This assignment should be as long as it needs to be (typed and double spaced) and is due by the last regularly scheduled class. Use APA or any other appropriate style manual and be sure to use citations to support your claims where appropriate. Please refer to my Guidelines for Graduate Writing and to the Basic Grading Rubric for Final Projects for information relevant to your work.

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     Your final project is involves the application of concepts, principles, and ideas from class and the readings to a real-world event. The key to doing well is to demonstrate that you know where, when, why, and how to apply the knowledge from this class to your own life. The following are the options for the final project:

Option A: Protocol Event Analysis

     A protocol is an accurate record of a real world event. Your communications protocol is to be an accurate record or representation of a communications event. The object of this assignment is to have you script a real-world interpersonal communication event such that it is as accurate as possible and then to critically examine the event from an informed standpoint using knowledge from the class and the readings. The concept of protocol for the purposes of this class will be considered broadly in that there need not be a word-for-word script of the communication.
     The Protocol Event Analysis is very much like a journal entry only it goes much broader and deeper in its explication and critique and it involves a specific communication exchange between you and another person. You may think of it as a large version of a journal entry. The analysis is where you detail the nature and content of the communications event such that it is explained using the concepts, knowledge and language of this course.
     In other words, you will analyze the information, attitude, process, and effect of the conversation from the standpoint of an objective, scholarly observer who is well versed in the nature of the problems and issues of interpersonal communications. Refer to the syllabus for course topics that will become your unit(s) of analysis. Also, please feel free to discuss your ideas for analysis with me ahead of time.

Option B: Personal Reflection Analysis

     The personal reflection analysis involves your taking an event, a person, or a period from your life and analyzing it using the concepts, principles, and ideas from this class. This option differs from Option A in that it deals with a broader scope that a single, specific communication event. The primary focus of this option should be to identify and analyze an experience that transformed you and changed your life significantly.

Option C: Choose Your Own

     You may choose to do a particular analysis that does not fit into the options above. I have had a number of students in this class do unique final projects that were outstanding. If you wish to do this third option, please see me for discussion and approval of what you are wishing to do. The only reason you need my approval is that I want to be certain that it is something that will allow you to use the concepts, principles, and ideas from this class. I just want to make sure that it is doable so that you don't bomb the project.