|   Course Description: 
An examination
of the interrelationships of communication, media, and theatre.  An opportunity to prepare and
present projects, and to interact with current practitioners.  Includes analysis and
preparation of student portfolios. 
Individual and/or small group study.  May include independent
research, creative projects.  Will include an overview of new/emerging issues facing COMM
graduates, as well as career analysis and preparation.   Required Texts:   
Web based materials 
as provided on this site and in-class handouts Course Goals and Policies:  The goals of this course include the
following:  
  
to support COMM Senior Majors in documenting the COMM major goals they are expected to meet by
graduation. 
to increase student awareness of postgraduate educational and career
opportunities in the fields of communication and media. 
to permit students to complete development of a personal COMM portfolio 
demonstrating their professional knowledge, skills and career competencies.
to  continue development of student abilities in web design and visual literacy.
to assist students in beginning the transition from undergraduate to post 
graduate career and life goals.    
Students are responsible for all assigned  material whether or not
it is discussed in class and all lecture/discussion material whether or not duplicated by
readings.  Although the class will not meet every 
week, since most content material is
provided at class meetings, attendance and participation in class activities is
expected.  The principle activity of the course 
involves completion of the required CATA Professional Electronic Portfolio.  
As Seniors you will be expected to work independently on this project and seek 
assistance as needed.  Except for medical or other emergency
reasons, assignments will not necessarily be accepted late unless advance
arrangements are made.  Enrollment in
this course constitutes an agreement by the student to permit the instructor to
keep and maintain on file any and all submitted work for the course.  Portfolio
materials created and posted to the college portfolio site in fulfillment of
course requirements are considered public documents and are available for
review by CATA faculty and by fellow students or others.
 ACADEMIC DISHONESTY CAN RESULT IN FAILING
THIS COURSE and will be reported to the Academic Dean.  In this 
course, violation of copyright protections or privacy rights in a portfolio is 
considered a form of academic dishonesty.   Graded Assignments  (and approximate weight of each):   
      ** The final Senior Portfolio grade will be apportioned as 
		follows:  20% of your final course grade will be based on 
		scores received from the Spring COMM faculty evaluation of the "objectives" 
		section of the portfolio (based on your demonstration/reflections of how 
		you met the objectives of the COMM major;  10% of your final 
		course grade will be based on my overall evaluation of your portfolio at 
		the end of the semester;  
		15% of your final course grade will be based on an evaluation of the
       
		design and "look" of your portfolio at the end of the semester. 
 At the end of the Fall Semester COMM 421 students will receive the 
		grade of "In Progress" (IP) unless the student has failed to 
		meet minimum expectations for the end of semester portfolio as 
		determined by the senior portfolio check of Dec. 1, in which 
		case the student will receive an "F" and be required to repeat the 
		course next year.  Those receiving an IP will get their final 
		course grade after the Senior COMM Professional Portfolio is completed and 
		evaluated by the COMM Faculty early next semester.  Students must receive a passing 
		grade on the portfolio in order to pass COMM 421.  Final date for 
		completion of the portfolio will be announced before Thanksgiving Break 
		but will be shortly after the beginning of the Spring Semester. 
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