Course # / Title:

MBU 4015.01 Senior Capstone

Semester:

Spring 2009

Instructor:

Clyde Philip Rolston, Ph.D.

Instructor Contacts:

Office Ph.: 460-5436  Cell Ph.: 400-5372

Email: rolstonc@mail.belmont.edu

Instructor Office Hours:  

Room 248B

M-R 1:00 – 3:00 or by appointment

Course Credit:

1 Credits

Class Location:

MC 413

Meeting Time(s):

Fridays 12:00 – 12:50 p.m.

Final Exam:

No Final Exam

 

 

Course Description: Prerequisites: Senior standing and approval of academic advisor. To be taken the final semester in residence before graduation. XXX 3015 Junior Cornerstone and ENG 3010. This course is designed to be a culminating experience in the major, and also addresses the goals for the Senior Capstone as defined in the BELL Core curriculum, including reflection on the student's academic experience and on their transition from the university setting to professional life. This course comprises an in-depth integration and application of the student's personal experiences, opportunities, and ambitions as related to their anticipated career and life objectives within the global entertainment industry. Through the use of analysis and discussion of texts, case studies, guest speakers, field trips, written assignments, and personal journal reflections, this course examines the student's goals within the introspection of the Belmont Experience. A final project incorporates the discussion of short- and long-term goals and a plan for the realization of these goals through three- and five-year timelines that are reflective of personal and professional ambitions. Throughout the course, students are encouraged to integrate the spiritual and ethical aspects of their goals as well as their transition from the university towards lifetime learning and professional growth. Course credit is Pass/Fail only.

 

 

Course Learning Outcomes: Students will demonstrate:

ú         an ability to communicate effectively with contemporaries

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

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

ú         a commitment to quality, timeliness, and continuous improvement

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

 

Performance Criteria: Students will:

ú         exercise written and oral communication skills

ú         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

C.  Assignments:  Students will be required to

1.       Write a reflection paper (2-3 pages) on each of the three (3) required texts and the video

a.       A reflection paper is not a review or a summary.  You should reflect on what the story meant to you, how it made you feel and how it may impact your own life in the future.

2.       Write a 3 to 5 page paper on the charity of their choice

a.       The paper should be written with appropriate citations and references using the MLA format.  At the very least you should answer the following questions:  Why is this a cause you think the reader should support?  What, specifically, is done with the money given and how does it make a difference in the world?  How much of the money given to the charity (%) actually goes to cause and not to overhead and fund raising?  How will you be supporting this cause in the future?

3.       Write your bio as if you were writing for your own press kit. That means engaging, concise and less than two pages double spaced.

4.       Prepare a professional resume just like the one you will be using to land a job.

5.       Give an ‘elevator speech’ selling yourself

a.       What can you contribute to my company?  Why should I hire you?

6.       Attend two Belmont and Beyond events (see attached list).

 

D.  Testing:   The charity paper will serve as your final.

E.  Basis of grade evaluation: The course is a pass/fail course. In order to pass, students must successfully complete and turn in on time all homework assignments.  Failed assignments will be returned to the student to be redone once.  If an assignment is not passed the second time you will not pass the class.  You may follow your progress on Blackboard.

 

Class Schedule:

 

Janury

 16

R

Class Orientation (Introduce Text Man’s Search for Meaning)

If it is in this column you have to turn it in!

 

23

 

How did you get here?

Bio/Shared

 

30

 

Man’s Search for Meaning discussion.

Reflection Paper Due: Man’s Search for Meaning, Viktor Frankl

February

6

 

Who Am I? (Introduce Text  Let Your Life Speak)

Write an elevator speech about yourself

 

13

 

Dreams vs. Goals (Introduce Text: “Cheese”)

Ten Year Goals

 

20

 

Reading and Writing Day – Class Does Not Meet

 

 

27

 

What gives your life meaning?

Reflection Paper: Let Your Life Speak, Parker Palmer

March

6

 

Where am I Going?

Five Year Goals

 

13

 

SPRING BREAK

 

 

20

 

What is really important to me?/Working the plan

One Year Goals

 

27

 

Reading and Writing Day – No Class

 

April

3

 

Dealing with Change – The “Life – Long Learner”

Reflection Paper: Somebody Moved My Cheese

 

10

 

EASTER BREAK

 

 

17

 

Watch “Maxed Out” Pt. I

Your Professional Resume

 

24

 

Watch “Maxed Out” Pt. II

 

May

1

 

Finances, Marriage, Children and other grown up things

Reflection Paper: Maxed Out

 

12

 

 

Charity Paper Due by noon

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BELMONT AND BEYOND EVENTS

 

Spring Semester 2009

January   30           *Resume that Rock, 10 a.m. – 10:50 a.m., LCVA 117

February   2            *Interviewing Strategies for Success, 10 a.m. - 10:50 a.m., LCVA 117

February 10        ***Nashville Area Career Fairs

                                       Nashville Area College to Career Fair, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.                                                                              Tennessee State Fairgrounds (Free Ticket Required)

February 16         **Graduation Forum, 10 a.m. - 10:50 a.m., Massey Concert Hall

February 23          *How to Get Unstuck in your Career Search, 10 a.m. - 10:50 a.m.,  LCVA 117

March   2               *Money Management 101, 10:00 a.m. – 10:50 a.m., LCVA 117

March 18               *Networking 101, 5 p.m. - 6 p.m., Massey Boardroom

March 23               *Truths About Your Twenties:  Beyond the Belmont Bubble, 10 a.m. - 10:50 a.m, LCVA 117          

March 25               *Strategies for Success:  Building a Map for Your Future, 10 a.m. - 10:50 a.m., LCVA 117    

March 30               *Deal or No Deal: Salary Negotiation, 10 a.m. – 10:50 a.m., LCVA 117

April  6                  *Finale Event, 10 a.m. – 10:50 a.m., Neely Dining Room


*Convocation Event
**Senior Only Event 
***Juniors and Seniors Only Event