MCOM 3163 Public Information Methods Syllabus Spring 2018 T/Th - UCO
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
MCOM 3163 Public Information Methods Syllabus
Spring 2018 • T/Th
CRN 23449: 9:30-10:45 a.m. • CRN 23452: 11 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
Communications Building, Room 215
Department of Mass Communication • College of Liberal Arts
Dept. of Mass Communication Phone: 974-5303
Fax: 974-5125
Your Professor:
Chad Perry
Ph.D., M.F.A.,
APR, Fellow PRSA
Office Hours: T/Th: 2-4:30p
Or by appointment
Office: Communications 148a
Telephone: 405.974.5107
E-mail: cperry16@uco.edu
Facebook: facebook.com/
abqchad
Twitter & Instagram: @abqchad
LinkedIn: www.linkedin/com/in/
drchadperry
Public Information Methods • Spring 2018
MCOM 3163 Public Information directly by way of email (support@tophat.com), the in app
Methods • Spring 2018
support button, or by calling 1-888-663-5491.
Course Objective
This course emphasizes the strategies of crafting and
M COM 3163 Public Information Methods involves
the study of communication tactics used by strategic
delivering strategic communications messages to broad and
segmented audiences.
communications practitioners with an emphasis on the
Knowledge Components
development of writing and media relations skills.
Students will learn to:
Prerequisites • recognize the importance of crafting appropriate strategic
ENG 1113 English Composition, ENG 1213 English communications messages for target audiences
Composition & Research, MCOM 1113 Fundamentals • understand the significance of various audiences and
of Speech, MCOM 1133 Media Writing or MCOM appropriate ways to reach the targeted audience
1173 Strategic Communications Writing, MCOM 2063 • become familiar with a wide range of strategic
Introduction to Brand Communication/Advertising, and communications tools
MCOM 2193 Principles of Public Relations. • recognize potential problems and apply solutions through
Required Texts strategic communications messages
Perry, C.L. (2012). Think Like a Journalist, Write Like a • recognize legal and ethical problems associated with
Strategist: A Writing Handbook for Strategic Communication. strategic communications writing
Toronto, ON: Top Hat. (ISBN 13: 978-1-988365-40-4)* Skills Components
The Associated Press Stylebook and Briefing on Media Law Students will learn to:
2017. New York, NY: Basic Books. (ISBN 13: 978-0- • prepare news releases, with particular attention to
917360-63-3) the requirements of the sponsoring organization, the
Arnold, G.T. (2013). Media Writer’s Handbook: A Guide to requirements of the medium and the application of
Common Writing and Editing Problems, 6th edition. New journalistic standards
York, NY: McGraw-Hill. (ISBN 13: 978-0-07-3512300-6) • develop questions and answers in anticipation of media
* Note: We will be using the Top Hat (www.tophat. interest
com) classroom response system in class. You will be able • apply the AP Stylebook to written materials
to submit answers to in-class questions using Apple or • write a press release on short notice
Android smartphones and tablets, laptops, or through text • write a variety of public relations and advertising
message. Additionally, we will be using the custom-built materials, including PSAs, pitch letters, backgrounders,
interactive textbook, Think Like a Journalist, Write Like a features, web and social media releases, advertising copy,
Strategist, within Top Hat for this class. and fact sheets
You can visit the Top Hat Overview (https://success. • do appropriate research
tophat.com/s/article/Student-Top-Hat-Overview-and-
Standards Policy
Getting-Started-Guide) within the Top Hat Success Center
Public Information Methods is a rigorous and demanding
that outlines how you will register for a Top Hat account,
course with high professional and academic standards.
as well as providing a brief overview to get you up and
Possessing excellent writing skills is the key to securing
running on the system.
most entry-level positions in strategic communications. The
An invitation will be sent to you by email, but if you
significant idea is to step up to a professional level. You will
don’t receive this email, you can register by simply visiting
be graded with professional standards.
our course website: https://app.tophat.com/e/734653. Our
However, your work will be graded incrementally, with
course join code is 734653.
greater weight on later assignments since you are not
Top Hat will require a paid subscription, and a full
expected to come to the course with professional writing
breakdown of all subscription options available can be
skills. Having passed the prerequisites, you are expected to
found here: www.tophat.com/pricing. Don’t worry if you
bring into the course good journalistic skills.
don’t see any content in the course right away, I will make it
You are expected to read, view and listen to the media
available to you as we progress through the semester.
for which you will be writing, mass and specialized.
