East Tennessee State University

PUBR 2700, Introduction to Public Relations, Spring 2000
John M. King, Ph.D. | Assistant Professor | Department of Communication

Special Note:
You will need to have access to e-mail and the Internet to successfully complete this course. This web page serves as your syllabus. Bookmark and write down the url address. Check it often for updates on class activities, assignments and readings. There will be no printed syllabus. You may use any account which gives you regular access to e-mail and the Internet.  There are several such labs readily available on campus.

Class Sessions:
11:15 - 12:35 TR, 207 Warf-Pickel Hall

Snailmail:
Mailboxes in the Communication Department, First Floor, 111 Warf-Pickel Hall

e-mail: johnking@etsu.edu
The best way to reach me is to send me an e-mail message. I check e-mail several times a day.

Phone:
423/439-4169, 9-4169 on campus (please leave message on voice mail)

Office:
520 Warf-Pickel Hall

Office Hours:
9:30-11:30 a.m., Monday
9:30-10:30 a.m., Tuesday
1:30-2:30 p.m., Tuesday
9:30-11:30 a.m., Wednesday

These are official office hours, reserved for students.  I will, of course, be in the office at times other than these.  If these hours are not convenient for you, please contact me to schedule an appointment and I will be happy to meet with you at a time that is convenient for you.

Please check my on-line schedule for a complete listing of my schedule for the semester.

Access my home page and schedule at: http://www.etsu.edu/kingpr/jkhomesp2000.htm

Description:
PUBR 2700 is an undergraduate foundation course in public relations designed to introduce students to the profession.  Instruction includes study of the principles and techniques applicable in the field of public relations.

Course Format:
The class will be taught in a lecture/discussion format with extensive information available on this web site including assignments, class notes, study questions, exam study guides, links to readings and relevant web sites.

Students who do well in the course will be those who attend regularly, read the material, study and prepare to discuss the information and issues in the course intelligently.

To facilitate that process, I have developed this web site for the course.  Check it often.  Read the assigned readings in the text.  Read the on-line lecture notes.  Make your own notes.  Study and be prepared to discuss the on-line questions.  Explore the links provided.  In other words, immerse yourself in the material.

Course Objectives:
1/ To provide students an opportunity to gain fundamental knowledge of the public relations profession.

2/ To provide students an opportunity to gain knowledge of ethical and professional standards in the public relations profession.

3/ To provide students an opportunity to gain knowledge of professional strategies in the practice of public relations.

4/ To provide students an opportunity to gain knowledge of professional tactics in the practice of public relations.

Required Reading:
Public Relations:  Strategies and Tactics, Dennis L. Wilcox, Phillip H. Ault and Warren K. Agee
Additional print and on-line readings will be included.

Assignments:
Students will complete one major research project/class presentation. Three exams will also be administered.

Grades:
Course grades will be based on the major research project/class presentation (25%), exam I (25%), exam II (25%) and the final exam (25%).

Grading Scale:
93-100 = A
90-92= A-
87-89 = B+
83-86 = B
80-82 = B-
77-79= C+
73-76= C
70-72= C-
67-69= D+
60-66= D
0-59= F

Deadline Policy:
Deadlines must be met on all assignments. Late assignments will not be accepted. A late assignment is one that is not available when the professor collects the assignments. Deadlines will not be extended except for extreme circumstances such as a serious illness or a death in your family. If you will be involved in a university approved trip, you will need to submit assignments in advance. It is your responsibility to notify the professor of such circumstances. Late assignments will receive a grade of zero.

Attendance:
Attendance is mandatory.  You will be allowed four unexcused absences.  After that, 10 points will be deducted from your final grade for each unexcused absence.

Honesty:
East Tennessee State University has published specific guidelines for student academic conduct and expects the highest integrity of you. (See the ETSU Student Handbook, Spectrum, or the online version at http://www.etsu.edu/students/spectrum.htm) All work must be your own and must be produced during this term. Any dishonesty will be referred to student conduct officials.

Classroom Conduct:
As college students, you are all here to study, learn and prepare for a professional career.  Any disruptive conduct which interferes with the goals and objectives of the course will not be tolerated.  Individuals who persist in such conduct will be referred to student conduct officials, including the Dean of Students.

Disability Services:
Individuals with disabilities qualified by the university should notify the professor if desired and contact the ETSU Office of Disability Services so that accommodations can be arranged in advance.

