Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Spring Semester 2026

Professional Social Media (Online)

COMM 6230-A70

Course: COMM 6230-A70
Credits: 3
Term: Spring Semester 2026
Department: COMM
CRN: 11668

Course Description

Examines the strategic use of major social media platforms. Topics include blogging, search engine optimization, content creation, story telling, corporate messaging, and uses and development of visual content. Students will complete an integrated social media plan with objectives, strategies, and tactics with key performance indicators and measurement. (Spring) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Prerequisite(s): Admission to program or Graduate Director permission Registration Restriction(s): MA in Professional Communication majors only

Required Texts

Module 1 Readings



Brand Identity

Platform discovery

Module 2 Readings 


Goals

Strategies and Tactics

Writing a Pillar Blog

Platform Discovery - Instagram 

Module 3 Readings


Content Creation 

Content Curation 

Content Constancy 

Module 4 Readings 


Audience Analysis 

Buyer Persona

Module 5 Readings 


SEO Basics
Keywords/Longtails

Hyperlinks
Pay attention to the following terms linked at the bottom of the article: 
Meta – Description

Headlines


Read through Buzzfeed, they are the best at writing catchy headlines. 

User experience

Content: 

SEO trends for 2026

Extra Info: Using Videos

Module 6 Readings 


Influencers
Advocates

Social Amplification

Module 7 Readings 

No readings for this module

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

  1. Students will learn the best practices in social media PR.
  2. Students will learn social media strategies and community engagement
  3. Students will learn about platforms and trends
  4. Students will learn the basics of building their own brand

Course Requirements

Hub Spot Certificate - 16% of Grade
This class will take advantage of one of the leading social media strategy organization's certificate training. Most assignments are in the Hub Spot website, but there is one quiz on Canvas in the first module. Only one attempt is allowed.
 
Social Media Platform Discovery (4) - 12% of Grade
Each week students will research and create a specific social media post for their chosen organization. We will be using Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter) and TikTok.

Case Studies (6) - 35% of Grade
Students will conduct an intensive study about a well-known brand and it’s use of the social media strategies and tactics associated with the module topic of the week. More information will be included in the assignment.

Social Media Plan/Calendar (6) - 13% of Grade
Over the course of the semester you develop a social plan and calendar for the blog topic you have chosen. Each week you will enter data on a google spreadsheet.

Class discussion (7) - 8% of Grade
Each discussion will focus on the topic of the current module. There are 2 parts to each discussion; Each student will be required to publish a post and reply to at least 2 classmate’s posts.

Final - 16% of Grade 

Course Outline

Module 1: Introduction, Impression Management & Branding
Module 2: Goals, Strategies, and Tactics
Module 3: Content Creation, Curation, and Consistency
Module 4: Audience Analysis
Module 5: SEO Basics
Module 6: Networking
Module 7: Social Media Calendar and Plan Final 

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

All of the assignments are due by 11:59pm on Sunday of the weekly module. I know that some of my students are very busy during the week and could use the weekend to get caught up.  You can turn in your assignments early, and it is recommended that you don't save all of your work for the weekend. 

The discussions are due on Wednesday of the week, and responses by the end of the week. So don't forget to comment early.

The world of social media management takes time and consistency. Please don't wait until the last minute to start your work. Marketing and Public Relations often have tight deadlines and missing those deadlines can create some conflict between the parties as well as damage the reputation and credibly of the client.

Late assignments will not be accepted. 

Online courses are hard to manage, so make sure to allow enough time to complete your assignments by the due date. If you need extra time for a legitimate family emergency, please let me know ASAP and we can make arrangements for handing in late work. 

Attendance Policy

Since this is an online course you learn best when you interact with the assignments of the  class. Therefore, you are expected to read and participate in every assignment and discussion. 



Course Fees

There are no course fees associated with this course. 

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.