MIKE CURB COLLEGE OF ENTERTAINMENT AND MUSIC BUSINESS

COURSE SYLLABUS

Course # / Title:	MBU  4015.06 MBU Senior Capstone
Semester:	Fall,  2008
Instructor:	Dr. Don Cusic
Instructor Contacts:	460-5438 / cusicd@mail.belmont.edu
Instructor Office Hours:	M 8-11:30 a.m.; TR 8-11:30 a.m.
Course Credit:	1 Credit
Class Location:	MC 103
Meeting Time(s):	Tuesday 5-5:50 p.m.
Final Exam:	Tuesday, December 16, 2008 at 5 p.m.

Course Description: This course addresses the question of "What is a meaningful life?" through the reading of texts, through written assignments, and through personal reflection. Students will be asked to reflect intentionally on their whole educational experience at Belmont University. They will also reflect on and anticipate their transition from the university setting as they move toward the next stage of their lives. This course is to be taken in the student's last year at Belmont. Prerequisite: XXX 3015, Junior Cornerstone Seminar and ENG 3010, Third-Year Writing. Pass/Fail only.

Course Learning Outcomes: Students will demonstrate:

· an ability to communicate effectively with contemporaries

· an ability to understand professional, ethical and social responsibilities within the music industry

· a respect for diversity and a knowledge of contemporary professional, societal and global issues

· a commitment to quality, timeliness, and continuous improvement

· an appreciation for life through the arts, humanities, religion, social sciences, and natural sciences

Performance Criteria: Students will:

· exercise written and oral communication skills

· observe guidelines of social responsibility in the leadership role

Honor Code:  It is the responsibility of each student to abide by the Belmont University Honor Code.  “In affirmation of the Belmont University Statement of Values, I pledge that I will not give or receive aid during examinations; I will not give or receive false or impermissible aid in course work, in the preparation of reports, or in any other type of work that is to be used by the instructor as the basis of my grade; I will not engage in any form of academic fraud. Furthermore, I will uphold my responsibility to see to it that others abide by the spirit and letter of this Honor Pledge.”

Accommodation of Disabilities:  In compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act, Belmont University will provide reasonable accommodation of all medically documented disabilities.  If you have a disability and would like the university to provide reasonable accommodations of the disability during this course, please notify the Office of the Dean of Students located in Beaman Student Life Center (460-6407) as soon as possible.

Course Requirements:

A.  Attendance:  Missing more than 2 classes will result in failure of class by student.

B.  Materials:  Let Your Life Speak, Parker Palmer. Who Moved My Cheese? Spencer Johnson, M.D. Man’s Search for Meaning, Viktor E. Frankl; On-line: “The Last Lecture” by Randy Pausch; “Maxed-Out” (HBO Documentary—in Library)

C.  Assignments:  Students will be required to

1. write a reflection paper (2-3 pages) on each of the required texts

2. write a 3 to 5 page paper on the charity of your choice

3. Hard copy of the paper must be submitted; maximum grade 10 pts

4. Electronic copy will receive a maximum of 5 points each

5. Late papers will receive a maximum of 5 points each

6. Each class attendance is worth 5 points

7. Attend two Belmont and Beyond events

D.  Testing:   There will be no tests.

E.  Basis of grade evaluation: Course is a pass/fail course. There are a total of 145 points possible in this course—80 points on papers and 65 points from attendance. In order to pass, students must have 120 points.

Class Schedule:

September 2: Class 1: Class Orientation

September 9: Class 2: Goal Setting & Career Planning (Do, Be, Own)

September 16: Class 3: Goal Setting & Career Planning (Do, Be, Own)

                PAPER DUE: “The Last Lecture” (on line)

September 23: Class 4: Goal Setting & Career Planning (Do, Be, Own)

September 30: Class 5: DISCUSSION: BOOK: Frankl: Man’s Search for Meaning

                PAPER DUE: Life Changer: A book, movie, recording that has had a major impact on you

October 7: Fall Break

October 14: Class 6: DISCUSSION: BOOK: Let Your Life Speak

                PAPER DUE: on Man’s Search for Meaning

October 21: Class 7: Maxed Out: Pt 1 (video)

                PAPER DUE: on Let Your Life Speak

October 28: Class 8: Maxed Out: Pt 1 (video)

November 4: Class 9: Charity and the Meaningful Life

PAPER DUE: “Maxed-Out”

November 11: Class 10: DISCUSSION: Who Moved My Cheese?

November 18: Class 11: Life and Career Planning

                PAPER DUE: Charity Paper

November 25: Class 12: Life and Career Planning

December 2: Class 13: LAST DAY OF CLASS

                PAPER DUE: Your Career Plan (& Bucket List)

                PAPER DUE: How I would teach this course