Spring 2025 Course Syllabus
Course: MRKG-1479 (Section: 71, CRN: 11179)
Writing and Editing Business Information 		LSCPA Logo Image
Instructor Information
Instructor Danielle Nicholson
Email nicholsondm@lamarpa.edu
Phone (409) 681-4312
Office Press Building - Room: 105C
Office Hours

Mondays, 12:45 pm - 2:45 pm

Tuesdays, 9:30 - 11 am; 12:15 - 12:45 pm

Wednesdays, 12:45 pm - 2:45 pm

Thursdays, 9:30 - 11 am; 12:15 - 12:45 pm

Fridays, 12:45 pm - 2:45 pm
Additional Contact Information You may call or text my cell phone, however please note that you will need to leave a voicemail: (682) 556-1050
Course Information
Description Introduction and practice in writing and editing skills necessary to ensure high-quality, readable, usable, well-designed digital communications. Investigation of how to develop buyer personas, brand voice, and tone. Topics include email, blog, posts, landing pages, introduction to white papers, banner ads and display copy, and social media posts.
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.

No required textbooks. Videos, readings will be assigned throughout the semester.
Additional Materials/Resources Additional readings, videos, etc. will be available in Blackboard.
Corequisites/Prerequisites None
Learning Outcomes
  • Recognize, analyze, and accommodate diverse audiences.
  • Produce documents with appropriate buyer persona, brand voice and tone.
  • Edit for appropriate style, word choice, sentence structure, punctuation, and spelling.
  • Apply and use script writing techniques.
  • Design and test various online content documents for easy reading and navigation.
Program Student Learning Outcomes
  • Explore current trends, emerging technologies, and future applications of social media and digital communications.
  • Communicate effectively with intended audiences using social media and digital communications.
  • Apply social media solutions using current best practices.
  • Apply effective problem-solving techniques in social media and digital communications marketing
Lecture Topics Outline
  • What is Marketing and the Role of Writing; the Marketing Funnel
  • Defining “Content” 
  • Writing Best Practices
  • The Role of Websites for Businesses 
  • Owned Media Properties 
  • Top of Funnel Content
  • Mid-Funnel Content
  • Bottom of Funnel and Conversion Content 
  • LinkedIn
  • The Personal Brand
Major Assignments Schedule
  • Week 1 - Introductions and Course Expectations
  • Week 2 - Marketing and the Role of Written Content
  • Week 3 - Defining “Content”  
  • Week 4 - Best Writing Practices
  • Week 5 - The Role of the Website for Businesses
  • Week 6 - Owned Media
  • Week 7 - Top of Funnel Content 
  • Week 8 - Mid-Funnel Content
  • Week 9 - Bottom of Funnel Content
  • Week 10 - LinkedIn Overview
  • Week 11 - The Personal Brand
  • Week 12 - LinkedIn (continued)
  • Week 13 - LinkedIn (continued)
  • Week 14 - Final Projects Due 
Final Exam Date April 30, 2025 - 12:00 AM   Through  April 30, 2025 - 11:59 PM
Grading Scale

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
Your final grade is calculated as follows – 
  • Final Project = 50%
  • Weekly Assignments = 25% 
  • Weekly Discussion Participation = 25% 
  • Extra Credit = Referral program (enroll a new student for Fall 2025) = 10 points
  • Extra Credit = Provide a testimonial video promoting the program for future students = 10 points 
Students may monitor their grades via Blackboard.
Course Policies
Instructor Policies
  • Late work is not acceptable and is allowed only with instructor approval. Approval will be on a *very limited* case by case basis. 
  • Academic dishonesty will result in a zero on any assignment (first offense); a second offense will result in failure of the class. (This includes unauthorized use of AI tools.)
  • The best way to contact me is by sending me an email at nicholsondm@lamarpa.edu. You may also call or text my cell phone, (682) 556-1050, but note that you must leave a voicemail and I will get back to you. 
  • Office hours are below. If you would like to meet with me, please schedule a time in advance so that we can both be prepared as needed. 

    • Mondays, 12:45 pm - 2:45 pm
    • Tuesdays, 9:30 - 11 am; 12:15 - 12:45 pm
    • Wednesdays, 12:45 pm - 2:45 pm
    • Thursdays, 9:30 - 11 am; 12:15 - 12:45 pm
    • Fridays, 12:45 pm - 2:45 pm
  • Additional times are available by appointment. You may email, text, or call me to make an appointment. 
  • I highly recommend you to contact me 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 check Blackboard early in the week (Sunday, Monday, Tuesday) to see the course content and assignments for the week. Weekly course content and assignments will be posted by Sunday or Monday, and all assignments will be due by Saturday at midnight each week.

Additional Information

This is a class that combines videos and mini-lectures with hands-on learning. All content will be available in Blackboard, so it is critical that you regularly check Blackboard for your assignments and read all instructions carefully. 

The final project is due by midnight on April 30.

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.
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