Course links:
Watch this space for more course links relevant to the class.
Welcome to East Tennessee State University!
Welcome to PRSA
PRSSA
AEJMC Public Relations Division
Fortune 500 | 500 List

PUBR 2700, Introduction to Public Relations, Course Calendar, Spring 2000

Date Topic Class Activity Assignment Reading Assignment
1/11 T Course Introduction Discussion . .
1/13 R Using PR to Solve Problems Discuss Problem Discuss News Article News Article
1/18 T What is Public Relations? Lecture/Discussion Notes/Questions Wilcox, Ch. 1
1/20 R What is PR? Continued Lecture/Discussion Notes/Questions Wilcox, Ch. 1
1/25 T The Evolution of PR/History Lecture/Discussion Notes/Questions Wilcox, Ch. 2
1/27 R Ethics and Professionalism Lecture/Discussion Notes/Questions Wilcox, Ch. 3
See Eastman's
Corporate
Responsiblity
Page
2/1 T The Individual in PR Lecture/Discussion Notes/Questions Wilcox,Ch. 4
2/3 R PR Departments and Firms Lecture/Discussion Notes/Questions Wilcox, Ch. 5
2/8 T Research Lecture/Discussion Notes/Questions Wilcox, Ch. 6
2/10 R Program Planning Lecture/Discussion Notes/Questions Wilcox, Ch. 7

See an example
of a PR plan
Dr. King developed
recently.

2/15 T Communication/Theories . . Wilcox, Ch. 8
On-line Lecture
2/17 R Exam I . Study Guide .
2/22 T Review Exam
Research Paper Assignment
Discussion Research Paper 
Part I
.
2/24 R Evaluation Lecture/Discussion Notes/Questions Wilcox, Ch. 9
2/29 T Public Opinion and Persuasion Lecture/Discussion Notes/Questions Wilcox, Ch. 10
Visit these web
sites for examples
of persuasion and propaganda
techniques discussed in class:
UNICEF
United Negro College Fund
National Rifle
Association
Coalition to Stop Gun Violence
National Pork Producers Council
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals
3/2 R Public Opinion and Persuasion
Continued
Lecture/Discussion Notes/Questions Wilcox, Ch. 10
3/7 T The Audience and How to Reach It Lecture/Discussion Notes/Questions Wilcox, Ch. 11
3/9 R The Audience and How to Reach It Continued Lecture/Discussion . .
3/14 T Spring Break Class Does Not Meet . .
3/16 R Spring Break Class Does Not Meet . .
3/21 T Public Relations and the Law Lecture/Discussion Notes/Questions Wilcox, Ch. 12
3/23 R Corporations  Lecture/Discussion Notes/Questions Wilcox, Ch. 13
3/28 T Exam II . Study Guide .
3/30 R Dr. King will be presenting
a research paper at the 
International Academy of Business Disciplines National
Conference in Las Vegas
Class will not meet. Continue
work on the 
research paper.
.
4/4 T Politics and Government
International Public Relations
Membership Organizations
Lecture/Discussion
Lecture/Discussion
Lecture/Discussion
Notes/Questions
Notes/Questions
Notes/Questions
Wilcox, Ch. 14
Wilcox, Ch. 15
Wilcox, Ch. 16
4/6 R Education Lecture/Discussion
Guest Professional
Notes/Questions
Discussion
Wilcox, Ch. 18
4/11 T Social/Cultural/Health Agencies Lecture/Discussion Notes/Questions Wilcox, Ch. 17
4/13 R ETSU PRSSA and Dr. King
are traveling to Atlanta to visit
Edelman PR and Golin/Harris PR
and attend Real World PR 2000
Class will meet. Meet with your
group to work on
the research paper.
.
4/18 T The Internet & New Technologies
 
 


Entertainment, Sports, Travel

Guest Professional
Scott Robertson 
online editor of the Tri-Cities Business Journal

Lecture/Discussion

Discussion
 
 
 


Notes/Questions

Wilcox, Ch. 20
 
 
 


Wilcox, Ch. 19

4/20 R Written Tactics
Spoken Tactics
Visual Tactics
Lecture/Discussion
Lecture/Discussion
Lecture/Discussion
Notes/Questions
Notes/Questions
Notes/Questions
Wilcox, Ch. 21
Wilcox, Ch. 22
Wilcox, Ch. 23
4/25 T Research Paper Presentations . Research Paper
Due
.
4/27 R Research Paper Presentations . . .
5/2 T Final Exam 
8-10 a.m.
. Study Guide .