Mass Communication Internship
Syllabus
MCOM 410.1
Fall, 2011, Demorest
Dale Van Cantfort, Ph.D.
dvancantfort@piedmont.edu
706 778 3000 Ext 1337
(H) 706 754 6907

Course Description:

            This course will provide students with the opportunity to gain practical work experience in mass communications.

Course Rationale:

            This internship is designed for Mass Communication students who desire to make practical application of their skills and technical knowledge developed from their academic curriculum.

Criteria for Participation:

• A student must be a Mass Communications major or minor with an overall academic GPA of 2.8  or better.  In addition, a student must have shown interest and ability in working for a communication facility in the available job area.

• Sponsoring mass media companies and agencies are expected to offer guidance to the student during the internship.  At the end of the semester, the sponsor completes an evaluation form, assessing the intern’s progress and achievement.  The faculty advisor will assign the final grade.

Procedures:

• A student must receive approval from a Mass Communication advisor before registering for the internship course.

• The student must work a minimum of 120 hours for a sponsoring mass media company or agency.  Schedules are to be worked out between the student and the employer.  At the end of the internship, the student will submit a portfolio containing examples of work completed and an 8 - 10 page reflection paper on the internship experience. Students will also be responsible for reading the assigned text and for maintaining a log of hours worked.  The sponsor sends Piedmont College an evaluation of the student’s work performance.  A letter grade will then be assigned by the faculty advisor.

REQUIRED TEXTS: The Intern Files: How to Get, Keep, and Make the Most of Your Internship by J. Fedorko

Grade Distribution:

All work must be completed for you to receive a passing grade in the course.

COMMITMENT TO CRITICAL THINKING: Piedmont College defines critical thinking as the ability to analyze and evaluate information; to synthesize information into coherent forms; and to apply and extend knowledge.

HONOR PLEDGE: All students, by their enrollment at Piedmont College, commit to the Honor Pledge.
The Piedmont College community emphasizes high ethical standards for its members. Accordingly, I promise to refrain from acts of academic dishonesty including plagiarism and to uphold the Academic Integrity Policy in all endeavors at Piedmont College.

STATEMENT ON ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: Students must be familiar with the College Academic Integrity Policy. Plagiarism, the intentional or unintentional use of another’s words or ideas as one’s own, will not be tolerated by the College.  Professors send any Academic Integrity concerns directly to the VPAA to be handled by that office.  Plagiarism may result in failure of the course.  See Catalog for complete policy.

PAPER POLICY:Late papers will not be accepted and will receive a failing grade.

Special Considerations:   Piedmont College makes every effort to provide reasonable and appropriate accommodations to students with disabilities.  Accommodations must be coordinated through the Office of Counseling and Career Services by contacting the director at 1-800-277-7020 ext.  1259 or by email - kcutrell@piedmont.edu.   Students are responsible for providing accurate and current documentation of their disability and for making a written request to the Director of Counseling and Career Services before receiving accommodations.  Students with special needs (disabilities, problems, or any other factors that may affect their performance or that require special instructional strategies) should also make these needs known to the professor/instructor during the first class session.
Student Email Policy: All Piedmont College students are required to utilize their Piedmont Lions email account (see College Catalog for complete policy). As the official communications channel of the College, students are responsible for all information distributed to them through their Lions email account. Students are expected to check it daily.

Withdrawal Policy: During the first five days of Fall and Spring semester and the first three days of Summer semester, students may add and drop courses with the permission of their advisor. After this time, students may withdraw from a class. Please refer to the College Catalog for the particulars regarding the withdrawal policy.

Inclement Weather Delays or Closings:
Check PC website, local radio stations (WCON), or local TV stations for weather delays of classes or college closings.