Metropolitan Community College
Course Syllabus –Fall Quarter 2014

CONTACT INFORMATION

COURSE INFORMATION

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This foundation course focuses on the visual and technical processes of raster image painting applications. The student acquires a basic understanding of computer graphics tool and menu functions and computer graphics vocabulary. A raster software application is learned through a series of exercises and projects that provoke and explore creative solutions through the application of drawing and design theory and principles.  Basic principles of 2-D animation are also introduced and explored. 

PREREQUISITE or CO-REQUISITE: There are no prerequisites for this course although completion of art foundations courses is highly recommended..

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

• Define technical language of computer graphics.
• Identify and correlate all menu icons as to technical description.
• Perform on computers and create a series of images with Raster software to 100%
  of the given criteria.
• Analyze job orders and break down into working approach with software.
• Create, record, and print images per instructions.
• Transmit and print images to peripheral devices in a manner that satisfies
  assigned visual and conceptual demands.

REQUIRED/SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIALS:

Painter User guide. Painter user guide can be found in the HELP volume on the VTL server.
Portable storage device (you will need a compatible format to back up your work)
Sketchbook (minimum 8 1/2 x 11 inches)
12 print coupons ($12.00) to cover all printing in class (purchased at Student Services)
pencil (graphite), black felt tip pen, conté crayon, small pack of colored pencils

SUPPLEMENTAL TEXT (Not required): Digitial Painting Fundamentals with Corel Painter, User guide in Help volume

COURSE STRUCTURE
This course is lab-based. It will consist of lectures, demonstrations and discussions, but learning is done primarily through hands on experience with the software used to complete projects that are visually and conceptually challenging. It will be necessary for students to work outside of class time to complete all coursework.

COURSE ASSESSMENT

TYPES OF ASSESSMENTS/ASSIGNMENTS

• Execution of exercises and projects.
• Exploration of visual and conceptual aspects of exercises and projects.
• Presentation of completed work, and explanation of processes.
• Participation in critiques.
• Vocabulary.
• Attendance.
• Organization.
• Growth and development of skill sets by the end of the course.
• Portfolio
• Ability to meet deadlines and carry-out plans.

Grading Policy

Final Course Grades are determined by cumulative quarter work, attendance, and participation, as well as on Final Project Presentations and content.

Maintenance of Student Records

1. Exercises and Projects will be turned in at the end of the quarter.
2. All assignments will be returned to the student after grading.
3. Grade books (grade spreadsheets) should be kept by the instructor for a minimum of one (1) year.
4. Student tests, papers, projects, etc., that were graded by faculty for determining the final grade and were not returned to the student, should be kept for one (1) year. All assignments not picked up by students should be in the faculty office room 332.

INSTRUCTOR’S EXPECTATIONS OF STUDENTS

Required Expectations

1. Attendance
   This course requires regular attendance.  It also requires extra time to be spent outside of class. If this class meets a total of 11 times, each student is allowed two (2) absences.  Three absences will result in a lowering of your grade by one letter.  Each additional two absences will result in another letter grade reduction. 

   If this class meets 22 times, each student is allowed 3 absences.  Four absences will result in the course grade being dropped one letter grade.  Any student acquiring eight (8) absences will be recommended for Instructor Withdrawal.

   Three tardies will equal one absence.
   WX: After the first class meeting and through the Census Date, the instructor will disenroll (WX) students who have never attended. The Census Date is listed under the Important Dates for the course in the official Class Schedule at http://www.mccneb.edu/schedule/.
   FX: A student who fails to meet class attendance expectations will receive a final grade of FX, indicating an absence-related failure. A student earning an FX grade prior to the end of the quarter may avoid receiving the failing grade by withdrawing from the course before the Last Date to Withdraw from Class.
   

   WX: After the first class meeting and through the Census Date, the instructor will disenroll (WX) students who have never attended. The Census Date is listed under the Important Dates for the course in the official Class Schedule at http://www.mccneb.edu/schedule/.

   FX: An FX is a final grade given to a student who stops attending a class, does not return, and fails.

   Complete information about WX and FX is posted at
   http://www.mccneb.edu/facultyandstaff/3resourcecenter.asp.

   
   
2. Participation
   Participation means following expectations written below; being at every class, on time and offering constructive criticism to classmates. It also means being able to take criticism of one's own work. Participation will also mean having work completed for the assigned due dates.

