Academic Skills 3 Session 2 Study Notes

Greeting from Komatsu, Faculty of Media Expression at Kyomu City.
Beginning of the dissemination for Academic Skills 3, session 2.
Focus on the overview of graduation projects and theses that students will engage with in the next academic year.
Emphasis on the importance of this session, as it relates to evaluation criteria.

The rationale behind undertaking graduation projects and theses is elucidated with three primary objectives:
- Objective 1: Theme Identification
- Aim to identify a personal theme as a culmination of university learning.
- Objective 2: Planning and Execution
- Develop capabilities to consider what is necessary to realize the theme, cultivate the ability to plan items adequately and execute them effectively.
- Objective 3: Communication Skills
- Build the ability to express thoughts and creations clearly to others.
The enhancement of three skills: independence in theme setting, capabilities in planned execution, and proficiency in expression leads to high-quality, convincing, and persuasive communication.

Evaluation will be based on clear standards that reflect the skills graduates should acquire, termed as the diploma policy (ディプロマシーポリシー).
There are five diploma policies (DP1 to DP5) outlined:
- DP1: Foundational Knowledge
- Involves the basic knowledge and understanding of media and information technology, primarily acquired during the first year and forms the foundation of learning.
- DP2: Creativity
- The ability to creatively address challenges without clear answers. This involves clarifying what the issues are and how one might approach them—specifically related to theme setting for individual projects.
- DP3: Professional Skills
- Involves the acquisition and application of specialized knowledge and skills necessary for the expression and output of work. Skills to be honed may vary by department or seminar.
- DP4: Collaborative Ability
- The capacity for problem-solving in collaboration with diverse others. This may involve working in groups during seminars or engaging with external groups to develop solutions collaboratively.
- DP5: Social Contribution
- The willingness to apply learning to tackle societal challenges. The complexity of this task arises from the less direct correlation between the produced work and immediate societal impact. It is essential to articulate one's stance toward social engagement.

Evaluation is not concluded with project submission; a presentation and Q&A session will follow.
The evaluation committee will consist of the main examiners (ゼミの先生) and an associate examiner (副査) from a connected field.
Key phases in the timeline:
- April of Year 4: Seminars commence, leading up to the submission of project proposals and an intermediary report meeting.
- January: Final submission and evaluation conference conducted.
- February: Graduation exhibition showcasing accumulated work and outcomes.
The October Mid-Term Report Meeting serves as a significant milestone, determining the direction and quality of the project.

All projects must be original and suitable for public presentation at the graduation exhibit.
Collaborations are permissible, but the roles and responsibilities of team members must be clearly defined during the planning phase.
Projects can range widely in format, encompassing tangible objects, video, games, music, and event planning.
Production Notebook Submission:
- A significant component of evaluation, requiring a minimum of 4000 words detailing the rationale, significance, and procedural insights of the project.
- The notebook is integral to the project and must showcase individual members' accountability.

Minimum of 20,000 words (including figures and references) as a direct requirement.
The thesis must follow a logical structure, not merely be lengthy, focusing on a profound theme of analysis.
Potential themes could include the analysis of media within industrial, cultural, or social contexts, and specific case studies.
For detailed guidance, participation in a previous thesis workshop is strongly encouraged.

A call to action for students to draft a planning document, essential for the upcoming junior presentation event scheduled for January 27-28.
The objective is to learn project planning, research methodologies, and realistic schedule management.
Effectively, a comprehensive document showcasing:
- Purpose: Clear articulation of what is to be achieved and its social significance.
- Overview: Detailed descriptions of intended form and content.
- Precedent Examples: Analysis of similar works or research is critical to establishing originality.
- Research Status: Identification of necessary investigations and the tasks to be undertaken.
- Schedule: A realistic timeline segmented into manageable blocks leading up to the presentation.
Each section should balance detail with feasibility, avoiding idealistic or exaggerated projections.

Document to be titled in 40 characters or less, including the five required sections, with an overall length of 800 to 1200 words.
Submission through a designated Google Form, with content needing prior approval from the seminar instructor.
Submission Deadline: November 25 at 11:59 PM, with strong emphasis on early feedback…
- Recommend checking in with the instructor at least one week prior to the deadline, ensuring adequate processing time for revisions.

A reminder to review evaluation rubrics provided in the class portal, which reflects the detailed grading scale (0-4 points).
Rubrics provide insight into the expectations for each diplomas policy.
Encouragement to contact the instructor with any questions, whether by email or directly.
Participation in discussions and submission of assigned questions through the portal is required.