Course Syllabus, IN140

Portfolio
Instructor information (name, contact info, office hours) and calendar due dates are available on
eCourses, our Learning Management System (LMS) http://lms.mediainstitute.edu/.

Course Description:
Portfolio class provides you with an opportunity for an individualized educational experience under the
direction of an MMI faculty member from your program area. Most students use the course to develop a
project worthy of their portfolio. Students will construct a professional portfolio that they can utilize to gain
employment upon graduation. The portfolio will consist of both an electronic version and a online
component.

Course Learning Objectives:

This course is designed to provide each student with the opportunity to:
• Ability to construct and complete a capstone project
• Be able to critique your work and work of your peers
• Identify effect visual and storytelling techniques
• Collaborate with other students to produce a final product
• Establish effect communicative skills both personally and through media
• Analyze best practices in portfolio presentations
• Realize the importance of a highly effective demo reel

Required Materials:
Students are required to bring their texts and note-taking materials to all lectures.
• Paper, pen or pencil
• iPad
• Hard-drive

Suggested Materials:
• The eLibrary provides access to a number of online research databases.
• ProQuest and BadgerLink help you find articles. The eLibrary is available on eCourses:
http://lms.mediainstitute.edu
• A variety of other resources are available in the Learning Resource Center (LRC) in Building B

Grading Criteria:
The student will complete exercises, projects, and evaluative test required to the satisfaction of the
instructor. Graded exercises, projects, and tests will be evaluated on the following point system:

50 points 2 Project Proposals

150 points Weekly Reports-15weeks
200 points Capstone Project
50 points Project Presentation
200 points Portfolio

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50 points Resume

Professional Expectations:
Professionalism is expected in all classes as well as the workplace. Professionalism includes good
attitude, proper hygiene, dress, manners and interaction with staff and colleagues.

1. Students are expected to conduct themselves in an adult manner and be respectful of differing
points of view. Throughout your college experience many subjects will be presented and
discussed in class, some of which may be sensitive.
2. The students and instructors are entitled to respect. All comments and critiques are expected to
be respectful and constructive. Disruptive, inflammatory and/or disrespectful conduct of any
nature is unacceptable.
3. This is a shared workspace. Do not bring food and drink into the classroom environment.
4. Please be on time. Being prompt is a reflection of being a professional; coming late disrupts the
entire class. Instructors will not be expected to repeat material for those who arrive late. Students
who miss class are responsible for reviewing all material missed.
5. Student’s grades include participation. Participation includes being in class, interacting in class
discussions and in group projects. Students are responsible for 100% of the material offered in
the course.
6. The students are expected to turn homework in on the due date as noted in the syllabus.
7. The students are expected to log into MMI online resources regularly, minimum once each day.
8. Students are expected to ask for help whenever they encounter a question or problem. MMI staff
and faculty are here to support you through your college experience.
9. When students are in class, they are expected to focus on the material being presented and/or
discussed. Therefore only professional and appropriate use of cell phones, IPads and laptops is
exceptable. Personal use of the devices is not acceptable in class and students who are deemed
disruptive by the instructor will be asked to leave.

Grading Policy:
The grading policy equates letter grades to a point system as explained below:

Letter Grade=Grade Points

A = 4.0 Excellent
B = 3.0 Good
C = 2.0 Average
D = 1.0 Below Average
F = 0.0 Failed
W = 0.0 Withdrew*
WA = 0.0 Withdrew, Attempted*
AU = 0.0 Audit*
TR = 0.0 Transfer*

* not part of GPA

Students can check on their grades throughout each term via the MMI website. Reports are compiled
from tests, quizzes, assignments, and projects. The total grade points earned will be determined by

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multiplying the grade points times the number of vocational credits allowed for that course. A cumulative
GPA* will be determined by dividing the total degree credits taken into the total grade points earned.

If a course is retaken, the highest grade will be used in calculating the grade point average.

Official and Unofficial Withdrawal:

Students may officially withdraw from school by delivering written notice of their intent to withdraw to the
school’s Registrar by email, U.S. mail, or in person. The school will determine a student’s unofficial notice
of withdrawal to have occurred when they miss 14 consecutive days of their scheduled academic
program. If a student does not communicate their intent to return to classes during a 14 consecutive day
absence, they will be withdrawn from school. If a student officially or unofficially withdraws from school
before week nine of the semester, they will receive a WA as their final grade in all of the courses for the
semester. All withdrawals after week nine of the term will receive an A, B, C, D, or F grade as determined
by the relevant course instructors.

