Constructing Messages & Audiences – COMM 613
syllabus | schedule of events
Spring 2013, Queens University of Charlotte
Dr. John A. McArthur

January 14
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 21
Martin Luther King, Jr. HOLIDAY

January 28
Sociohistorical Approaches to Strategic Communication
Readings: Public Relations & Social Theory, “On Giddens” Chapter 6, “On Latour” Chapter 9
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 4
Planning Communication in the Public Sphere
Readings: Public Relations & Social Theory, “On Habermas” Chapter 8, “On Mayhew” Chapter 11
Supplemental Readings (available on Moodle): Habermas (2006)

February 11
Impression Management
Readings: Public Relations & Social Theory, “On Goffman” Chapter 7
Theoretical Application 1 due

February 18
Power & Discourse
Readings: Public Relations & Social Theory, “On Bordieu” Chapter 4, “On Foucault” Chapter 5
Supplemental Readings (available on Moodle): Belasen, Chapter 2
Theoretical Application 2 due

February 25
Motivational and Persuasive Presentations

March 4
Spring Break

March 11
Audience & Social Capital
Readings: Public Relations & Social Theory, “On Putnam” Chapter 12
Motivational and Persuasive Presentation Reflections due

March 18
Designing a User-Experience
Readings: experience design 1 (in its entirety); Norman, Chapters 1 & 2

March 25
Contemplating Multiple Audiences
Readings: Public Relations & Social Theory, “On Feminist Theory” Chapter 13, “On Spivak” Chapter 14
Theoretical Application 3 due

April 1
Informative/Theoretical Presentations (digital formats to be viewed)

April 8
Designing Messages for Audiences
Readings: Public Relations & Social Theory, “On Berger” Chapter 3, Benoit (1997): Image Restoration Theory
Supplemental Readings: Public Relations & Social Theory, “On Beck” Chapter 2, “On Weber” Chapter 15
Information and Advocacy Presentation Reflections due

April 15
A Digitized Audience
Readings: Hobbs: Digital and Media Literacy: A Plan of Action, Rheingold: Attention & Other 21st c. Literacies
Supplemental Readings: Zuckerman: 4 Questions about Civic Media

April 22
Presentation of Strategic Communication Plans
Readings: Public Relations & Social Theory, Chapter 16
Strategic Communication Plans due