Communication Practicum in Local Governments

Course Code:

COMM 400

Course Type:

Elective

P:

2

Lab:

2

Credits:

3

ECTS:

15

Prerequisite Courses:

Introduction to Communication

Course Coordinator:

Pelin HÜRMERİÇ

Course Objectives:

It aims at introducing students to the way local governments, as non-profit seeking public political institutions, apply communication strategies in their practices, projects and allowing students to experience the research, planning, programming and evaluation phases of those works by participating in fieldwork. Accordingly, students will engage in local communication projects by taking responsibility in various departments within the local governments.

Course Content:

The course covers the following topics: the roles and responsibilities of local governments, the importance of communication (especially public relations and advertising) for local governments, various methods used in communication strategies, needs and problem analysis, setting goals and objectives, developing strategies and tactics, and evaluating communication projects.

Course Methodology:

1: Lecture, 2: Interactive Lecture, 3: Special Support / Structural Examples; 12: Groupwork; 13: Fieldwork

Course Evaluation Methods:

A: Testing, B: Oral Exam / Presentation, C: Homework

Vertical Tabs

Course Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes	Program Learning Outcomes	Teaching Methods	Assessment Methods
1) Students are able to apply the research principles to the strategic communication plan of the local government.	5, 6, 8, 10	1,2,3,12,13	A,C
2) Students are able to set the agenda for various communication strategies.	1, 2, 4, 8, 9	1,2,3,12,13	A,C
3) Students are able to write the strategic goals and objectives appropriate for the vision and mission of the local government.	1,2, 4, 5, 8, 10	1,2,3,12,13	A,C
4) Students are able to plan a feasible communication strategy to be applied.	1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10	1,2,12,13	A,C
5) Students are able to create written material and present it as required by the professional standards.	1, 2, 4, 8, 10	1,2	A,B,C

Course Flow

COURSE CONTENT
Week	Topics	Study Materials
1	Introduction: organizing students’ groups and allocating them to the related municipal departments
2	1st work week
3	2nd work week
4	3rd work week
5	4th work week
6	5th work week
7	6th work week
8	7th work week: site-visits by the departmental coordinators to the municipal departments for which students are developing projects
9	8th work week: submission of the first reports
10	9th work week
11	10th work week
12	11th work week
13	12th work week
14	13th work week
15	14th work week and Last work week
16	Submission and presentation of the final report

Recommended Sources

RECOMMENDED SOURCES

Textbook

Smith, R.D. (2009). Strategic Planning for Public Relations. 3rd Ed. New Jersey: Lawrence Erlbaum Assoc.

Additional Resources

Freire, J. Managing destination brand architecture – The case of Cascais Municipality. Place Brand Public Dipl 12, 78–90 (2016). https://doi-org.lproxy.yeditepe.edu.tr/10.1057/pb.2015.23

Rauhut Kompaniets, O., & Rauhut, D. (2013). Place Marketing and Rural Municipalities in Northern Sweden: A Content Analysis of Municipal Homepages. Romanian Journal of Regional Science, 7(2), 11–36. http://web.b.ebscohost.com.lproxy.yeditepe.edu.tr/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=9&sid=3974007b-ae34-4cea-a616-03cc14c32b78%40pdc-v-sessmgr03

Wilcox, D. & Cameron, G. (2009), Public relations: strategies and tactics. 9th Ed. Boston: Pearson Education Inc.

Wilcox, D.L. (2001). Public relations writing and media techniques. 4th Ed. New York: Longman.

Material Sharing

MATERIAL SHARING
Documents	www.coadsys.yeditepe.edu.tr
Assignments	www.coadsys.yeditepe.edu.tr
Exams	www.coadsys.yeditepe.edu.tr

Assessment

ASSESSMENT
IN-TERM STUDIES	NUMBER	PERCENTAGE
Assignments	2	100
Total		100
CONTRIBUTION OF FINAL EXAM TO OVERALL GRADE		50
CONTRIBUTION OF IN-TERM STUDIES TO OVERALL GRADE		50
Total		100

COURSE CATEGORY

Elective Courses

Course’s Contribution to Program

COURSE CONTRIBUTION TO PROGRAM
No	Program Learning Outcomes	Contribution
No	Program Learning Outcomes	1	2	3	4	5
1	Students demonstrate knowledge on market segmentation, are able to follow the trends in consumer behavior, and create effective advertising messages suitable for target audiences					X
2	Students design advertisements suitable for both traditional and digital media.					X
3	Students gain awareness and knowledge on interdisciplinary subjects that are beneficial both for their professional and intellectual lives.
4	Students demonstrate knowledge of the campaign processes in written, audio-visual, electronic, and outdoor advertising media. They plan and manage campaigns in accordance with national and international standards.					X
5	Students demonstrate knowledge of the research methods related to the field of advertising and are able to use the obtained data to evaluate results in campaign processes.					X
6	Students create and lead media strategies in the field of advertising.					X
7	Students abide by universal values, law and ethical principles.					X
8	Students follow the developments in the fields with the awareness of lifelong learning and entrepreneurial approach. They are self-confident in communicating with institutions and persons and suggest solutions to problems independently or as team members.					X
9	Students adopt the critical approach in evaluating knowledge and skills related to the field.	X
10	Students demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the concepts and models related to the field.					X

ECTS

ECTS ALLOCATED BASED ON STUDENT WORKLOAD BY THE COURSE DESCRIPTION
Activities	Quantity	Duration (Hour)	Total Workload (Hour)
Course Duration	14	4	64
Hours for off-the-classroom study (Pre-study, practice)	12	10	120
Assignment	2	45	90
Final (Report submission and presentation)	1	90	90
Total Work Load			368
Total Work Load / 25 (h)			14,72
ECTS Credit of the Course			15

None

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