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MA CANDIDATES’ CAPSTONE PORTFOLIO AND PRESENTATION

MASTER OF ARTS IN ENGLISH EDUCTION

UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT PEMBROKE

The candidate for the Master of Arts in English Education affirms the richness of language and literature produced by diverse groups; as a result of core courses and electives within a chosen emphasis--literature or literacy, the candidate has expanded personal, intellectual, and professional horizons. The culminating product of this learning in the program is the candidate’s CAPSTONE PORTFOLIO AND PRESENTATION.

THE PORTFOLIO is comprised of two related parts:

The Statement of Philosophy synthesizes and demonstrates the candidate’s growth in a chosen area of emphasis—literature or literacy—and her/his attainment of program Goals and Objectives in

1. Research,
2. Content Knowledge,
3. Professional Reflection, Development or Leadership, and, as applicable,
4. Instructional Expertise, and 5. Knowledge of Learners and Learning

Although the Statement of Philosophy is submitted when the candidate completes the degree, composition of this statement is reflective and recursive, a process that begins upon admission to the program in conference with the program director when the candidate candidly assesses his/her knowledge and skills. While taking course work, the candidate identifies growth in the area of his/her chosen emphasis; the candidate recognizes how language and literature are the products of diversity in race, gender, ethnicity, geographical, chronological, and/or historical periods. At mid-point in progress toward the degree, the candidate confers again with the program director to identify newly acquired indicators of proficiency and an evolving philosophy. The result of this program-long process is the final product, the Statement of Philosophy, an argumentative essay of at least ten pages (exclusive of its separate Works Cited page that conforms to MLA style) in which the candidate

• synthesizes learning and advanced knowledge in his/her chosen emphasis;
• situates this position on literature or literacy among those of major scholars whose work is referenced in primary sources;
• introduces artifacts that indicate and support the theoretical positions expressed;
• demonstrates advanced skills as a writer through depth of thought; coherent development and organization; meticulous editing, proofreading, and adherence to the conventions of documentation.

The Artifacts demonstrate the application of the candidate’s philosophy, acquisition of learning, and attainment of program Goals and Objectives. Between five and seven artifacts are submitted as a result of judicious selection from among the candidate’s course products (such as various drafts of papers; graded tests; PowerPoint presentations; annotated bibliographies; action, literary, or theoretical research; materials developed in fulfillment of core course requirements, etc.). The artifacts selected must include at least one graded research paper, solely authored by the candidate. Candidates whose professional aspirations include teaching will submit, as another artifact, one assignment demonstrating knowledge of diverse learners, such as, for example, the Core Course Assignment on Students with Exceptionalities (CASE) Annotated Bibliography. The candidate will distinguish between items found and annotated independently versus found and annotated collaboratively. At least half the items of bibliography should be the product of independent work.

Quality and purpose of artifacts that clearly indicate attainment of program goals and illustrate the candidate’s philosophy are far more compelling than mere quantity of artifacts. Therefore, a Caption (approximately 500 words in length) precedes each artifact explaining how it illustrates the candidate’s philosophy within the chosen emphasis and the attainment of Master’s program goals.

The Portfolio’s contents will be assembled in the following order:

• Table of Contents listing each artifact
• Program Goals and Objectives
• The Statement of Philosophy
• Five to Seven Artifacts, each preceded by its own Caption
• A Curriculum Vitae providing the candidate’s credentials and work history.

THE PRESENTATION

The Presentation gives the candidate an opportunity to present him/herself as a professional to other professionals in the discipline of literacy or literature. In a twenty-minute presentation, the candidate will select, focus, and elaborate upon a particular facet of the Statement of Philosophy, thus demonstrating particular strengths, expertise, and mastery of content. This Presentation takes place before the panel of three graduate faculty members. Other members of the graduate faculty and guests invited by the candidate may also attend.

The candidate’s presentation will

• adhere to the twenty-minute time frame;
• use visual aids such as PowerPoint, transparencies, a web-site, and/or handouts to enhance the delivery of information (not merely to outline the points being made).

The candidate will then, for about twenty additional minutes, respond to questions posed by the panel and elaborate upon points brought up in the presentation and the portfolio. A candidate will be asked, for example, to provide additional support for points, clarify information about a position or theorist, indicate plans for growth beyond the MA degree, etc.

Scheduling the Capstone Portfolio and Presentation

• The Capstone experience takes place during the fall or spring semester when the candidate plans to graduate.
• During the first week of that semester, the candidate attends a required meeting with the program director to schedule submission of the Portfolio as well as four additional copies of the philosophy statement and the table of contents and to schedule the presentation.
• Should, after this meeting, the candidate foresee that he/she must reschedule the Capstone, the program director must be so informed in writing at least one week in advance of the deadline for submitting the portfolio and additional documents. Failure to make such timely request for rescheduling will be calculated as a failed attempt at the Capstone (as consistent with School of Graduate Studies policies).
• The candidate will submit, on or before the deadline, the Portfolio and additional documents to the Program Director who will distribute them among other members of the panel.
• The presentation will occur on the scheduled date, one week after the submission of the Portfolio.

Evaluation of the Capstone Portfolio and Presentation

The panel will evaluate the Portfolio (the Statement of Philosophy and the Artifacts) and the Presentation (and response to questions) to determine whether this final course product indicates

• Proficiency = P (2), thus completing degree requirements.
• Deficiency (1), failing to indicate attainment of one or more Standard. Consistent with School of Graduate Studies policies, candidates have the right to attempt the Capstone experience a second time during a subsequent semester. If scheduling permits, the grade for the Capstone may be withheld if only one area of the Portfolio or Presentation is lacking and if revision of that area would enable the entire Capstone Portfolio and Presentation to earn a P before the end of the semester.
• Excellence (3), superior attainment of all program Goals and Objectives.

A “P” (proficient) Capstone Portfolio and Presentation meets the final requirement for the degree.

Rubric

Panel members will use the Goals and Objectives to judge the Capstone Portfolio and Presentation. Additionally, panel members may provide narrative comments to supplement their judgments of the candidate’s

• indicators that Goals and Objectives have been met;
• synthesis of program course work;
• attainment of expertise within his/her chosen emphasis;
• advanced, effective communication skills, specifically in the area of Standard Written and Spoken English, research, and technology;
• professional demeanor, as evidenced through eye contact, appropriate gestures, adequate volume, neatness, etc.

Further suggestions for preparing for the Capstone

Do not hesitate to ask questions of your professors and the program director. Discuss the capstone with other candidates. Practice giving the presentation before an audience. Dr. Kay McClanahan kay.mcclanahan@uncp.edu can help you polish your presentation, and Dr. Roger Ladd roger.ladd@uncp.edu can review your portfolio and philosophy statement. If you wish to solicit help from these graduate faculty members, contact them sufficiently in advance of submitting the portfolio.

Your Capstone Portfolio and Presentation is your moment to shine!

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