T503--Telecommunications Theory

Dr. Potter--Second Semester, 2006-2007

Class Requirements

Email Comments (10% of your final grade):

Each student is expected to submit (by email to the group) comments prior to each class meeting. These comments can be summaries of major points, questions for discussion, points of information/clarification, opinion of the reading in light of other things we have learned in class [or that you have learned in other classes], etc.
You must have your comments submitted by 6pm the night before our class meeting (except on the day of your class presentation--see below--when you are excused).
Use this address to email the entire class: t503_spring_2007_potter@oncourse.iu.edu

Or, click here to launch your email program.

I will provide you with brief responses to these--along with a grade that expresses my assessment of the depth of thought exhibited. Sometimes these will be in time for class; other times I will need to play "catch up." But, I will provide you feedback. I will grade these using the following scale:

4--Outstanding set of comments, showing a thorough reading of the assigned articles and informed scholarly wrestling with the ideas expressed by the theory,
3--An above average set of comments that show you have read the assigned articles and thought about their meaning,
2--An average set of comments that indicate you read the assigned articles prior to class.

I encourage you to have fun with these. Beyond worrying about your grade on this course requirement, I hope that you read and respond to the comments of your classmates--perhaps we could begin an online dialogue about the theories. Plus, at the end of the semester you will have something in writing to help you remember the things we have read.

Class Presentation on Major Theories (30%)

Each student will be expected to choose one of the theories scheduled for the course and read articles (beyond those assigned in the syllabus) and PRESENT what you have learned to the class on the day that your particular theory is scheduled. You will also be responsible for leading the discussion of the theory that day, so you should plan on reading the emailed comments of your classmates and be prepared to respond to them in class.
The goals here are to let you read more about a theory that interests you AND to give you practice in leading a graduate course--something you all will likely be expected to do some day! You should feel free to meet with me prior to your presentation to make sure you are on the right track when it comes to interpreting your theory. I will provide you with feedback of your presentation in writing so you can improve your skills along these lines

Final determination of who has what theories will be completed on January 31. If there is a theory that you are really interested in, claim it early by emailing the list.

Theory Paper (30%):

By the end of the semester you will write a substantial paper (>15 pages, but < 30, not including references) on one of the theories covered in the course. You are not required to write on the theory you present in class...although you may want to.

The final paper is due at the beginning of class on April 23. No late papers will be accepted.

Incompletes will not be given in T503 except for extreme circumstances.

There will be checkpoints along the way, however.
Feb. 28--Annotated bibliographies due
March 28--Paper Drafts due
April 23--Final papers due

More details will be forthcoming about each of these requirements.
Although you will not receive graded feedback on your bibliographies and draft--your final paper grade will be based upon your performance at each stage.

Exams (30%):

There will be two of them. The first will be done during class time. You may handwrite it, use a laptop, or excuse yourself to the Information Commons in the Wells Library. Questions will be designed to simulate the types of questions I would ask during a comprehensive exam. The only difference is, for this exam you may use your notes, readings, etc. during the exam period. The second exam will be a take home at the end of the semester. It will be due at the end of the class final exam period.

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