Should you require assistance with Top Hat at any time,
Furthermore, you are expected to come to class having
due to the fact that they require specific user information to
already read what is assigned to you in the text. You may be
troubleshoot these issues, please contact their Support Team
tested from time to time to see if you understand what you
are reading.
2Public Information Methods • Spring 2018
If you find that your writing skills are below assignments online at the course D2L site. On time means
the standards required for this class, it will be your submitting by the time posted on the D2L site.
responsibility to seek outside help from tutors, Tutoring • No work done in class, including tests or activities, can
Central or other resources to bring your writing skills up be made up. If you know you must miss a class, turn your
to acceptable standards for a class that is preparing you to work in prior to the date you expect to miss.
enter a professional field. Makeup exams are entirely at the discretion of your
High standards of grammar, punctuation and spelling professor and only with notice prior to the beginning of the
will be expected in every written assignment you submit. class explaining why you are unable to be in class to take the
Neatness and professional appearance for every assignment exam.
are also expected. The majority of your work will be submitted online
Class Policies at the course’s D2L site. Acceptable documents for
Attendance is mandatory. Communication professionals submission include Word documents (.doc/.docx),
should be on the job, so attendance is mandatory. OpenOffice Text (.odt), WordPerfect (.wpd), Adobe
Attendance records will be used in determining borderline PDF, rich text format (.rtf), plain text (.txt). DO NOT
grade decisions. SUBMIT PAGES documents. These cannot be scanned by
Late Assignments do not exist: Professionals work Turnitin, and I will not grade them.
under deadlines. One of the points of going to college is Accuracy
to develop a professional career, thus assignments are to be Errors in fact, grammar, style or spelling (including
completed on time. Makeup exercises will be given only for typographical errors that are the result of carelessness
extraordinary circumstances, which must be supported by or failure to check facts or correct spelling) will result
documentation. in the loss of a letter grade, as determined by the point
All assignments and examinations must be completed value of the assignment. Your professor will NOT correct
in order to be considered for a passing grade. Failure to your grammar, punctuation and style errors for you;
do so will result in a failing grade for the course. instead, writing mistakes will be noted, and it will be your
Students can incur four unexcused absences during responsibility to determine how to correct the errors.
the semester without penalty. After four unexcused Use The Associated Press Stylebook and Briefing on
absences, additional unexcused absences will cause the Media Law and/or a writing handbook (such as the Media
student’s grade to decrease as follows: Writer’s Handbook) for guidance in writing and rewriting
• Fifth absence – final grade reduced by one letter grade your articles.
• Sixth absence – final grade reduced by two letter grades Do NOT turn in first drafts. Correct your errors,
• Seventh absence – final grade reduced by three letter rewrite, and submit a finished copy suitable for publication.
grades Papers with pencil/pen corrections will receive half credit.
• Eighth absence – final grade reduced by four letter grades • Format: All assignments must be computer-generated,
(student receives F) double spaced and submitted in 8.5x11-inch format on
The quality of work you submit during the course is D2L. The appropriate format for each type of writing
absolutely no excuse for poor attendance and punctuality. assignment must be followed or the material will not be
Acceptable reasons for missing an examination or turning graded.
in homework late may include illness or accident that • 10-point type in Cambria, Georgia, Caslon or Palatino.
