Course Syllabus
Hello and welcome to PR Pubs at the University of Oklahoma!
Below is the formal syllabus explaining what the course exactly is but these tend to get a little jargony at times which won’t be incredibly helpful if there is your first introduction into the course. The short of it is this: This course is outcomes centric and thus you will learn by doing. While the first part of the course is focused on understanding design techniques and terminology and is a little more content driven, we will be simply applying this foundational knowledge through different use cases throughout the rest of the semester. The real work are the assignments in which you’ll be creating tangible publication pieces. You’ll then be putting these works onto your blog where you’ll be expected to reflect on your work and give a narrative for your creative process. In the end, you’ll have a robust portfolio (so to speak) which won’t only be a collection of your final work which potential employers can see, but a collection of your thoughts, struggles, and victories throughout this 16-week experience. In essence, you’ll be donning a potentially new hat of “Visual Designer” throughout this exploration. You’ll also be a “Digital Storyteller.” Terms like “digital,” “visual,” or “creative” can seem a little scary to some, but that’s ok right now. Like a good ride at a theme park, a little bit of nervousness makes the ride much more memorable on the back end. Note that most of you are coming in at the same level: novice. This means you all are your biggest allies. I want you to be successful in this course and to do this you will see that I’ve set up ways in which you can lean on and learn from each other’s experiences throughout the course.
Instructor
Adam Croom
Old Science Hall, Room 224
Phone: (405) 325-2960
E-mail: a.croom@ou.edu
Twitter: @acroom
Office Hours: Schedule via the Canvas calendar
Course Description
Institutional and industrial publications as an important means of internal and external communications with special emphasis on design, layout and content. Laboratory.
Prerequisites: JMC 1013, 2033, 3413, and 3423
Course Objectives
Think critically, creatively and independently.
Understand concepts and apply theories in the use and presentation of images and information
Critically evaluate your own work and that of others for accuracy and fairness, clarity, appropriate style and grammatical correctness
Apply tools and technologies appropriate for the communications professions in which they work
Recognize how public relations publications differ from other publications in purpose, publics, funding and design.
Conduct research, evaluate information and use that knowledge to select appropriate communication channel.
Design for a target audience.
Distinguish and demonstrate the use a variety of publication production techniques and options.
Course Outcomes
Students will launch and maintain a blog as well as comment on the blogs of their peers.
Students will build a foundational knowledge of the landscape of visual communication technologies.
Students will design a business card and letterhead for a brand.
Students will design a direct mail piece for multiple, specific publics.
Students will design a newsletter for an entity.
Students will develop a personal portfolio website.
Course Rationale
This course strives to train students to recognize and apply good publication design techniques in a public relations setting. In addition, students will learn the importance of structuring visual communications for the web. The major goal of the course is to give students the ability to translate a concept of visual communication into an actual publication. Other goals include practice with computer graphics, knowledge of publication techniques and options in print and online, publication production skills and a knowledge of how to work with designers, graphic artists, publication specialists, photographers and commercial printers and web developers to convey their messages to target audiences.
Texts
Only one book is required for this course. Other reading and video content will be made available to you as reference material through the semester. For this book, you’ll be doing a blog post per chapter. I would recommend getting the Ebook as it’s only $9, but they also do a print-on-demand version of the text that is available as a paperback.
Walter, A (2011). Designing for Emotion. A Book Part. ISBN: 9781937557003. Buy here. (Paperback: $18+shipping, Ebook: $9, Paperback & Ebook: $22.50+shipping)
Grade Mix
I believe that creative work is incredibly subjective. This course is an introductory course and my assumption that this is your first intensive introduction into creative work. Thus our goal in this course is to gradually get better (not do professional work Week 1) and as such I will to treat you like a creative employee or intern rather than rely on a traditional grading mechanisms. While you will receive copious amounts of feedback throughout the semester, my aim to make sure you receive the bulk of it before you turn in your work in order to put your best work forward. All assignments are graded as complete/incomplete and attendance is critical.
Weekly Assignments
16 weekly blogs posts. Refer to this rubric for what I'm looking for in a blog post.
Design Projects
Business Card and Letterhead Project
Direct Mailer
Social Media
Newsletter
Summary of Learning
A negotiation between me and you will determine when an assignment is complete. When you feel that your project is ready to submit, then we will discuss the project in class. If I feel that it is ready, then I will give you the go-ahead to submit the assignment.
Grading Scale
A: Earn completes on all design assignments + 15 blog posts
B: Earn completes on all design assignments + 13 blog posts
C: Earn completes on all but one design assignment + 12 blog posts
D: Earn completes on all but two design assignments + 10 blog posts
F: Student has failed to earn completes on three design assignments and 10 blog posts
All due dates, rules, regulations, terms, and conditions are subject to change at the discretion of me, Adam, your instructor. While you'll be given a print copy of this document, please refer to the syllabus page on Canvas.
Attendance
Because the assignments of this course are pass/fail, attendance is absolutely necessary. You are allowed two absences (excused or non excused). Each absence beyonds two results in a drop in a letter grade per absence.
Toolbox
- Blog – As mentioned earlier, one of your assignments will be building and maintaining a personal blog with the blogging platform of your choice. This will require you to get a web domain and server space.
