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Fall 2025 Course Syllabus
Course: MRKG-2470 (Section: 1H, CRN: 93435) Story Telling in a Digital Environment |
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| Instructor Information | |||||||||
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| Instructor | Danielle Nicholson | ||||||||
| nicholsondm@lamarpa.edu | |||||||||
| Phone | (409) 681-4312 | ||||||||
| Office | Press Building - Room: 105C | ||||||||
| Office Hours | Mondays: 11 am - 3 pm Tuesdays: 2:30 - 3 pm Wednesdays: 11 am - 3 pm Thursdays: 2:30 - 3 pm Fridays: 11 am - 3 pm |
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| Additional Contact Information | See Blackboard for additional contact information. | ||||||||
| Course Information | |||||||||
| Description | Application of the Buyer's Journey through copywriting and design principles. Students will create compelling content through the application of prior course work in marketing, copywriting and design in order to tell a compelling brand story. Case studies, problem based, and project-based learning are highlighted. Technology such as Digital Video, PowerPoint, Camtasia and Adobe Captivate are used. | ||||||||
| 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.
Open educational resources (OER), readings, videos, and other content will be assigned directly in Blackboard. |
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| Additional Materials/Resources | None. | ||||||||
| Corequisites/Prerequisites |
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| Learning Outcomes |
1. Create a social media story and implement on diverse social media platforms. 2. Analyze and critique marketing stories through case study problems. |
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| Program Student Learning Outcomes | |||||||||
| Lecture Topics Outline |
What is Digital Storytelling? Anatomy of a Story & Quality Frameworks Story Planning & Brainstorming Frameworks Video Storytelling I Editing in Canva Adapting Stories for Social Platforms Multi-Scene Storytelling Storytelling for Brands & Organizations Storytelling Through Emotion & Authenticity Enhancing Story Impact in Canva Evaluating Story Effectiveness Storytelling Challenges & Constraints |
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| Major Assignments Schedule |
Week 1 – August 25 Unit: What is Digital Storytelling? Course intro, syllabus, expectations, examples of digital stories, what makes a compelling story Week 2 – September 1 Unit: Anatomy of a Story & Quality Frameworks Core story elements, evaluating digital stories, buyer’s journey connections Week 3 – September 8 Unit: Story Planning & Brainstorming Frameworks Story triangle framework, defining purpose, storyboarding and shot lists, brainstorming methods Week 4 – September 15 Unit: Video Storytelling I – Foundations Shot types, sequencing, framing for motion, capturing natural sound, building a video arc Week 5 – September 22 Unit: Video Storytelling II – Interviews & Voice On-camera interviews, audio basics, B-roll and supporting footage for narrative strength Week 6 – September 29 Unit: Editing in Canva – From Clips to Story Sequencing and pacing clips, adding captions and graphics in Canva, editing workshop Week 7 – October 6 Unit: Adapting Stories for Social Platforms Audience expectations on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, adapting one story for multiple platforms Week 8 – October 13 Unit: Multi-Scene Storytelling Building multi-scene narratives, using B-roll and transitions, layering perspectives and locations Week 9 – October 20 Unit: Storytelling for Brands & Organizations Brand and nonprofit case studies, voice and authenticity, aligning stories with organizational goals Week 10 – October 27 Unit: Storytelling Through Emotion & Authenticity How to capture and convey authentic emotion in stories; balancing message with genuine human connection; avoiding “forced” or inauthentic narratives Week 11 – November 3 Unit: Enhancing Story Impact in Canva Overlays, graphics, and design in Canva, strengthening clarity with text and visuals Week 12 – November 10 Unit: Evaluating Story Effectiveness Measuring story effectiveness, metrics and qualitative resonance, peer critique workshop Week 13 – November 17 Unit: Storytelling Challenges & Constraints Telling a story with time limits (30s, 60s); working within platform constraints (aspect ratio, length, caption limits); using creative constraints to spark innovation Week 14 – November 24 THANKSGIVING BREAK Week 14 – December 1 Unit: Final Showcase Final project showcase, reflection on process and applications Week 15 – December 8 GRADUATION WEEK |
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| Final Exam Date | December 1, 2025 - 12:00 AM Through December 5, 2025 - 11:59 PM | ||||||||
| Grading Scale |
100-90 = A 80-89 = B 70-79 = C 60-69 = D Below 59 = F Extra credit option = 10 points on any assignment |
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| Determination of Final Grade |
The course is made up of weekly assignments. Your average assignment grade at the end of the semester and your attendance and participation grade will determine your final grade. Weekly assignments: 50% Weekly participation and attendance: 50% |
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| Course Policies | |||||||||
| Instructor Policies |
Assignments will be given each week. You will have one or two weeks, depending on the assignment, to complete it. No late work is accepted. Students are responsible for reading all content, watching all videos, etc. in Blackboard to be successful in the course. Academic dishonesty will result in a zero on any assignment (first offense); a second incidence of academic dishonesty will result in failure of the class. DO NOT wait until the last minute to complete class work or exams. I recommend you set up email notifications from Blackboard so you do not miss any information. If you are confused or need help, do not hesitate to contact me. I will share my cell phone in Blackboard. Some assignments in this course will require the use of AI tools, such as ChatGPT. AI may only be used when specifically permitted and must follow the instructions provided for that assignment, including proper citation and documentation of your process. Unauthorized or improperly cited use of AI will result in a grade of 0 for the assignment. |
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| Attendance Policy | Students must attend, participate, and check Blackboard 2-3 times each week to stay on top of assignments. Students must submit their assignments within the timeframes indicated on Blackboard. | ||||||||
| Additional Information | |||||||||
| 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 Disability Services Coordinator, Room 117, in the Student Sucess Center. 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. |
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| 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 |
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