Strategic Communication: Analysis & Theory – COMM 605
syllabus | schedule of events
Spring 2012, Queens University of Charlotte
Dr. John A. McArthur

January 16
Martin Luther King, Jr. HOLIDAY
Welcome and syllabus emailed to students before class begins January 23.

January 23
Grounding Strategic Communication
Readings: Public Relations & Social Theory, Chapter 1
Hallahan, K., Holtzhausen, D., van Ruler, B. Vercic, D., & Sriramesh, K. (2007). Defining Strategic Communication. International Journal of Strategic Communication, 1 (1), 3-35.

January 30
Sociohistorical Approaches
Readings: Public Relations & Social Theory,Chapter 6
Supplemental Readings (available on Moodle): Belasen, Chapter 1: Historical Foundations of Corporate Communication; Seitel, Chapter 2: Historical Foundations of Public Relations
Introduce Strategic Communication Plans

February 6
Impression Management
Readings: Public Relations & Social Theory, Chapter 7
Case/Critical Incident 1 (Topic: Corporate Branding)
Connection Paper 1

February 13
Planning Communication in the Public Sphere
Readings: Public Relations & Social Theory, Chapter 8
Supplemental Readings (available on Moodle):Habermas (2006)
Book Review Presentations 1

February 20
No seminar meeting – all strategic plan topics should be finalized by this date.
To confirm your topic, send your well-written purpose statement for your plan via email.

February 27
Power & Discourse
Readings: Public Relations & Social Theory, Chapter 4, Chapter 5
Supplemental Readings (available on Moodle):Belasen, Chapter 2
Case/ Critical Incident 2 (Topic: Power/Language/Hierarchy)
Connection Paper 2

March 5
Spring Break

March 12
Self-promotion: For Good or For Evil?
Readings: Public Relations & Social Theory, Chapter 2, Chapter 15
Book Review Presentations 2

March 19
Ethics and Personal Responsibility
Readings: Public Relations & Social Theory, Chapter 9, Chapter 11
Case/ Critical Incident 3 (Topic: Ethics)
Connection Paper 3

March 26
Global Communication
Readings: Public Relations & Social Theory, Chapter 10
Case/ Critical Incident 4 (Topic: Globalization)
Connection Paper 4

April 2
Crisis Communication
Readings: Public Relations & Social Theory, Chapter 3
Supplemental Readings (available on Moodle): Benoit (1997): Image Restoration Theory
Case/ Critical Incident 5 (Topic: Crisis Communication)

April 9
Corporate Social Responsibility
Readings: Public Relations & Social Theory, Chapter 12
Supplemental Readings:
Case/ Critical Incident 6 (Topic: Corporate Social Responsibility)
Connection Paper 5

April 16
Complicating the Traditional Views
Readings: Public Relations & Social Theory, Chapter 13, Chapter 14
Supplemental Readings:
Book Review Presentations 3

April 23
Final Discussion
Readings: Public Relations & Social Theory, Chapter 16
Strategic Communication Plans due