GRADING SYSTEM:

This course is broken up into weekly topics with specific assignments due once a week (see course outline section for specific assignments' due dates)

Grading in this course will be based on the completion of the following activities and their assigned point value:

• Intro activities (quiz and discussion) 10 pts each (20 total points)
• 6 Content-Specific Activities (50 points each, 300 total points)
• 16 Weekly Discussions (20 points each, 300 total points)
• 15 Weekly Quick Check Quizzes (15 points each, 225)
• Completion of the HubSpot Social Media Marketing Certification (135 points)

COURSE POLICIES:

The Use of  Artificial Intelligence (AI): Any work written, developed, created, or inspired by artificial intelligence (AI) will be considered plagiarism and will not be tolerated.  While there are many new and exciting developments with AI in the marketing industry, in terms of education and learning your original work is irreplaceable. Your purpose as a student is to learn from your own experiences and apply these experiences in authentic and creative ways.  Using AI robs you of the opportunity to think critically and apply the knowledge you are working so hard to achieve.  If it it believed that your work is not entirely your own you will be held responsible under the College Academic Integrity Process.

Attendance/Class Participation
Regular and timely class participation in discussions and completion of work is expected of all students. ]

The instructor is required to submit a formal attendance certificate by January 31, 2024.  Any students who have failed to participate in the course by this date will be withdrawn from the course automatically by the college.

If attendance or compliance with other course policies is unsatisfactory, the instructor may withdraw students from the class.

Missed Exam and Late Work Policies:

• Assignments will NOT be accepted late.  All deadlines are absolute. 
• Academic work submitted will be your thought, research, or self-expression. 
• Absolutely no plagiarism.

This course is a “Zero Textbook Cost (ZTC)” course therefore students do not need to purchase any materials to participate in the course.  However, students will be accountable for accessing the required resources (provided by the instructor) and may choose to print the resources at their own expense. All required readings, videos and podcasts will be provided by the instructor through the Blackboard course page

In addition to the instructor-provided resources, there will be various activities and exercises that will require the use of HubSpot software. HubSpot provides free academic use of the HubSpot software through the Education Partner Program.

You must sign-up for a Free HubSpot profile in order to participate in the course.  This includes the Social Media Certification (Free). A free online certification with videos, transcripts slides, and additional readings. 

Additional Recommended Readings and Resources: 

• HubSpot Inbound Marketing blog: http://blog.hubspot.com/marketing
• MOZ blog: http://moz.com/blog 
• Internet Marketing Written Style Guide
• OWl Purdue MLA Formatting Guide        
• Canva (free) personal account for digital content design                             

Required Hardware/Software:

• A computer/iPad. A cell phone is not sufficient. 
• A working webcam.  This can be an auxiliary webcam that you plug into your computer.
• HubSpot software through the Education Partner Program  
• Reliable internet access

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES, GENERAL EDUCATION COMPETENCIES, & SCANS:

Common Course Learning Objectives/Outcomes 

1. Create a social media campaign, blog, or podcast, and generate content such as videos, pictures, white papers, articles, tweets, etc.
2. Describe the value that social media platforms can bring to the enterprise.
3. Describe how communities form in social media and learn how to develop their brand personality.    
4. Develop a plan to use digital media to strengthen their brand.
5. Describe how brand use generates revenue and profit.   
6. Describe the role each major social media platform plays in enabling brand messaging.

Describe the rules and protocols to be followed in each platform’s environment, including how those have grown out of the ways users interact with each other in that environment.

Health and Safety Protocols-
Operational areas of ACC campuses and centers are fully open and accessible through all public entrances.  While some health & safety protocols are no longer mandatory, the college encourages its staff, faculty, and students to be mindful of the well-being of all individuals on campus.  If you feel sick, feverish, or unwell, please do not come to campus.

Some important things to remember:

• If you have not done so, ACC encourages all students, faculty, and staff to get vaccinated. COVID-19 vaccines are now widely available throughout the community. Visit www.vaccines.gov/ to find a vaccine location near you.

• If you are experiencing COVID-19-related symptoms, please get a COVID-19 test as soon as possible before returning to an ACC facility. Testing is now widely available.