results in a doctor’s orders for bed rest or puts you into the Class Disruption
hospital, a serious illness or accident that puts a member of The following actions are considered to be inappropriate
your immediate family into the hospital, or the death of a in a college classroom: talking with classmates during class,
member of your immediate family. Documentation of such passing notes, sleeping, using cell phones or other electronic
occurrences will be necessary prior to allowing you to take a devices or other actions that disrupt other students or
makeup examination. Depending upon the circumstances, the professor. Repeated disruptions will result in your
a penalty may be imposed upon the makeup exam. In most being asked to leave the class. NO PERSONAL SOCIAL
circumstances, arrangements must be made to take makeup MEDIA will be allowed during class.
examinations prior to returning to class. • Set cell phones to silent mode and keep out of viewing
• Two tardies (5 minutes or more) to class will result in during class
one (1) absence. • With the first violation, instructor will confiscate your
• Deadlines – They will be strictly observed. Papers phone until the end of class
not in on time will not be accepted. You will submit your
3Public Information Methods • Spring 2018
• With the second violation, you will be told to leave Media Kits/News Conference
class and be counted absent Working together in teams, students will prepare a media
Office Hours kit for an imaginary client. The teams will also plan and
Please observe posted office hours (see top of syllabus). If hold a news conference focusing on the announcement
it is impossible for you to meet with your professor during featured in the media kit.
those hours, a time can be negotiated on a case-by-case basis A peer evaluation instrument will be used to determine
to meet to discuss your needs regarding this class or your your contributions to the project. Each person is expected
major. to make equal contributions to the completion of that
Messages project.
It may be necessary from time-to-time for me to send a Procedures for Removing
notice to all students via email. Such messages will be sent a Team Member
to your UCO email account. It is your responsibility to Team members who do not perform satisfactorily may
monitor that account. be removed from the team by a majority vote of the
Grades will be posted on D2L. It is YOUR responsibility other members of the group. To remove a member
to make sure that the grade is posted correctly. from the group, the group must decide what represents
• You have one week after the posting to question the “unsatisfactory” performance.
grade; after that time, no grade will be changed. The group must notify the member in writing (with a
Grading copy of the note provided to the professor) that his/her
Grading will be based on the following criteria: performance is deemed unsatisfactory by a majority of the
*Examination 100 pts. other members of the group. The student will be given an
Handbook Quizzes +/-400 pts. opportunity to correct/his or her performance.
*Writing Assignments +/-500 pts. If the member fails to correct the performance
Media Kit & News Conference 200 pts. expectations of the group, the group may vote to remove
Peer Evaluation of Media Kit 50 pts. him/her with a majority vote. A written notification (with
Portfolio of revised work 200 pts. a copy to the professor) will be given to the dismissed team
*Subject to adjustment during the semester to meet class needs member.
The final course points are subject to change as they Members who have been removed from the group
will reflect the amount of classroom activities assigned will have to discuss with the professor details of his/her
during the semester. Therefore, the final grading scale will completion of the course. Remember: Failure to complete
be determined by the total possible points. Consequently all assignments in the course results in failing the course.
a final grading scale near the end of the semester will be This Class and the Central 6
posted. The grading scale is listed below. At the University of Central Oklahoma, we are guided
Grading Scale by the mission of helping students learn by providing
Grades will be based on a percentage of the total points transformative experiences so that they may become
possible in the course. productive, creative, ethical and engaged citizens and
90-100% A leaders contributing to the intellectual, cultural, economic
80-89 B and social advancement of the communities they serve.
70-79 C Transformative learning is a holistic process that places
60-69 D students at the center of their own active and reflective
Below 60 F learning experiences. This course experience will support
Portfolio the following aspects of the Central 6:
Each student will rewrite graded assignments after • Discipline Knowledge
correcting all writing problems and put these into a • Problem solving (research, scholarly and creative
portfolio to turn in at the end of the semester. An updated activities). Research is a key element of the work that will be
resume should be the first item in the portfolio. This undertaken in this course.
portfolio will be helpful with interviews for internships and
eventually securing a job in strategic communications.
