Liberal Arts Capstone Advice

[Kri]

Hello, thanks to everyones help on this thread I am wrapping up my degree and starting my capstone next month! I tried to search through the forums and saw some great advice, but there were some more questions I had.

With the guided study is it truly done at your own pace? I guess what Im asking is if you are able to complete it in less than the 3 month time span with a lot of dedication?
Also, does anyone have reccomendations on specific teachers?
Thanks in advance!

[mog538]

I am currently taking the guided study capstone and the deadlines are a chapter every two weeks, there have been times when I have submitted chapters early but still get them back about a week after the deadline. I have not asked for any chapters to be marked quicker though. If a lecturer would agree to it, I certainly feel like it could be completed quicker in terms of the workload.

[Kri]

Thank you! Who is your teacher and how do you like them? I guess I will just have to communicate with them and see what they can do

[macromicro007]

I have a question, thought I might as well highjack your thread instead of starting a new one. Are you enrolled students at TESC, or pay-per-credit? I assume this Capstone (3 semester hours) costs the regular $491/credit hour, correct?

[JohnnyHeck]

The first time my son started the Guided Study version of the Capstone with Casey Maugh, he received very detailed feedback on his first chapter. Casey also provided examples from some of her previous students' papers which went a long way to help decipher the actual instructions and readings. Unfortunately, due to family circumstances, my son had to withdraw from Casey's course even though she was willing to grant an extension. In his second attempt with James Robb, he received very little feedback especially during the extension period which he needed again. But in both cases, neither Casey nor James held the target dates for chapter submissions as sacrosanct and did not deduct any points for being behind the dates. However, both required that the general outline be followed. I.e, one chapter at a time in sequence according to the syllabus. This issue was really raw for my son as he picked a way too expansive topic that necessitated constant updates to previously submitted chapters. Alas, there was no feedback on these updates of these previous submitted chapters. Since you sound like you may have the desire and time to blitz this course, I would suggest that you complete your first draft of all five chapters before even submitting the first one, so you know in advance that your approach to your topic will really work at the conclusion stage. IMHO, you really can't do a first rate job piecemeal.

[Westerner]

Also, does anyone have reccomendations on specific teachers?
Thanks in advance!

I had Steve Ryan and I'd highly reccomend him. Gives lots of helpful feedback, answers questions in a timely manner, and really wants to help you succeed in the class.

The first time my son started the Guided Study version of the Capstone with Casey Maugh, he received very detailed feedback on his first chapter. Casey also provided examples from some of her previous students' papers which went a long way to help decipher the actual instructions and readings. Unfortunately, due to family circumstances, my son had to withdraw from Casey's course even though she was willing to grant an extension. In his second attempt with James Robb, he received very little feedback especially during the extension period which he needed again. But in both cases, neither Casey nor James held the target dates for chapter submissions as sacrosanct and did not deduct any points for being behind the dates. However, both required that the general outline be followed. I.e, one chapter at a time in sequence according to the syllabus. This issue was really raw for my son as he picked a way too expansive topic that necessitated constant updates to previously submitted chapters. Alas, there was no feedback on these updates of these previous submitted chapters. Since you sound like you may have the desire and time to blitz this course, I would suggest that you complete your first draft of all five chapters before even submitting the first one, so you know in advance that your approach to your topic will really work at the conclusion stage. IMHO, you really can't do a first rate job piecemeal.

Yeah that's rough when you get a mentor who's less than helpful. But I really don't know about writing all 5 chapters up right at the start of the class, when you really have no idea what you're doing lol. That's why I reccomend the Online Course version instead of Guided Study, at least for this course. Having other students to watch and getting their input was super helpful for me. Also that way you don't have to rely solely on a mentor who may be good or bad...

[Kri]

Thank you everyone for your advice! I will hopefully be enrolling tomorrow

[corpsole2]

I had Dr. Nina Rosenbaum-Haydel as my mentor. If you can get into her class, then DO IT! Not only is she a very helpful (and available) mentor, there was the added benefit of her being the course designer, so you knew exactly what she expects of you.