2008 Woodie Awards
COM Studies to facilitate easier registration
Stephanie Karampelas
Issue date: 11/20/08 Section: News
Due to the overwhelming capacity of students majoring in Communication Studies, a familiar situation resides every year during registration for classes. Students line the office walls to plea their case to an adviser, while others are cemented in front of their computers, repeatedly refreshing the screen in hopes of getting into the class of their choice.
With about 550 pre-majors and majors and only 19 full-time faculty members, the department faces a challenge in accommodating students' needs. The difficulties that pre-majors have registering for gateway classes have not only caught the attention of faculty, but they have implemented a significant adjustment.
Beginning in spring 2009, the department will open up a double section of research methods, a 200-level course that is a gateway to all upper-level courses and internships within the major. Dr. Richard Olsen, the department chair and professor of research methods for the past 10 years, will teach the class. Considering that roughly 35 percent of the course is group work, concerns have been raised as to how Olsen will modify the curriculum and his technique.
"I have to hope that the urgency of the class will keep everyone on their best behavior," Olsen said.
This urgency is felt by pre-Communication Studies student Donald Funkhouser, a sophomore whose entry would be delayed prior to the decision to open a double section of the course.
"The fact that there is a double section has benefited my collegiate plans greatly. My expected early graduation date would be delayed because I would need to stay an extra semester to satisfy the requirements for the major," Funkhouser said.
Funkhouser does not feel that the size of the class will affect the quality of research methods or his ability to learn the material. Since most of the work stems from external projects and research, it makes sense to open it up to more students.
With a tight budget and specific critera, there is no prospect of hiring new professors any time soon, but the members of the committee for gateway courses plan on meeting to address these issues in the near future.
Olsen urges students to look carefully at the website, because there truly is a flow to the major, and now with the double section of research methods, Communication Studies majors will be able to stay on track.
With about 550 pre-majors and majors and only 19 full-time faculty members, the department faces a challenge in accommodating students' needs. The difficulties that pre-majors have registering for gateway classes have not only caught the attention of faculty, but they have implemented a significant adjustment.
Beginning in spring 2009, the department will open up a double section of research methods, a 200-level course that is a gateway to all upper-level courses and internships within the major. Dr. Richard Olsen, the department chair and professor of research methods for the past 10 years, will teach the class. Considering that roughly 35 percent of the course is group work, concerns have been raised as to how Olsen will modify the curriculum and his technique.
"I have to hope that the urgency of the class will keep everyone on their best behavior," Olsen said.
This urgency is felt by pre-Communication Studies student Donald Funkhouser, a sophomore whose entry would be delayed prior to the decision to open a double section of the course.
"The fact that there is a double section has benefited my collegiate plans greatly. My expected early graduation date would be delayed because I would need to stay an extra semester to satisfy the requirements for the major," Funkhouser said.
Funkhouser does not feel that the size of the class will affect the quality of research methods or his ability to learn the material. Since most of the work stems from external projects and research, it makes sense to open it up to more students.
With a tight budget and specific critera, there is no prospect of hiring new professors any time soon, but the members of the committee for gateway courses plan on meeting to address these issues in the near future.
Olsen urges students to look carefully at the website, because there truly is a flow to the major, and now with the double section of research methods, Communication Studies majors will be able to stay on track.
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