4Public Information Methods • Spring 2018
Department of Mass • Tuesday & Wednesday, February 27 & 28: MCOM
Communication Policies
Faculty Mentoring
• Monday-Friday, March 19-23: Spring Break - no classes
Spring 2018 • Wednesday, March 28: Liberal Arts Symposium - classes
redirected
College of Liberal Arts, University of Central Oklahoma
• Thursday & Friday, April 5 & 6: National Conference for
Department Phone: (405) 974-5303
Undergraduate Research - classes redirected
Website: http://www.uco.edu/la/masscomm/
• Saturday, April 21: MCOM Awards Ceremony
UCentral Student Media has an app: Go to iTunes to
• Friday, April 27: Spring semester classwork ends
download it for free!
• Monday-Friday, April 30 - May 4: Final exam week
Follow the department Twitter account @UCO_MCOM
• Saturday, May 5: Graduation (Probable Date for MCOM/
“Like” the UCO - Department of Mass Communication
CLA Graduation Ceremony)
Facebook Page
MCOM Majors Email Expectation of Work
Full-time college students are expected to spend
The department, the college, and the university utilize the
approximately 40 hours each week in class attendance and
UCO email address assigned to each UCO student. Official
study outside of class. According to Regents’ policy, for each
information will be emailed through the UCO system.
hour in class a student is expected to spend two (2) to three
Students have the option of forwarding their UCO email to
(3) hours studying for the class (OSRHE II-2-34). For each
a personal email account if preferred. For information, go to
three-credit hour course, the Regents expect students to
http://www.uco.edu/technology/student/email/index.asp.
study/prepare 6-9 hours per week.
If students do not check their UCO email, they risk
missing vital information. If you do not use your UCO UCO Student Code of Conduct
email account, please forward your UCO email to an Students are responsible for all information in the Student
email account you check frequently. Code of Conduct 2017-2018. This can be accessed on
Student Advisement the Student Affairs Publications website at http://online.
fliphtml5.com/ekrc/wfvd/#p=1.
MCOM has two Student Success Advisers for MCOM
majors. Each student is responsible for seeking advisement Academic Dishonesty and Plagiarism
information each semester in order to graduate in a timely The UCO Student Code of Conduct describes Academic
manner. Dishonesty and outlines the steps for disciplinary action
• Mr. Gary Parsons in the Guidelines for Alleged Academic Dishonesty. This
Office: COM 103 A information can be found in Section III, C, 3 & 4.
Phone: 974-5140 Academic Dishonesty
Email: gparsons2@uco.edu Includes but is not limited to the “giving” and “taking” of
• Ms. Laura Donner improper assistance in examinations and assignments; not
Office: COM 103 adhering to correct procedures for identification of sources
Phone: 974-5108 in reports and essays and all creative endeavors; intentional
Email: ldonner@uco.edu misrepresentation; cheating; plagiarism; and unauthorized
UCentral Student Media possession of examinations. The UCO Student Code
http://www.uco.edu/la/masscomm/ucentral/index.asp of Conduct provides further details. Additionally, any
UCentral is the student media network at the University work submitted as an assignment for one class may not
of Central Oklahoma, featuring traditional media be submitted for credit in another class, without prior
(television, radio, newspaper) and new media (web, permission of the professor. Any work so submitted will
netcasts, social networking) created by students majoring receive an automatic “0.”
