This policy applies to all performance-based courses. Individual faculty determine when a course is performance-based. This policy must be stated on the course syllabus.
Students must present original work and must always document material drawn from other sources. Students are expected to research and prepare their own work when submitting written assignments, outlines, or presenting speeches. Plagiarism is the use of directly quoted material or paraphrased material without citing the source of the material. Plagiarism will not be tolerated. Any incident of plagiarism will be reported to the Department Chair, may result in a failing grade for the assignment, and may result in a failing grade for the course.
The Department highly encourages faculty to provide students with the following Department statement on plagiarism:
When a student delivers a speech or turns in a paper, the student is claiming the speech or paper is an original and independent work, expressing ideas in one's own language, except where otherwise indicated by quotation marks and references. A student using the words or ideas of someone else in a paper or speech is expected to provide appropriate references. A student who fails to give credit in the form of footnotes or references is falsely representing someone else's words or ideas as their own. False representation is plagiarism.
The most common forms of plagiarism include: copying word-for-word from a source without acknowledging the source by quotation marks and an appropriate reference for written work, and by an oral citation for presentations; paraphrasing someone else's ideas in your own words without acknowledging the source by an appropriate reference; turning in as your own work a paper or portion of a paper conceived jointly with other students but not giving credit for others' contributions. Students may not use work developed in other classes without first gaining the explicit consent from all instructors.
Plagiarism consists of more than just copying someone else's words; representing someone else's ideas as your own is also plagiarism. This policy also prohibits turning in the same and/or highly similar paper, project, or assignment for more than one class unless prior approval of all instructors involved has been obtained.
Plagiarism is avoided by acknowledging the source by quotation marks if a word-for word citation, and an appropriate references in all occasions.
The Department of Communication Studies does not tolerate plagiarism or other forms of academic dishonesty. Plagiarism is one of the most serious infractions a student may commit in a Communication Studies class.
Course instructors have the responsibility of judging whether a student has committed an act of plagiarism and what punitive action may be taken for the course. Instructors are encouraged to ask the student for an explanation of how the paper or speech was prepared and to provide such materials as sources and notes which form the basis for the paper or speech. Students are expected to comply with these requests. Instructors are not required to act as "detectives" to produce publication(s) to demonstrate an act of plagiarism.
An instructor believing an act of plagiarism has been committed will bring the issue before the Communication Studies Department faculty and may recommend one or more of the following actions:
Each major is to register with the department secretary in AH 230.
A Communication Studies major or minor may have 25 percent maximum total credits as P/N within the department.
A. Description of the Qualifying Examination:
10. Students who do not pass on a Rewrite Required or receive a Do Not Pass may only take it one more time during a subsequent semester.
The language in sections I-VIII is drawn verbatim from appropriate sections of the 2001-2003 IFO-MNSCU collective bargaining agreement. Only language appropriate to the administration of the Department is included. Individual faculty members are encouraged to review the entire collective bargaining agreement for a complete description of personnel issues and processes. Sections IX-XI are Department guidelines and suggestions and are not included in the collective bargaining agreement. Any changes in future collective bargaining agreements take precedence over the provisions set forth below.
I. Establishing a Personnel Committee:
The department may establish appropriate committees as needed. The department may make recommendations, forwarded through the department chair, on its own behalf concerning such matters as personnel actions. Individual faculty members within departments may also make recommendations on these same matters. All departmental recommendations must be reviewed and approved by the department's faculty, and forwarded to the administration by the chair with a statement verifying that the requirement has been met.
II. Voting Eligibility:
All faculty members, other than fixed-term faculty in the first year of such status, who have at least three-fourths (3/4) time FTE appointments in the department during the current academic year, are eligible to vote in matters pertaining to the chair and to make recommendations in personnel matters and curriculum matters. All faculty members who have at least one-half (.5) time appointments in the department during the current term are eligible to vote in all other matters pertaining to the business of the department.
