Instructor:  Dr. W.A. Kelly Huff, 146 Williams, 529-3542, e-mail:  huffwa@muohio.edu

Office Hours:  Tuesdays, 12:30 to 1:30 p.m./Wednesdays, 12 noon to 2 p.m.

Text:  Center, Allen H.   & Jackson, Patrick.  (1995).  Public Relations Practices:  Managerial Case Studies &
                Problems.  (5th Ed.).  Upper Saddle River, NJ:  Prentice Hall.

Catalog Course Description and Prerequisites:   “This seminar course emphasizes public relations case study analysis.
        Students critically analyze issues drawn from social, political, business, and non-profit cases.  Student teams apply
        principles learned in this course and prior courses to use research, to apply strategic analysis, and to create solutions to
        public relations challenges.  Course format involves discussion, team work, and extensive written work.  Prerequisite:
        COM 135, 143, 359, and 431, or permission or instructor.”

Course Objective:  To develop critical thinking on the part of the student as she/he deals with management of the public
        relations function.  One of the difficulties with managing the public relations function is that no two situations are exactly
        alike.  What works with one set of facts may fail utterly with another set of facts.  What the student should realize is
        that the principles underlying a public relations situation take precedence over the facts.  This course will use case
        studies to demonstrate how various public relations principles are applied to a variety of fact situations.

Class Activity:  At various times during the term you will be called upon to lead class discussions, participate in discussions,
        and develop case studies.  Two or three students will be assigned case studies from the text each week.  It will be your
        responsibility to brief the class on your particular case, bring to the attention of the class questions raised by the case,
        alternatives to solutions offered in the case, your assessment of the approaches used in the case, and the public relations
        principles demonstrated.  Those students who do not have responsibility for a case must be familiar with the case and
        ready to discuss it intelligently.  Two or three students each week will be assigned public relations problems and will
        develop case studies from the facts presented.  Developing case studies will be discussed in class.  A major part of your
        grade will be based on the case studies you develop.

Exams:  There are no exams in this course in the traditional sense.  However, a final problem will be assigned which must be
        completed during the scheduled exam period for the course.

Grading:         Case study development           50 percent
                        Leading class discussions         20 percent
                        Final problem                          20 percent
                        Class participation                   10 percent

Grade Scale:  A = 90 to 100 points, B = 80 to 89, C = 70 to 79, D = 60 to 69, F = 59 and Below

Attendance:  For group discussion and exams, attendance is mandatory.  Attendance is expected at class lecture.
        (Note:  80% and more of material on exams will be covered in class.)  Students are responsible for all lecture material.
        Athletes must leave written notice of schedule conflicts at instructor’s office during the first week of class.  All phones,
        beepers, radios, etc. must be turned off before class begins and they will remain off throughout class.  No
        headphones will be allowed during class.

Make-Up Work:  Students who miss an assignment must present a bona fide reason as covered under the same policies
        that govern final exams; for example, serious illness,* or a University-sponsored event,** or a death in one’s immediate
        family.***  For any of these reasons, the student must present his/her case to the instructor in person and in written
        form.

        * Illness:  The student must contact the instructor prior to the exam.  If you are unable to do so, have a friend or RA do
        so.  (Note:  Under most circumstances the make-up must be scheduled prior to the next class period or within the same
        week of the exam.  Note:  you may not take a makeup without an official medical excuse, then verification still must be
        presented to validate.)

        ** University-sponsored event:  Note:  The student must submit a written request to the instructor no less than two
        weeks prior to the event and must complete arrangements to make up the exam in advance.  As stated above, athletes
        must present a written notice to the instructor during the first week of class.

        *** Family death:  Students must contact the instructor prior to the exam or discussion.  The university typically verifies
        that the student must miss class because of a family death.  At the very least, leave a message at 356-2169 and see the
        instructor as soon as possible.

Special Notes:

Students who for some reason cannot complete an assignment as scheduled must notify the instructor in writing no less than
two weeks prior to the assignment.  Furthermore, the student must get that reason approved in writing by the instructor.

Students who have a need for special accommodations due to any type of disability should schedule an appointment
with me within the first week of the class.

Academic dishonesty penalties and definition are adhered to as outlined in the Student Handbook.
 

Week One:       Introduction; Chapter 1, “The Purposes of Public Relations:” Problem 1.

Week Two:      Chapter 2, “How Public Relations Deals with Problems and Opportunities;” Problem 2.

Week Three:    Chapter 3, “Employee Relations;” Cases 3-1, 3-3. Problem 3.

Week Four:     Chapter 4, “Community Relations;” Cases 4-1, 4-4.  Problem 5-B.

Week Five:      Chapter 5, “Investor Relations;” Cases 5-2, 5-4.  Problem 5-B.

Week Six:        Chapter 6, “Consumer Relations;” Cases 6-1, 6-2, 6-3.  Problem 6-A.

Week Seven:    Chapter 7, “Media Relations;” Cases 7-4, 7-5.  Problem 7-B.

Week Eight:      Chapter 8, “Public Issues and Concerns, Private Interests and Campaigns;” Cases 8-1, 8-7.  Problem 8-A

Week Nine:      Chapter 9, “Crisis Management;” Cases 9-1, 9-5.  Problem 9.

Week Ten:        Spring Break!

Week Eleven:   Chapter 10, Standards, Ethics, and Values;” Cases 10-2, 10-4.  Problem 10.

Week Twelve:   Student case study presentations.

Week Thirteen:  Student case study presentations.

Week Fourteen: Student case study presentations.

Week  Fifteen:   Final Problem.

Week Sixteen:   Final Problem.
 

NOTE:  The cases listed above will be assigned to students and they will report to the class on those cases.  We will
discuss this in class.  However, all students are responsible for every case in the text and must be ready to discuss them intelligently.  The problems listed will be discussed in class.