COMM 399-007
Convention Planning
Spring 2011
| Dr. Cindy Lont Science & Tech II, #215 703-993-1100 clont@gmu.edu |
Dr. Catherine Wright Science & Tech II, #241 |
Kristen Willett (Grad Asst) Science & Tech II, #230 |
|---|
Main Office: Science & Tech II, Room 230
Fax #: 703-993-1096
COURSE DESCRIPTION
COMM 399 – Convention Planning is a special topics course designed to provide students with hands-on convention planning experience. This includes understanding the client, the audience, the location, understanding he budget, marketing prior to the convention, organizing and staffing the convention during the four days (April 13-17th) and earning from professionals in the field.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
This course is designed to provide students with the opportunity to help in planning an academic convention. It is a hands-on course, which allows students to learn and use skills in public relations, fund-raising, marketing, interpersonal, small group, and organizational communication. Students will practice their oral, written and media skills through the hands-on pre-convention work and during the Eastern Communication Association (ECA) Convention itself. Students will understand the organization’ structure of their regional organization. Students will also gain opportunities to learn from professionals both during the convention and prior to the convention from guest speakers. These objectives will be evaluated through assignments including one group presentation, an individual portfolio, participation in all necessary activities before, during and after the convention, participation in all classroom discussions and activities and a peer evaluation.
COMM 399 includes content-based lectures, guest lectures, computer discussions via Blackboard, one site visit and readings
The class website can be found at: http://classweb.gmu.edu/cwright5/
Required book and materials:
Allen, Judy (2009). Event Planning: The Ultimate Guide to Successful meeting, Corporate events… Second edition. John Riley.
Reading Packet from Copy Shop.
Black jeans/khakis/pants for the actual convention
Classroom Environment :
The goals of this class include creating an equitable learning environment. We uphold all published university policies regarding the Honor Code, sexual harassment, and equal opportunity. Appropriate adjustments are made for students with special needs. Within one week of the start of the semester (or of your diagnosis), please bring a letter from Disability Support Services, or have Disability Support Services write me directly. The information will be kept confidential.
Honor Code:
Remember George Mason University’s Honor Code. Using other student’s materials (written or visual), using a source without proper citations, buying, borrowing or getting material off the web and claiming it as your own violate ethical standards agreed upon by this institution. Your work should be your own. You can be expelled for a violation of the HONOR CODE.
Grading Scale for the Class
| Final Grade | Breakdown |
|---|---|
| A+ | 97-100 |
| A | 93-96.9 |
| A- | 90-92.9 |
| B+ | 87-89.9 |
| B | 83-86.9 |
| B- | 80-82.9 |
| C+ | 77-79.9 |
| C | 73-76.9 |
| C- | 70-72.9 |
| D | 60-69.9 |
| F | 0-59.9 |