C & J 385 Dr. Dirk C. Gibson
Introduction to Public Relations # 206, C & J Building
Fall Semester, 2005 277-2727 (O) 831 5474 (H)
M & W, 2:30-3:45 dirkcgib@unm.edu (O);
C & J 212 agibson878@aol.com (H)
Office hours: M &; M, 1:00-2:30
COURSE PURPOSE
This survey course will introduce students to American public relations history, current industry practices, and related salient topics. Students will develop both critical and practitioner perspectives on public relations. A lecture/discussion format will be used, supplemented by student reports, guest speakers, video presentations, in-class activities, and exhibition of professional communication samples.
COURSE TEXTBOOK
Dennis L. Wilcox, Phillip H. Ault, Warren K. Agee, and Glen Cameron, PUBLIC RELATIONS: Strategies & Tactics. Current edition. Students will select additional readings as they pursue individual assignments.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
Test I…………………………………………20 points
Test II………………………………………...20 points
Test III (final)……………………………........20 points
Position papers (2)……………………............20 points
Proofreading………………………………….10 points
News Release...................................................20 points
100 possible points
ONLINE COURSE AVAILABILITY
Much of the course is available online,
through the Zimmerman Library E-Reserves. This includes the syllabus, lectures,
assigned reading material, review sheets and similar items
I’ll explain how
to access this information in class.
COURSE POLICIES
Grading: 100-98 =A+, 97-94=A, 93-90=A-, 89-88=B+, 87-84=B, 83-80=B-,79-78=C+, 77-74=C, 70-73=C-, 69-68=D+, 67-64=D, 63-60=D-, below 60 is failure.
Papers: All papers should be typed, double-spaced, and proofread, conforming to an
academic style such as MLA, APA, Turrabian, Strunk & White, etc. There is a one point per day deduction for late work. Please turn in TWO copies of all papers.
Attendance: All students receive two unexcused absences. After that there is a deduction of one point per day for each unexcused absence. Documentation is expected of all excused absences.
Conduct: Students are expected to arrive at class punctually, prepared to discuss assigned chapters and/or other reading, and to remain for the entire class session. Courtesy and professionalism will characterize class discussion, and no one will be permitted to make rude, sexist, racist, or otherwise disrespectful comments or engage in behavior inimical to education. Inability to arrive at class punctually or remain for the entire session will be deemed an absence.
Academic Honesty: No student shall give or receive assistance not explicitly authorized by the instructor in the preparation of ANYTHING submitted for academic credit; tests, papers, projects, assignments and anything else. All work should be individual, unless explicitly noted. Anyone caught engaging in any type of academic dishonesty WILL AUTOMATICALLY FAIL THE COURSE, and additional penalties may be pursued. Anyone with questions regarding assignments, tests, etc should ask the instructor, NOT A CLASSMATE..
Late Work: Do not put late work in my office mailbox, or under my office door. All late work must be given to the staff in the Department of Communication & Journalism office. They will give a receipt if requested.
COURSE SCHEDULE
WEEK 1 Monday, August 22................Intro to course, syllabus discussion
Wednesday, Aug. 24....................CH 1, “What is Public Relations?;” ASK/PR!!!
WEEK 2 Monday, Aug. 29……..............CH 2, “The Evolution of Public Relations”
Wednesday, Aug. 31 ……………….CH 3, “Ethics and Professionalism”
WEEK 3 Monday, Sept. 5……………….....LABOR DAY: NO CLASS
Wednesday, Sept. 7…………….......CH 4, “The Individual in Public Relations;” CH 5,
“Public Relations Departments and Firms
WEEK 4 Monday, Sept. 12…………….......CH 6, “Research:” PRSA/PRSSA Guest Speakers
Wednesday, Sept. 14……….............CH 7, “Program Planning”
WEEK 5 Monday, Sept. 19……………......CH 8, “Communication”
Wednesday, Sept. 21………….........Review for Test I; Position Paper # 1 Due (In-class
Presentations)
WEEK 6 Monday, Sept. 26…………….......TEST I
Wednesday, Sept. 28………..........Discuss Test I; “CH 9, Evaluation”
WEEK 7 Monday, Oct. 3……………...........CH 10, “Public Opinion & Persuasion”
Wednesday, Oct. 5……….................CH 11, “The Audience and How to Reach It”
WEEK 8 Monday, Oct. 10……………........CH 12, “ Public Relations & New Technology”
Wednesday, Oct 12………….............PROOFREADING
WEEK 9 Monday, Oct. 17……………........CH 13, “PR & the Law”
Wednesday, Oct. 19……..….............CH 14, “Corporate PR”
WEEK 10 Monday, Oct. 24…………….........CH 15, “Governmental Public Relations”
Wednesday, Oct 26………................CH 16, “International PR;” Review for
Test II; Position Paper # 2 Due (In-class
Presentations)
WEEK 11 Monday, Oct. 31 …….................TEST II
Wednesday, November 2………......Discuss Test II; OPEN SESSION
WEEK 12 Monday, Nov. 7…………...........CH 17, “Membership Organizations”
Wednesday, Nov. 9……….............CH 18, “Educational PR;” CH 19, “Entertainment,
Sports, & Travel”
WEEK 13 Monday, Nov. 14…………........CH 20, “Written Tactics”
Wednesday, Nov. 16……................CH 21, “Spoken Tactics”
WEEK 14 Monday, Nov. 21…………........TUTORIALS
Wednesday, Nov. 23……….............NO CLASS: Thanksgiving
WEEK 15 Monday, Nov. 28.…................CH 22, “Visual Tactics”
Wednesday, Nov. 30…....................TUTORIALS
WEEK 16 Monday,
December 6…………DEAD WEEK
Wednesday, Dec. 8………...............Course Evaluation; News Releases Due
FINAL EXAMINATION: TBA