Syllabus_Template

Course # / Title:	MBU 4015.04 Senior Capstone
Semester:	Spring 2009
Instructor:	Larry Wacholtz, Ph.D.
Instructor Contacts:	Office 460-5437 Email: wacholtzl@mail.belmont.edu
Instructor Office Hours:	Room 224 MW 10-11 am &12-1pm – Tuesday 11am-12: 30 pm
Course Credit:	1 Credits
Class Location:	MC 413
Meeting Time(s):	Tuesday 12:30-2:15pm
Final Exam:	Class Presentation of Career Development Plan

Course Description: Prerequisites: Senior standing and approval of academic advisor. To be taken the final semester in residence before graduation. 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:

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

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

3. Write your obituary.

4. Prepare a professional resume.

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

6. Complete a Career Development Plan-See Attached.

7. Complete the money project.

D. Testing:

There will be no tests.

E. Basis of grade evaluation:

Course is a pass/fail course. In order to pass, students must successfully complete 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.

Class Schedule: For Session One-January 14-March 17

January	20	Tues	Class Orientation Man’s Search for Meaning-Introduction	If it is in this column you have to turn it in!
January	27	Tues	(a) How did you get here/Plot Points of Life-Project? (b) Man’s Search for Meaning Class Discussion (c) Push the button!	(a) Reflection Paper Man’s Search for Meaning, Viktor Frankl (b) Obituary
February	3	Tues	(a) Who Am I? (b) Let Your Life Speak-Introduction (c) Push the Button-Exercise (d) Purpose of a Resume	(a) Write an advertisement About yourself for a dating service (b) Money Project.
February	10	Tues	(a) Let Your Life Speak-Class Discussion (b) Does college apply in the real world? (c) Is it who you know or what you know? (d) Dreams vs. Goals (e) Somebody Moved My Cheese-Introduction	(a) Reflection Paper: Let Your Life Speak, Parker Palmer (b) Your Professional Resume
February	17	Tues	(a) Somebody Moved My Cheese-Class discussion (b) Watch “Maxed Out” Pt. One (c) Giving Back	(a) Reflection Paper Somebody Moved My Cheese
February	24	Tues	(a) Watch “Maxed Out” Pt. Two (b) Finances, Marriage, Children and other grown up things. (c) Dealing with Change (d) Career Development Plan-Introduction	(a) Goals: 1, 5 and 10 year goals (b) Reflection paper: Charity of your choice.
March	3	Tues	Pitch of Career Development Plan	(a) Reflection Paper: Maxed Out/Money Project (b) Career Development Plan
March	10	Tues	Spring Break
March	17	Tues	Final	Turn in Journal

Class Schedule: For Session Two-March 18-May 12. 2009

March	24	Tues	Class Orientation Man’s Search for Meaning-Introduction	If it is in this column you have to turn it in!
March	31	Tues	(a) How did you get here/Plot Points of Life-Project? (b) Man’s Search for Meaning Class Discussion (c) Push the button!	(a) Reflection Paper Man’s Search for Meaning, Viktor Frankl. (b) Obituary
April	7	Tues	(a) Who Am I? (b) Let Your Life Speak-Introduction (c) Push the Button-Exercise (d) Purpose of a Resume	(a) Write an advertisement About yourself for a dating service. (b) Money Project.
April	14	Tues	(a) Let Your Life Speak-Class Discussion (b) Does college apply in the real world? (c) Is it who you know or what you know? (d) Dreams vs. Goals (e) Somebody Moved My Cheese-Introduction	(a) Reflection Paper: Let Your Life Speak, Parker Palmer (b) Your Professional Resume
April	21	Tues	(a) Somebody Moved My Cheese-Class discussion (b) Watch “Maxed Out” Pt. One (c) Giving Back	(a) Reflection Paper Somebody Moved My Cheese.
April	28	Tues	(a) Watch “Maxed Out” Pt. Two (b) Finances, Marriage, Children and other grown up things. (c) Dealing with Change (d) Career Development Plan-Introduction	(a) Goals: 1, 5 and 10 year goals. (b) Reflection paper: Charity of your choice.
May	5	Tues	Pitch of Career Development Plan	(a) Reflection Paper: Maxed Out/Money Project (b) Career Development Plan
May	12	Tues	Final	Turn in your Journal

Career Development Plan

Assignment-Complete either the Business Plan Pro (using the business plan software in the Massey Computer Lab-#5) or write your own Career Development plan using the following steps. Papers are due October 14 with your class presentation.

Define your professional career. (Push the button)

Research the Industry-go to www.firstgov.gov and use the government figures to determine the size, number of employees, gross income, for the career path you have selected. Second, explain the operational definition of the business (what they do and how they do it.

List and describe the exact career position (entry level) you may be applying for.

What is your competitive advantage-List the variables that you perceive as making yourself a leading candidate to be hired.

List the top five companies in the industry you have targeted, provide a brief description of their mission, vision statements, corporate plans for the future (see the website for corporate annual reports). Also provide their corporate headquarter addresses, website information and phone numbers.

Name the top CEO, COO etc., of each company and give a brief description (Paragraph) of their career paths and goals (see website for leadership personal descriptions).

List the current positions available at the five corporations/businesses your have selected.
List your one-year short-term goal(s).
List your three-year short-term goal(s)

List your five-years long-term goal(s).

List your ten-year long-term goal(s)

Attach your resume.

Complete the attached personal expense sheet.

In no more than two paragraphs explain your strategic plan for successfully landing a desired position at one of the five selected companies (how you plan to get the job-tied to your image) and: (2) explain your strategy and define how you are qualified for the position-shameless self promotion tied to publicity, promotion, and knowledge.

Belmont and Beyond

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. Teacher Recruitment 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 am, 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