MATX Core Curriculum
Workshop

This course, exclusively intended for the first year MATX students, provides an opportunity for students to focus in on the technologies and media that they intend to learn in greater detail, and even more so provides the opportunity for the students to work individually and in groups to develop the specific areas in which they plan to do professional research. Projects and topics will be chosen in consultation with the students, but will in general apply new media and technologies to interdisciplinary research 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. The class is graded via participation and engagement with projects, rather than how many new technologies you manage to "learn."

Assignments and Evaluation

Assessment for this course is on a pass/fail basis. There will be one written assignment, a short (2000 word) paper applying some of the theoretical material we read just after Spring Break to media of the student's choice. Grades for the class will depend 50% on the paper and 50% on course participation. Because the class is very small, and the material covered is extremely important to completing the MATX PhD program, it is essential that students attend all classes, notify

Policies

• This course is taught primarily via discussion. Your attendance and participation are vital to its success.
• 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.

OFFICIAL VCU POLICY STATEMENTS

Email Policy
Electronic mail or "email" is considered an official method for communication at VCU because it delivers information in a convenient, timely, cost effective and environmentally aware manner. Students are expected to check their official VCU e-mail on a frequent and consistent basis in order to remain informed of university-related communications. The University recommends checking e-mail daily. Students are responsible for the consequences of not reading, in a timely fashion, university-related communications sent to their official VCU student e-mail account. This policy ensures that all students have access to this important form of communication. It ensures students can be reached through a standardized channel by faculty and other staff of the university as needed. Mail sent to the VCU email address may include notification of university-related actions, including disciplinary action. Please read the policy in its entirety: http://www.ts.vcu.edu/kb/3407.html

VCU Honor System: Upholding Academic Integrity
The VCU honor system policy describes the responsibilities of students, faculty and administration in upholding academic integrity, while at the same time respecting the rights of individuals to the due process offered by administrative hearings and appeals. According to this policy, "members of the academic community are required to conduct themselves in accordance with the highest standards of academic honesty and integrity." In addition, "All members of the VCU community are presumed to have an understanding of the VCU Honor System and are required to:

• Agree to be bound by the Honor System policy and its procedures;
• Report suspicion or knowledge of possible violations of the Honor System;
• Support an environment that reflects a commitment to academic integrity;
• Answer truthfully when called upon to do so regarding Honor System cases; and,
• Maintain confidentiality regarding specific information in Honor System cases."

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 current issue of the VCU Insider at http://www.students.vcu.edu/insider.html

Student Conduct in the Classroom
According to the Faculty Guide to Student Conduct in Instructional Settings "The university is a community of learners. Students, as well as faculty, have a responsibility for creating and maintaining an environment that supports effective instruction. In order for faculty members (including graduate teaching assistants) to provide and students to receive effective instruction in classrooms, laboratories, studios, online courses, and other learning areas, the university expects students to conduct themselves in an orderly and cooperative manner." Among other things, cell phones and beepers should be turned off while in the classroom. Also, the university Rules and Procedures prohibit anyone from having "in his possession any firearm, other weapon, or explosive, regardless of whether a license to possess the same has been issued, without the written authorization of the President of the university..." For more information, visit the VCU Insider online at http://www.students.vcu.edu/insider.html

Students with Disabilities
SECTION 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 as amended, require that VCU provides "academic adjustments " or "reasonable accommodations" to any student who has  a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits a major life activity.  To receive accommodations, students must request them by contacting the Disability Support Services Office on the Monroe Park Campus (828-2253) or the Division for Academic Success on the MCV campus (828-9782). More information is available at the Disability Support Services webpage: http://www.students.vcu.edu/dss/ ; or the Division for Academic Success webpage at www.specialservices.vcu.edu/disabilityss.

If you have a disability that requires an academic accommodation, please schedule a meeting with me at your earliest convenience. Additionally, if your coursework requires you to work in a lab environment, you should advise your instructor or a department chairperson of any concerns you may have regarding safety issues related to your disability. This statement applies not only to this course but also to every other course in this university.

Statement on Military Short-Term Training or Deployment
If military students receive orders for short-term training or deployment, they should inform and present their orders to Military Student Services and to their professor(s). For further information on policies and procedures contact Military Services at 828-5993 or access the corresponding policies at http://www.pubapps.vcu.edu/bulletins/about/?Default.aspx?uid=10096&iid=30704 and http://www.pubapps.vcu.edu/BULLETINS/undergraduate/?uid=10096&iid=30773.

Excused Absences for Students Representing the University
Students who represent the university (athletes and others) do not choose their schedules. Student athletes are required to attend games and/or meets. All student athletes should provide their schedule to the instructor at the beginning of the semester. The Intercollegiate Athletic Council (IAC) strongly encourages faculty to treat missed classes or exams (because of a scheduling conflict) as excused absences and urges faculty to work with the students to make up the work or exam.

Campus Emergency Information
What to Know and Do To Be Prepared for Emergencies at VCU:

• Sign up to receive VCU text messaging alerts (http://www.vcu.edu/alert/notify). Keep your information up-to-date. Within the classroom, the professor will keep his or her phone on to receive any emergency transmissions.
• 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. Within the classroom, follow your professor's instructions.
• Know where to go for additional emergency information (http://www.vcu.edu/alert).
• Know the emergency phone number for the VCU Police (828-1234). Report suspicious activities and objects.

Important Dates
Important dates for the Spring 2013 semester are available at:
http://academiccalendars.vcu.edu/ac_fullViewAll.asp?term=Spring+2013

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.

Class Registration Required for Attendance
Please remember that students may only attend those classes for which they have registered. Faculty may not add students to class rosters. Therefore, if students are attending a class for which they have not registered, they must stop attending.

Week-by-Week Syllabus

Week One. Introduction

• Tues Jan 15

Week Two. Program Overview; Disciplinarity and Interdisciplinarity

• Tues Jan 22

Week Three. ePortfolio

• Tues Jan 29

Week Four. Choosing Committee and Chair; Dissertation Area

• Tues Feb 5

Week Five. Bibliography exam

• Tues Feb 12

Week Six. Prospectus and Prospectus Defense

• Tues Feb 19

Week Seven. Dissertation

• Tues Feb 26

Spring Break

• Tues Mar 5. No class.

Week Eight. No class.

• Tues Mar 12. No class (instructor away)

Week Nine. Theory readings

• Tues Mar 19

Week Ten. Theory Readings

• Tues Mar 26

Week Eleven. Theory readings

• Tues Apr 2

Week Twelve. Creative Work

• Tues Apr 9

Week Thirteen. IRB and Copyright

• Tues Apr 16

Week Fourteen. ePortfolios redux

• Tues Apr 23

Week Fifteen.

• Tues Apr 30

Last updated  April 23, 2013.