Research Paper

College

MCOM 4999 Advanced Studies in Mass Media

Course Syllabus

2020-2021

School of Arts and Sciences

Section

DEM01

Term

Fall

Class Time & Place Tuesday 3:30 - 6pm Campus

Demorest

Prerequisites

MCOM 3850 and senior standing.

Course Description

This capstone seminar class is designed to synthesize and integrate the theories and skills of mass communications. Students are required to give both a written and oral presentation of their senior capstone project. This senior thesis project demonstrates the student's abilities in the following areas: technology, public speaking, content knowledge, creativity and organization. Students must score 85 percent or better on the capstone thesis and presentation to pass the course. Capstone projects are evaluated by all members of the mass communications faculty.

Credits

3

Instructor

Dr. Dale Van Cantfort Email Address [email protected] Office

Room 111 SWC

Phone

1337

Office Hours

Monday - 10:30am - 11am, 3 - 5pm Tuesday - 11:30am - 1:30pm, 2:45 - 3:30pm Wednesday - 10:30am - 11am, 2 - 3pm Thursday - 11am - 12 noon, 3-5pm

Friday - 10:30am - 11am

Textbooks and Class materials Careers in Media & Communications, S. Smith Key Readings in Journalism, King & Chapman Student Learning Outcomes

Upon the completion of this course, students will be able to demonstrate the following outcome-based learning skills:

1. Produce a major research project on a selected topic in mass media that:

1. Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge of content area as well as critical thinking skills, technology, presentation and writing skills.

2. Demonstrates integration of knowledge and skills developed in previous course-work.

3. Demonstrates problem-solving capabilities and decision-making skills.

Educational Technology Requirements

Face-to-Face

Canvas is the learning management system used by Piedmont College and, through Canvas, students may view the syllabus and grades for this course. The link to Canvas is: https://piedmont.instructure.com/login/ldap.

Grading Scale

A - 90 - 100%

B - 80 - 89%

C - 70 - 79%

D - 60 - 69%

F - 0 - 59%

Grading System

40 points - Weekly projects and response papers 60 points - Capstone project

100 points - Maximum total

Attendance

Two unexcused absences will result in a failing grade for the course.

Class Policies

· Response papers containing 3 or more grammatical errors earn a score of zero (0)

· Late response papers will earn a grade of zero(0)

· Missing three or more deliverable deadlines earns a failing grade for the course

Course Outline/Schedule

Tentative class Schedule:

August:

11 - Review syllabus, evaluation criteria and capstone project ideas. Assignment due August 18: Provide Capstone contract and outline.

18 - Sign contracts & discuss outline. Schedule an individual meeting. Assignment due August 25: Read Smith Ch.1- 7 and write a 2 page response paper.

25 - Outlines approved. Student led discussion of readings. Assignment due Sept.1: Read Smith Ch.8-15 and provide response paper.

Sept. 01 - Discuss Smith and finalize deliverables. Assignment due Sept.8: Read the Intro to King. Provide response paper. Complete deliverable one of the capstone project.

08 - Discuss King and present deliverable one. Assignment due Sept.15: Read Part I of King. Provide response paper. Complete deliverable two of the capstone project.

15 - Discuss King and present deliverable two. Assignment due Sept. 22: Read Part II of King. Provide response paper.

22 - Discuss King. Assignment due Sept.29: Read Part III of King. Provide response paper. Complete deliverable three of the capstone project.

29 - Discuss King and present deliverable three. Assignment due Oct.6: Individual meetings.

Oct.

06 - Individual Meetings. Assignment due Oct.13: Read Part IV of King. Provide response paper. Complete deliverable four of the capstone project.

13 - Discuss King and present deliverable four. Assignment due Oct.20: Read Part V of King. Provide response paper. Complete deliverable five of the capstone project.

20 - Discuss King and present deliverable five. Assignment due Oct.27: Complete deliverable six of the capstone project. Meet with Professors Dennis, Jackson, Moss and Tingle. Provide written documentation of their comments and a signature .

27 - Present deliverable six. Discuss faculty feedback and technology needs. Assignment due Nov.3: Prepare PP slides and technology plan.

Nov.

03 - Present PP slides/Technology Plan/Individual meetings. Assignment due Nov.10: Dress Rehearsal I.

10 - Dress Rehearsal I. Assignment due Nov.17: Present to Public Speaking class before Nov.17. Dress Rehearsal II.

17 - Dress Rehearsal II. Assignment due Nov.20: DROP DEAD DATE, 12 noon.

20 - Drop Dead Date ... all deliverables and your presentation must be approved by 12 noon in order to present on Tuesday, Nov.24.

24 - Capstone Presentations 4:00pm in the Screening Room of SWC!!!

Piedmont Policies

The Learning Center exists to help our students reach their various academic goals. The Learning Center offers academic support in all areas, including accounting, foreign languages, math, science, and writing. Our tutors are selected by department chairs, trained in the art of tutoring, and monitored to provide the individualized attention our students need to achieve their personal best. We offer by-appointment or walk-in hours during both working and after-business hours. For more information, please visit: https://www.piedmont.edu/learning-center or call 706-778-8500, ext. 1503 (Demorest) or 706-543-6973 (Athens).

Accessibility and Accommodations: It is the College’s goal that learning experiences be as accessible as possible. Should you choose to disclose a disability, contact your professor and the Office of Accessibility, Resources and Services (OARS) so that possible accommodations can be discussed. Accommodations are designed to minimize the impact of a disability and ensure access to programs for all students with disabilities. Piedmont College, professors and staff make every effort to provide reasonable and appropriate accommodations. The Coordinator of OARS can be reached at [email protected] or 706-778- 8500, ext. 1504.

Statement on Academic Integrity: Students must be familiar with the College Academic Integrity Policy. Plagiarism, the intentional or unintentional use of another’s words or ideas as one’s own, will not be tolerated. Instructors must send any Academic Integrity concerns directly to the dean who is responsible for the discipline in which the course is taught. See Catalog at https://www.piedmont.edu/catalog for complete policy.

Student Email Policy : All Piedmont College students are required to use their Piedmont Lions email account (see Catalog at https://www.piedmont.edu/catalog for complete policy). Since the Lions account is the official communications channel of the College, students are responsible for all information distributed to them through their account. Students are expected to check it daily.

Withdrawal Policy : Within the first several days of a term, students may add and drop courses with the permission of their advisor. The ranges for drop/add vary depending on the term (Fall, Spring, or Summer) and duration of the class (8 week or 16 week). Students should check the academic calendar for specific information. After this time, students may withdraw from a class. Please refer to the College Catalog at https://www.piedmont.edu/catalog for the particulars regarding the withdrawal policy.

Excused Absence Policy: Student absences for College-sanctioned events are excused absences (with the exception of clinicals). Since College-sanctioned events are considered to be supportive of the College program, instructors must allow students to make up work that has been missed. Students are responsible for notifying their instructors, in advance, about College-sanctioned events.

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