My Degree Plan @ TESC and Progress

[Lady Grace of Pemberley]

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Mass Communication I @ TESC
Grade: A

Online Course: COM-120
Professor: Dorothy Zjawin

This was a... unique... class. :S I thought the material was relatively interesting (it wasn't positively gripping, but not half as boring as one of my other classes). You only have to read half of the required textbook, and it was laid out in a easy-to-read way. The assignments could have been interesting, but turned out to be stressful for me.

The midterm exam consisted of 20-something multiple-choice questions (four options each, I think), 10 true/false questions, and three or four essays (you could choose from several topic options). It has been a while since I took it, and so I can't remember a lot of detail. For the multiple-choice part, know random facts found throughout your textbook - and I mean REALLY random! There were a few definitions, but it mostly covered bizarre, obscure facts from your text about which you will probably say, "Yeah, no need to remember that little tidbit - they'll never ask me about that!" Oh yes, they will. I ended up with a 92 on the midterm.

The final project was a 5-7 page (I ended up going a bit over) paper on media convergence. You can choose which area of media you wish to examine (i.e. radio, television, newspapers, etc. I did books, since I'm a bibliophile ). You will need at least eight credible sources in the final paper. For Written Assignment 4, you will be required to submit rough draft of your final paper.

My professor was very kind, communicative in response to questions, and active on the discussion board. She responded thoroughly to concerns in a timely manner. But she did not communicate her expectations well. For most courses, you can simply post an initial discussion post, respond briefly to two classmates, and instantly get a 100. Done. Not so with this professor! You really must work for a good grade for discussion posts on this course. I made several long, detailed posts initially and then went in to great depth in response to several classmates' posts and still didn't get a perfect grade. She really wants you to be involved on your discussion board! As far as assignments went, be sure to include lots of specific facts. Follow the textbook to the letter - every little tidbit about the subject you are writing about should be included in your paper. I got quite frustrated as I was working through this course, simply because I never really knew what was expected of me. I got some of the worst grades of the term in this course, and I think I probably worked harder in this course than any other!

Would I recommend this course? Yes, especially considered that it is required to graduate from TESC with a B.A. in Communications. It covered some interesting material.

Would I recommend this professor? Not really. I don't feel like she clearly explained what she expected from written assignments or the final project. I felt that she was a bit of a harsh grader and almost unfair in what she expected you to cover in your papers. But she did grade assignments quickly and was quite friendly!