Students who approach their studies in a systematic and organized manner are more likely to complete the course successfully than are those who do not plan a course of action for themselves. Attempt to follow a study schedule. This strategy will help you budget your time and monitor your progress.

The following schedule is suggested to help you organize your activities and complete the course in about sixteen weeks, a time frame more in line with that of similar courses in traditional institutions. As you complete each activity, check it off on the table so that you can see that it is done, and can monitor the progress you are making in the course. You may, of course, proceed more quickly, or more slowly, than is suggested by this study schedule, provided that you complete the course within six months of your start date.

Note: Students receiving financial assistance may face more rigorous time constraints. Please check your course registration for any restrictions on the length of registration, and be prepared to adjust your schedule.

Week Activity
1 Read the Student Manual carefully, and look over the other course materials.
  Call your tutor if he or she has not already called you.
  Begin Unit 1.
2 Complete Unit 1.
3 Complete Unit 2.
  Select the topic you wish to pursue in the first essay assignment, and start your research.
4 Complete Unit 3. Continue your research for the first essay assignment.
5 Complete the first essay assignment and submit your work to your tutor for grading and feedback. Be certain to include a “Tutor-marked Exercise” form, from the course package, and to keep a copy of your work for your files.
6 Complete Unit 4.
  In consultation with your tutor, select the television show, news show, or ad campaign that is to form the subject of your second essay, and begin watching the program as often as possible. You may wish to make videotapes of episodes to assist your analysis.
7 Complete Unit 5. Continue your research on your selected television show, news show, or ad campaign.
8 Complete Unit 6. Continue your research on your selected television show, news show, or ad campaign.
9 Complete Unit 7. Continue your research on your selected television show, news show, or ad campaign.
10 Complete Unit 8. Continue your research on your selected television show, news show, or ad campaign.
11 Complete the second essay assignment and submit your work to your tutor for grading and feedback. Be certain to include a “Tutor-marked Exercise” form, from the course package, and to keep a copy of your work for your files.
12 Complete Unit 9.
  In consultation with your tutor, select the topic of your third essay assignment, and begin your library and primary source research.
13 Complete Unit 10. Continue working on your third essay assignment.
14 Complete Unit 11. Continue working on your third essay assignment.
15 Complete Unit 12. Continue working on your third essay assignment.
16 Complete your third essay assignment and submit it to your tutor for grading and feedback.
  Congratulations on completing the course!
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