Introduction to Computer Graphics Syllabus for 2017-2018
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Administrative Drop Policy

Students who do not attend class on or prior to the census date will be administratively dropped. Effective Fall, 2016

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Students who wish to withdraw from a course must complete all steps indicated on the Academic Withdrawal Request form by the course withdrawal deadline.

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Course

ARTC-1325-001 Introduction to Computer Graphics

Prerequisites

Course Description

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

Student ResourcesStudent Resources Website

Department Expectations

Occupational License Disclaimer

Notice to Students enrolled in an educational program for preparation of issuance of certain occupational licenses:

Students enrolled in an educational program in preparation for obtaining certain occupational licenses are potentially ineligible for such license if the student has been convicted of an offense. For further information, please contact your advisor, the Legal Clinic, or the faculty member in charge of the educational program that you seek to enroll in. The further information you will receive will include notification to you of your right to request a criminal history evaluation letter from the licensing authority in order to clarify your particular situation.

Hours

(3 sem hrs; 2 lec, 4 lab)

Class Type

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Three books will be required for the course.

You will not need all three books at once. Since we will only be using each book for approximately 4 weeks each and only potentially completing 4-6 lessons from each book, I recommend renting them instead of purchasing them. (Please wait until the first day of class for more information about the books needed, updates on which book you need may apply) Below you will find the ISBN numbers for the eBook, EPUB and PDF version of the books. 

NOTE: Do not purchase or rent any books until after Syllabus day. Newer books may be required. New books are published during the course and the Syllabus may be updated to reflect the newer material.

Aug. - Sept.

Adobe Illustrator CC Classroom in a Book (2017 Release)

• By Brian Wood
• Published Dec 9, 2016 by Adobe Press
• ISBN-10: 0-13-466344-6
• ISBN-13: 978-0-13-466344-9

To purchase: 

http://www.peachpit.com/store/adobe-illustrator-cc-classroom-in-a-book-2017-release-9780134663449

Sept. - Nov.

Adobe Photoshop CC Classroom in a Book (2017 Release)

• By Andrew Faulkner, Conrad Chavez
• Published Dec 22, 2016 by Adobe Press.
• ISBN-10: 0-13-466345-4
• ISBN-13: 978-0-13-466345-6

To purchase: 

http://www.peachpit.com/store/adobe-photoshop-cc-classroom-in-a-book-2017-release-9780134663456

Nov. - Dec.

InDesign CC Classroom in a Book (2017 Release)

• By Kelly Kordes Anton, John Cruise
• Published Dec 12, 2016 by Adobe Press.
• ISBN-10: 0-13-466409-4
• ISBN-13: 978-0-13-466409-5

To purchase: 

http://www.peachpit.com/store/adobe-indesign-cc-classroom-in-a-book-2017-release-9780134664095

Due dates for the assignments and projects may change on the course calendar depending on factors like the weather, holidays and how long it may take the class to complete certain projects etc... I will provide the content for the projects or assist you in finding the elements needed for them. The final project will require you to work on your own. Please do not ask other instructors or students for assistance. 

Supplies

REQUIRED-

A flash drive or external hard drive. ( 32gb recommended )

A backup flash drive or access to online service like dropbox.

Sketchbook  5 1/2” x 8 ½” or larger 

A pen and pencil for sketching design ideas and taking notes. (a gum eraser is optional) 

Additional supplies may be needed as the semester progresses.

Prior notice will be given when other materials will be needed for completing future assignments.

Some projects will need to be printed so printing costs may come up during the semester. 

The Final project will definitely be printed.  Please make arrangements to have funds available some time around Nov 7^th through December 7^th to have your final assignment printed. Totals will be assessed and calculated closer to this date. (note that the total will also depend on the design as well) 

Student Performance

End of Course Outcomes:  

Demonstrate and effectively show a basic understanding of the core tools and use of Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop and Indesign. 

Specific Performance/Learning Objectives (minimum competencies)

A) Exhibit basic understanding of the Mac OS X operating system.
B) Exhibit understanding of the tools used in Illustrator.
C) Exhibit understanding of the tools used in Photoshop.
D) Exhibit understanding of the tools used in InDesign.
E) Design a final multi-page print design 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, restoring, printing and critiquing electronic vector and bitmap based images.

