MATX 604 (Schedule #17499)
Virginia Commonwealth University
Spring 2012
Tues 4-6:40pm :: 330 Hibbs Hall
Prof. David Golumbia
324D Hibbs Hall
Spring 2012 Office Hours: Tues 12:30-3:00pm

MATX Core Curriculum
Production and Application Workshop

This course, exclusively for first-year MATX PhD students, provides opportunities for students to focus in on the technologies and media that they intend to learn in greater detail, and for students to work individually and in groups to develop the specific areas in which they plan to do doctoral research. Projects and topics will be chosen collaboratively, but will in general apply new media and creative technologies to interdisciplinary reserach topics. Some attention will be paid to preparing for, planning, and even executing part of the portfolio that is required in the 1st semester of your second year, as well as the definition of the main area of doctoral study. The class is graded on a pass/fail basis via participation and engagement with projects.

Assignments and Evaluation

Evaluation is based on participation (40%) and final projects defined by and with the instructor. This class is taught collaboratively with the students to help shape and focus the ongoing doctoral work of each of the MATX students, and as such the specific assignments, work, technologies, tools, and methods taught are determined in real-time by the instructor and students working collaboratively.

Policies

• This course is taught primarily via discussion. Your attendance and participation are vital to its success. A significant portion of your grade (40%) depends on your class participation. Because the class meets only once a week, more than one unexcused absence will count against your final course grade. 3 unexcused absences results in automatic failure of the course, in accordance with College guidelines.
• No late work is accepted in this class. Work handed in late is automatically marked down one-third grade (e.g., a B becomes a B-) for each day it is late, and after one week becomes a failing grade for the assignment.
• You are expected to have done the primary reading and any other primary course assignments before the beginning of course each week.
• All work in this course is subject to the University's Honor Code. You may work in teams for some assignments, but all written work must be solely your own, and any reliance on published work must be properly cited.
• Final grades for the course will not be released until the entire class has submitted online course evaluations.

IMPORTANT OFFICIAL VCU INFORMATION

VCU Statement on Safety

What to know and do to be prepared for emergencies at VCU:

• Sign up to receive VCU text messaging alerts (www.vcu.edu/alert/notify). Keep your information up-to-date.
• Know the safe evacuation route from each of your classrooms. Emergency evacuation routes are posted in on-campus classrooms.
• Listen for and follow instructions from VCU or other designated authorities.
• Know where to go for additional emergency information (www.vcu.edu/alert).
• Know the emergency phone number for the VCU Police (828-1234). Report suspicious activities and objects.

VCU Honor System

Virginia Commonwealth University recognizes that honesty, truth, and integrity are values central to its mission as an institution of higher education. The Honor System is built on the idea that a person’s honor is his/her most cherished attribute. A foundation of honor is essential to a community devoted to learning. Within this community, respect and harmony must coexist. The Honor System is the policy of VCU that defines the highest standards of conduct in academic affairs.

The Honor System states that faculty members are responsible for:

• Understanding the procedures whereby faculty handles suspected instances of academic dishonesty. Faculty are to report any infraction of the VCU Honor System according to the procedures outlined in our policy.
• Developing an instructional environment that reflects a commitment to maintaining and enforcing academic integrity. Faculty should discuss the VCU Honor System at the onset of each course and mention it in course syllabi.
• Handling every suspected or admitted instance of violation of the provisions of this policy in accordance with procedures set forth in the policy.

The Honor System in its entirety can be reviewed on the Web at
http://www.provost.vcu.edu/pdfs/Honor_system_policy.pdf or it can be found in the 2011-12 VCU Insider at http://www.students.vcu.edu/insider.html.

The Honor System must be upheld and enforced by each member of the Virginia Commonwealth University community. The fundamental attributes of our community are honor and integrity. We are privileged to operate with this Honor System.

Statement on Americans with Disabilities Act

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 require Virginia Commonwealth University to provide an 'academic adjustment' and/or a 'reasonable accommodation' to any qualified individual with a physical or mental disability who self-identifies as having such. Students should contact the Disability Support Services office on the Monroe Park Campus (828-2253) or on the MCV Campus (828-9782) for appropriate academic adjustments or accommodations.

VCU Guidelines for Student Conduct

VCU faculty play a critical role in helping to build an environment that is conducive to the academic success of our students. As you know, VCU has policies and procedures designed to create an environment conducive to academic excellence. One of these policies and procedures can be found in a document entitled “Guidelines for Faculty Members Regarding Student Conduct in the Instructional Settings.” This document is available on the VCU Web at http://www.provost.vcu.edu/pdfs/FacultyGuideToStudentConductInInstructionalSettings.pdf or it can be found in the 2011-12 VCU Insider.

Understanding these guidelines will help you to encourage classroom behavior that does not detract from the quality of each student’s educational experience. Please read the document and think about your role in promoting a University culture based on mutual respect and civility.

As a reminder, both faculty and students should turn off cell phones and pagers while in the classroom.

Important Dates

Important dates for the Spring 2012 semester are available at:
http://academiccalendars.vcu.edu/?term=Spring+2012

VCU Mobile

The VCU Mobile application is a valuable tool to get the latest VCU information on the go. The application contains helpful information including the VCU directory, events, course schedules, campus maps, athletics and general VCU news, emergency information, library resources, Blackboard and more. To download the application on your smart phone or for more information, please visit http://m.vcu.edu/

Week-by-Week Syllabus

Week One.

• Tues Jan 17.

Week Two.

• Tues Jan 24.

Week Three.

• Tues Jan 31.

Week Four.

• Tues Feb 7.

Week Five.

• Tues Feb 14.

Week Six.

• Tues Feb 21. No class; instructor away

Week Seven.

• Tues Feb 28.

Week Eight.

• Tues Mar 6.

Week Nine. Spring Break

• Tues Mar 13. No class

Week Ten.

• Tues Mar 20.

Week Eleven.

• Tues Mar 27.

Week Twelve.

• Tues Apr 3.

Week Thirteen.

• Tues Apr 10.

Week Fourteen.

• Tues Apr 17.

Week Fifteen.

• Tues Apr 24.

Week Sixteen.

• Tues May 1

Final paper due in my English Dept mailbox (Hibbs Hall), or in Blackboard or via email during the final exam period for this course. There is no other final exam for the course.

Last updated  March 21, 2012.