Weekly Assignments: Case Studies and Best Practices

Every other week you will submit a report either in the form of a case study critique or best practice recommendations on a particular issue. You will identify and analyze organizational use of social media with particular focus on explaining and analyzing the success or failure, identifying alternative actions, critiquing the return on investment and recommending future action.

(Spring 2011 Material. Winter 2012 will be similar, but I reserve the right to make changes to the assignments. The following is for your reference only.)

• Case Study/Best Practice 1: Student Choice (download the assignment description PDF)
• Case Study/Best Practice 2: Ethics (download the assignment description PDF)
• Case Study/Best Practice 3: Listening & Monitoring (Download the Assignment Description PDF)
• Case Study/Best Practice 4: Measurement

Contribution to Class Blog

You will be required to contribute one post to the class blog. The post should be on a topic related to discussions in class. Written, audio or video submission. You’ll sign up for a spot by the end of week 1. http://bit.ly/J412W12Blog. Your participation in the class blog will also include posting one comment per week on one of your classmate’s posts. Blog Post Assignment W12 – Download the PDF of the assignment.

Twitter Management

You will choose one day during the term to take the primary role of managing twitter conversations around the topic of the day. For the day you’re assigned, you’ll be required to do advance preparation, drive conversation the day of the class and write a short written summary afterward. Summaries will be uploaded to the class blog. Sign up for a date (or review schedule): http://bit.ly/J412W12Twitter. Twitter Management W12 – Download the PDF of the assignment.

Mid-Term Project: Social Media Policy Development

The mid-term project will require that you work in teams of 2 to develop a social media policy for an organization. The policy will focus on internal guidelines for employee participation.

(Spring 2011 Material. Winter 2012 will be similar, but I reserve the right to make changes to the assignments. The following is for your reference only.) Download the midterm PDF.

Final Assignment

Beginning in week 6, you’ll work in teams of 2 or 3 to complete a social media audit for an organization of your choice (the organization must use a minimum of two social media channels). Following the audit, you’ll create a report on your findings & also submit a social media plan for the organization to improve its social media activities. The final product is due Week 10.

(Spring 2011 Material. Winter 2012 will be similar, but I reserve the right to make changes to the assignments. The following is for your reference only.)
Final Part 1: Social Media Audit & Listening/Monitoring

Final Part 2: Social Media Strategy

J412 final project details (slideshow)

Graduate Student Assignment

Grad students will be required to submit a written analysis using case study methodology on a social media campaign. You’ll be required to present your case in class, too (a short overview). The case study should have heavy emphasis course concepts. Primary research is encouraged. Specific case should be in line with student’s core interests and academic program and will be approved by instructor. (Download the Grad Student Assignment PDF)