III. Criteria for Recommendations on Tenure, Promotion and Non-Renewal:
Departmental faculty and chairs shall base their personnel recommendations on the five criteria contained in Article 22, Section B. In accordance with Article 5, Section Q, recommendations for a personnel action must be signed and dated by the person or persons making them. The department may conduct a vote on any personnel matter and forward it to the appropriate supervisor, but the vote shall not constitute a recommendation.
IV. Professional Development Plan
A. The Plan When the plan is completed, the faculty member shall provide a copy of the plan to the department members through the department chairperson. Department members are encouraged to provide written comments on the plan to assist the faculty member in his/her professional development and, if applicable, provide guidance with respect to promotion and/or tenure. These written comments will be forwarded to the faculty member. . . . The faculty member shall have an opportunity to respond to these comments.
B. The Progress (Assessment) Report A copy of the report shall be sent to the department members through the department chairperson. Department members are encouraged to provide written comments on the report to assist the faculty member in his/her professional development and, if applicable, provide guidance with respect to promotion and/or tenure. These written comments will be forwarded to the faculty members. If the faculty includes student course assessments as part of their report, they shall be anonymous and identified only as to course/section. Any other student communications or evaluations submitted with the PDP report shall not be anonymous.
V. Tenure
The decision to award tenure shall be based on the principle of a demonstrated cumulative record of positive performance and professionally competent achievement consistent with the goals of the institution over the duration of the probationary period on the criteria outlined in Article 22. Annual evaluations that are minimally satisfactory and are used, in part, in the tenure decision, may result in the denial of tenure.
The following procedures shall constitute the process of consideration for tenure.
VI. Promotion
The decision to promote shall be based on a demonstrated cumulative requisite record of professional performance and high achievement appropriate to the relevant rank.
The following shall constitute the process for consideration for promotion.
VII. Non-Renewal of Probationary Faculty:
A recommendation for non-renewal of a probationary faculty member may be made by the appropriate department, immediate supervisor or Vice President.
VIII. Non-Renewal of Non-Tenure Track Faculty:
Non-renewal of non-tenure track faculty shall be based on performance evaluation as provided for in Article 22.
IX. Observations of Teaching Effectiveness:
X. Student Evaluations:
XI. Department Guidelines on Renewal/Non-Renewal:
(approved 9/25/02)
This applies to Speech 100, 101 and 102 ONLY!
Students who do not attend class the first meeting of a once a week class or do not attend by the first meeting time of a class that meets more than once a week during the first week of classes will be dropped by the Friday of the first week of classes.
If you are not able to attend the first class session as listed above and do not wish to be dropped, you will need to submit a WRITTEN REQUEST to the Department PRIOR to the first day of the course. You may submit the request by regular mail at:
Administrative Drop
AH 230
Speech Commmunication Department
Minnesota State University, Mankato
Mankato, MN 56001
or:
ad-speech@mnsu.edu
Students have the right to ask an instructor for an explanation of any grade received. Grade appeals are reviewed in instances where students perceive that a final grade is unfair, arbitrary, or capricious. Appeals must be filled within two weeks* of university notification of a final grade. Students needing assistance at any step in appealing or filing a complaint may contact the Academic Affairs Coordinator of the Student Senate (280 Centennial Student Union; phone 389-2611). Note: Students are encouraged to talk to their instructors before beginning this process to attempt to resolve the matter informally.
Review Process. Grade appeals will be reviewed in the following manner.
Step 1. A written petition will be submitted by the student to the instructor of the class. This petition should contain the nature of the problem, relevant information which supports the appeal, and the remedy sought. The student should retain a copy for his/her records. Within two weeks, the instructor will respond to the student in writing. If the student is not satisfied with the response provided by the instructor, he/she may proceed to Step 2. In cases where the departmental chairperson is the faculty member whose grade is being appealed, the student shall proceed to Step 3.
Step 2. A written petition will be submitted by the student to the departmental chairperson with a copy to the instructor. This petition should contain the nature of the problem, a statement that an attempt was made to resolve this issue directly with the instructor, relevant information which supports the appeal, and the remedy sought. The student should retain a copy for his/her records. The student, instructor, and chairperson may meet to discuss the complaint, if necessary. Within two weeks*, the departmental chairperson will respond to the student in writing with a copy to the instructor of the class. If the student is not satisfied with the response provided by the chairperson, he/she may proceed to Step 3.