• If you test positive, please report it on the ACC self-reporting tool located here.

• ACC continues to welcome face masks on campus.  Per CDC guidelines, face masks remain a good way to protect yourself from COVID-19.  The college cannot mandate indoor masking but is encouraging it during this spike in cases as a result of the Delta variant.

• The college asks that we all continue to respect the personal space of others. We are encouraging 3 feet of social distancing.

• Please be sure to carry your student, faculty, or staff ID badge at all times while on campus.

Because of the ever-changing situation, please go to ACC’s Covid website at https://www.austincc.edu/coronavirus?ref=audiencemenu for the latest updates and guidance.

Statement on Academic Integrity 

Austin Community College values academic integrity in the educational process. Acts of academic dishonesty/misconduct undermine the learning process, present a disadvantage to students who earn credit honestly and subvert the academic mission of the institution. The potential consequences of fraudulent credentials raise additional concerns for individuals and communities beyond campus who rely on institutions of higher learning to certify students' academic achievements and expect to benefit from the claimed knowledge and skills of their graduates. Students must follow all instructions given by faculty or designated college representatives when taking examinations, placement assessments, tests, quizzes, and evaluations. Actions constituting scholastic dishonesty include, but are not limited to, plagiarism, cheating, fabrication, collusion, falsifying documents, or the inappropriate use of the college’s information technology resources. Further information is available at https://www.austincc.edu/about-acc/academic-integrity-and-disciplinaryprocess

Student Rights & Responsibilities

Students at ACC have the same rights and protections under the Constitution of the United States. These rights include freedom of speech, peaceful assembly, petition, and association. As members of the community, students have the right to express their own views but must also take responsibility for according the same rights to others and not interfere or disrupt the learning environment. Students are entitled to fair treatment, are expected to act consistently with the values of the college, and obey local, state, and federal laws. www.austincc.edu/srr As a student of Austin Community College you are expected to abide by the Student Standards of Conduct. https://www.austincc.edu/students/studentsrights-and-responsibilities/student-standards-of-conduct

Senate Bill 212 and Title IX Reporting Requirements

Under Senate Bill 212 (SB 212), the faculty and all College employees are required to report any information concerning incidents of sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking committed by or against an ACC student or employee. Federal Title IX law and College policy also require reporting incidents of sex- and gender-based discrimination and sexual misconduct. This means faculty and non-clinical counseling staff cannot keep confidential information about any such incidents that you share with them. If you would like to talk with someone confidentially, please contact the District Clinical Counseling Team who can connect you with a clinical counselor on any ACC campus: (512) 223-2616, or to schedule online: https://www.austincc.edu/students/counseling.  While students are not required to report, they are encouraged to contact the Compliance Office for resources and options: Charlene Buckley, District Title IX Officer, (512) 223-7964; compliance@austincc.edu.  If a student makes a report to a faculty member, the faculty member will contact the District Title IX Officer for follow-up.

Student Complaints

A defined process applies to complaints about an instructor or other college employee. You are encouraged to discuss concerns and complaints with college personnel and should expect a timely and appropriate response. When possible, students should first address their concerns through informal conferences with those immediately involved; formal due process is available when informal resolution cannot be achieved.

Student complaints may include (but are not limited to) issues regarding classroom instruction, college services, and offices on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, national origin, religion, age, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, political affiliation, or disability.

Further information about the complaints process, including the form used to submit complaints, is available at: http://www.austincc.edu/students/students-rights-and-responsibilities/student-complaint-procedures

Statement on Privacy

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) protects the confidentiality of students’ educational records. Grades cannot be provided by faculty over the phone, by e-mail, or to a fellow student.

All grades for this class will be posted in BlackBoard.

Recording Policy

To ensure compliance with the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), student recording of class lectures or other activities is generally prohibited without the explicit written permission of the instructor and notification of other students enrolled in the class section.  Exceptions are made for approved accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act. 

Recording of lectures and other class activities may be made by faculty to facilitate instruction, especially for classes taught remotely through BlackBoard Collaborate or another platform.  Participation in such activities implies consent for the student to be recorded during the instructional activity.  Such recordings are intended for educational and academic purposes only.

