Communication Studies
Action Plan
The five items addressed in this action plan
emerged, during Communication Studies assessment procedures pertaining
to data collected during the 2002-03 academic year, as aspects
requiring modification to improve the quality of the Communication
Studies major for future cohorts of students.
Item #1: The following required course, AR
1200: Exploration of the Visual Arts, was identified as not being
especially valuable to Communication Studies majors.
PLANNED ACTION: This course is no longer
required of Communication Studies majors who choose to complete the
revised Communication Studies curriculum that went into effect in Fall
2003. Students who are interested in this course may still complete
it as an elective selection in both the Film and Media Studies Option
and the Professional Communication Option of the revised Communication
Studies curriculum.
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Item #2: There is a clear need/desire for the
introduction of one or more media-production courses, as part of the
Communication Studies major, that are directly related to videography
and/or broadcasting.
PLANNED ACTION: Courses in video
production cannot currently be offered because the campus contains
insufficient production equipment. During the 2003-04 academic year,
faculty members in the Communication Studies Department will apply for
funds from Plymouth State University’s Computer Advisory Board to
purchase video cameras and peripherals and to establish a
multiple-station video editing facility. If/once such funding is
obtained, these faculty members will also begin developing a new
course in Video Production to be offered by the Communication Studies
Department at Plymouth State University beginning in the 2004-05
academic year.
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Item #3: There is a need for formal training
in communication research methods, to better prepare students for
success in their advanced coursework and the CM 4000: Senior Project
course.
PLANNED ACTION: A new course, CM 3650:
Communication Research Methods, will be offered during the fall and
spring semesters beginning Spring 2004. This course is a core
requirement for Communication Studies majors who choose to complete
the revised Communication Studies curriculum that went into effect in
Fall 2003.
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Item #4: CM 2910: Introduction to
Communication needs to be taught by someone who possesses formal
academic training in the field of communication studies.
PLANNED ACTION: Beginning Fall 2003, CM
2910: Introduction to Communication will be taught exclusively by
faculty members who have received formal academic training in the
field of communication studies at the graduate level.
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Item #5: Greater assistance needs to be
provided to Communication Studies majors by staff members of the
Academic and Career Advising Center as they seek internship placements
and/or career advice.
PLANNED ACTION: Faculty members in the
Communication Studies department have already initiated, and intend to
continue to conduct, discussions with Dr. Stephen Lambert (director of
the Academic and Career Advising Center) and Dr. Virginia Barry (Vice
President for Academic Affairs) about this topic in order to ensure
that all relevant parties on campus will work as a team to foster the
continuing success of Communication Studies majors.
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