THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT ASHEVILLE
FACULTY SENATE
Senate Document Number 6008S
Date of Senate Approval 04/24/08
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Statement of Faculty Senate Action:
APC Document 52: Change the title, description and prerequisites for MCOM 421;
Change the description and prerequisites for MCOM 499;
Change the prerequisites for VMP 437 and 439;
Change the description and prerequisite for VMP 493.
1. Delete: On pg. 188, the entry for MCOM 421:
Public Affairs Reporting (4)
Field practice in newsgathering and writing, covering news beats, including courts, local governments and other news sources. Emphasis is placed on accuracy, clarity and comprehensiveness of reporting. Course includes extensive writing and news gathering assignments. Prerequisite: MCOM 201; or permission of instructor. Odd years Spring.
Add: On pg. 188, in place of deleted entry:
Public Affairs Journalism (4)
This capstone course in the journalism concentration, which may also be used as the capstone course in the commercial media concentration, emphasizes field practice in newsgathering and writing, covering news beats, including courts, local governments and other news sources. Emphasis is placed on accuracy, clarity and comprehensiveness of reporting. Course includes extensive writing and news gathering assignments, and demonstration of oral competence through story pitches and critiques. Prerequisite: 30 hours in MCOM and/or VMP courses including MCOM 201; or permission of instructor. Spring.
Impact:
The MCOM curriculum has been planned for the next four years using existing faculty loads, and this course fits within that model. The new curriculum grid for MCOM deletes some courses and standardizes class sizes. It will also increase some enrollments across the MCOM curriculum. No new physical resources will be required, as the course can use existing laboratory software and equipment, and the frequency of offering remains the same as it has been. This change will have no impact on curriculum in other programs. Adding the prerequisite may have the effect of slowing down a few transfer students in their progress toward graduation. Our experience has been that students rushing through the program (typically transfers) are sometimes inadequately prepared for internship and employment upon graduation.
Rationale:
These changes result in a description that better reflects the actual content of the course. The prerequisite is changed to reflect its designation as a capstone course in the journalism concentration.
2. Delete: On pg. 189, the entry for MCOM 499:
Undergraduate Research in Mass Communication (1-6)
Independent research under the supervision of a faculty mentor. An IP grade may be awarded at discretion of instructor. May be repeated for a total of 6 hours credit. See department chair.
Add: On pg. 189, in place of deleted entry:
Undergraduate Research in Mass Communication (1-6)
This capstone course in the communication research concentration, which may also be used as the capstone course in the commercial media concentration, requires completion of a significant undergraduate research project under the supervision of the instructor, who serves as faculty mentor. Students demonstrate oral communication competence in this course through presentation of research proposals, progress reports and findings. An IP grade may be awarded at discretion of instructor. May be repeated for a total of 6 hours credit. Prerequisite: 30 hours in MCOM and/or VMP courses including MCOM 201. Fall.
Impact:
The MCOM curriculum has been planned for the next four years using existing faculty loads, and this course fits within that model. The new curriculum grid for MCOM deletes some courses and standardizes class sizes. It will also increase some enrollments across the MCOM curriculum. No new physical resources will be required, as the course can use existing laboratory software and equipment, and the frequency of offering remains the same as it has been. This change will have no impact on curriculum in other programs. Adding the prerequisite may have the effect of slowing down a few transfer students in their progress toward graduation. Our experience has been that students rushing through the program (typically transfers) are sometimes inadequately prepared for internship and employment upon graduation.
Rationale:
The prerequisite is changed to reflect its designation as a capstone course in the Commercial Media and Communication Research concentrations.
3. Delete: On pg. 190, the prerequisite for VMP 437:
Prerequisites: VMP 207, 209; or permission of instructor.
Add: On pg. 190, in place of deleted entry:
Prerequisites: VMP 207, 209 and 303.
Impact:
This change could add a semester to the time to graduation for some students. However, as very few transfers bring in VMP303, and most do take it prior to taking VMP 437 as a matter of practice (and advising), we see no problem emerging from the change. No new resources will be required as the course will continue to be offered with the same frequency as it has in the past. This change may necessitate an adjustment of the MMAS Video Production Emphasis area. Concurrence of MMAS is provided.
Rationale:
The change in prerequisites will assist in smooth sequencing for students wishing to take this course, and will guarantee that students are at a skill level sufficient for successful completion of course requirements.
4. Delete: On pg. 190, the prerequisite and offering for VMP 439:
Prerequisites: VMP 207, 209; or permission of instructor. Fall.
Add: On pg. 190, in place of deleted entry:
Prerequisites: VMP 207, 209 and VMP 303. Spring.
Impact:
This change could add a semester to the time to graduation for some students. However, as very few transfers bring in VMP303, and most do take it prior to taking VMP 437 as a matter of practice (and advising), we see no problem emerging from the change. No new resources will be required as the course will continue to be offered with the same frequency as it has in the past. This change may necessitate an adjustment of the MMAS Video Production Emphasis area. Concurrence of MMAS is provided.
Rationale:
The change in prerequisites will assist in smooth sequencing for students, and better prepare them for the major project work of their capstone experience.
5. Delete: On pg. 191, the entry for VMP 493:
Field Work in Media Production (4)
Producing short visual media presentations in the field using portable equipment. Course includes extensive field production component. Prerequisites: VMP 207, 209; or permission of instructor. See department chair.
Add: On pg. 191, in place of deleted entry:
Field Work in Media Production (4)
This capstone course in the film and visual media concentration may also be used as the capstone course in the commercial media concentration. Students produce visual media projects in the field using portable equipment. The course includes an extensive portfolio project. Students demonstrate oral communication competence in this course through presentation of project proposals (pitches) and production progress reports. Prerequisite: 30 hours in VMP and/or MCOM including VMP 207, 209 and 303; or permission of instructor. Spring.
Impact:
The MCOM curriculum has been planned for the next four years using existing faculty loads, and this course fits within that model. The new curriculum grid for MCOM deletes some courses and standardizes class sizes. It will also increase some enrollments across the MCOM curriculum. No new physical resources will be required, as the course can use existing laboratory software and equipment, and the frequency of offering remains the same as it has been. This change will have no impact on curriculum in other programs. Adding the prerequisite may have the effect of slowing down a few transfer students in their progress toward graduation. Our experience has been that students rushing through the program (typically transfers) are sometimes inadequately prepared for internship and employment upon graduation. No new resources will be required as the course will continue to be offered with the same frequency as it has in the past. This change may necessitate an adjustment of the MMAS Video Production Emphasis area. Concurrence of MMAS is provided.
Rationale:
The change in prerequisites will assist in smooth sequencing for students, and better prepare them for the major project work of their capstone experience.