Public Affairs 2367: Writing & Communications in Public Affairs

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This is a sample syllabus to provide general information about the course and it's requirements. Course requirements are subject to change. This syllabus does not contain all assignment or course detail and currently enrolled students should reference the syllabus provided by their instructor. For a specific syllabus, please email us a request.

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Course Overview

3 Credit Hour
Modalities Available: In-Person
 

The ability to communicate is a powerful tool for any profession but is particularly important in the public policy/public affairs arena.  In policy work your ability to establish, propose, implement and develop policy often is dependent upon the effectiveness of your communication skills, both written and verbal.  In this course you will sharpen your communication skills through practice and reading about public policy communication.  The focus of the class is to write and convey in written and spoken word complex topics concisely, clearly, completely, credibly and effectively.  Additionally, students will learn the impact of public communications on policy development and policy implementation.  Through critical analysis, discussion and writing students will improve their ability to express their messages and ideas effectively.  This course is taught in as an interactive, participatory experience.

Learning Outcomes

Successful students will:

  • Write concisely and convincingly on policy issues
  • Tailor written, visual and oral communications for different policy and management audiences
  • Construct logical arguments incorporating research and data and apply those arguments to written and spoken policy communication
  • Understand how traditional and social media affects public media affects public institutions and public policies; and 
  • Provide constructive and effective reviews of peers written and spoken communications

 

  1. Successful students will demonstrate skills in effective reading and writing as well as in oral, digital, and/or visual communication for a range of purposes, audiences, and contexts. 
  2. Successful students will develop the knowledge, skills, and habits of mind needed for information literacy. 

Successful students are able to: 

1.1. Compose and interpret across a wide range of purposes and audiences using writing as well as oral, visual, digital, or other methods appropriate to the context. 

1.2. Use textual conventions, including proper attribution of ideas and/or sources, as appropriate to the communication situation. 

1.3. Generate ideas and informed responses incorporating diverse perspectives and information from a range of sources, as appropriate to the communication situation. 

1.4. Evaluate social and ethical implications in writing and information literacy practices. 

2.1. Demonstrate responsible, civil, and ethical practices when accessing, using, sharing, or creating information. 

2.2. Locate, identify, and use information through context-appropriate search strategies. 

2.3. Employ reflective and critical strategies to evaluate and select credible and relevant information sources

2.4. Understand the options and ability to deploy social media for public sector communications

Requirements and Expectations

A textbook may be required for this course. Please check with your instructor for details.

  • Attendance/Participation (30%)
  • Assignments (70%)
  • Attendance & Participation (30%)

 

Attendance will be taken for this class.  If you must be absent, please email me (Zimomra.3@osu.edu)  preferably before class.  We will work on assignments during class, participate in discussions and conduct peer review in the classroom.  Your class attendance/participation grade will include attendance AND your attentiveness AND engagement.  This includes listening, speaking and participating. 

In this course you will complete nine assigned work products.  We will use in-class time to work on the assignments during which you will receive instructor and peer feedback.  Each assignment will be listed on Carmen with the due date.  Assignments will be due midnight the due date.

When uploading assignments to Carmen, please label your work product as "FirstName LastName_Assignment Title"

Course Schedule

 Refer to the CarmenCanvas course for up-to-date due dates and assignment specifics.

Previous Instructors Have Included