COM 400 SENIOR PORTFOLIO

Winter 2009

Dr. Elliot Gaines, Office: 411Millett

Class Meetings: Wednesdays 4:10-5:50 p.m.

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This is a capstone course in which advanced communication majors develop portfolios to demonstrate achievements as preparation for careers in professional or academic areas of communication. In addition, students� written and oral communication skills will be assessed. Students are explicitly required to accomplish the goals of this course demonstrating maturity, motivation, and professionalism.

Students will be challenged to be self-reflexive; asked to assess their own academic careers and personal lives, asked to think critically about themselves, be prepared for each class, complete assignments, and turn them in on time.

Study this syllabus thoroughly. Ask questions of your instructor if you have problems. Make sure you can make a commitment to meet all criteria. If you have doubts, you are advised to pay attention to university policy and timetables for dropping the course.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

* To assess the achievement levels of communication majors in the areas of oral and written communication.

* To provide senior level communication majors with opportunities for self-assessment and to synthesize what they have learned in communication fields.

* To produce a portfolio representing academic and professional achievements.

* To enable advanced communication majors to identify and develop strategies to correct specific weaknesses in skills and knowledge.

THIS SYLABUS MAY BE MODIFIED AS THE TERM PROGRESSES.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

* ALL STUDENTS ARE REQUIRED TO ACCESS THEIR WRIGHT STATE EMAIL ACCOUNT AND COURSE STUDIO TO RECEIVE UPDATED INFORMATION FROM THE INSTRUCTOR.

* Active participation is essential. Each student is required to prepare readings, written materials, make presentations to the class, and complete an exit survey. Class time will be devoted to guiding students toward independent completion of assignments.

* Attendance is required. Especially because of our concentrated, once-a-week schedule, it is essential to come to class prepared. If you miss a class, call a friend to ask what you missed.

* Even if you are absent, you are responsible for all material, including additional material introduced in class. There are no excused absences. If you must miss a class, do not phone your instructor. You are responsible to contact other class members (not your instructor) to find out what you missed. See below about group participation.

* ASSIGNMENTS MUST BE TURNED IN AT THE DESIGNATED TIMES.

* Prepare each assignment before class. THERE WILL BE QUIZZES that may or may not be announced in advance. There will always be an opportunity to ask questions. Ask for clarification if you have questions or doubts about what you should be doing or learning in this class.

* READING ASSIGNMENTS are available through Library Reserve. Reading materials are available on-line by the course, COM 400, or the professor�s name, Gaines. Hard copies are also available at the circulation desk at Dunbar Library.

* Always make a copy of your work for yourself in your computer or on a disk in case the original is lost or misplaced. Keep all your work on file until the course is satisfactorily completed.

* Every assignment must be presented with professionalism. Language, spelling, grammar, and overall presentation are all significant. All written work must have the author�s name on all pages. Staple all pages.

* Please turn off all cell phones in class.

* Inappropriate behavior will not be tolerated. A student may be dismissed from the course or points may be deducted for disrupting the class (including cell phones ringing in class).

* Each student will give an oral presentation. Each assignment will be discussed in class. You should arrange to rehearse with others in the class.

* Group participation is required. Groups provide study partners to compare notes and be sure your notes are thorough, or to take notes for you if you miss a class.

* ALL ASSIGNMENTS WILL BE COLLECTED IN CLASS ON THE DESIGNATED DATE. Deviations from assignment deadlines are not allowed unless permission from the professor is granted.

� Students should be aware of the Wright State University Attendance and Drop Policy.

* All students should be familiar with Wright State University�s policy on academic dishonesty. Cheating and plagiarism--submitting someone else�s work or ideas as your own--will not be tolerated.

GRADING POLICY: Grades are based on meeting criteria specified in each assignment including timely completion of written assignments and presentations. All questions about individual grades and individual progress may be addressed during office hours. Grades and papers are not returned in class. Individual meetings during office hours are advised.

Grading:

The course is intended to provide an opportunity to learn by participating in activities such as class meetings, readings, and assignments. There is an underlying assumption that each student that takes the class understands their own responsibility. That is, in order to succeed at the goal of accomplishing the course objectives, each student must follow the steps provided in the syllabus and by the instructor. The best results come from getting things done on time, reading before class meetings, and generally approaching the subject with motivation to get what you can out of the experience.

It is important to recognize each assignment as a small step toward accomplishing a goal. If you don�t understand the significance of the assignment and its relationship to the goals of the class, PLEASE ASK WITH ENOUGH TIME BEFORE THE ASSIGNMENT IS DUE! The real measure of your success in the course is determined by the quality of your personal experience. There is enormous value in questioning yourself about your level of commitment and motivation, and understanding your responsibility for the extent of your accomplishments in the course.

Disturbances or unprofessional behaviors may result in a student losing points, being dismissed from class, or failing the course.

All individual questions about grades may be addressed during office hours. Student papers will not be returned but can be reviewed and discussed with the professor.

