Approved by Faculty Senate April 14, 2003

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University Studies Course Approval Form

1. Department or Program                                            Communication Studies

2. Course Number                                                             CmSt 485

3. Semester Hours                                                    3

4. Frequency of Offering                                                 Every Semester

5. Course Title                                                              Senior Seminar in Communication

6. Catalog Description                                            In-depth study and research on

                                                                                    individually selected topics.  The

                                                                                    seminar and students’ research

                                                                                    projects build upon work begun in

                                                                                    CmSt 480.

7. This is an existing course previously                      Yes

            approved by A2C2

8. This is a new course proposal                                    No

9. University Studies Requirement this course             Writing Flag

            would satisfy.

10 Department Contact Person for this course             Daniel Lintin – 457-531

                                                                                    dlintin@winona.edu

11.  General Course Outcomes

The goals of this course include having students conduct a research project and write a journal-style article in polished form.  In the sibling course, CmSt 480, students begin writing parts of their final paper.  In this course, those drafts are continually critiqued and honed and then are combined with a results section and a discussion section in the final paper.  During the course, students are constantly guided by the instructor and their peers as they present different sections of their papers and they are encouraged to seek one-on-one help from their instructors in their methodologies and their writing.  

12. Course Outcomes

  1. practice the processes and procedures for creating and completing successful writing in their fields;

This course is a companion with CmSt 480.  In CmSt 480, they write

Rough drafts of a justification of their study, a literature review, and, for some instructors, a methodology paper.  (Some instructors have the students write their methodology paper in this course.)  These rough drafts are refined in this course based on instructor and peer feedback.  Students conducting research with human subjects are required to submit an IRB proposal which emphasizes technical writing skills.  The final written project for this course is a 20-25 page research paper fashioned after an academic research journal article.  

  1. understand the main features and uses of writing in their fields;

While composing their literature reviews and their research proposals, students pore over journal articles in, and outside, of their field.  This exposes them to a variety of research writing styles, both qualitative and quantitative.  As stated above, their final paper is modeled after writing styles presented in research journals.

  1. adapt their writing to the general expectations of readers in their fields;

The general expectations of readers in the field are to write according to rules set forth by our major academic journals.  Each journal might have its own writing style to which the students would have to adapt.   

  1. make use of technologies commonly used for research and writing in their fields; and

As they research, students turn to internet cites called ComAbstracts or CIOS or search CommSearch on CD.  As they write their papers, they employ a word processing program.  Furthermore, students with quantitative studies learn how to use statitistical programs to analyze and chart their data.    

  1. learn the conventions of evidence, format, usage, and documentation in their fields

Students must write their papers according to the rules of an established writing handbook, such as APA, MLA, or Chicago.  Students are graded on their consistent use of these guidelines.  Papers include a formal title page, endnotes, appendices, and reference page.   Throughout the class, students’ papers are edited for usage problems and, if not corrected in their final paper, receive a lower grade.

 

Sample Syllabus

Communication Studies 485

Spring 2002

Communication Studies Senior Seminar

 

Instructor – Professor Staff, Ph.D.

Office – PAC xxx  (I have voice mail.)

E-Mail – pstaff@winona.edu

Office Hours – MWF – 11-12, MW – 2-3, W – 9-10, TTh – 12-2

Course Objectives

·         To write a methodology section for a research paper

·         To conduct research

·         To write a 20-25 page research paper

·         To present the process of conducting research

·         To orally present the research paper

·         To understand the IRB requirements for conducting research on/with humans

Late Assignments

            I would advise you to make prior arrangements with me if you know you are

going to turn in an assignment after the due date.  (I reserve the right to take 10%

off for every day an assignment is late.)

Incompletes

            Incompletes will only be given in the case of emergencies.

Participation

            Since this is a communication studies course, everyone needs to contribute orally.

