CMST 4899 - Senior Project
Fall 2026 Syllabus, Section 01, CRN 42782,
Credit hours: 3
Course Meeting Times
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Instructor
Dorian Mermer
Email: dlmermer@ysu.edu
Course Description
4899. Senior Project. Synthesis of research, writing, and presentation skills through the completion of a communication research project and professional development activity. Repeatable to a maximum of 6 s.h. Prereq.: Senior standing, major in Communication Studies, 24 s.h. of communication studies major complete, including CMST 3700 or CMST 3799. Grading is Traditional/PR. 3 s.h.
Course Readings
| Group | Title | Author | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|
| Required | Comm Showcase | BYU - Idaho | https://commshowcase.com/ |
| Required | Communication Theory | Communication Theory.org | https://www.communicationtheory.org/list-of-theories/ |
| Required | Research Guides Quantitative Research | USC Libraries | https://libguides.usc.edu/writingguide/quantitative |
| Required | Research Guides Qualitative Research | USC Libraries | https://libguides.usc.edu/writingguide/qualitative |
| Required | APA Style Guidelines | APA Style | https://apastyle.apa.org/style-grammar-guidelines |
All course materials are found in Blackboard and are free.
The course readings are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, research developments, current events, and/or to ensure better learning.
Assignments/Assessments
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Schedule of Topics and Assignments
| Week of | Reading(s) | Proposed Topic | Due/To Prepare for Class |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8/24 | Review Paper/Project Requirements, project ideas link and communication theory supplemental information in folders. | Introduction to course and syllabus. Determine your path. Brainstorm theories and concepts for your paper/project pitch. Meet in class. | Determine your path (paper vs. project) in class by Aug. 26. Link your path to theories and concepts in class by Aug. 28. |
| 8/31 | Paper/Project pitch. | Paper/project pitch. Meet in class. | Deliver your paper/project concept pitches in class on Aug. 31 or Sept. 2. Work on final concept proposal on Sept. 4. |
| 9/7 | Review how to find sources and APA formatting in folders. | Conducting research for paper/project sources. Reviewing APA formatting. Meet in class. | Submit your final concept proposal into Blackboard by Sept. 13, 11:59 PM. |
| 9/14 | Final paper/project concept presentations. | Deliver final paper/project concept presentations. Meet in class. | Present your final paper/project concept in class on Sept. 14. Work on paper/project from Sept. 16 – 18. |
| 9/21 | Work on paper/project. | Work on paper/project. | Work on paper/project from Sept. 21- 25. |
| 9/28 | Read LinkedIn Portfolio requirements in folder. | LinkedIn Portfolio requirement. Meet in class. The Writing Center. | Meet with The Writing Center and have them review your first half of your paper/project from Sept. 28 – Oct 2. Work on paper/project from Sept. 28 – Oct 2. Work on LinkedIn portfolio from Sept. 28 – Oct 2. Upload your Writing Center documentation into Blackboard by Oct. 4, 11:59 PM. |
| 10/5 | Individual meetings to review first half of paper/project.. | Individual meetings to review first half of paper/project.. | Submit your first half paper/project (title page, introduction, literature review, and method sections) into Blackboard by Oct. 11, 11:59 PM.r/project prior to submission. |
| 10/12 | Work on paper/project. | Work on paper/project. | Work on paper/project from Oct. 12 – 16. |
| 10/19 | Meet with Career services (day to be determined). Work on paper/project. | Career services (day to be determined. Meet in class. Work on paper/project. | Meet with Career services in class (day to be determined). Work on paper/project from Oct. 19 – 23. |
| 10/26 | Work on paper/project. | Work on paper/project. | Work on paper/project from Oct. 26 – 30. |
| 11/2 | Work on LinkedIn portfolios. | Work on LinkedIn portfolios. | Email your LinkedIn URL to your partner by Nov. 4 (start of class). Submit your LinkedIn Peer Critique into Blackboard by Nov. 8, 11:59 PM. Email Peer Critique to your partner when completed. |
| 11/9 | Work on your paper/project. Meet with The Writing Center. | Work on your paper/project. Meet with The Writing Center. | Work on paper/project from Nov. 9 – 13. Meet with The Writing Center and have them review your final, complete paper/project from Nov. 9 - 13. Upload your Writing Center documentation into Blackboard by Nov. 15, 11:59 PM. |
| 11/16 | Individual meeting to review final, complete paper/project. | Individual meeting to review final, complete paper/project. | Work on paper/project from Nov. 17 – 20. Submit your final, complete paper/project into Blackboard by Nov. 22, 11:59 PM. |
| 11/23 | Review the paper/project presentation requirements in folder. | Discuss the paper/project presentation requirements. Meet in class. | Prepare and practice your paper/project presentation from Nov. 23 - 27. |
| 11/30 | Paper/project presentation and outline. | Paper/project presentation and outlines. Meet in class. | Deliver your paper/project presentation and outline in class from Nov. 30 – Dec. 4. |
| 12/7 | Submit your final LinkedIn portfolio URL into Blackboard by Dec. 9, 12:30 PM (your scheduled final exam time). |
The course schedule, policies, procedures, and assignments in this course are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, by mutual agreement, and/or to ensure better learning.