Step 3. A written petition will be submitted by the student to the dean of the college with a copy to the departmental chairperson and instructor of the class. This petition should contain the nature of the problem, a statement that an attempt was made to resolve this issue directly with both the instructor and the departmental chairperson, all relevant information which supports the appeal, and the remedy sought. The student should retain a copy for his/her records. Copies of all materials presented in this matter shall be forwarded to the dean, upon request, by the chairperson. The dean may convene a college grade appeals committee which shall serve in an advisory capacity to the dean. The manner of appointment and number of members on the College Grade Appeals Committee shall be determined within the college. The chairperson of the College Grade Appeals Committee shall be appointed by the dean. Within two weeks*, the chairperson of the College Grade Appeals Committee will make a recommendation to the dean who will respond to the student in writing of the decision reached, with a copy to the instructor and departmental chairperson. If the student is not satisfied with the response provided by the dean, he/she may proceed to Step 4.
Faculty Right to Appeal. The instructor of the class who is not satisfied with action at either Step 2 or 3 may appeal by submitting a written statement to the dean if the complaint involves the departmental level or Vice President for Academic Affairs if the complaint involves the college level.
Step 4. For undergraduate student complaints, a written petition will be submitted by the student to the Vice President for Academic Affairs with a copy to the instructor of the class, departmental chairperson, and dean. For graduate student complaints, a written statement will be submitted by the student to the Dean of Graduate Studies with a copy to the instructor of the class, departmental chairperson, and dean. The petition should contain the nature of the problem, a statement that an attempt was made to resolve this issue according to Steps 1 through 3, all relevant information which supports the appeal, and the remedy sought. The student should retain a copy for his/her records.
Use of the University Grade Appeals Committee.
During consideration at Step 4, the Vice President for Academic Affairs may convene the University Grade Appeals Committee which shall serve in an advisory capacity. This Committee shall consist of a pre-selected panel comprised of a faculty member from each college selected by the Faculty Association and one student from each college selected by the Mankato Student Senate Association. Faculty serve a two-year term of appointment, and students serve a one-year term. The chair of the committee is determined by the Vice President of Academic Affairs. In order for the University Grade Appeals Committee to review an appeal, two faculty members and two students will be randomly selected by the vice president to serve on the panel in addition to the chair of the committee. For undergraduate students, the chair of the committee shall be the Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs. For appeals involving graduate students, the chair shall be the Dean of Graduate Studies. Panel representatives shall not review grade appeals when the instructor and/or student involved in the case are from their own college. The University Grade Appeals Committee shall have the right to all relevant information and will request all relevant instructor records. For undergraduate student complaints, the chairperson of the University Grade Appeals Committee will respond to the vice president in writing within two weeks*, with a copy each to the instructor, departmental chairperson, student, and dean. For graduate student complaints, the chairperson of the Grade Appeals Committee will respond to the vice president in writing within two weeks*, with a copy to the instructor, chairperson, student, dean of the College, and the dean of the College of Graduate Studies. Both the student and faculty member shall be permitted to make a rebuttal to the written record compiled by the committee. Intent to present a rebuttal should be made in writing within one week of notification* to the Vice President for Academic Affairs. The rebuttal should be presented to the vice president within two weeks* and should provide specific information which addresses the items in objection. The decision of the Vice President for Academic Affairs/Dean of Graduate Studies shall be communicated in writing to the student with copies to the instructor, departmental chairperson, and college dean. This decision is final.
Note: *The time period consists of normal university operating days when classes are held. Under unusual circumstances, deadlines may be extended. If the University representative, at any step, fails to review and/or respond within the time limits provided, the student may proceed to the next step. If the student fails to respond within the time limits provided, the appeal shall be deemed to have been withdrawn.
Adopted March, 1992
The Director of Graduate Studies receives a one course teaching release in order to meet the responsibilities below.