Specific Course Outcomes:

1. Demonstrate a basic knowledge of Illustrator, Photoshop and InDesign.
2. Students will demonstrate effective use of the pen tool while using Illustrator, create vector designs, and create self promotional content.
3. Students will effectively demonstrate knowledge of when to use the various Photoshop selection tools, show acquired skills on how to restore, digitally manipulate,  enhance photographs and create multi-layer compositions.
4. Students will demonstrate how to create multi page layouts integrating Photoshop, Illustrator, and Acrobat with InDesign. Students will also create publications, set up documents, demonstrate how to create master pages effectively, add and format content such as text, graphics, tables and show how to use InDesigns intuitive drawings tools while creating self promotional content. 

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). 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. 

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

5). If you are not caught up or finished… Do not ask to leave early. Take this time to get caught up or ahead. Labs are open until 10 pm. Take advantage of it. 

6). Take Pride In Your Work. DO NOT CHEAT!!! 

7). Help those around you. 

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. (this may change)

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). Your lowest Lesson grade will be dropped. 

A =  90 - 100
B =  80 - 89 
C =  70 - 79
D =  60 - 69 
F =  0 - 59 

• Midterm Exam:  there is no midterm.
• Quizzes or Journal Assignments: 10 percent of your grade.
• Lessons:  worth 25 percent of your grade. 
• Projects:  worth 25 percent of your grade.
• Sketch Journal: 10 points 
• Final Exam:  worth up to 30 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 the Weekly handout folder in the Dropbox found inside the on campus student server. (assignments and projects 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.

FINAL EXAM: LATE SUBMISSIONS ARE NOT ALLOWED – NO EXCEPTIONS 

Attendance

THIS IS A STUDIO COURSE. YOUR ATTENDANCE AND PROMPT ARRIVAL TO CLASS ARE ESSENTIAL FOR LEARNING AND EVALUATION.

If you miss a class, it is your responsibility to find out what you missed, including new assignments and due dates, and to make arrangements to obtain the materials dispersed (if applicable) and/or catch up on instruction.

ABSENCES
Students will be allowed 2 unexcused absences without penalty. After the second unexcused absence, 1 letter grade will be deducted from the total class grade for each additional absence. 6 absences will result in automatic failure of the course. A breakdown of penalties for absence is presented below:

• Up to 2 Absences: No penalty
• 3 Absences: Loss of 1 letter grade
• 4 Absences: Loss of 2 letter grades
• 5 Absences: Loss of 3 letter grades
• 6 Absences: Failure of course

Any exceptions to the above policy will be made at the discretion of the instructor. For an absence to be excused, instructor may require appropriate documentation of the reason for absence.

Late arrival of more than 30 minutes, or early departure of more than 30 minutes will be counted as an absence. On days designated as Work Days or for individual consultation, leaving without first checking in with instructor will result in an absence.

TARDINESS
3 tardies = no penalty
4 or more tardies = 1 point removed from final Activity grade per tardy after 3.

INSTRUCTOR RESERVES THE RIGHT TO DISALLOW LATE ENTRANCE INTO THE CLASSROOM.

In such cases grades for Attendance, Activity, Quizzes, and Exercises for that day will be lost. You may sign in no earlier than 15 minutes prior to class and no later than 30 minutes after class has begun. Any earlier or later may result in an absence. 

• Students will be responsible for swiping their own badge by the door for attendance.(Attendance is registered through Blackboard by swiping your badge at the door. If you do not have your badge, you may use the Ellucian app on your mobile device to scan)
• Instructor is not responsible for student's failure to sign in with badge or Ellucian app.
• Failure by student to sign in using their badge or Ellucian app will result in an absence.

• Any student caught swiping another students badge will be reported for dishonest conduct and all parties involved may be subject to academic disciplinary action pending investigation. 
• Students may request a review of their own attendance record with the instructor outside of class time.

Calendar

Additional Information

No additional information available