Instructor: Robert O. Wyatt Class Time: 11-12:15 a.m. T/TH
Office: COMM 218 Class Room: BAS S328
Office Phone: 898-2335 Office Hours: TTh 10-11a, T 1:30-3p
Catalog Description: Introduction to the practice of public relations, including its fundamental concepts and theories, historical development, and current issues.
Purpose: The primary purpose of this course is to help students understand the nature of public relations from both a theoretical and practical perspective. Particular focus will be directed to models of communication and public relations, the effects of persuasive communication, and the ethics of public relations in a market economy.
Required Textbook: Wilcox, D. L., Ault, P. H., Agee, W. K, & Cameron, G. T.. (1998). Public relations: Strategies and tactics (6th ed.). New York: Longman.
Attendance: Regular class attendance is expected; 80-90% of the material from the tests will come from lectures; you must take complete and detailed notes. You are allowed three absences. Missing four or more classes will result in a full letter grade reduction. A graduate student will check roll using a seating chart.
Due Dates: Assignments are due on the date indicated in the course schedule. Late assignments will be accepted without penalty only by prior arrangement and an adequate, documented excuse. Otherwise, late assignments will be docked by one letter grade per day. Make-up exams are allowed only with prior permission and a documented excuse. They will be essay in nature and far harder than regular exams.
Reasonable Accommodation for Students with Disabilities: If you have a disability that may require assistance or accommodation, or you have questions related to any accommodations for testing, note takers, readers, etc., please speak with me as soon as possible. Students may also contact the Office of Disabled Students Services (898-2783) with questions about such services.
Communicating With the Instructor: The best way to contact me is through email at rwyatt@mtsu.edu. I check email regularly, even when I am out of town.
Assignments
Examinations: There will be two 100-point examinations during the term and a 200-point final. They will be computer-scored multiple-choice in format. For each examination, you must purchase and bring to class a No. 2 lead pencil and a General Purpose NCS Answer Sheet. (It's size is 8.5x11 inches.)
Short Interview: You must find and interview a public relations practitioner and summarize your interview in 2pp. (100 points). You should also be prepared to present the results of you interview in class after the assignment is graded and returned. You are strictly limited to a 2-page, double-spaced summary following the outline below:
1. Type of public relations practiced
2. Interviewee’s name, title, agency, telephone number, and e-mail address
3. Range of responsibilities
4. Number of years in current public relations position
5. Salary range for entry-level personnel in similar job
6. Current employment availability for entry level personnel in department or agency
7. Education required
8. Things learned in school that were most valuable in later practice
9. Things learned on the job that should have been learned in school
MT Poll: Each student enrolled in this course must satisfactorily complete one four-hour session of work as an interviewer for the Middle Tennessee Poll, a twice-a-year public opinion poll of the Middle Tennessee region conducted by the College of Mass Communication (100 points). The MTPoll will be also be used extensively in class as we discuss the theoretical and practical implications of public opinion. Students may also work additional sessions for extra credit (10 additional points added to the final total for each session).
The work will consist of contacting randomly chosen Middle Tennessee residents by telephone and posing a series of survey questions to those who agree to participate in the poll. All work for the poll will be done in the college's polling lab, BAS S302, using university computers and phone lines. Sessions this semester will be scheduled from Monday, Feb. 19 through Friday, March 2. Most sessions will be scheduled from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on weeknights, but some sessions will be scheduled for weekday afternoons. The schedule of sessions will be available through the poll's web site at http://www.mtsu.edu/mtpoll later this semester, and students will be able to sign up online for the session or sessions of their choice. Because the polling lab has only 26 computers, seating will be limited to 26 students per session. The poll's web site offers additional information about the poll as well as summaries of findings from previous polls.
Grading Scale: All assignments will be graded as a percentage of 100 points, where below 60 = F, 60-69 = D, 70-79 = C, 80-89 = B, and 90-100 = A. The final grade will then be computed dispassionately by giving the appropriate weight to each grade from the total of 600 points. That is, the each exam during the term counts 1/6; the MTPoll counts 1/6, the professional interview counts 1/3, and the final counts 1/3. Then bonus points will be added. After that, there is no arguing with the numbers.