Fall 2024 Course Syllabus
Course: MRKG-1372 (Section: 1H, CRN: 93201)
Introduction to Social Media Marketing 		LSCPA Logo Image
Instructor Information
Instructor Danielle Nicholson
Email nicholsondm@lamarpa.edu
Phone (409) 681-4312
Office Press Building - Room: 105C
Office Hours Tuesdays, 12:30 - 2:30pm
Wednesdays, 8:30am - 2:30pm
Thursdays, 12:30 - 2:30 pm
Additional Contact Information
Course Information
Description This course is designed to build the foundational knowledge of social media marketing topics such as social networks, ads, and content creation. Investigation of how goals, buyer personas, and other marketing principles apply to social media marketing. Preparation for certification.
Required Textbooks Textbook Purchasing Statement: A student attending Lamar State College Port Arthur is not under any obligation to purchase a textbook from the college-affiliated bookstore. The same textbook may also be available from an independent retailer, including an online retailer.

These texts are open educational resources and may be accessed for free, online.
Additional Materials/Resources
  • This is Marketing, by Seth Godin. This may be purchased at any major bookstore, Amazon, etc. 
  • Additional readings, videos, etc. will be available in Blackboard.
Corequisites/Prerequisites None">None">None">None">None">None">None
Learning Outcomes
  • Define and demonstrate knowledge of social media marketing principles in a digital environment. 
  • Identify and define social media marketing tactics. 
  • Use diverse social media marketing platforms.
Program Student Learning Outcomes
  1. Explore current trends, emerging technologies, and future applications of social media and digital communications.
  2. Communicate effectively with intended audiences using social media and digital communications.
  3. Apply social media solutions using current best practices.
  4. Apply effective problem-solving techniques in social media and digital communications marketing.
Lecture Topics Outline

Course expectations, syllabus, and major assignment discussion

Introduction to Marketing and Social Media 

Marketing Terms and Platforms

Target Audience 

Social Media as a Marketing Channel

Social Media Marketing Strategy

Content Creation

Social Media Writing

Meta Advertising Platforms 

Your Personal Brand
Major Assignments Schedule

  • Week 1 - August 27 and 29

    • Introductions

    • Welcome survey (required)

    • Course expectations, syllabus, and major assignment discussion.

  • Week 2 - September 3 and 5

    • Introduction to marketing and social media. How do we define marketing and where does social media fit in?

  • Week 3 - September 10 and 12

    • Know your platforms! Overview of important marketing terms, platforms, their history, and how they work.

  • Week 4 - September 17 and 19

    • The target audience. Determining a target audience, building personas, reaching your target audience on social media platforms. 

  • Week 5 - September 24 and 26

  • Week 6 - October 1 and 3

    • Social media marketing strategy. What does a social media strategy look like, how do you create one, and what inputs are required.

  • Week 7 - October 8 and 9

    • Mid-term exam. 

    • Content creation part 1. Different types of content, how they are created, their purpose in a social media marketing strategy. 

  • Week 8 - October 15 and 17

    • Content creation part 2. Creative techniques and equipment overview. 

  • Week 9 - October 21 and 24

    • Writing for social media. How writing for social media differs from other types of writing, understanding and using the brand voice. 

  • Week 10 - October 29 and 31

    • Content creation part 3. Equipment deep dive, putting it all together. 

  • Week 11 - November 5 and 7

    • Meta advertising platforms. What advertising options are available, how they work, and how they would support a marketing strategy. 

  • Week 12 November 12 and 14. 

    • Your personal brand. What is it, why it’s important in your academic and professional careers, and how to start crafting it; LinkedIn overview. 

  • Week 13 November 19 and 21

    • Test run: present projects for feedback to the class.

  • Week 14 - December 3 and 5

    • Final presentations incorporating feedback

    • Exams 

    • Final Project due

Final Exam Date December 5, 2024 - 11:0 AM
Grading Scale

This course is a points based course, where 

100-90 points = A

80-89 points = B 

70-79 points = C 

60-69 points = D 

Below 59 points = F 

Extra credit option 1 = 10 points

Extra credit option 2 = 10 points
Determination of
Final Grade

Projects, exams, and participation points are assigned throughout the semester. The following projects, exams, and participation points are assigned as follows. 

  • Lab Final Project = 25 points
  • Beginning and End of Class Quizzes = 25 points (.5/quiz, two quizzes each class day)
  • Final Exam = 15 points
  • Midterm Exam = 15 points
  • Final Project = 20 points 
  • Extra Credit = Referral program (enroll a new student for Spring 2025) = 10 points
  • Extra Credit = Provide a testimonial video promoting the program for future students = 10 points 

Students may monitor their point accumulation via Blackboard.

