Explore online education in Tennessee

PBRL 3409 (formerly JOUR 3409) Syllabus

Course Syllabus

PBRL 3409 (formerly JOUR 3409) - Public Relations Case Studies

3 Credit Hours

Course Information

Course Description:

This course examines typical public relations problems. It Finds public relations principles that can be applied to the case. Public relations processes used in the case are examined and suggestions made for alternative approaches or the discovery of public relations principles involved in the situation.

Course Outcomes:

This is a management course. We will take a look at public relations in its practice. In addition through the use of case studies and projects assigned, the student will be able to apply management principles to various areas of the public relations profession. The course will provide you with the knowledge to be able to:

  1. discuss how different public relations processes lead to different outcomes in various professional settings.
  2. apply public relations principles to problems and opportunities which occur in a variety of work situations.
  3. develop a strategic public relations plan to deal with real world public relations problems and opportunities.
  4. apply ethical decision-making in a variety of case study situations. 
Prerequisites & Co-requisites:

None

Course Topics:

The course is divided into three introductory chapters looking at the processes of public relations and how to do a case study. Then, there are 10 chapters with real-life case studies. Each chapter starts with a definitive introduction and closes with case problems. 

Specific Course Requirements:

Internet access, Microsoft Word or other word processing software that generates a .doc or .docx extension. If in question, this is to be approved prior to your course work submissions. Please take a moment to review grading procedures. 

Textbooks, Supplementary Materials, Hardware and Software Requirements

Required Textbooks:

Please visit the Virtual Bookstore to obtain textbook information for this course. Move your cursor over the "Books" link in the navigation bar and select "Textbooks & Course Materials." Select your Program, Term, Department, and Course; then select "Submit."

Supplementary Materials:
Hardware and Software Requirements:

Minimum hardware requirements can be found here.

Minimum software requirements can be found here.

Common applications you might need:

Web Resources:

Purdue OWL Online Writing Lab (for APA, MLA, or Chicago style)

The Writing Center Online Writer's Handbook

Student Resources:
  • Technical support information can be found on the TN eCampus Help Desk page.
  • Smarthinking virtual tutoring is available FREE of charge. to access Smarthinking, visit the course homepage and select Smarthinking under Course Resources. You also view sample sessions to see what Smarthinking offers and how it works.
  • Information on other student issues or concerns can be located on the TN eCampus Student Resources page.

Instructor Information

Please see "Instructor Information" in the Getting Started Module for instructor contact information, virtual office hours, and other communication information. You can expect to receive a response from the instructor within 24-48 hours unless notified of extenuating circumstances.

Participation, Assessments, & Grading

Testing Procedures:

The tests must be completed by the due date; check each due time to ensure that you post by the correct time. They will consist of true/false and multiple-choice questions, which will contain one or more units of study. Tests will be limited as to time: The computer will cut you off at the end of the prescribed time period regardless of whether you have completed all questions. Only a small percentage of your grade will focus on tests. Handling written assignments and discussion case studies: discussion case studies must be submitted per instructions; no credit will be given outside of the proper submission guidelines. 

Grading Procedures:

Your success in this online course will depend on your willingness to read the textual material, successfully complete quizzes, and complete written assignments/discussion papers, as scheduled. Success in taking quizzes and handling written assignments can be enhanced by studying the case problems at the end of the several chapters as well as chapter content. [Note: Written assignments will be graded on the basis of grammar, spelling and punctuation as well as content.]

No cases or quizzes will be considered for late submission unless there are verifiable circumstances out of your control. With respect to group work, one grade will be given for the group submission, but individuals may receive either additional points or less points depending upon the situation. ALL WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS & CASE STUDIES MUST BE SUBMITTED IN A DOCUMENT WITH A .DOC or .DOCX EXTENSION. No RTF, WPS, or other extension will be graded. ALL WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS, EXERCISES, CASE STUDIES MUST BE SUBMITTED IN THE APPROPRIATE AREA AND ON TIME. All PAPERS SUBMITTED WILL BE CONSIDERED FINAL, as each student has unlimited access to the class to ask questions, there will be no re-submission of papers to increase the initial grade given. You are required to ask via email, set up an appointment in the chat room, or call me with your questions as to the proper completion of the assignment. It is your responsibility to ensure clarification of instructions. ALL PAPERS SUBMITTED MUST REFLECT CRITICAL THINKING AND KNOWLEDGE OF THE MATERIAL. ALL papers submitted must be written with proper grammar, punctuation, spelling and source citation. 

Campaign100 points
Assignments200 points
Case Problems400 points
Quizzes200 points
Discussions100 points
Total1000 points

 

Grading Scale:
900-1000A
800-899B
700-799C
600-699D
0-599F

 

Assignments and Projects:

This course requires that you read the textbook chapters as assigned, work in groups to answer Discussions, work Assignments and Case Problems, and complete an Individual Campaign project. All due dates are listed on the Course Schedule. 