Attendance

            So much learning takes place during lectures, discussions, and presentations that

cannot be made up by reading or copying someone else’s notes.  If you are absent,

you are responsible for getting class notes and class handouts.  I will take

attendance during each class meeting.  If you miss more than 3 classes, I will

subtract 5 points for each missed class.  (I will not take off points if you have

written verification of an excused absence.)

Grades and Point Totals

            A – 500-450, B – 449-400, C – 399-350, D – 349-300, F – 299-0, P – 500-300,

            N – 299-0

Assignments/Point Totals

            Methodology Paper – 60 points

            Methodology Presentation – 30 points

            IRB exam/application – Pass/Fail

            Poster Presentation of Final Paper – 60 points

            Poster – 60 points

            Final Paper – 160 points

            Self-Constructed Materials for Portfolio – 40 points

            Portfolio – 90 points

This course satisfies the writing flag requirement for University Studies.  The course outcomes for this requirement are:

  1. practice the processes and procedures for creating and completing successful writing in their fields;
  2. understand the main features and uses of writing in their fields;
  3. adapt their writing to the general expectations of readers in their fields;
  4. make use of technologies commonly used for research and writing in their fields; and
  5. learn the conventions of evidence, format, usage, and documentation in their fields.

These outcomes are met through the process of writing and rewriting a 20-25 page research paper.

 

Tentative Schedule

 

Jan. 7 – Introduction to Course

Jan. 9 – How to Construct a Methodology Paper

Jan. 11 - Continue

 

Jan. 14 -  Continue

Jan. 16 – Writing Day – Individual Conferences, if needed

Jan. 18 – Dr. Rita Rahoi-Gilchrest, IRB/Use of Human Subjects Approval

 

Jan. 21 – NO SCHOOL – MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. Day

Jan. 23 – Writing Day – Individual Conferences, if needed

Jan. 25 – Methodology Paper Due

 

Jan. 28 – Methodology Presentations

Jan. 30 – Methodology Presentations

Feb. 1 – Methodology Presentations

 

Feb. 4 – Methodology Presentations

Feb. 6 – Methodology Presentations

Feb. 8 – Writing Day – Individual Conferences, if needed

 

Feb. 11 – IRB Proposals Due

Feb. 13 – Return IRB Proposals for Revisions

Feb. 15 – Revised IRB Proposals Due

 

Feb. 18 – Submit IRB Proposals to the Grants Office

Feb. 20 – Career Office Presentation

Feb. 22 – Introduce Portfolio Requirements

 

Feb. 25 – Work Day – Individual Conferences

Feb. 27 – Work Day – Individual Conferences

Mar. 1 – Revised Methodology Papers and Surveys Due

 

Mar. 4 – Mar. 8 – SPRING BREAK

 

Mar. 11 – Talk by headhunter from Minneapolis

Mar. 13 – Research/Writing Day – Individual Conferences

Mar. 15 - Research/Writing Day – Individual Conferences

 

Mar. 18 – Oral Updates on research project

Mar. 20 – Oral Updates on research project

Mar. 22 – Oral Updates on research project

 

Mar. 25 - Research/Writing Day – Individual Conferences

Mar. 27 - Research/Writing Day – Individual Conferences

Mar. 29 - Research/Writing Day – Individual Conferences

 

Apr. 1 – Feedback on Rough Drafts, by instructor and peers

Apr. 3 – Feedback on Rough Drafts, by instructor and peers

Apr. 5 – Portfolio Due

 

Apr. 8 – Feedback on Rough Drafts, by instructor and peers

Apr. 10 – Feedback on Rough Drafts, by instructor and peers

Apr. 12 – Feedback on Rough Drafts, by instructor and peers

 

Apr. 15 – Poster Presentation – to class

Apr. 17 – Poster Presentation – to class

Apr. 19 – Poster Presentation – to class

 

Apr. 22 – Poster Presentation – to class

Apr. 24 – Poster Presentation – to class

Apr. 26 – Poster Presentations – 2-4 p.m. (Place to be announced.)

                Alumni Celebration that Evening

 

Final Paper due by 2 p.m. on April 30, 2002