dsu mass communications - senior capstone workbook

Dr. Francine Edwards

Dr. Myna German Dr. Asgede Hagos Dr. Marcia Taylor

Delaware State University Department of Mass Communications

ii

Copyright © 2014

Dr. Francine Edwards Dr. Myna German Dr. Asgede Hagos Dr. Marcia Taylor

All rights reserved.

ISBN-13:

978-1500981846

ISBN-10:

1500981842

THE CAPSTONE EXPERIENCE

The Senior Capstone is an original project intended to allow Mass Communications students at Delaware State

University to showcase their overall understanding of communications studies in one of three concentrations: Radio, Television & Film, Convergence Journalism or Public Relation & Advertising. This project should focus on

important and substantive issues and should reflect the student’s understanding of the industry and a familiarity with current technology and tools utilized in the field. Additionally, the project should be expressive and show the students

ability to think critically, integrate prior learning and share ideas in a creative manner. The faculty members in the Department of Mass Communications are committed to providing students with the resources, mentorship and

guidance that will lead to the successful completion of the Senior Capstone endeavor.

CONTENTS

Overview 6

Course Documents 7

Proposal Template 8

Contributor and Professional Biography Data Sheet 11

Source Log 14

Weekly Meeting Log 15

Notes 16

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OVERVIEW

WHAT IS A SENIOR CAPSTONE

Senior Capstone is designed to engage students in a project-based endeavor that will enable them to

demonstrate their ability to utilize industry-standard technology and resources to execute a

concentration specific product. This capstone draws together student learning in an integrative,

holistic manner where the sum is greater than the parts. It demonstrates a refinement of skills

accumulated while completing the Baccalaureate requirements.

HOW TO MEET WITH SUCCESS IN THE CAPSTONE COURSE

In order to be successful in this course, students must meet with their concentration advisor on a

regular basis (dates and times to be determined by the professor). Additionally, students should utilize

industry-standard tools, technology and resources to complete their product. Lastly, students must

meet all of the requirements and deadlines as listed in the syllabus.

SAMPLE PROJECTS

Students are required to complete a capstone product relative to their concentration. Submitting the

product treatment/proposal is crucial in this process, as your professor will help to guide and shape the

product. While the possibilities are endless, here are just a few suggestions by concentration:

RADIO,TELEVISION, FILM CONVERGENCE JOURNALISM PUBLIC RELATIONS & ADVERTISING

Documentary

Music video

Short film

Newspaper/Magazine

Website/blog

Documentary

Community event

Promotional campaign pitch to executive board or organization

Panel discussion with experts (minimum of three (3) professionals not connected to the university)

SENIOR CAPSTONE WORKBOOK

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COURSE DOCUMENTS

The following course documents can be found in this workbook. Students should refer to the Capstone

course syllabus for submission deadlines. The contents of this book can be downloaded for student

use.

Proposal Template

Contributor and Professional Biography Data Sheet

Source Log

Weekly Meeting Log


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A PROPOSAL FOR A SENIOR CAPSTOEN EXPERIENCE AT

DELAWARE STATE UNIVERSITY

DEPARTMENT OF MASS COMMUNICATIONS

Name: DSU ID:

Address:

City: State: Zip:

Home Phone: ( ) Alternate Phone: ( )

DSU Email Address:

Major: Anticipated Date of Graduation:

Supervising Instructor:

Semester and Year of Contract:

My Senior Capstone Experience can be defined as:

_____ an original project (documentary, short film, radio broadcast, etc.)

_____ an original creative work (magazine, blog or other web-based work, newspaper)

_____ a substantial service learning project that is based in my major and for which I am the primary

coordinator (panel discussion, community event, campaign pitch, etc.)

_____ other (please provide a description):

I. PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Please describe your capstone project in detail, including its major stages and the deadlines by which you

anticipate completing each stage. Add more pages as necessary.


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II. PROJECT JUSTIFICATION

Please explain what makes this project stand apart from the theoretical or applied research that has already

been done in your field, or its creative precedents. Or, if your project is based in service learning, please

explain how it addresses major issues or concerns in your major field from an unusually challenging or

original perspective.

Explain how this project will make an investigative or creative contribution to your major field. Include an

explanation of how the product of your capstone experience will be disseminated to a broader audience,

whether within the university setting or beyond it.

Explain how this project will benefit you.


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II. PROJECT APPROVAL

I agree to complete the project described above as a means of fulfilling the final requirement of my capstone

curriculum.

Print: ________________________________________________ ________________

Student Date

Signature: ________________________________________________ ________________

Student Date

We agree that this is a valid project for Undergraduate-level Senior Capstone Experience in the student’s

major, and authorize him/her to proceed.

Signature: ________________________________________________ ________________

Supervising Instructor Date


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STUDENTS NAME:

CONCENTRATION:

PROFESSIONAL CONTRIBUTOR OR PROFESSIONAL BIOGRAPHY #1

Name of Professional:

Organization/Title:

Address:

City: State: Zip:

Business Phone: ( ) Email Address:

Years of Professional Experience:

Biography/Resume:


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STUDENTS NAME:

CONCENTRATION:



Organization/Title:

Address:

City: State: Zip:



Biography/Resume:


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STUDENTS NAME:

CONCENTRATION:



Organization/Title:

Address:

City: State: Zip:



Biography/Resume:


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STUDENTS NAME:

CONCENTRATION:

SOURCE LOG

Students must log all non-original material used in conjunction with the senior capstone project, this includes, video, stock footage, photos, etc.

SOURCE/TITLE REFERENCE INFORMATION


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STUDENTS NAME:

CONCENTRATION:

WEEKLY METING LOG

Students must meet with the advising instructor weekly. The log must be signed and dated by the professor and submitted at the end of the semester.

WEEK MEETING DAY/TIME ADVISING INSTRUCTOR SIGNATURE AND DATE

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ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT OF MASS COMMUNICATIONS AT DELAWARE STATE UNIVERSITY

The Department of Mass Communications was established on the campus of Delaware State University in 2000 after being a part of the English Department, with Dr. Asgede Hagos serving at its first chair. Student who matriculated through the department majored in Broadcast or Print Journalism. In 2003 a Public Relations concentration was added to the program. In 2009 revisions were made to the curriculum to reflect the changes in mass communication and technology. By 2010, the Department was offering the following concentrations: TV/Radio/Film, Convergence Journalism (formerly Print Journalism) and Public Relations and Advertising. The Department of Mass Communications boasts the 3rd highest enrollment in the university and graduates are gainfully employed with companies including Black Entertainment Television, Comcast, Delaware News Journal. The Department of Mass Communications has six full-time faculty members and six adjunct faculty with an average of 20 years of professional experience and an average of 11 years teaching experience. The Department of Mass Communications has the responsibility of advising and assisting the various student-run campus media. These include a student newspaper (The Hornet), now in the process of being transitioned to an online publication, and in-house television station and radio station and the Departmental magazine The Mass Communications Message. The television and radio stations are primarily funded by the Student Government Association which collects its own fees. Faculty members in the department assume an advisory role and do not control or restrict content, which is created and produced solely by the students. The department and its faculty members, however, do play an important role in assisting students in procuring equipment and with the technical aspects of keeping the studios running.