I. The graduate director shall assist students by:
II. The graduate director shall create a folder for each applicant/student. The folder will have an attached checklist with the following items:
III. The graduate director shall assist the Department by:
The Director of Teaching Assistants receives a one-course release in order to meet the responsibilities below:
The Basic Course Director/Communication Lab Director receives a one-course release in order to meet the responsibilities below.
The Director of Forensics is a position covered by the IFO Collective Bargaining Agreement in terms of release time. Below are the expected duties of the Director of Forensics at MSUM.
The Assistant Director of Forensics is a position covered by the IFO Collective Bargaining Agreement in terms of release time. Below are the expected duties of the Assistant Director of Forensics at MSUM.
Approved: 9/25/02
A Regular member of the Graduate Faculty shall hold a terminal degree and engage in ongoing scholarly activity. Scholarly activity shall result in the creation of a scholarly product. A Regular member of the Graduate Faculty shall be expected to generate an average of one scholarly product per year.
I. A scholarly product may consist of, but is not limited to:
*(list adapted from 2001-2003 IFO-MNSCU Master Agreement)
II. Exemption
A full professor may request a review based on her/his production record taken as a whole (e.g., entire academic career instead of just last four years).
III. Exclusions:
The following items shall not be regarded as engaging in ongoing scholarly activity and, thus, are excluded from consideration for Graduate Faculty review.
Adopted: September 2003
No requests for revisions to the department's scheduling of courses will be accepted after the Chair turns over the schedule to the Department Administrative Assistant for paperwork processing.
Adopted: Fall 2005
Process:
All proposals should be submitted to the department chair who will check the schedule for availability to offer the course. The chair will then submit the proposal to the chair of the department's Curriculum Committee (CC). The chair of CC will call a meeting of the CC to review the proposal. The CC reserves the right to request additional information deemed relevant to the proposal. Denial of a proposal either by the department chair or CC chair will be explained in writing. The decisions of the department chair and the CC chair are binding and are not open to appeal.
Please prepare a document which provides the following:
I. Structural Information:
II. Content Justification
III. Content Information: Provide a detailed "map" for the content of the course. Areas to consider addressing include:
IV. Instructor Qualifications: A course is dependent on a number of factors in determining the relative qualifications deemed necessary to teach a course. The CC may take into consideration any instructor qualifications it deems appropriate. Areas to consider addressing include:
Adopted: Spring 2006
The Communication Studies Department shall elect a vice-chair to handle personnel matters involving potential issues of nepotism [to meet compliance with MNCSU policy 4.10 Nepotism]
Adopted: Spring 2006
Graduate students are expected to present their capstone project at the Department Colloquium. However, in extraordinary circumstances a presentation may not be feasible (e.g., a student is working full time off campus during the day, has moved out of state). In such circumstances, the student's advisor may request the Department Colloquium Committee for either an alternative format for the presentation, or waiver of the presentation.
These requirements apply to all written capstone project papers: Theses, Alternate Plan Papers, and Project Option Papers. This document is adapted from the College of Graduate Studies and Research Capstone Project Format and Style Guidelines: http://grad.mnsu.edu/capstone/guidelines.html
The default style manual for the Communication Studies Department is the latest edition of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (APA Manual). This will be the official style manual for qualifying exams. Upon consultation with and approval of the primary capstone project advisor, a student may select to use a different style manual, such as (but not limited to) the latest edition of the Modern Language Association Manual or the latest edition of the Chicago Style Guide.
Note that Minnesota State Mankato margin requirements may vary from those listed in the APA Manual. If a discrepancy regarding margins exists between a specific manual of style and these guidelines, the student should follow the margin placement specified below.
No particular typescript is required. A 12-point print size is recommended, with a clear and easy to read font. The same font and print size must be used throughout the paper, with the exception of appendices. Typing must be on one side of the paper only and double-spaced.
Left margin: 1.5 inches
Right and bottom margins: 1 inch
Top margin-1st page of each chapter: The margin for the beginning of each chapter is 1.5 inches from the top of the page.