Class Participation:

You will be expected to participate in all interactive aspects of the course. You are to use your instructor as a learning resource. Students must check the course discussion boards and email frequently for announcements and must actively participate in threaded discussion events. 

Late Policy:

You need to meet due dates of projects, discussions, assignments, tests, and all aspects of the course. 

Course Ground Rules

The following two statements (1., 2.) were derived from the TBR System-wide Student Rules document, released January 2012:

RULES OF THE TENNESSEE BOARD OF REGENTS STATE UNIVERSITY AND COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM OF TENNESSEE SYSTEMWIDE STUDENT RULES CHAPTER 0240-02-03 STUDENT CONDUCT AND DISCIPLINARY SANCTIONS

Read the document in its entirety here.

1. Standards of Conduct:

  • Students are required to adhere to the same professional, legal and ethical standards of conduct online as on campus. In addition, students should conform to generally accepted standards of "netiquette" while sending e-mail, posting comments to the discussion board, and while participating in other means of communicating online. Specifically, students should refrain from inappropriate and/or offensive language, comments and actions.

2. Review the TN eCampus Academic Integrity/Academic Honesty Policy:

  • In their academic activities, students are expected to maintain high standards of honesty and integrity. Academic dishonesty is prohibited.

Such conduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • an attempt by one or more students to use unauthorized information in the taking of an exam
  • to submit as one's own work, themes, reports, drawings, laboratory notes, computer programs, or other products prepared by another person,
  • or to knowingly assist another student in obtaining or using unauthorized materials.

Plagiarism, cheating, and other forms of academic dishonesty are prohibited.

Students guilty of academic misconduct, either directly or indirectly through participation or assistance, are subject to disciplinary action through the regular procedures of the student’s home institution.  Refer to the student handbook provided by your home institution to review the student conduct policy.

In addition to other possible disciplinary sanctions that may be imposed, the instructor has the authority to assign an "F" or zero for an activity or to assign an "F" for the course.

Other Course Rules:

Students are expected to:

  • Participate in all aspects of the course
  • Communicate with other students
  • Learn how to navigate in Brightspace
  • Keep abreast of course announcements
  • Use the assigned course management (Brightspace) email address rather than a personal email address
  • Address technical problems immediately:
  • Observe course netiquette at all times.

Guidelines for Communications

Email:

  • Always include a subject line.
  • Remember without facial expressions some comments may be taken the wrong way. Be careful in wording your emails. Use of emoticons might be helpful in some cases.
  • Use standard fonts.
  • Do not send large attachments without permission.
  • Special formatting such as centering, audio messages, tables, html, etc. should be avoided unless necessary to complete an assignment or other communication.
  • Respect the privacy of other class members

Discussions:

  • Review the discussion threads thoroughly before entering the discussion. Be a lurker then a discussant.
  • Try to maintain threads by using the "Reply" button rather starting a new topic.
  • Do not make insulting or inflammatory statements to other members of the discussion group. Be respectful of other’s ideas.
  • Be patient and read the comments of other group members thoroughly before entering your remarks.
  • Be cooperative with group leaders in completing assigned tasks.
  • Be positive and constructive in group discussions.
  • Respond in a thoughtful and timely manner.

Library

The Tennessee Virtual Library is available to all students enrolled in TN eCampus programs and courses. Links to library materials (such as electronic journals, databases, interlibrary loans, digital reserves, dictionaries, encyclopedias, maps, and librarian support) and Internet resources needed by learners to complete online assignments and as background reading will be included within the course modules. To access the Virtual Library, go to the course homepage and select the Virtual Library link under Course Resources.

Students with Disabilities

Qualified students with disabilities will be provided reasonable and necessary academic accommodations if determined eligible by the appropriate disability services staff at their home institution. Prior to granting disability accommodations in this course, the instructor must receive written verification of a student's eligibility for specific accommodations from the disability services staff at the home institution. It is the student's responsibility to initiate contact with their home institution's disability services staff and to follow the established procedures for having the accommodation notice sent to the instructor.

Syllabus Changes

The instructor reserves the right to make changes as necessary to this syllabus. If changes are necessitated during the term of the course, the instructor will immediately notify students of such changes both by individual email communication and posting both notification and nature of change(s) on the course bulletin board.

Disclaimer

The information contained in this syllabus is for general information purposes only. While we endeavor to keep this information up-to-date and accurate, there may be some discrepancies between this syllabus and the one found in your online course. The syllabus of record is the one found in your online course. Please make sure you read the syllabus in your course at the beginning of the semester. Questions regarding course content should be directed to your instructor.


Last Revised on July 12, 2021