course Objectives
This course is designed to provide an introduction to the closely related fields of strategic communication and public relations. This is an exploration of social influence and how communication is used strategically to achieve social influence goals of a broad variety of organizations and individuals. It introduces the 20th century history and development of the field and discusses the influence of strategic communication and the profession of public relations on society. Specific attention is given to the role of economic class, race and sex in the profession of public relations. It will explore central theory, principles, and research in these areas, as well as a survey of contexts of application and influence throughout society. You will be expected to employ these concepts to critically analyze cases and challenges in social influence.

By the end of the semester, the student should know and understand:
1) the nature of public relations,
2) the history and development of public relations along with key figures, incidents, and the role economic class, race and sex played in this area,
3) the role social influence plays in the execution of public relations,
4) the breadth of application contexts of public relations and the importance of each context,
5) the central theories, principles, and research about public relations,
6) how to critically evaluate social influence situations in order to apply theoretical and research based principles to the development of plans for a public relations response.

Course Approach
This is an introductory class, and as such, you need to be prepared to learn the basics as well as how to work with these concepts in critically analyzing cases and public relations challenges. The basics are necessary, however, before being able to work with them. The class is based on part lecture, part discussion and part collaborative learning. In this class, learning is a shared responsibility between the instructors and students. Learning requires you to be actively involved. You are expected to be prepared for each class period by having read and thought about the materials for each day and coming to class with any questions you have about that material. That allows you to participate in course and it allows us to follow up on areas of interest and/or confusion on your part. The exams cover class content and material in the reading, some of which is not discussed in class, so it is important that you have read the material to be able to identify areas that require class discussion. In short, you are expected to actively participate in the learning experiences in class and you share responsibility for course outcomes.

Cohort Groups
To avoid the typical large lecture class, I will divide the class into cohort groups which will be led by the teaching assistants. These cohorts groups are designed to allow you to explore the theories and practices of public relations with your peers. All guidelines and expectations expressed in this syllabus also apply to the cohort groups. You may always contact your assigned teaching assistant as well as the professor with questions or concerns about the assignments or the class, in general. For the quickest response, you should always contact your assigned teaching assistant first. However, all final grades will be assigned by the professor with the input of the entire teaching staff. Any concerns or questions you have about your teaching assistant should be brought to my attention immediately.

Drop Policy
Please be aware of Miami’s drop policy, summarized below.

If a student drops a full semester course by the third week deadline, the course will be removed from the record. If a student drops a course between the third week and ninth week of the term, a "W" will be recorded. A student cannot normally drop a course after the ninth week of the term and the only way to drop at this point is by petition.

Course Work Load

Three Exams 100 pts. 300 pts.
Final Exam 150 pts. 150 pts.
3 Short Writing Assignments 50 pts. 150 pts.
5 Quizzes 40 pts. 200 pts.
Participation 50 pts. 50 pts.
15 Online Chapter Quizzes 5 pts 75 pts.
Discussion Forums 25 100
Group Project 175 pts 175 pts.

Total Pts. 1200 pts.

The standard plus/minus grading scale will be used as follows from Niihka
0-3% Minus letter grade
4-6% Letter grade
7-9% Plus letter grade.

Because of the nature of this course, attendance and participation in class activities are very important, and absences will reduce your grade. If any work is missed due to absences, it is the student's responsibility to seek out the instructor and/or assigned teaching assistant concerning any make up opportunities within one week of the missed work. Keep in mind, however, that some in-class activities cannot be made up, and no quizzes can be made up. Any student that misses four or more class periods for ANY reason will fail the class.

Attendance does not create the participation portion of your grade. Attendance in every class period is expected of everyone, but no points are given for simply being in class. You must be present to participate, and absences will count against participation credit, but attendance does NOT generate participation credit by itself. Participation means not only being physically present in class, but also being an active participant. To participate in class, you need to have read and thought about that day’s reading assignment. Be prepared to ask questions, offer examples, and apply concepts to class exercises in class. Participation also means effectively joining in class exercises, asking thoughtful questions and offering insightful comments. These guidelines are particularly important in your cohort group sessions. Participation also includes your behavior in one-on-one conversations with your professors and cohort leaders. This means being respectful, at all times, of their position and experience.

Online Chapter Quiz
In addition to many numerous study aids (flashcards, sample quizzes, resources) each chapter in MySearchLab has a chapter. Each student must complete the chapter quiz on the day that the chapter is due. No one will be allowed to make-up or retake the quiz.

To gain access, you must go to MySearchLab and register. Once you register you may join our class by using the Class id: cm442016. There are also helpful resources in the resources tab on Niihka for the class as well as on on My SearchLab, videos etc. to assist you in using the system if you have not done so before. It is your responsibility to register properly. If you need assistance please contact your teaching assistant or myself.

Your first two chapter quizzes must be completed by our second class.

Online Discussions
You will have the opportunity to participate in four small cohort group discussions during the semester. Your participation, quality of thinking and responses will be worth up to 25 points per discussion topic.

Office Visit
I encourage you to make an appointment with me during in the semester to discuss your personal and career goals as well as your learning experience in the class. This visit may contribute to your participation in the learning environment.

Written Assignments
All written assignments for this class are expected to be proofread, typed, and turned in on time. You are encouraged to keep a copy of all assignments turned in to the instructor (in part because they may be useful portfolio items). While some assignments may be accepted late for a reduced grade, no work will be accepted past 1 week overdue OR when the assignment is returned to other students - whichever comes first.

We have designed the writing assignments to provide real life experiences and for you to develop your skills as an effective public relations writer. You are encouraged to begin all writing assignments early. You will have ample opportunity to ask questions in class and cohort groups about these assignments. However, the teaching staff will not review entire individual student writing. We will, however, answer specific questions about your individual work. Specific grading criteria will be discussed in class.

All work will be in AP Style. If you are a public relations major, I encourage you to purchase a copy of the AP Stylebook. Other students may find this in the library and specific examples will be provided in class and cohort groups.

Academic Honesty

Each student is expected to do his/her own work and to adhere to the code of academic integrity as presented in the Student Handbook.

If you have any questions, problems, or need to talk to any instructors about the course, please feel free to see us during office hours, call, E-Mail, or make an appointment to see any of us.

Mass Communication Policy on the Use of Personal Technology in the Classroom

Students may not use personal technology devices in the classroom without the permission of the instructor. Such devices include mobile email devices, smartphones, mobile phones, iPODs, iPads, and laptops and similar technologies. These devices may be brought to class, but they may be taken out for student use only with the instructor's specific instruction for purposes of achieving the learning objectives of the course. Notes may be taken using paper and pen/pencil, and students may type (word-process) notes outside of class time if they wish to do so. All mobile phones must be turned off during class. Any student who fails to follow these guidelines will be asked to leave class. Exceptions will be made in the case of students who need personal technology devices in order to learn course content due to documented disabilities (e.g.: visual or auditory disabilities).

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