Instructor: Dr. Tamiko Murray

Email: tmurray@lamarpa.edu

Phone: (409) 984-6225

Office: Education Building I - Room 105

Office Hours: Mondays: 9:00 am - 12:00 pm

Tuesdays: 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm

Wednesdays: 9:00 am - 12:00 pm

Thursday: 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm

Fridays: 9:00 am - 11:00 am

Additional Contact Information: See Blackboard for additional contact information.

This course is designed to build the foundational knowledge of social media marketing topics such as social networks, ads, and content creation. Investigation of how goals, buyer personas, and other marketing principles apply to social media marketing. Preparation for certification.

Open educational resources (OER), readings, videos, and other content will be assigned directly in Blackboard. 

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.

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1. Define and demonstrate knowledge of social media marketing principles in a digital environment.

2. Identify and define social media marketing tactics.

3. Use varied social media marketing platforms.

• 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.

Introductions & Course Overview

Marketing & Social Media Foundations

Platforms & Audiences

Social Media Strategy Basics

Content Creation Fundamentals

Advertising Basics

Personal Brand

Week 1 — August 31

Unit: Introductions & Course Overview

Lesson: Introduction to the Course — course orientation, syllabus review, expectations, welcome survey

Week 2 — August 31

Unit: Marketing & Social Media Foundations

Lesson: Foundations of Marketing and Social Media — overview of 4Ps, funnel, and role of social media

Week 3 — September 7

Unit: Platforms & Audiences

Lesson: Platforms and Audiences I — overview of major social media platforms, features, and audiences

Week 4 — September 14

Unit: Platforms & Audiences

Lesson: Platforms and Audiences II — audience demographics and persona development

Week 5 — September 22

Unit: Social Media Strategy Basics

Lesson: Social Media Strategy I — social media as a channel in B2B, B2C, and nonprofit contexts

Week 6 — September 28

Unit: Social Media Strategy Basics 

Lesson: Social Media Strategy II — understanding goals, KPIs, and measurement

Week 7 — October 5

Unit: Content Creation Fundamentals

Lesson: Content Creation Fundamentals I — types of content and tools for creation

Week 8 — October 12

Unit: Content Creation Fundamentals

Lesson: Content Creation Fundamentals II — writing for social media (brand voice, tone, captions, storytelling) 

Week 9 — October 19

Unit: Advertising Basics 

Lesson: Advertising Basics I — boosted posts vs. ads; objectives and alignment with strategy

Week 10 — October 26

Unit: Advertising Basics

Lesson: Advertising Basics II — targeting, budgeting, and creative elements of ads 

Week 11 — November 2

Unit: Personal Brand & Professional Use

Lesson: Personal Branding I — crafting a personal brand and professional presence online 

Week 12 — November 9

Unit: Personal Brand & Professional Use 

Lesson: Personal Branding II — LinkedIn basics (profile, headline, about section, posting) 

Week 13 — November 16

Unit: Pulling It Together (Mini-Campaign)

Lesson: Mini-Campaign Development I — integrating audiences, goals, and content 

Week 14 — November 23

THANKSGIVING BREAK 

Week 15 — November 30

Unit: Pulling It Together (Mini-Campaign) 

Lesson: Mini-Campaign Development II — refinement and informal showcase of student work

Week 16 — December 7

GRADUATION WEEK

November 30, 2025 - 12:00 AM Through December 4, 2025 - 11:59 AM

100-90 = A

80-89 = B

70-79 = C

60-69 = D

Below 59 = F

Extra credit option = 10 points on any assignment

Determination of Final Grade: The course is made up of weekly assignments. Your average assignment grade at the end of the semester will determine your final grade. Each weekly assignment is worth approximately 8% of your grade.

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 assignments.

Students must attend class, 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.

Class Schedule: Tuesdays and Thursdays - 11:00 - 12:15

Madison Monroe - Room 105

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 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.

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 Accessibility Services Coordinator, Room 119, in the Ruby Fuller Building. The phone number is (409) 984-6241.

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.

This syllabus is part of LSCPA's efforts to comply with Texas House Bill 2504.

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.

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.

For more information about the Clery Act and crime reporting, see the Annual Security & Fire Safety Report and the Campus Security website.

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.