Introduction to Computer Graphics Syllabus for 2013-2014
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Instructor Information

Course Information

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Any student who, because of a disabling condition, may require some special arrangements in order to meet course requirements should contact disAbility Services (Student Service Center room 119, phone 371-5436) as soon as possible.

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Course

ARTC-1325-004 Introduction to Computer Graphics

Prerequisites

Course Description

A survey of computer design concepts, terminology, processes and procedures. Topics include computer graphics hardware, electronic images, electronic publishing, vectorbased graphics and interactive multimedia.

Student Resources Student Resources Website

Department Expectations

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Hours

(3 sem hrs; 2 lec, 4 lab)

Class Type

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Three books are required for this class.

Not all of the books will be needed on the first day. Each book will be needed for about 4 weeks each. Purchasing the books is not a must. I recommend renting the digital (epub) version at a cheaper price. The digital version of the books will work on most tablets, Macs, PC’s and mobile devices with the proper app download/and or Adobe software. 

 

Aug-Sept

Adobe Illustrator CC Classroom in a Book (2014 release) 

• ISBN-10: 0-13-390579-9
• ISBN-13: 978-0-13-390579-3
•  
• By Brian Wood
• Published Oct 27, 2014 by Adobe Press. 
•  
•  
• Sept – Nov

Adobe Photoshop CC Classroom in a Book (2014 release) 

• ISBN-10: 0-13-392457-0
• ISBN-13: 978-0-13-392457-2
•  
• By Andrew Faulkner, Brie Gyncild
• Published Jul 23, 2014 by Adobe Press.
•  
• Nov – Dec

Adobe InDesign CC Classroom in a Book (2014 release) 

• ISBN-10: 0-13-390454-7
• ISBN-13: 978-0-13-390454-3
•  
• By Kelly Kordes Anton, John Cruise
• Published Jul 14, 2014 by Adobe Press.
•  

The due dates for the course assignments on the course calendar are subject to change depending on the amount of time it takes to complete the assignments and projects. Various factors, such as the weather, can determine whether or not we have regular scheduled class times. Please check your student emails for updates. 

I suggest these resources to help guide you in learning the software for this class:

Sites with free and pay as you go tutorials:

www.layersmagazine.com

www.psd.tutsplus.com

www.lynda.com

phlearn.com

Supplies

Must have a flash drive or external hard drive.  ( 4 - 8 gb recommended ) You will be backing up your assignments on a regular basis. 

 

End-of-Course Outcomes: Demonstrate understanding and utilization of layer principles such as stacking order, adjustment layers, compositing, digital manipulation, concept design and preparing photo ready art. Also demonstrate proper page layout, ability to make selections with a variety of tools including the lasso, magnetic lasso, magic wand, marquee tools and quick mask mode. 

Specific Performance/Learning Objectives (minimum competencies)
A) Exhibit basic understanding of the Mac OS X operating system.
B) Exhibit basic understanding of the tools used in Illustrator.
C) Exhibit asic understanding of the tools used in a Photoshop.
D) Exhibit understanding of the tools used in a InDesign.
E) Design multi-page photo-ready art for print using Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign.
 Additional  Course Description:  An introduction to graphic design. Learn the basic tools in Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop and InDesign. Topics will include creating, editing, compositing, photo restoration, printing and critiquing electronic vector and bitmap based images.

Additional Specific Course Outcomes:
1. Demonstrate a basic knowledge of Illustratror, Photoshop and InDesign.
2. Students will demonstrate effective use of the pen tool while using Illustrator, recreate artwork, and design logos for self promotional content.
3. Students will demonstrate effective use of the various selection methods used in Photoshop, effectively restore photographs, digitally manipulate and create multi-layer compositions.
4. Students will demonstrate how to create multi page layouts using InDesign using the basic tools for adding PDF form fields, linking content, and creating alternative layouts for digital publishing.
4. Design and print self promotional items.

Students Rights and Responsibilities

Student Rights and Responsibilities

Log in using the AC Connect Portal

In order to receive your AC Connect Email, you must log in through AC Connect at https://acconnect.actx.edu .

If you are an active staff or faculty member according to Human Resources, use "Exchange". All other students, use "AC Connect (Google) Email".

Expected Student Behavior

 

WHILE IN CLASS: A student friendly environment is needed for learning. There are a few guidelines each student must adhere to:

1). NO eating or drinking in the lab.

2). If you have to use a cell phone, please step outside for personal calls and keep texting to a MINIMUM.