in professional media. UCentral is located within the Mass Plagiarism
Communication Department on the campus of UCO. When a student submits any assignment for a course
Spring 2018 Events (written, oral, videotape, audiotape, photograph or Web
• Monday, January 8: First day of spring semester, classes Site), the student will submit entirely original work or will
begin properly cite all sources utilized in the preparation of the
• Monday, January 15: Martin Luther King Day - no classes assignment. Without proper citation, the student is guilty
• Friday, February 9: Fusion Conference of plagiarism, which is not tolerated at UCO. As a student,
you are responsible for understanding what constitutes
plagiarism. You should talk to your professor to ensure
5Public Information Methods • Spring 2018
that you can recognize and avoid all types of plagiarism. textual similarity review to Turnitin.com for the detection
Plagiarism occurs in two primary ways: of plagiarism. All submitted assignments will be included
1. Word-for-word copying, without acknowledgment, of as source documents in the Turnitin.com restricted access
the language or creative work of another person. Having reference database for the purpose of detecting plagiarism of
another person complete all or part of your assignment such assignments. Use of the Turnitin.com service is subject
is plagiarism and is clearly forbidden. But, in addition, to the Terms and Conditions of Use posted on the Turnitin.
the student should include NO written, video, audio, or com website. Turnitin.com is just one of various plagiarism
photographic material from an existing source, no matter prevention tools and methods which may be utilized by
how brief, without acknowledging the source. When using your faculty instructor during the terms of the semesters.
the written words of an existing source in your assignment, In the UCO Student Handbook, there is a process for
either place the borrowed words in quotation marks or contesting any plagiarism allegations against you.
set the quotation aside as a block quotation. Additionally, ADA Statement Regarding
you must include the citation for the material in your
Special Accommodations
assignment. This applies to even the briefest of phrases if
The University of Central Oklahoma complies with Section
they are truly distinctive.
504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans
2. The unacknowledged paraphrasing of an author’s
with Disabilities Act of 1990. Students with disabilities
ideas. The student should no more take credit for another
who need special accommodations must contact Disability
person’s thoughts than for another person’s words. Any
Support Services at (405) 974-2516. The DSS Office is
distinctive, original idea taken from another writer should
located in the Nigh University Center Room 305. Students
be credited to its author. If you are not sure whether or
should also notify the instructor of special accommodation
not an author’s idea is distinctive, you should assume
needs as soon as possible. Per Title IX of the Education
that it is: no fault attaches to over-acknowledgment, but
Amendments of 1972 (Title IX), pregnant and parenting
under-acknowledgment is plagiarism. Most style manuals
students may request adjustments by contacting the Title
(e.g., Publication Manual of the American Psychological
IX Coordinator, at (405)974-3377 or TitleIX@uco.edu.
Association) provide information concerning how to
The Title IX Office is located in the Lillard Administration
paraphrase and cite the ideas and writings of existing
Building, Room 114D.
sources.
Students may be dismissed from the university for Transformative Learning
plagiarism. University guidelines provide a range of http://www.uco.edu/central/tl/
disciplinary action dependent upon the severity of At the University of Central Oklahoma, we help students
the offense including but not limited to: requiring learn by providing transformative experiences so that they
a substitute assignment, awarding a reduced grade, may become productive, creative, ethical and engaged
awarding a failing grade for the assignment, awarding citizens and leaders contributing to the intellectual, cultural,
a failing grade for the course, or expelling the student economic and social advancement of the communities
from the university. Acknowledging that instances they serve. Transformative learning is a holistic process
of plagiarism may range from minor to severe, the that places students at the center of their own active and
Department of Mass Communication allows the course reflective learning experiences. All students at UCO will
professor to determine the severity and the disciplinary have transformative learning experiences in five core
action for the first instance of plagiarism committed areas: leadership; research, creative and scholarly activities;
by a student in the professor’s course. However, if that service learning and civic engagement; global and cultural
student commits plagiarism a second time in the course, competencies; and health and wellness.
departmental policy requires that the student receive both Class Attendance
a failing grade (“F”) for the course and a referral to the (Taken from the Faculty Handbook)
UCO Student Conduct Officer. Students should make Faculty members are obligated to honor the following
sure they understand professor expectations for sources circumstances as excused absences:
and content to be cited. a. travel considered part of the instructional program of the
Turnitin.com Plagiarism university and requiring absence from class (e.g. field trips,
Syllabus Statement
research presentations, etc.);
b. invited participation in activities directly and officially
UCO subscribes to the Turnitin.com plagiarism prevention
sponsored by and in the interest of the university (e.g.
