Communications Studies (COMS) 580A B01, B02

Advanced Communications Project

Fall/Winter 2008/09

Monday 14:00 - 16:50 (B01),

Wednesday 18:30-21:20 (B02)

SAIT Campus 
Mondays - MC 302 Heart Building 
Wednesdays - MB 321 Heart Building

Instructors:  Steve Olson, Gerry Kisil

Office Location: L-117 Senator Burns (Olson); 537 ACAD (Kisil)

Office Phone: 403-284-7100 (Olson); 403-695-7868 (Kisil)

E-Mail: steve.olson@sait.ca; mailto:gerry.kisil@acad.ca

Office Hours: by appointment

Additional Information

Students undertaking practicum should inform instructors of the dates as soon as possible. Due to the nature of team projects students should anticipate costs of approximately $50-$100 for recording media, equipment rentals and services.

Course Description

COMS 580 is a full course. In one semester teams will produce a media-based project, in the other individuals will complete a critical research essay. The first two weeks of the course will be devoted to group formation, discussion of group process, elaboration of media and critical research projects. Both types of project will be presented to the class at the end of the relevant semester. As many students will be undertaking practicum work, individual arrangements and expectations are to be made with the instructor(s) in September and January. Class meetings will include student led discussions of communication events and theory.

Objectives of the Course

The course will help the student to: 1. Integrate theoretical research and practical experience in media production. 2. Increase understanding of theoretical constructs, methodological approaches and research skills while reflecting upon their value in application to specific productions. 3. Exchange ideas and experiences that will broaden understanding of the field of media production.

Textbooks and Readings:

No textbook required. Readings may be assigned according to the project.

Assignments and Evaluation

It is the student's responsibility to keep a copy of each submitted assignment.

Fall project 50%. Due week of Nov. 24, Dec. 1, 2008 as assigned.

Winter project 50%. Due week of Apr. 6, Apr. 13, 2009 as assigned.

The two main projects will largely determine the grade, however, students will be expected to show initiative and develop their own voice and research abilities; evaluation of working process as well as individual discussions will contribute to the final mark.

Registrar-scheduled Final Examination: NO

Policy for Late Assignments

Assignments submitted after the deadline may be penalized with the loss of a grade (e.g.: A- to B+) for each day late.

Writing Skills Statement

Faculty policy directs that all written assignments (including, although to a lesser extent, written exam responses) will be assessed at least partly on writing skills. (Please see the Writing Across the Curriculum Statement in the University of Calgary Calendar, http://www.ucalgary.ca/pubs/calendar/2008/how/How_GB.htm). Writing skills include not only surface correctness (grammar, punctuation, sentence structures, etc.) but also general clarity and organization. Research papers must be properly documented. If you wish help with your writing at any stage, including drafts, you are invited to contact the Writing Centre, SS 110, 403-220-7255.

Grading System

The following grading system is used in the Faculty of Communication and Culture:

(Revised, effective September 2008)

 

	Grading Scale
A+	96-100
A	90-95.99
A -	85-89.99
B+	80-84.99
B	75-79.99
B-	70-74.99
C+	65-69.99
C	60-64.99
C-	55-59.99
D+	53-54.99
D	50-52.99
F	0-49

 

 

Where a grade on a particular assignment is expressed as a letter grade, it will normally be converted to a number using the midpoint of the scale.  That is, A- would be converted to 87.5 for calculation purposes.  F will be converted to zero.

 

Plagiarism

Using any source whatsoever without clearly documenting it is a serious academic offense. For details see the University of Calgary Calendar, http://www.ucalgary.ca/pubs/calendar/2008/how/How_MB.htm. Consequences include failure on the assignment, and may include failure in the course and possibly suspension or expulsion from the University.

You must document not only direct quotations but also paraphrases and ideas where they appear in your text. A reference list at the end is insufficient by itself. Readers must be able to tell exactly where you words and ideas end and other people's words and ideas begin. This includes assignments submitted in non-traditional formats such as Web pages or visual media, and material taken from such sources.

Please consult your instructors or the Writing Centre (SS 110) if you have any questions regarding how to document sources.

Students with Disabilities

If you are a student with a disability who may require academic accommodation, it is your responsibility to register with the Disability Resource Centre (403-220-8237) and discuss your needs with your instructors no later than fourteen (14) days after the start of the course.

Students' Union

For details about the current Students' Union contact for the Faculty of Communication and Culture see http://www.comcul.ucalgary.ca/su.

"SAFEWALK" Program - 403-220-5333 (UofC) 403-284-SAFE (SAIT)

U of C Campus Security will escort individuals day or night - call 403-220-5333 for assistance. Use any campus phone, emergency phone or the yellow phone located at most parking lot booths. SAIT Safewalk is available 6pm - 11pm Monday to Friday call 403-284-SAFE (7233). For an escort outside of these times please call SAIT Campus Security at 403-210-HELP (4357).

Schedule of Lectures and Readings

This course will use Blackboard. Course documents and information will be available on the Blackboard site.