     Excessive texting WILL affect your participation grade especially if we are working on an in-class tutorial.

4). Class time is NOT the time to be checking your Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat or other social networking sites ESPECIALLY if you are not caught up on your

     assignments. If you have time to socialize, then I assume you are caught up on your assignments. Time management is your responsibility, not mine. 

5) NO videos will be played, watched or downloaded in class unless specified by instructor. If you are not caught up on your assignments, Please don’t be surfing the internet. Use

     common sense here. This one is much like number 4, If you have work to do, utilize the time available to get ahead instead of stressing about it later. Artists tend to procrastinate. (Believe me, I know) 

6). No overly crass or crude topics of conversation. Please keep your derogatory opinions to yourself. 

7). Class time is NOT the time to be checking your Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat or other social networking sites ESPECIALLY if you are not caught up on your assignments. If you have time to socialize, then I assume you are caught up on your assignments. Time management is your responsibility, not mine. 

PLAGIARISM: The student understands that plagiarism will not be tolerated in this class.  Plagiarism is defined by the Amarillo College Student Handbook as: “...the appropriating, buying, receiving as a gift, or obtaining by any means another’s work and the unacknowledged submission or incorporation of it in one’s own written work.” This also includes copying Internet or written sources in any course assignment discussions or projects without citing the source, as well as copying another student’s work for this course.  If a student is found plagiarizing any material in the course, it will result in a grade of "0" for that assignment discussion or project and can result in disciplinary action and expulsion of the student from the course. 

COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Students must be aware and responsible for the Copyright Notice for the course: The materials on this course website are only for the use of students enrolled in this course for the purposes associated with this course and may not be retained or further disseminated.

DROPPING, WITHDRAWING, AND NON-CREDIT STATUS: The student is responsible for dropping courses, withdrawing from college by the last day to drop a course, changing to non-credit status, etc., if the need arises. See the Amarillo College master calendar on the AC website and our course calendar for the date of the last day to drop a course.  The instructor will not drop any student after the last day to drop a course.

Grading Criteria

The final grade is based on a total of 100 possible  that the student can earn through completing lessons, projects and the final exam(aka final project).
90 - 100 = A
80 - 89 = B
70 - 79= C
60 - 69 = D
0 - 59 = F

• Midterm Exam:  there is no midterm.
• Lessons:  worth 30 percent of your grade. 
• Projects:  worth 30 percent of your grade. 
• Final Exam:  worth up to 40 points. 
• Extra Credit – no extra credit will be given in the course.

AC Connect course grade book: Your course grades are accessed through the  “My Grades” link on the Course menu in our AC Connect course as well as other links in AC Connect. Your individual course grades earned for lessons, projects, and the final project will appear in your AC Connect Grade book as well as a running grade average for the course. You can access your grade book through the "My Grades" link on our AC Connect Course Menu as well as other access points through AC Connect.

Due Dates of Course Work: Students are responsible for checking their AC Connect Course Calendar each week for specific course due dates (that are subject to change). If a student lesson or project is submitted late by the student due to a course wide malfunction of AC Connect, the instructor will accept the assignment or project late or arrange a makeup assignment without penalty to the student.

The final project must be taken during the designated time on the calendar. In the case of a medical or family emergency, the project may be made up at the discretion of the instructor if the student provides documentation of the emergency to the instructor.

No student will be exempted from the final project.

Checking the Course Each Week: This is an in class course and students are required to show up on time.  Check the Syllabus for course work deadlines ; read all information pertaining to each Lesson at the beginning of lesson in the provided textbook; and complete all course work on time to insure student success in the course.  You must submit all lessons and projects by the deadline, attend class every day for lecture and critiques, and submit your final project on time.  Failure to do so will result in late penalties for your course grades.  If you are having trouble participating in the course due to a medical or family emergency, please communicate the circumstances to me.

Extra Credit: No Extra Credit is given in the course.

Attendance

Students are allowed one (1) week of absences from class. (One week equals two classes) 

Student’s final grade will be lowered by one letter grade for each additional week missed.

One point off final grade average for every week of tardiness.

3 absences = NO ACTION                2 tardiness = 1 POINT OFF FINAL GRADE
4 absences = 1 LETTER GRADE      4 tardiness = 2 POINTS OFF FINAL GRADE
6 absences = 2 LETTER GRADES    6 tardiness = 3 POINTS OFF FINAL GRADE

7 absences = DROP FROM CLASS OR RECEIVE AN "F" FOR THE SEMESTER

Calendar

Additional Information

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