Top margin-remaining pages: Page numbers are placed one inch from the top and right, with text beginning a double space below the page number.
Pagination: All pages of the text are numbered, including the references pages and the appendices. Page numbering with Arabic numbers (1, 2, 3, etc.) should begin with the first page of actual text and continue through the end of the paper.
Non-standard characters will be allowed when using certain formulas or equations. If in doubt, please consult the College of Graduate Studies and Research prior to printing the final copy. If inked insertions (symbols, irregular lines, etc.) are necessary, they must be done with india ink or a black, felt tip pen.
Figures are generally drawn to fit on 8½ x11 inch paper. Larger figures may be included if absolutely necessary. Larger figures are folded to measure not more than 7x10 inches, with sufficient margin on the left to allow for binding.
All papers must include a title page and an endorsement (signature) page. The title page of an alternate plan paper, thesis or project option paper shall contain the following information: complete statement of title, student's name, identifying legend ("A [thesis/alternate plan paper/project option paper] submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of [Master of Arts/Fine Arts/Science] at Minnesota State University, Mankato"), location of the University, and month and year of graduation.
Each copy of the final paper shall contain immediately after the title page an endorsement/ acceptance page bearing the date of approval and signatures of the members of the student's examining committee. For alternate plan and project option papers, this page includes the two names of the Communication Studies Department faculty on the committee; for theses, this page includes the two names of the Communication Studies Department faculty and the name of the one outside the department committee member. The names of the faculty members shall be printed below their signature lines. At least one endorsement/acceptance page needs to have the original signatures of the committee. Examples of acceptable title and signature pages are included at Sample of Thesis/APP (196KB PDF--http://grad.mnsu.edu/forms/sampletitlepage.pdf)
All audiovisual or computer generated components of an alternate plan paper or thesis must be described thoroughly in written form and/or archival quality visual form (e.g. photograph, drawing, diagram). The description must be included in the bound alternate plan paper or thesis. The documentation may be included as the body of the text, or in an appendix whichever is more appropriate. The student has the responsibility to consult with library staff regarding the most appropriate form of media and/or its alternative representation to be used.
Include a complete written listing of the program, along with the text explaining the purpose, development, and use of the program.
Include a script and detailed written description of the content of the video/DVD. Include archival stills or drawings or other images that clearly indicate the style, quality, and intent of the video, and preserve key images of the program. Please consult with the library staff for most recent information on required video for preservation and presentation qualities of each.
Photographs and slides should be archival quality placed on 8½ x11 inch paper and bound directly into the alternate plan paper or thesis. Computer-generated images printed on archival quality paper may be used. If color photographs are used, also include black and white archival quality photographs or computer-generated images of the same subjects. Color slides may be used if original slides are inserted in pages of plastic pockets and bound into the alternate plan paper or thesis. Archival quality photographs or computer-generated images of some (or all) the color images should also be included along with a text explaining the work, describing each image and discussing techniques used in producing the images.
A written transcript of the recording may be prepared and submitted as part of the alternate plan paper or thesis. Cassette tapes must be of the highest quality currently available. Music may be submitted on cassette tapes or compact discs. A CD or cassette must be included in a pocket bound into the alternate plan paper or thesis. When the tape or CD is of a music recital, written program notes should accompany the tape/CD.
All copies of the paper must be printed with a laser printer, printed on opaque, white, 20# or 24# paper of at least 25 percent cotton content, with a visible watermark. The submitted copies must contain a visible watermark indicating the paper quality required. The original printed copy may be reproduced or photocopied by other processes if copies are legible, permanent, and on the same kind of paper as the original copy. Copies on standard copier paper will not be accepted.
The paper must be submitted unbound with no punch holes or other mutilations. No corrections with pen or pencil are acceptable.
The original and three copies of the thesis or APP (printed on the type of paper noted above) must be submitted by the due date for the semester the student plans to graduate. Please consult the College of Graduate Studies website (http://grad.mnsu.edu/) for thesis and alternate plan paper due dates. Project Option papers follow APP guidelines.