Safety Statement

Health and safety are of paramount importance in classrooms, laboratories, and field activities. Students are expected to learn and comply with ACC environmental, health and safety procedures and agree to follow ACC safety policies.  Emergency Procedures posters and Campus Safety Plans are posted in each classroom and should be reviewed at the beginning of each semester.  All incidents (injuries/illness/fire/property damage/near miss) should be immediately reported to the course instructor. Additional information about safety procedures and how to sign up to be notified in case of an emergency can be found athttp://www.austincc.edu/emergency

Everyone is expected to conduct themselves professionally with respect and courtesy to all. Anyone who thoughtlessly or intentionally jeopardizes the health or safety of another individual may be immediately dismissed from the day’s activity and will be referred to the Dean of Student Services for disciplinary action.

In the event of disruption of normal classroom activities due to an emergency situation or an illness outbreak, the format for this course may be modified to enable completion of the course. In that event, students will be provided an addendum to the class syllabus that will supersede the original version.

Campus Carry

The Austin Community College District concealed handgun policy ensures compliance with Section 411.2031 of the Texas Government Code (also known as the Campus Carry Law), while maintaining ACC’s commitment to provide a safe environment for its students, faculty, staff, and visitors.  Beginning August 1, 2017, individuals who are licensed to carry (LTC) may do so on campus premises except in locations and at activities prohibited by state or federal law, or the college’s concealed handgun policy.  In addition, concealed weapons are not allowed on ACC-sponsored field trips where the school owns or has chartered or leased vehicles for transportation.

It is the responsibility of license holders to conceal their handguns at all times.  Persons who see a handgun on campus are asked to contact the ACC Police Department by dialing 222 from a campus phone or 512-223-7999.   Please refer to the concealed handgun policy online athttp://austincc.edu/campuscarry
Discrimination Prohibited

The College seeks to maintain an educational environment free from any form of discrimination or harassment including but not limited to discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, age, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability.

Faculty at the College are required to report concerns regarding sexual misconduct (including all forms of sexual harassment and sex and gender-based discrimination) to the Manager of Title IX/Title VI/ADA Compliance.  Licensed clinical counselors are available across the District and serve as confidential resources for students.

Additional information about Title VI, Title IX, and ADA compliance can be found in the ACC Compliance Resource Guide available at: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1o55xINAWNvTYgI-fs-JbDyuaMFDNvAjz/view
 

Use of ACC email

All College e-mail communication to students will be sent solely to the student’s ACCmail account, with the expectation that such communications will be read in a timely fashion. ACC will send important information and will notify students of any college-related emergencies using this account. Students should only expect to receive email communication from their instructor using this account.  Likewise, students should use their ACCmail account when communicating with instructors and staff.  Information about ACC email accounts, including instructions for accessing it, are available at:  http://www.austincc.edu/help/accmail/questions-and-answers
Use of the Testing Center

All testing is currently online.  While campuses are closed, exams for courses will be online tests that students can take from home using Respondus LockDown Browser.  For more information about online testing at ACC, visit the Online Testing resource page: 

http://www.austincc.edu/students/testing-services/instructional-testing

STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES:

The success of our students is paramount, and ACC offers a variety of support services to help, as well as providing numerous opportunities for community engagement and personal growth.

Student Support

ACC strives to provide exemplary support to its students and offers a broad variety of opportunities and services.  Information on these campus services and resources is available at  http://www.austincc.edu/students.

Student Accessibility Services

Students with documented disabilities who need classroom, academic, or other accommodations must request them through the office Student Accessibility Services (SAS).   SAS offices are located at each major campus.  Students are encouraged to request accommodations when they register for courses or at least three weeks before the start of the semester; otherwise, the provision of accommodations may be delayed.  Students who have received approval for accommodations from SAS for this course must provide the instructor with the document titled “Notice of Approved Accommodations” from SAS before accommodations will be provided. Accommodations will not be provided retroactively.  Arrangements by the instructor for academic accommodations can only be made after he or she receives the “Notice of Approved Accommodations” from the student.