Course Policies
Instructor Policies

  • Office Hours are 

    • Tuesdays, 12:30 - 2:30pm

    • Wednesdays, 8:30am - 2:30pm.

    • Thursdays, 12:30 - 2:30pm

  • Additional times are available by appointment. I recommend you book a time with me in advance through this webpage and include the topic of the meeting so that I can gather any needed resources prior to the meeting. 

  • Feel free to email me at nicholsondm@lamarpa.edu at any time or call my office number (409) 681-4312 and leave a voicemail. 

  • I highly recommend you to visit me during office hours and share your thoughts and ideas about your projects and what you are learning in class. If you foresee any barriers to completing your assignments, please raise these concerns early with me so that we can find a suitable solution if possible.

Attendance Policy To be successful in this course, students must not only attend, but also participate and complete all assignments to receive credit. Since many points can only be earned by attending classes, each absence can lower the student’s grade by at least a point or more. All assignments will be graded based on what was taught in class—if a student does not appear in class, their assignments will suffer.
Additional Information

  • Each class time: Within the first 15 minutes of class, students will be asked to take a quiz that tests their knowledge of any of the pre-class readings, videos, etc that were to be completed before class. This quiz is worth .5 points and must be answered correctly to receive credit. 

  • Each class time: Within the last 15 minutes of class, students will be asked to take a quiz to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of what was covered in class. This quiz is worth .5 points and must be answered correctly to receive credit.

  • Tuesday, October 8 - in class midterm exam. This will be a handwritten, paper exam. No phones will be allowed in class on this day; students must leave their phones in a basket by the door upon arrival to take the exam. This midterm exam is worth 15 points. 

  • Tuesday, December 3 - in class final presentations. 

  • Thursday, December 5 - final exam. This will be a final, oral exam: Students must sign up in advance for a time to answer final exam questions. No phones, notes, or computers will be allowed in this exam. This final exam is worth 15 points. 

  • Tuesday, December 10. All final lab projects and extra credit opportunities are due by 11:59 pm. No exceptions. The final project is worth 20 points. 
Institutional Policies
MyLSCPA Be sure to check your campus email and Course Homepage using MyLSCPA campus web portal. You can also access your grades, transcripts, academic advisors, degree progress, and other services through MyLSCPA.
Academic Honesty Academic honesty is expected from all students, and dishonesty in any form will not be tolerated. Please consult the LSCPA policies (Academic Dishonesty section in the Student Handbook) for consequences of academic dishonesty.
ADA Considerations The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the the Office for Disability Services Coordinator, Room 231, in the Madison Monroe Building. The phone number is (409) 984-6241.
COVID 19 Information The Lamar State College Port Arthur (LSCPA) Student Code of Conduct COVID 19 Policy requires students who have been diagnosed with COVID 19 to report their condition directly to their local health department. Students should also contact their course faculty to report their quarantine status. In addition, this policy requires all students to wear face coverings when directly exposed to COVID 19 in compliance with the criteria included in the policy. For more information please refer to the COVID 19 link on the LSCPA website.
Facility Policies No food or tobacco products are allowed in the classroom. Only students enrolled in the course are allowed in the classroom, except by special instructor permission. Use of electronic devices is prohibited.
HB 2504 This syllabus is part of LSCPA's efforts to comply with Texas House Bill 2504.
Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse and Neglect As per Texas law and LSCPA policy, all LSCPA employees, including faculty, are required to report allegations or disclosures of child abuse or neglect to the designated authorities, which may include a local or state law enforcement agency or the Texas Department of Family Protective Services. For more information about mandatory reporting requirements, see LSCPA's Policy and Procedure Manual.
Title IX and Sexual Misconduct LSCPA is committed to establishing and maintaining an environment that is free from all forms of sex discrimination, including sexual harassment, sexual violence, and other forms of sexual misconduct. All LSCPA employees, including faculty, have the responsibility to report disclosures of sexual misconduct, including sexual harassment, sexual assault (including rape and acquaintance rape), domestic violence, dating violence, relationship violence, or stalking, to LSCPA's Title IX Coordinator, whose role is to coordinate the college's response to sexual misconduct. For more information about Title IX protections, faculty reporting responsibilities, options for confidential reporting, and the resources available for support visit LSCPA's Title IX website.
Clery Act Crime Reporting For more information about the Clery Act and crime reporting, see the Annual Security & Fire Safety Report and the Campus Security website.
Grievance / Complaint / Concern If you have a grievance, complaint, or concern about this course that has not been resolved through discussion with the Instructor, please consult the Department Chair.
Department Information
Business and Industrial Technology
Chair:Sheila Guillot
Email:guillsr@lamarpa.edu
Phone:(409) 984-6381