Following the appropriate examinations and approval of the examining committee:
1. At least four copies of the thesis or Alternate Plan Paper are to be delivered to the College of Graduate Studies office for their review and binding.
2. Check with the Graduate Office for current binding fee costs and deadlines for submitting papers to their office.
3. The payment for binding shall accompany the copies when they are submitted to the Graduate Office.
4. Project Option papers are not required to be submitted to the College of Graduate Studies for binding; however, if students wish to have bound copies (at student expense), they should follow APP guidelines for submission for binding.
All papers are reviewed by the College of Graduate Studies staff where the manuscript is checked to make sure that margins, paper, typing, printing and neatness meet University requirements and that all Graduate College rules and procedures have been followed. Visual quality must meet acceptable standards. The student has the responsibility to carefully proofread and examine all copies of the paper before submitting it to the Graduate Office. All submitted materials must meet the approved manual of style for the student's program. After the examining committee has approved the paper and signed the endorsement/acceptance page, and the Graduate Office staff has ascertained all requirements have been met, the paper will be accepted and approved by the Graduate Dean.
Binding is arranged by the College of Graduate Studies after Instructor/Committee Approval. The College of Graduate Studies will distribute copies as follows: 1) one copy to the University library, 2) one copy to the University archives, 3) one copy to the major advisor, and 4) one copy to be picked up by the student or mailed to the address listed on the Application for Graduation. The College of Graduate Studies cannot be responsible for papers that are lost in the mail or if the address provided is not correct. In order to avoid mailing problems, you may provide a self-addressed mailing label when you submit your final paper. Please notify the College of Graduate Studies if you prefer to pick up your final bound copy rather than having it mailed.
Each thesis is bound in maroon. The alternate plan paper is bound in navy blue.
Examples of previously approved theses and alternate plan papers are available on the shelves of the University Library.
Internal Structure of Theses/Alternate Plan Papers/Project Option Papers
Most theses and alternate plan papers will follow a similar structure, but please note: Students must meet with their advisor and examining committee members to discuss their capstone project. The Examining Committee and advisor have the authority to set internal structure requirements so long as the requirements do not conflict with Minnesota State Mankato capstone project style requirements (described above).
Chapter 1: Introduction and Rationale
This chapter should introduce the topic and provide a rationale for the study of the topic. The rationale usually includes material that indicates the significance of the topic of study.
Chapter 2: Review of Literature
This chapter reviews, summarizes, analyzes and places into context the relevant literature concerning the topic of study.
Chapter 3: Method
This chapter presents the research methodology used for this study. The method chapter usually includes a full description and justification of the method being used.
Chapter 4: Results
This chapter presents the results of the study as well as the author's interpretation of the results
Chapter 5: Conclusion
This chapter presents final discussion and implications for the topic being studied, as well as study limitations and directions for further research.
Chapter 1: Introduction and Rationale
This chapter should introduce the topic and provide a rationale for the study of the topic. The rationale usually includes material that indicates the significance of the topic of study.
Chapter 2: Review of Literature
This chapter reviews, summarizes, analyzes and places into context the relevant literature concerning the topic of study.
Chapter 3: Discussion and Implications
This chapter presents a discussion of the literature, including the implications of the literature reviewed for the topic of the alternate plan paper. This chapter may also include a section that discusses potential uses of the literature in a variety of contexts
Chapter 4: Conclusion
This chapter presents final discussion and implications for the topic being studied, as well as limitations and possibilities for further research or study.
The structure of the Project Option Paper varies greatly depending on the nature of the project. Generally, a Project Option Paper will resemble an Alternate Plan Paper, with chapter 3 describing the completed project.
The Communication Studies Department and its faculty members encourage undergraduate and graduate student participation in state, regional, national and international communication conferences and conventions. The department also understands the financial costs associated with this participation can be significant for students. In order to facilitate this participation, the Department will offer financial assistance for students in the following circumstances and in the following manner:
Students are advised and encouraged to seek additional funding by applying to the Student Senate or conducting fundraising activities.