- Canvas – Each week has a corresponding module which will tell you what you are expected to do that week.
- Student Blogs Hub – These are where you’ll be able to see all the different blog posts from all your peers. This will be helpful in seeing what everyone else is up to. You’ll be asked periodically throughout the semester to comment on various posts from other students.
- Software – This course heavily relies on two specific programs for most of the design work you will be doing: Adobe Photoshop and Adobe InDesign. These apps (plus tons of other nice products from Adobe) are currently available for $19.99 as a product called Creative Cloud Complete. My suggestion is that use this service for the semester. While that is not cheap, it’s small price to pay have resume line items such as “Adobe Photoshop.” That said, I understand that may be out of reach for some. For those close to campus, one option is to utilize the computers in the Gaylord computer labs as they have fully up-to-date versions of both these programs (Note: If you are going to use the computer lab, remember that the computer wipes your files every time you log out. Make sure you always carry a flash drive or external hard drive with you!). For others who don’t have the luxury of visiting campus and still don’t want to splurge on Adobe Photoshop, graphic design concepts are completely transferable to other (sometimes free) applications. There are even some great options now that are web or tablet based. I’ve created a page for free alternatives to both of these programs. You can use these, but please proceed with caution knowing that my knowledge is significantly limited to what these programs offer.
Gaylord Open Lab Hours
GYLD 1000 Convergence Lab
8 a.m. to 12 midnight Monday through Thursday
8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday
1 p.m. to 7 p.m. Saturdays
12 noon to 12 midnight Sunday
GYLD 2150 Creative Lab (Next to Lindsey+Asp )
8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday
8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday
12 noon to 10 p.m. Sunday
closed Saturdays
Teaching Philosophy
As an instructor, I am highly student–centered. My aim in education is to support individual growth and self-actualization rather than to focus on content through an educational environment that is built on autonomy, trust, cooperation, participation, and self-directed learning. Social learning is my favored form of education while experimentation and discovery methods are also encouraged. I believe that instructors are a facilitator, assistant, and partner in the learning process. I also believe that learning is a personal activity that involves intrinsic motivation and that self-evaluation is the only meaningful test of whether learning has taken place.
Course Policies
Make-up Policy / Late Assignments
No work will be accepted passed the due date.
Civility
As a student you are going to interact with students who have diverse opinions, beliefs, and backgrounds. If you want to work effectively with your classmates you need to be civil and avoid inappropriate behavior. Incivility not only violates university conduct policies, but can permanently damage your future interactions with students and your instructor. Work to develop your emotional intelligence and you’ll discover that you become less reactive to class conditions and discussions, and more proactively involved in the learning process because you are successfully collaborating with others.
University Policies
Academic Integrity
Cheating is strictly prohibited, because it devalues the degree you are working hard to get. It is your responsibility to protect your educational investment by knowing and following the rules. For specific definitions on what constitutes cheating, review the Student’s Guide to Academic Integrity.
To be successful in this class, all work on exams and quizzes must be yours and yours alone. You may not receive outside help. On examinations and quizzes you will never be permitted to use your notes, textbooks, calculators, or any other study aids. Should you see someone else engaging in this behavior, I encourage you to report it to myself or directly to the Office of Academic Integrity Programs. That student is devaluing not only their degree, but yours, too. Be aware that it is my professional obligation to report academic misconduct, which I will not hesitate to do. Sanctions for academic misconduct can include expulsion from the University and an F in this course, so don’t cheat. It’s simply not worth it.
Diversity Statement
The Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication is a nationally accredited program and therefore strives to adhere to a set of standards designed to prepare JMC majors to excel within their chosen professions. These standards include a mandate to provide curriculum that “fosters understanding of issues and perspectives that are inclusive in terms of gender, race, ethnicity and sexual orientation.”
Religious Observance
It is the policy of the University to excuse the absences of students that result from religious observances and to reschedule examinations and additional required classwork that may fall on religious holidays, without penalty.
Disability Accommodations
Any student in this course who has a disability that may prevent the full demonstration of his or her abilities should contact me personally as soon as possible so we can discuss accommodations necessary to ensure full participation and facilitate your educational opportunities.
Student Code of Conduct
The University of Oklahoma Student Code includes rules that address the responsibilities and conduct required of Norman Campus students, student groups, organizations, and University-approved or operated living units. The Academic Misconduct Code, sexual harassment policy, and other student-related policies and procedures are also included in the publication. Copies of the Code may be obtained from the Office of the Vice President of Student Affairs, Oklahoma Memorial Union, or the University of Oklahoma Student Association, 181 Oklahoma Memorial Union. The Student Code is also accessible here.
Title IX Resources and Reporting Requirement
For any concerns regarding gender-based discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating/domestic violence, or stalking, the University offers a variety of resources. To learn more or to report an incident, please contact the Sexual Misconduct Office. Also, please be advised that a professor/GA/TA is required to report instances of sexual harassment, sexual assault, or discrimination to the Sexual Misconduct Office.
Adjustments for Pregnancy/Childbirth Related Issues
Should you need modifications or adjustments to your course requirements because of documented pregnancy-related or childbirth-related issues, please contact your professor or the Disability Resource Center.
Course Summary:
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