service. Students agree that by taking this course, all
athletic teams, debate teams, dance company, etc.); in
required assignments may be subject to submission for
cases of student athletes, refer to UCO Compliance Policy
6Public Information Methods • Spring 2018
Manual for Athletics or contact the Faculty Athletic Week 8 (February 26 - March 2)
Representative; Perry: Modules 5 & 6
c. jury duty; Handbook Quizzes: Chapters 10 & 11
d. military obligation (See Appendix K in Faculty AP Stylebook Quiz: M-P
Handbook.) Week 9 (March 5 - 9)
e. serious illness, medical condition, pregnant and parenting Perry: Module 7 & 12
students’ rights (as outlined in Title IX), accident, or injury; Handbook Quizzes: 12 & 13
f. death or serious illness in immediate family; and Week 10 (March 12 - 16)
g. religious observances (e.g. Yom Kippur, Good Friday, Perry: Module 7 & 12
Passover, Rosh Hashanah, etc.) Note: a list of religious AP Stylebook Quiz: Q-T
observances must be submitted to the instructor the first Week 11 (March 19 - 23)
two weeks of the semester of which the observance will be No Classes: Spring Break
held. Week 12 (March 26 - 30)
Further information can be found at http://sites.uco.edu/ Perry: Modules 8 & 14
academic-affairs/files/aa-forms/StudentInfoSheet.pdf Handbook Quizzes: Chapters 14 & 15
Course Outline AP Stylebook Quiz: U, V, W, XYZ
Week 13 (April 2 - 6)
This semester outline is intended as a guide only; therefore,
Perry: Module 9
the topics may change and may not be discussed at the
Handbook Quizzes: Chapters 16 & 17
specific points on the dates given in this outline. The
AP Stylebook Quiz: Social Media Guidelines
professor reserves the right to make such changes with
Class Redirected April 5: NCUR
appropriate notice, based on needs and skill level of the
Week 14 (April 9 - 13)
class.
Perry: Module 13
Handbook Quizzes: Chapters 18 & 19
Week 1 (January 8-12)
AP Stylebook Quiz: Sports Guidelines
Group Project, Writing the SFD
Start Work on Final Group Project:
Week 2 (January 15-19)
Press Conference & Media Kit
On Writing the SFD
Perry: Module 11
Perry: Module 1 & Module 14
Handbook Quiz: Chapter 20
Handbook Quizzes: Chapters 1 & 2
AP Stylebook Quiz: Food Guidelines
Week 3 (January 22-26)
Week 15 (April 16 - 20)
AP Stylebook: Legal Issues & Copyright
Perry: Module 8
Perry: Module 2/ Handout
Handbook Quiz: Chapters 21-30, Part I
Handbook Quizzes: Chapters 3 & 4
Focus on Portfolio & Media Kit
AP Stylebook Quiz: Legal Issues & Copyright
Week 16 (April 23 - 27)
Week 4 (January 29 - February 2)
Work on Media Kit
Perry: Module 3
Work on Portfolios
AP Stylebook Quiz: A-D
Portfolio Assignment Due Monday, April 30th, 8 a.m.
Week 5 (February 5 - 9)
Finals Week (April 30 - May 4)
Perry: Modules 4 & 5
Press Conference*
Handbook Quizzes: 5 & 6
Final Exam Period for:
AP Stylebook Quiz: E-H
• CRN 23449 (9 a.m. class): Tuesday, May 1,
Week 6 (February 12 - 16)
9-10:50 a.m.
Handbook Quiz: Chapter 9
• CRN 23452 (11 a.m. class): Thursday, May 3,
AP Stylebook Quiz: I-L
11 a.m.-12:50 p.m.
Week 7 (February 19 - 23)
(*Accompanying group media kit due during the scheduled
Examination
final exam time.)
7You can also read