Additional information about Student Accessibility Services is available at https://www.austincc.edu/offices/student-accessibility-services-and-assistive-technology 

Academic Support

ACC offers academic support services on all of its campuses. These services, which include face-to-face and online tutoring, academic coaching, and supplemental instruction, are free to enrolled ACC students. Tutors are available in a variety of subjects ranging from accounting to pharmacology. Students may receive these services on both a drop-in and referral basis. Tutoring schedules can be found at:  https://www.austincc.edu/students/tutoring/tutoring-schedules
Library Services

ACC has a full-service library at each of its campuses to support ACC courses and programs and to provide students with research and assignment assistance from expert faculty librarians, computers, course reserves, laptop, and tablet check out study spaces, and copying, printing, and scanning services.  In addition, ACC students have full rights and privileges to access Library Services online 24/7 via the ACC Library website, and students can use their ACCeID logins to access all online materials, including ebooks, articles from library databases, and streaming videos.   ACC Libraries also provide an “Ask a Librarian” service, which allows students to reach a librarian 24/7 through online chat.  Faculty librarians are also available via email, phone, and in-person seven days a week during hours of operation. Visit:

• Library Website:http://library.austincc.edu
• Ask a Librarian:https://library.austincc.edu/help/ask.php
• Library Hours of Operation by Location:https://library.austincc.edu/loc/
• Email: library@austincc.edu

In partnership with ACC’s Student Support Center, ACC Libraries also maintain a limited collection of textbooks for students to borrow. Priority access to the textbook collection is given to students receiving assistance. More information is available on the ACC website by searching “Student Support Center Textbook Collection.”

Student Organizations

ACC has over seventy student organizations, offering a variety of cultural, academic, vocational, and social opportunities.  They provide a chance to meet with other students who have the same interests, engage in service-learning, participate in intramural sports, gain valuable field experience related to career goals, and much else.  Student Life coordinates many of these activities, and additional information is available at http://sites.austincc.edu/sl/.

Personal Support

Resources to support students are available at every campus. To learn more, ask your professor or visit the campus Support Center. All resources and services are free and confidential. Some examples include, among others:

• Food pantries are located in all campus Student Life offices:https://sites.austincc.edu/sl/programs/foodpantry/.   
• Assistance with childcare or utility bills is available at any campus Support Center:http://www.austincc.edu/students/support-center.
• The Student Emergency Fund can help with unexpected expenses that may cause you to withdraw from one or more classes:http://www.austincc.edu/SEF.
• Help with budgeting for college and family life is available through the Student Money Management Office:http://sites.austincc.edu/money/.  
• Drop-in child care is available at Highland Campus: http://www.austincc.edu/students/child-care/child-watch-drop-in-center

Clinical Counseling services are available throughout the ACC Student Services District to address personal and or mental health concerns:http://www.austincc.edu/students/counseling.

If an emergency occurs during operational hours, please come to the Student Services Office and let the front intake staff know that you are experiencing a crisis. They will alert appropriate personnel. You may also contact the ACC District Police at 222 (on campus) or 223-7999 (off campus or cell phone).

After Hours:

If you are struggling with a mental health or personal crisis, call one of the following numbers to connect with resources for help. However, if you are afraid that you might hurt yourself or someone else, call 911 immediately.

Free Crisis Hotline Numbers:

• Austin / Travis County 24 hour Crisis & Suicide hotline: 512-472-HELP (4357)
• The Williamson County 24 hour Crisis hotline: 1-800-841-1255
• Bastrop County Family Crisis Center hotline: 1-888-311-7755
• Hays County 24 Hour Crisis Hotline: 1-877-466-0660
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
• Crisis Text Line: Text “home” to 741741
  • Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline:   1-800-662-HELP (4357)
• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Helpline:1-800-950-NAMI (6264)

Illness

Any ACC student or employee with symptoms or exposure to the COVID-19 virus should inform their professor(s) or supervisor and complete the college’s self-reporting form: https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?AustinCC&layout_id=124

Complete Course Syllabus for Spring 2024-MRKG 1391