Public Relations

COM 280-002

          M, W, F 9:00-9:50 a.m.

Randall Hall, rm. 120

 

Instructor: Imaani El-Burki

Ph: 215-895-2763 or 2571

E-mail: ie23@drexel.edu

Office: Room 305 PSA Building

Office hours: By appointment only

 

Class Objective:  COM 280 is intended to provide students with an understanding of the principles, theories, and concepts of public relations. Through the course, students will develop a practical understanding of public relations techniques via reality based situations. We will look at how public relations functions by creating materials, researching situations that require public relations, and studying history of public relations.

 

There are a number of assigned readings. These readings are necessary to create the theoretical foundation of our class. As a result, it is extremely important that you keep up with reading assignments. They are necessary for participation and your ability to complete the paper assignments. Furthermore, understanding how public relations functions will invigorate our discussion and help students to apply the theories learned in class. There are two major writing assignments and a number of supplementary assignments for students to complete the course. Each assignment will help to hone skills necessary to become a future public relations/communications professional.

 

Required Text:

Seitel, Fraser P. 2007. Practice of Public Relations. Boston: McGraw Hill

 

Attendance/Participation: Attendance is required. Missing more than two classes will have a negative impact upon your overall grade. Participation requires that students complete assigned readings and come to class ready to contribute to our discussions. Attendance and participation are 15% of the course grade.

 

Quizzes: There will be two quizzes at the beginning of the term. The quizzes are created to ensure that students a have clear understanding of the theoretical basis of public relations. The quizzes are 10% of the course grade.

 

Class Assignments:

 

In class group assignments: During the first week of class students will form groups for the term that will work together on a series of assignments to be completed in class. These assignments will be collected at the end of each class and included in the participation grade.

 

 

 

Paper Assignments*:

 

  1. The first paper is a 3 page summary of your model organization. Please provide information about the organizationÕs mission statement, statement of corporate/social responsibility, purpose (for example the good it produces or services it provides), and why you would like to use it as a model. Additional details will be provided in class. This paper is due at the beginning of class on Friday, July 6, 2007 (the second week of class). Please do not e-mail this assignment. The first paper is 15% of the course grade.

 

  1. The second paper is a one page news release for your model organization. This paper is due at the beginning of class on Monday, July 16, 2007. Please do not e-mail this assignment. The second paper is 5% of the course grade.

 

  1. The third paper is a 5 page overview of your organization. It can be set up in much the same way as your first paper. However, you create a mission statement, organizational goals, corporate/social responsibilities, stakeholders or companies publics, etc. Furthermore, please explain why you will become the public relations specialist for this organization. In other words, please explain possible issues that may exist for the organization and how you will manage these issues. Additional details will be provided in class. This paper is due at the beginning of class on Friday, July 27, 2007. Please do not e-mail this assignment. The third paper is 15 % of the course grade

 

  1. The fourth paper is a one- two page crisis management letter to a local community negatively impacted by your organization. This paper is due at the beginning of class on Monday, Aug 13, 2007. Please do not e-mail this assignment .The fourth paper is 10 % of the course grade.

 

  1. The fifth paper is the class final. This paper is 5-7 pages. It will be a developed version of the midterm including graphs, press kit information and series of other information to be outlined in class. This paper should also be a proposal to your model company. The final is due on Friday, August 31, 2007. Please put all papers in my mailbox (PSA Building) by 4 p.m. Please do not e-mail this assignment. The final is 30% of the course grade.

 

*Any additional details for all papers will be provided in class atleast one week prior to the due date

 

 

Plagiarism: Please refer to Drexel UniversityÕs academic honesty policy. Students will be failed for the entire course and reported to the University for any form of plagiarism.

 

Note: The instructor reserves the right for pedagogical purposes to alter the syllabus with adequate notification to students.

 

 

 

 

Grading system:

All papers as well as the final grade will be based upon the following scale:

A+        A               A-         B+        B          B-              C+        C        C-     D+      D         F

97-100    93-96     90-92    87-89    83-86    80-82       77-79    73-76   70-72   67-69 60-66  59 and below

 

COURSE SCHEDULE:

Week One

6/25 Introduction to class Reading for next class Chapter 3

 

6/27 Reading for next class Chapter 4

 

6/29 terms for quiz discussed Paper one due one week from today;

Reading for next class Chapters 1 & 2  

 

Week Two

7/2 terms for quiz discussed conÕt.

  

7/4 no class

 

7/6 Quiz One Paper one due

find a news release for your model organization and bring it to class

 

Week Three

7/9 Reading for next class Chapter 8  

 

7/11 Paper two due 7/16; In class group assignment- create a news release

 Reading for next class Chapter5

 

 7/13 Reading for next class Chapter 16; find a mission statement for an organization similar to your model organization and bring it to class

 

Week Four

 

7/16 Paper two due; in class group assignment- create a mission statement

Assignment for next class- find information on corporate social responsibility to the environment

 

7/18 In class group assignment- create 1-2 paragraph on corporate responsibility for an organization that produces goods that may be harmful to the environment

Reading for next class Chapter 9 find information on Environmental Justice

 

7/20 Terms for quiz discussed

 Paper three due one week from today

 

Week Five

7/23 Quiz 2 Reading for next class Chapter 10

 

7/25 In class group assignment- create 1-2 paragraph on corporate responsibility concerning issues of environmental justice

 Reading for next class Chapter 6

 

7/27 Paper three due; find a Òletter of apologyÓ / crisis management letter for an organization and bring it to class

 

Week Six

7/30 In class group assignment- create a letter of apology

  

8/1 Reading for next class Chapter 7

 

8/3 Reading for next class Chapter19; bring information about transnational organizations to class for discussion

 

Week Seven

8/6 In class group assignment- discuss and present about public relations issues faced by transnational/international organizations Paper four due one week

 

8/8 Reading for next class Chapter12

 

8/10 Reading for next class Chapter11

 

Week Eight

8/13 Paper four due Reading for next class Chapter 13

 

8/15 Reading for next class Chapter15

 

8/17 Reading for next class Chapter 17

 

Week Nine

8/20 Reading for next class Chapter 18

 

8/22 TBA

 

8/24 Outline of paper five due; Paper five due one week

 

Week Ten

8/27 In class group assignment tba

 

8/29 In class group assignment tba

 

8/31 Final Due