Attendance Policy:
Attendance and punctuality are outward signs of respect to an instructor and one’s peers, and of a
student’s own commitment to his or her career. For this reason, attendance is taken daily in all classes at
Minneapolis Media Institute and made a part of the student’s permanent record. Students are expected to
attend every meeting of every class in which they are enrolled.

Students are asked to make an effort not to schedule outside appointments that conflict with their
academic program. Frequent or prolonged absences are likely to result in the failure of a course.

A student will be marked present if he or she attends any portion of a scheduled class session. Classes
range from one to eight hours long. Minneapolis Media Institute does not distinguish between types of
absences (excused / unexcused). All absences are treated the same. Makeup work is at the discretion of
our instructors.

Assignment Policy:
Assignments are due by the posted deadline. The student may contact the instructor before the deadline
to request a reasonable accommodation due to extenuating circumstances. If a student must be absent
on a test day, the student must contact the instructor in advance to confirm alternate arrangements.

Academic Honesty:
Honesty and integrity are essential to student success in a chosen profession. Moreover, every student
must master a threshold level of knowledge before he or she will be permitted to graduate. That
knowledge is based upon understanding the material taught in the classroom, online, or in a lab, and
upon successful completion of assignments and projects. Grading is designed to assist an instructor in
determining whether a student is performing at the appropriate level. Students who cannot meet the
threshold performance standard may require additional assistance; grades assist the school in identifying
individuals in need of such assistance. To the extent that academic dishonesty prevents the accurate
measurement of a student’s grasp of material, it deprives the student of access to resources that may
help the student master material essential to his or her success.

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In order to ensure that the school may effectively serve all of its students, faculty and employers, it is
essential that students are aware of the Academic Honesty Policy:

Plagiarism:
To plagiarize is to use the ideas and/or words of another without properly identifying and giving credit to
the source. If a student uses another’s work as if it were his or her own, the student neither learns the
necessary information or skill set that he or she must master in order to be effective in his or her field, but
also damages the morale of his or her peers. Plagiarism includes copying or paraphrasing ideas,
phrases, statements, papers or other information without proper citation.
• The definition of plagiarism does not vary according to the source of the material. The original
source could be a published item, such as a book, article, website, lyrics or movie; or it could be
an unpublished item such as another student’s work, or an instructor’s notes.
• Plagiarism will not be tolerated, and anyone who engages in plagiarism will be subject to
immediate discipline as outlined below.
• If the violation is the first instance or allegation of academic dishonesty, the student will receive
an “F” on that assignment.
• If a student engages in any additional academic dishonesty, whether of the same or different
nature, the student will receive an “F” for the courses and enrollment in the school may be
terminated.

Please refer to the school catalog for more information on termination of enrollment and appeals.

Tests/Quizzes/Exams/Written Projects
“Cheating” is defined as the act of using any source of information or information processing (other than
the student’s own knowledge or other source deemed acceptable by the instructor) during a test, quiz,
exam, or written project.

• Students may not assist one another on a test, quiz, exam, or written project, unless allowed by
the instructor
• Any student who is suspected of cheating or assisting another to cheat will be subject to the
discipline outlined below.
• If the violation is the first instance or allegation of academic dishonesty, the student will receive
an “F” on that assignment.
• If a student engages in any additional academic dishonesty, whether of the same or different
nature, the student will receive an “F” for the course and enrolment in the school will be
terminated.

Please refer to the school catalog for more information on termination of enrollment and appeals.

Collaboration Among Students

Students must present original work at all times. While we encourage students to form study groups and
assist each other in learning course material, all homework, projects, quizzes, tests, research papers and
all assignments of any kind must be completed independently by each student, unless otherwise stated
by the instructor. If a student turns in work that an instructor believes is the same as, or is substantially
similar to, the work turned in by another student, both students will be subject to immediate discipline.

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MMI will not distinguish between the student who knowingly provides the materials to be copied and the
student who copies the materials. Both will be subject to the same disciplinary process outlined above.

