The class gathers formally for 3 initial classroom meetings. During these meetings the process of completing an acceptable Special Project is discussed. The form and structure of the project, how it is to be presented, and limits regarding content are discussed. During these class meetings students select the content and scope of their project. The instructor facilitates sharing information from student clinical experiences and encourages student interaction as they develop their Special Project topic. The final order of business will be the assignment of the oral presentation order. Student names will be drawn by lot to determine oral presentation order. Following the oral presentation assignment dates, class will not formally meet for several mid-course sessions until oral presentations begin. Students use this time to prepare their projects. The course instructor will be available during the time class would normally meet to provide guidance regarding the Special Projects. Appointment times should be arranged formally with the instructor. The remainder of the class meetings are used for student oral presentation. One half-hour per student is allowed for the complete oral presentation.

 

Two copies of an eight-to-ten page (excluding references) paper regarding the Special Project must be handed-in by each student on the date oral presentations begin. The student’s name should appear only on the first cover page of the paper. A second cover page should be provided without the student’s name. The first page will later be removed so that papers may be distributed anonymously to faculty for reading.

 

The papers will be read and evaluated by two SLP Departmental faculty assigned randomly. A pass grade must be given by both faculty readers to obtain a pass for the paper. If one reader passes and the other reader fails the paper, it will be submitted to a third reader. The third reader’s pass/fail grade will be recorded as the paper grade.

 

Results of the oral presentation grading and the faculty evaluation of the written report dictate the final pass/fail grade. Both the oral presentation and the written report must be passed to achieve a passing grade in the course. Students will be notified of the outcome in writing by the instructor at the conclusion of the semester.

 

Students are expected to complete the Special Project independently. With the exception of the course instructor, who may provide more specific assistance with regard to form, students MAY NOT solicit help from the faculty concerning Special Project content issues. Careful topic selection should allow students adequate direction when researching content information. The faculty has agreed upon a code of professional conduct for CMD 605. Please see Appendix I for a copy of this code. You will be asked to sign this code indicating your agreement with it.