Students will gain an advanced understanding of the strategy involved with social media; work with social networks relevant to professional opportunities; and work on projects that demonstrate the intersection of social media, journalism and marketing.

After taking this course, students will be able to:

• describe the professional and strategic uses of Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and other social networks
• generate social media content for a real-world client
• identify the relationship between social content, SEO and search
• create analytics reports to measure the value of social media activity in a digestible way for social clients
• develop social media plans, policies and training protocols for organizations

There is no required textbook for this class. We will use terminology and theory from Jab, Jab, Jab, Right Hook by Gary Vaynerchuk (2013). Other readings will come from popular press and research articles throughout the semester.

In place of a textbook, we will utilize a social media simulator to provide you even more experience with content creation and analytics analysis. You will receive an email from Stukent to purchase its Mimic Social Simulation program for $59.99 and join the class channel.

Please note: For DMI and PR majors, there are designated assignments noted in this syllabus that are required to be uploaded to ePortfolio by the deadline listed on the ePortfolio site.

This course requires students to develop and practice the professionalism required in the mass communication professions. Students are expected to adhere to the following professional guidelines:

• Meet all deadlines for assignments as set by the instructor.
• Be respectful of others and work as an effective team member on class activities.
• Work in a conscientious manner, producing quality work that reflects the best of your abilities.
• Communicate with instructors, classmates and clients in a professional manner.
• Present themselves in a professional manner during all client meetings.
• Conduct themselves according to the values expressed in the Texas State University Honor Code.

I treat this class like a working social media agency. Therefore, you are expected to attend class, participate and complete assignments on deadline. Students who regularly miss class struggle to pass the course, so a few guidelines are in place to help you succeed.

Please be on time for class. We will begin class promptly at 2:00pm. Three (3) tardies will equal one (1) class absence. If you leave once class has started and have not discussed it with your instructor beforehand, you will be counted absent. If you should miss a class, it is your responsibility to get class notes and complete assignments as scheduled.

I have a rewards based attendance policy for this class as follows.

• Perfect attendance will earn you a potential grade bump of one point at the end of the semester
• One absence will earn you a potential grade bump of half a point at the end of the semester
• If you miss two classes, the grade you have at the end of the semester is the grade you have earned. If you have a 79.99 but you missed two classes, you will have earned a C
• If you have a third absence, you will be penalized five points on your overall grade
• If you have a fourth absence, a letter grade will be deducted on your overall grade

Excused absences are only for life-altering situations. As mentioned above, you can have up to two absences without penalty. Any illness, car trouble or other situation falls into those two, non-penalized absences. You do not have to contact me if you will miss class. In addition, I do not accept doctor’s notes. Requests for excused absences must first be processed through the Dean of Students, athletics or be received via another official university channel.

We will frequently complete graded assignments in class. Missed assignments cannot be made up and will result in a zero. Late work is also not accepted and will result in a zero. Incorrectly submitted work will not be graded.

You should feel comfortable to participate and express opinions and ideas. Please respect the opinions of others and be considerate of their need to contribute and learn. Please do not have private conversations with your neighbors during lecture of when other students are asking questions, etc. Any student who does not adhere to these conduct policies will be asked to leave the classroom. If this behavior is not corrected, the instructor can deduct points from your overall grade. In general, please be respectful of others and help create a fun and beneficial classroom environment.

Because this is a class focused on digital issues, you are encouraged to tweet and/or use smart phones during lectures. However, this privilege comes with responsibility. If phones are being used for personal matters during lectures, this privilege goes away. If you must take an important phone call during class, please step out into the hall. During lecture, students are expected to give their full attention to the instructor or guest speaker.

Please respect the opinions of others and be considerate of their need to contribute and learn. Please do not have private conversations with your neighbors during lecture or when other students are asking questions, etc. Any student who does not adhere to these conduct policies will be asked to leave the classroom. If this behavior is not corrected, the instructor can deduct points from your overall grade. In general, please be respectful of others and help create a fun and beneficial classroom environment.

This course will utilize TRACS system for grading, so you must have a Texas State email account. Students will join Slack to upload many of the assignments done in the course.

I urge students to visit with me during my office hours. I am here to assist you and want to help my students succeed. If my office hours conflict with your work or school schedule, please contact me to make an appointment for another time. I can also be reached by email at sms213@txstate.edu

Effective January 2, 2020, state law (SB 212) requires all university employees, acting in the course and scope of employment, who witness or receive information concerning an incident of sexual misconduct involving an enrolled student or employee to report all relevant information known about the incident to the university’s Title IX Coordinator or Deputy Title IX coordinator. According to SB 212, employees who knowingly fail to report or knowingly file a false report shall be terminated in accordance with university policy and Texas State University System (TSUS) Rules and Regulations.

The School of Journalism and Mass Communication commits itself to the preparation of ethical mass media professionals and scholars. Such a mission demands the highest standard of academic honesty and integrity. Violations of academic honesty, including but not limited to plagiarism, unauthorized collaboration, collusion, deception, conflict of interest and theft are not tolerated and can lead to severe penalties. Disciplinary actions are outlined in the Texas State Academic Honesty Statement, printed each year in the Texas State Student Handbook.

You can read the Code of Student Conduct and The Honor Code here: https://policies.txstate.edu/university-policies/07-10-01.html

Falsifying sources or other information and copying material without proper attribution are acts of academic dishonesty that will not be tolerated in this class. They will result in a failing grade on an assignment and potentially a failing grade in the course

Texas State University seeks to provide reasonable accommodations for all qualified individuals with disabilities. This university will adhere to all applicable federal, state, and local laws. Students with disabilities who need special accommodations should contact the Office of Disability Services (ODS) at (512) 245-3451, and register with that office. ODS is located in Suite 5-5.1 at the LBJ Student Center. If you are a student with a disability certified by ODS and you require accommodations in this class, it is your responsibility to notify the professor no later than the fifth class day of this semester so that accommodations can be discussed and promptly provided.