Conduct:
MMI expects mature behavior from all of our students and will not allow actions that are detrimental to the
rights of others. A student may be dismissed for any form of disruptive or offensive behavior on school
property including insubordination, dishonesty, or other acts generally interpreted to be unacceptable in
an educational environment. In addition, drug or alcohol use on school premises or at any school
sponsored function is prohibited. A dismissed student has the right to appeal the dismissal through a
written letter to the president.

Student Complaints and Grievances:

Schools accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges must have a
procedure and operational plan for handling students’ complaints. Students with a complaint may submit
their grievance in writing to the school’s campus director. Anonymous complaints are not acted upon. The
school president will investigate all complaints that fall within the domain of the school and a written
response will be provided to the complainant within 10 working days. A record of all prior complaints will
be kept on file at the school.

All complaints considered by the Commission must be in written form, with permission from the
complainant(s) for the Commission to forward a copy of the complaint to the school for response. The
Commission will keep the complainant(s) informed as to the status of the complaint as well as to the final
resolution. A copy of the Commission’s complaint form is available at the school and may be obtained by
contacting the campus director. Please direct all inquiries to the national accrediting agency or to the
state organization that oversees private post-secondary education in the State of Wisconsin.

Students who believe their complaint has not been satisfactorily resolved may submit it at the national
level to the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges, or at the state level to the
Wisconsin Education Approval Board.

National Accrediting Agency

Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges
2101 West Wilson Boulevard, Suite 302
Arlington, VA 22201
(703) 247-4212
www.accsc.org

State Organization
Wisconsin Education Approval Board
201 W. Washington Avenue, 3rd Floor
P.O. Box 8696
Madison, WI 53708-8696
http://eab.state.wi.us/

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Accommodations:
The purpose of our Accommodation Services is to provide assistance to students with diagnosed
disabilities to maximize their academic potential, and to minimize various physical and attitudinal barriers.
Accommodation Services will gladly discuss your situation with you, and offer advice on how to ensure
that your needs are met. Make an appointment with Student Services to discuss your needs.

Contacting Instructors:
Students are encouraged to contact instructors before or after class, during office hours, or during any
free time that works for both parties. Students can always send an email about any questions or concerns
related to this class at any time. Any requests for special consideration, such as unavoidable absences,
must be made in advance and by email. If a student has an emergency that prevents them from
attending class at the last minute, they must email the instructor before class and explain the situation.
If a student cannot make it to class for any reason, email the instructor. Please allow instructors up to
24 hours to respond.

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Course Outline
The following outline is a session and project breakdown for this course. This outline is subject to change
at the instructor’s discretion. Students will be informed of changes via announcements to the class and
updates on eCourses.

Session Topics Readings Projects Given Projects Due

01
Class Overview Portfolio Proposal

Review Past Capstone Project

Portfolios Proposal

02
Discuss Weekly Portfolio Project
Report
Critique Professional
Demo Reels

03
Discuss Weekly Weekly Report Capstone Project
Report Proposal Due
Resume Portfolio Proposal Due

04
Individual Meetings Weekly Report Weekly Report
Discuss Progress
Critique Work Capstone Project

05
Individual Meetings Weekly Report Weekly Report
Discuss Progress
Critique Work Resume

06
Individual Meetings Weekly Report Weekly Report
Discuss Progress
Critique Work

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Session Topics Readings Projects Given Projects Due

07
Individual Meetings Weekly Report Weekly Report
Discuss Progress
Critique Work

08
Individual Meetings Weekly Report Weekly Report
Discuss Progress
Critique Work

09
Individual Meetings Weekly Report Weekly Report
Discuss Progress
Critique Work

10
Individual Meetings Weekly Report Weekly Report
Discuss Progress
Critique Work

11
Individual Meetings Weekly Report Weekly Report
Discuss Progress
Critique Work

12
Individual Meetings Weekly Report Weekly Report
Discuss Progress
Critique Work

13
Portfolio Weekly Report Weekly Report
Presentations
Portfolio Project

Presentation

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Session Topics Readings Projects Given Projects Due

14
Individual Meetings Weekly Report Weekly Report
Discuss Progress
Critique Work

15
Capstone Project Weekly Report Weekly Report
Review
Capstone Project

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