Spring 2009, CMM 478                                                           C. A. Brammer, Ph.D.

Tuesday, 4 - 6:20 PM                                                              Smith Hall 248

Smith Hall 261                                                                          696-2810 or 522-2194

                                                                                                E-mail: brammer@marshall.edu

                                                                                                Office Hours Posted

 

 

Course Description: CMM 478 (3 Hours Undergraduate Credit) This course is designed to examine, to utilize, and to assess the student’s knowledge acquired as a major in Communication Studies.  The course is individualized to each student so that each may demonstrate their concentration (track) of preparation for graduation.

 

Desired Learner Outcomes: As a result of this capstone experience a student will be able to identify their strengths in their areas of concentration; be able to identify their weaknesses in their areas of concentration; and be able to demonstrate presentation skills.

 

Texts: None required.  Your research and theory books will be of great value and most helpful!!!  Hope you kept them!!

 

Assignments:

 

Senior Project:

 

The assignments in this class are individualized to each student’s area of concentration and their needs for the completion of their senior projects. 

 

Grading Policy:

 

100 - 94% = A

  93 - 86% = B

  85 - 73% = C

  72 - 65% = D

   64 -        = F

 

Attendance Policy:

 

Attendance is required for all class sessions.  Exceptions will be given if your absence is necessary for the completion of your senior project.

 

 

 

 

 

Policy for Students with Disabilities: Marshall University is committed to equal opportunity in education for all students, including those with physical, learning and psychological disabilities. University policy states that it is the responsibility of students with disabilities to contact the Office of Disabled Student Services (DSS) in Prichard Hall 117, phone 304 696-2271 to provide documentation of their disability. Following this, the DSS Coordinator will send a letter to each of the student’s instructors outlining the academic accommodation he/she will need to ensure equality in classroom experiences, outside assignment, testing and grading. The instructor and student will meet to discuss how the accommodation(s) requested will be provided. For more information, please visit:

https://outlookweb.marshall.edu/owa/redir.aspx?C=ebd2d3a44bb2473e86a5a3aad1803982&URL=http%3a%2f%2fwww.marshall.edu%2fdisabled or contact Disabled Student Services Office at Prichard Hall 11, phone 304-696-2271.”

 

 

Calendar:

 

Week    1: Jan. 13        Course Introduction

 

Week    2: Jan. 20        Projects Discussed

 

Week    3: Jan. 27        Projects discussed.

 

Week    4: Feb. 03       Each student assessed as to needs.

 

Week    5: Feb.  10      Needs of students addressed.

 

Week    6: Feb.  17      Needs of students addressed.

 

Week    7: Feb.  24      IRB Certification

 

Week    8: Mar.  03      Progress of Projects evaluated.

 

Week    9: Mar.  10      Discussion of Projects by students.

 

Week  10: Mar.  17      Discussion of Projects by students.

 

Week  11: Mar.  24      SPRING BREAK  March 22 THROUGH March 29

                                     Have a great break, relax, and continue working on projects.

 

Week  12: Mar.  31      Recommendations for Projects.

                                    2nd Progress check of Projects.

 

Week 13: Apr.   07      No Class

 

Week 14: Apr.   14      Oral Presentations Rehearsed

 

Week 15: Apr.   21      Oral Presentations Rehearsed

 

Week 16: Apr.   28     Oral Presentations (See Final Week)

 

Final Exam Week: May 8: Oral presentations will be made to an audience comprised of both faculty and peers.  Each presentation will be limited to 30 minutes.  

 

 

Explanation of Assignments:

 

Need assessment assignments: These assignments may vary due to each student’s need, for example it may be discovered that individual A needs special work regarding library skills and individual B needs more development regarding writing skills, thus the assignments would differ.  Hence, assignments will be individualized.

 

Senior Project: This assignment is the core of your grade in this class, it is to demonstrate your knowledge and applicability of this knowledge.  Generally, the project will be a type of research paper in that there will be a review of literature, research questions, methodology section, results section, conclusion and bibliography.  All topics for research must be approved by the instructor. 

 

The project could also be a training module focusing on communication needs of a client or developing a training manual for a business for profit or a non-profit organization.  These will also require a review of the appropriate literature, and; a training schedule, proposed learner outcomes, summary of client evaluations of training and bibliography.   These too must be approved by the instructor.

 

 

 

The nature of the project is negotiable.  However, it must meet the following requirements:

 

1.  Demonstrate a through understanding of area of emphasis.

 

2.  Use APA style format.

 

3.  Typed and double spaced.

 

4.  Explain the value of the research or training to the general public.

 

5.  Each student must deliver a 30 minute presentation to a public audience explaining their project.