Course Syllabus
Course Description
This is a senior portfolio course integrating a variety of mass communication skills to produce a substantial project or research for the Mass Communication major capstone. Students work with the guidance of their supervising professor to complete the project or research. Prerequisite: MC 3360 and MC 4305; A minimum grade of "C" is required in all prerequisites.
Course Objectives
Students who successfully complete MC 4335 will be able to:
- Analyze and apply advanced research, writing, project development, and oral presentation skills;
- Distinguish, attribute, and integrate academic arguments within the context of their own projects or research;
- Evaluate competing positions in academic debates and use evidence-based arguments to develop and defend their own position in projects and research.
Contact Information
Instructor
Dr. Judy Oskam, Professor & Director
School of Journalism and Mass Communication
Office hours: Monday-Thursday 9 a.m. - 11 a.m. and by appointment
Email: oskam@txstate.edu to schedule an appointment for an online or telephone meeting.
Syllabus Review
Graded Work
During this semester you will complete the following:
Introduction Discussion 10 pts
Telephone On-Boarding Meeting 20 pts
5 quizzes @ 20 pts each 100 pts
Gallup CliftonStrengths Assignment 50 pts
Industry Report (min. 3 pages) 60 pts
LinkedIn/Resume Assignment 50 pts
5-day Behavior Design Program 50 pts
Capstone Assignment 150 pts
Written Proposal 20 pts
Final Project 60 pts
Slide Deck (min. 10 slides) 20 pts
10-min Presentation 50 pts
Reading Materials
There is no textbook for this class. I will be providing you with resources throughout the semester.
Canvas Information
Canvas is where course content, grades, and communication will reside for this course.
- For Canvas, Passwords, or any other computer-related technical support contact the IT Service Desk.
- 512-245-4822
Information You Need to Know
Students with Disabilities
If you are a student with a disability certified by Office of Disability Service and you require accommodation in this class, it is your responsibility to tell the instructor at the beginning of the semester so that accommodation can be provided promptly. You may reach the ODS or learn more about it through its website link https://www.ods.txstate.eduLinks to an external site.
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is a serious offense. The Texas State Student Handbook defines it as: “the appropriation of another’s work and the unacknowledged incorporation of that work in one’s own written work offered for credit.” Be sure to cite and appropriately quote all content even in forums. You should familiarize yourself with ways to avoid plagiarism by reading the Texas State University Honor Code on the topic at https://www.txstate.edu/honorcodecouncil/Student-Resources/Avoiding-Plagiarism.htmlLinks to an external site.. Violations of academic honesty such as plagiarism, collusion and conflicts of interests or other items in the code are not acceptable and will result in severe penalties, potentially including failing the course.
Student Resources
Library: Many Alkek Library resources can be accessed online. The link for more library information is http://library.txstate.eduLinks to an external site..
Online Readiness: If this is your first online course, I recommend you take the online survey at Texas State University’s IT Assistance Center using this link Online Readiness SurveyLinks to an external site.. Please contact the university’s technical assistance center (ITAC) if you have any difficulty accessing the course. The following links will be helpful to all students. Technical Support: University’s IT Assistance CenterLinks to an external site. Canvas: Training videos on Canvas (Links to an external site.)
Addressing Covid-19 and other concerns
- Civility in the classroom is very important for the educational process and it is everyone’s responsibility. If you have questions about appropriate behavior in a class, please address them with your instructor first. Disciplinary procedures may be implemented for refusing to follow an instructor’s directive, refusing to leave the classroom, not following the university’s requirement to wear a cloth face covering, not complying with social distancing or sneeze and cough etiquette, and refusing to implement other health and safety measures as required by the university. Additionally, the instructor, in consultation with the department chair/school director, may refer the student to the Dean of Students Office for further disciplinary review. Such reviews may result in consequences ranging from warnings to sanctions from the university. For more information regarding conduct in the classroom, please review the following policies at https://policies.txstate.edu/division-policies/academic-affairs/02-03-02.htmlLinks to an external site., Section 03: Courteous and Civil Learning Environment, and https://studenthandbook.txstate.edu/rules-and-policies/code-of-student-conduct.htmlLinks to an external site., number II, Responsibilities of Students, Section 02.02: Conduct Prohibited.
- Reporting process: Should you believe you have become ill with Covid-19, please follow the next steps detailed on the university’s website: https://www.txstate.edu/coronavirus/road-map/reporting-processes.html
- Recording and use of video content: Students are prohibited from photographing and recording during classes and from transmitting classroom lectures, instructor materials, and discussions by students unless written permission from the instructor has been obtained and all students in the class have been informed that photographing or audio and video recording may occur. Permission to allow the audio and visual recording is not a transfer of any copyrights to the material recorded. Videos created by the instructor or by students are the intellectual property of the creator. Content created for this class (by the instructor or by fellow classmates) may ONLY be used for purposes of this class. Students are prohibited from copying, transmitting, distributing or uploading such content without the written permission of the copyright holder. Violation of this section may constitute copyright infringement or privacy infractions in violation of state or federal law or university policy. Violation of this policy may subject a student to disciplinary action via the University Honor Code detailed in UPPS No. 07.10.01
- Other items: In this class you will be tested on material covered in video lectures, in the textbook and in assigned readings or video viewings. Your instructor reserves the right to add or modify course requirements, schedules or learning materials, but any such changes will be announced in advance in Canvas.
State law
Effective January 2, 2020, state law (SB 212) requires all university employees, acting in the course and scope of employment, who witness or receive information concerning an incident of sexual misconduct involving an enrolled student or employee to report all relevant information known about the incident to the university's Title IX Coordinator or Deputy Title IX coordinator. According to SB 212, employees who knowingly fail to report or knowingly file a false report shall be terminated in accordance with university policy and Texas State University System (TSUS) Rules and Regulations.