ASSIGNMENTS:

ASSIGNMENTS MUST BE DELIVERED IN CLASS ON SPECIFIED DATES.

DO NOT TURN IN ASSIGNMENTS EARLY OR LATE WITHOUT PERMISSION FROM THE INSTRUCTOR.

DO NOT TRY TO DELIVER ASSIGNMENTS IN ANY WAY EXCEPT THOSE SPECIFID ABOVE.

*Due dates for the following assignments are posted in the COURSE SCHEDULE

1. ASSESSMENT QUIZ : 5 POINTS. Print from Dr. Gaines� homepage: http://www.wright.edu/~elliot.gaines/com400assessmentquiz.htm

2. First draft Resume/cover letter ASSIGNMENT: 5 POINTS

3. Presentation Outline ASSIGNMENT: 5 POINTS (must be approved in order to give the PRESENTATION assignment described below).

4. Revised Resume/cover letter ASSIGNMENT: 5 POINTS.

5. Portfolio ASSIGNMENT: 10 POINTS (Outline: 5 points /final Portfolio 5 points).

6. PRESENTATION ASSIGNMENT: 25 POINTS

7. EXIT SURVEY: 5 POINTS. Print from www.wright.edu/~elliot.gaines

8. QUIZZES: 20 POINTS

9. ATTENDANCE AND PARTICIPATION: 20 POINTS

* Assignments are evaluated according to the requirements inherent in each project completed on the assigned date. Rough drafts and Final copies will be evaluated according to the specific requirements. Good writing is essential. Assignments not turned in on time will lose points.

* Individual assignments will not be returned with comments. Grades and questions about personal progress can only be addressed privately during office hours.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTATION ASSIGNMENT

OUTLINE MUST BE APPROVED IN ADVANCE; SEE SCHEDULE

PRESENTATION--25 points:

Each student will make an oral presentation to the class of about10 minutes. Select a topic that allows you to demonstrate your expertise in your specific area of communication. Topics can be from a broad range of communication related issues. The presentation will be evaluated by your effectiveness in demonstrating critical thinking and oral communication skills. See the evaluation grading form: http://www.wright.edu/~elliot.gaines/presentationgradingform.html

The objective of the presentation is to demonstrate how you would accomplish some work related task. Imagine that you are presenting to a potential employer or client that could give you the job of your dreams, or at least a step up from your present situation.

� Do not talk about what you know or what your experience is.

� Do not talk about yourself or your personal beliefs.

� Rather, your job is to demonstrate your knowledge in an applied fashion.

REMEMBER, the importance of your knowledge and experience must be of value to others. It is NOT about you, but about what you can do for others. Some examples would be to present a plan for an event such as a convention, wedding, or concert; present a plan for an advertising or public relations campaign; present a sales strategy; develop a production run-down for a TV show; present a plan for managing a company, organization, or group of employees, mediation, or conflict resolution. If you are not clear about your future career goals, your presentation should still demonstrate your knowledge of communication through an application or strategy to benefit or provide service to others through your efforts.

The fundamental method of an effective presentation will be reviewed in class. You are always encouraged to ask questions. If you believe you need individual attention, please seek help early in the quarter.

* A final outline is required on the day of the presentation. Please include your major concentration (Communication Studies, Organizational Communication, Mass Communication/ PR/Visual Communication/Broadcasting, etc.) on the outline.

COURSE SCHEDULE:

Week # and date Activity

1. Jan. 7. Introduction; assessment of college career; communication professions; personal career plans. Resumes, and cover letter ASSIGNMENT, and ASSESMENT QUIZ Discussed.

2. Jan 14. HUXLEY READING DUE. ASSESSMENT QUIZ DUE: 5 POINTS. Download the quiz from http://www.wright.edu/~elliot.gaines/com400assessmentquiz.htm Resumes, Letters of Application, etc.

3. Jan. 21. FRIEDMAN READING DUE. ASSIGNMENT DUE; first draft of Resume/cover letter. Portfolios and Presentations discussed. Discuss Portfolio Outline

4. Jan. 28. KRISHNAMURTI READING DUE. Presentation Assignment will be discussed.

5. Feb. 4. ASSIGNMENT DUE: Presentation Outline (5 POINTS). Discuss portfolios, and resume/cover letter revisions. PRESENTATION OUTLINE APPROVAL IS REQUIRED. Be sure to check your email for questions, comments, and approval. You cannot pass the course without approval of your presentation outline.

6. Feb.11. PORTFOLIOS OUTLINES DUE (5 POINTS).. Presentations discussed

7. Feb. 18. Student Presentations: ASSIGNMENT DUE (Revised Resume/cover letter)

8. Feb. 25. Student Presentations.

9. March 4. Student Presentations: ASSIGNMENT #4 DUE, (Portfolios).

10. March 11. Student Presentations. EXIT SURVEY DUE

11. March 18. Final Exam

In all cases, follow instructions. Ask questions if something is not clear. Please let D. Gaines know if you find errors or inconsistencies in this syllabus or if you have any questions.

Syllabus or schedule may be changed to meet the needs of the class.