Policy
Statement and Syllabus: FA 2000- Computing and the Arts
Arts
Technology Program - University of Utah
Semester:
Spring 2007
Online Information & Server Address
http://help.finearts.utah.edu
http://www.finearts.utah.edu/help/student/srvreq.html
fileserver.artstech.utah.edu
Course Description 2000 - Computers and the Arts (3)
This class introduces the basic concepts of the computer as a
visual tool. Class participants apply those concepts through creative
projects. The curricular strategy is that each new project builds on
the previous one.
This course will not make you a master at any one software program. You will be expected to gain a general overview of what a program does, how it functions, and most importantly, how it can work with other software programs. The goal of the class is to provide an introduction to arts computing, and set a foundation for the Arts Technology program offered from the College of Fine Arts.
Completing this course will satisfy the prerequisites for other Fine Arts courses. This course does not satisfy the FA or IE requirements for graduation. To find courses that will fit those requirements, please visit your university or departmental advisors. Meanwhile, we hope you will consider the value of this course for the information and skills that it teaches.
Prerequisites- no prerequisites are required for this course, however, we strongly encourage enrollment for sophomore and higher students. This course is extremely rigorous in attendance and participation. Historically, students with some college experience are most successful in this course.
Reference Manual and equipment
Design Basics by David Lauer. This book is widely available to purchase used online. I won’t be too picky about the version of this you choose, or if you can find one to borrow or check out. There will be a presentation that you make to the class in which this book will be invaluable, however, so accessing a copy is important.
Jump or flash drive - We provide server space for this course, but you may find that transferring and storing files will be easier for you to do with one of these handy devices. Drive can be any size; a 256 MB drive tends to be most affordable right now. A few blank CD's are a good idea, too.
Course Requirements Attendance is one of the most important aspects of this course. As a studio course, this class meets approx. 6 hours a week. Most of the work done for this class will happen during this time with some independent work outside of class. Missing class means you miss lectures, work time and time to meet with the instructors and fellow students. As a result, a great deal of work and effort is required on your part to make up any lost time outside of class, and also to keep up with what is currently happening. Arriving late to class also slows down the tempo of class and tardy attendance accrues to equaling absences. 3 tardies = 1 absence. Preventing any of these headaches is easy, simply by attending class. Grading is weighted by attendance. 3 absences = 1 grade reduction on final grade. 2 weeks of missed courses will be considered unofficial withdrawl from the course.
Participation: Students are expected to participate in discussions, interact with the instructor and other students during lab time, and present finished projects to the rest of the class for review.
Attendance: Successful completion of this course will depend on good attendance. A great deal of technical information will be covered in class. Attending lab time allows students to receive individual help from the instructor and benefit from other students in the class who are working on the same assignments. If you are absent from class you will be responsible for following-up on missed work and obtaining any missed handouts or information. Please contact the instructor immediately if an unavoidable attendance problem arises or for university excused absences or other accommodations.
Lab Exercises: There will be a few short assignments given throughout the semester to be completed during lab time. These lab exercises are meant to help student's strengthen software skills after the technical information has been demonstrated in class. Lab exercises will not be accepted late.
Project Completion: Students will be assigned a variety of projects throughout the course. Each project will have a description stating project goals and due dates. Project evaluations will be based on meeting the assignment goals, demonstration of technical skills and the quality of the finished work. If you are unsatisfied with the results of a project, you have the option to re-work it and hand-in an updated version for a better grade, but only if the original version of assignment was handed-in on time. No late work will be accepted without discussing details with the instructor. Late work has an automatic 10% deduction from the grade, if the instructor chooses to accept it.
Grade Scale: A = 95-100 / A- = 90-94 / B+ = 86-89 / B = 83-85 / B- = 80-82 / C+ = 76-79 / C = 73-75 / C- = 70-72 / D+ = 66-69 / D = 63-65 / D- = 60-62 / E = 59
Course Schedule: Daily assignments are subject to change. Any changes will be announced in class. You are responsible for being aware of them. In addition to the assignments due in class, each student will make one presentation in class that will equal one assignment.
Week
1 - January 8-12
Introductions,
beginning photoshop, selections & layers
assignment:
Self-Portrait
Week
2 - January 15-19
January
15th no class for MLK, Jr. Holiday
Due:
Jan 22, Self-Portrait
Photoshop
cont, resolution, manipulation, color
assignment:
Triptych
Week
3 - Jan 22-26
Due:
Jan 29 Triptych
Photoshop
cont. and Illustrator basics
assignment:
Out of context; design Personal Icon, add text/color
Week
4 - January 29-Feb 2
Due:
Feb 5, out of context; all personal icon assignments
Dreamweaver
basics, Photoshop for the web
assignment:
Basic website, create original graphics in Photoshop
Week
5 - Feb 5-9
Dreamwever
continued
Week
6 - Feb 12-16
Due:
Feb 19 Website
Flash
basic drawing/animation
assignment:
website intro/animated element
Week
7 - Feb 19-23
February
19 no class for President's Day holiday
Flash
continued
assignment:
Animated buttons
Week
8 - Feb 26-March 2
Due:
Mar 5 - button and animations
Final
Cut Pro, Soundtrack, Amadeus, Garage band
assignment:
Video Poem
Week
9 - March 5-9
Due
March 12-Video Poem
Final
Cut Pro continued, discuss final projects and proposals
Week
10 - March 12-16
Due: final project proposal
Cinema 4D
assignment: tutorial activities (turn
in during class), build environment
Week
11 - March 19-23
Spring
Break - no class
Week
12 -March 26-30
Due:
environment
Cinema
4D continued
assignment:
bouncing ball, flying logo
Week
13 - April 2-6
Due:
Bouncing Ball, Flying logo
Begin
final projects
Final Project Proposal Due
Week 14, 15, 16
April
9-13, April 16-20, April 23-26
Final
projects
Final
Project Presentations - Tuesday, May 1, 2007
8:00 – 10:00 am
Must present to receive
full credit for project
Additional Information
The American with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires that reasonable accommodation be provided for students with physical, sensory, cognitive, systemic, learning, or psychiatric disabilities. Students requiring such accommodation should speak with the professor at the beginning of the semester in order to make appropriate arrangements for this course. The Center for Disabled Student Services (Olpin Union, 581-5020) will also need to be informed. See the following link for more information: http://www.sa.utah.edu/ds/
The registrar cautions students that withdrawing from a course and other registration matters, including tuition, are the student's responsibility. See the following link for more information: http://www.saff.utah.edu/regist/calendar/datesDeadlines/fall2004.htm
In
accordance with university policy (as articulated in the Student Code), academic
misconduct-including cheating, fabrication of information, and plagiarism-is
not tolerated in this course. A student found engaging in this behavior will
receive a failing grade. If at any time you are unsure whether your actions
constitute academic misconduct, please see the professor in order to clarify
the matter. See the following link for more information: http://www.sa.utah.edu/code/
Activities and materials assigned for this class have been carefully scrutinized and selected. Some students may find some of the materials, presentations, lectures, or audio/visual materials controversial or in conflict with their core values. It is your responsibility to review the syllabus, readings, assignments, and materials to be sure that this is a course you wish to take. Should you have questions or concerns, please see me immediately. Details on the university's accommodation policy are available at this link: http://www.admin.utah.edu/facdev/accommodations-policy.pdf
PPM 9-7 Sec 15: Excused Absences: Students absent from class to participate in officially sanctioned University activities (e.g., band, debate, student government, intercollegiate athletics) or religious obligations, or with instructor's approval, shall be permitted to make up both assignments and examinations. The University expects its departments and programs that take students away from class meetings to schedule such events