Expectations

1. Disruptive Classroom Behavior will not be tolerated

   Portable Electronic Devices Usage-no talking on cell phones in the Visual Arts Lab

   *Internet Use During Class is restricted to class assignments. Classtime will be spent drawing, critiquing, and other activities conducive to learning and practicing drawing. There is no time allowed or tolerance for playing games on the computer, texting, or any other activities that detract from these class processes. Anyone playing computer games during class will receive a lower grade for the course.

COMMUNICATION EXPECTATIONS:
When you communicate with others in this course, you must follow the Student Conduct Code (mccneb.smartcatalogiq.com/en/current/Course-Catalog/Student-Services/Student-Conduct), which calls for responsible and cooperative behavior. Please think critically, ask questions, and challenge ideas, but also show respect for the opinions of others, respond to them politely, and maintain the confidentiality of thoughts expressed in the class. You may also wish to review information at www.albion.com/netiquette.

RECORDING IN THE CLASSROOM:
Students may not video or audio record class sessions without the instructor’s knowledge and permission. If recording of class sessions is authorized as a reasonable accommodation under Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the instructor must have the appropriate documentation from College Disability Support Services. Permitted recordings are to be used only for the individual student’s educational review of the class session and may not be reproduced, posted, sold or distributed to others. Students who violate this policy are subject to disciplinary procedures as outlined in the Student Conduct Code.

ACADEMIC HONESTY STATEMENT:
Students are reminded that materials they use as sources for classwork may be subject to copyright protection. Additional information about copyright is provided on the library website at www.mccneb.edu/library or by your instructor. In response to incidents of student dishonesty (cheating, plagiarism, illegal peer-to-peer file sharing, etc.), the College imposes specific actions that may include receiving a failing grade on a test, failure in the course, suspension from the College, or dismissal from the College. Disciplinary procedures are available in the Advising/Counseling Centers or at www.mccneb.edu/procedures/V-4_Student_Conduct_and_Discipline.pdf.

STUDENT WITHDRAWAL:
If you cannot participate in and complete this course, you should officially withdraw through My Services on the MCC My Way portal at myway.mccneb.edu or by calling Central Registration at 402-457-5231 or 1-800-228-9553. Failure to officially withdraw will result in a failing (F) grade. The last date to withdraw is noted in the CLASS IDENTIFICATION section of this syllabus.

TURNITIN.COM:
To promote ethical use of source materials and integrity in students' written work, Metropolitan Community College subscribes to Turnitin.com, a service that provides document source analysis in order to detect plagiarism. Students enrolled in this class agree that all required work may be submitted by the instructor to Turnitin.com.

Notice:  This syllabus is written as an expectation of class topics, learning activities, and expected learning outcomes.  However, the instructor reserves the right to make changes in this schedule that may  result in enhanced or more effective learning for students.  These modifications will not substantially change the intent or objectives of this course and will be done within the policies and guidelines of Metropolitan Community College.

LEARNING SUPPORT

MCC's Learning and Tutoring Centers, Math Centers, and Writing Centers offer friendly, supportive learning environments that can help students achieve educational success. Staff members in these centers provide free drop-in assistance with basic computing, reading, math, and writing skills. Self-paced, computer-assisted instructional support in reading, vocabulary, typing, English as a Second Language, and online course orientation is also available.

Detailed information about the Learning and Tutoring, Math, and Writing Centers is in the My Way portal, the College Catalog, and online at http://www.mccneb.edu/ltc/.

ACCOMMODATIONS FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES:
Metropolitan Community College will provide reasonable accommodations for persons with documented qualifying disabilities. It is the student’s responsibility to request accommodations from Disability Support Services (DSS) located in each Student Services Office. After students have arranged for accommodations with DSS, the student and instructor should privately discuss these accommodations. For further information, please contact DSS or visit http://www.mccneb.edu/dss/.

NONDISCRIMINATION AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT:
Metropolitan Community College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, marital status, age, disability or sexual orientation in admission or access to its programs and activities or in its treatment or hiring of employees.

TECHNOLOGY SUPPORT

For assistance with student email, passwords, and most other MCC technology, contact the Help Desk at 402-457-2900 or mcchelpdesk@mccneb.edu.

TECHNOLOGY RESOURCES:
By using the information technology systems at MCC (including the computer systems and phones), you acknowledge and consent to the conditions of use as set forth in the Metropolitan Community College Procedures Memorandum on Acceptable Use of Information Technology and Resources. It is your responsibility as a student to be familiar with these procedures. The full text of the Procedures Memorandum may be found at the following website: http://www.mccneb.edu/procedures/X-15_Technology_Resources_Use.pdf.