Course Syllabus
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What will you need to take this class?
This is a blended course!: That means some of you are taking this course online with no face-to-face instruction. The rest of you are meeting weekly with me on Tuesday afternoons from 3:00-5:30 PM as a face-to-face course. Undergraduate students should be registered for ITLS 5230. Graduate students should be registered for ITLS 6230. Double check and make sure you're not an undergrad registered for 6230, or a grad registered for 5230 - I want you to be sure you've registered for the proper course number needed for your degree!
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Petra - Photo by Nathan Smith
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A piece of advice I'd like to give you. I have divided each lesson into smaller, daily chunks each week. Your ability to learn and retain information will be enhanced if you take it in daily chunks, rather than trying to accomplish the lesson into one sitting. You will also find that the course is easier to accomplish if you divide it into smaller chunks over a week's time.
In this course, you'll be asked to be creative as you come up with your own graphic designs, and apply the principles you'll be learning each week. I've found that giving your mind time to subconsciously work on problems is critical to creative success. So what I'm saying is this: if you wait until the day the assignment is due to start thinking about it and working on it - you'll have a frustrating experience. Each week, in Canvas, look at the assignments at the beginning of the week so your mind can start working on it. Read the readings - often they'll help you with ideas. I am also an "idea" resource for you. Feel free to visit with me anytime. Please plan to work a bit each day on the week's lesson. |
Your ability to recall information you've learned increases when you review it several times over a period of time. Click image to view its source.
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Course Goals: I want to share my goals for facilitating this course for you:
Class Attendance:
No matter if you registered as an online student, or a face-to-face class student, it doesn't matter to me how you participate in the course. I want you to do what works best for you, and whatever method helps you learn the best.
- The class is a team! I don't want to be the only voice you hear in this course! You are a talented, wonderful individual, and we need you. We're here to learn together, work together, and help each other become better Photoshop users and graphic designers. I want you to come away from the course with a network of peers you can communicate with long after the class is over, if you so choose.
- I want to give you flexibility in designing your own portfolio exhibits that use the required skills. Choose to explore your own creative ideas as you create graphic design pieces. You'll design graphics for your personal portfolio, which is your final project for the course. Your portfolio can be shared with potential employers. I desire to give you the freedom to choose what to create, and yet at the same time, still learn the required skills needed for this course.
- I want to be a facilitator/mentor/team member for you as you work through your assignments. I will keep liberal office hours where you can visit with me in person, or you can contact me through the internet (Google Hangout, Canvas, etc.).
- I want to connect you with online community, mentors, and resources that will assist you far beyond the boundaries of this course.
- I want to provide you an engaging learning experience in the classroom and online.
Class Attendance:
No matter if you registered as an online student, or a face-to-face class student, it doesn't matter to me how you participate in the course. I want you to do what works best for you, and whatever method helps you learn the best.
- Face-to-face students, if working online works best for you, visit with me first, and you can participate in the course that way. Also, I realize that sometimes life gets in the way, and you may not be able to attend face-to-face classes sometimes. Let me know, and then be an online student for that week.
- Online students, if face-to-face works better for you, then please feel free to come to the weekly classes. Just be sure to visit with me and let me know, so I can prepare for you.
Rose - Photo by Nathan Smith
Grading: Points will be assigned for the following:
- You will be doing Photoshop exercises, portfolio submissions, Canvas discussions, and real world projects:
- Each of these will have an associated grading rubric that uses points. Be sure to review the rubrics so you know what to do to receive the number of points you desire.
- Portfolio exhibit assignments and their associated design reflection/notes will be submitted by the assignment's due date. Points are docked for late submissions.
- In this class, you will always have the opportunity to adjust and re-design each assignment as you gain new understandings and skills during the course, and the grade on that assignment will be revised to reflect the improvements you make. The focus is on learning - not grading! Each week, the class will reflect and critique on the design elements and principles of assignments turned in. You will have the opportunity to take what you've learned to improve any assignment you've submitted.
- Tests: To be arranged.
- Completed Week 15 Portfolio: Up to 150 points towards your final grade! This is a large portion of your grade for this course.
Grades will be assigned based on the percentage of total points you've earned. The instructor's evaluation of your effort in class and your improvement in design and Photoshop skills over the semester will also factor in to your final grade. Point percentages break down as follows:
- 94-100% = A • 90-93% = A-
- 87-89% = B+ • 83-86% = B • 80-82% = B-
- 77-79% = C+ • 73-76% = C • 70-72% = C-
- 60-69% = D • Less than 60% = F
Course Policies:
Instructor Feedback/communication: The best way to communicate with me is to either visit with me during my office hours in the YETC, or to message me in Canvas. I will use Canvas for announcements, for its grade-book, class discussions, assignment submissions, etc., but most of my class content and resources I'll share with you will be here at this website. I can arrange with you to communicate via a Google Hangout as well anytime you need to share your computer screen with me to solve a problem or issue.
Student Feedback/communication: Outside of class, I will communicate with you several ways, through Canvas announcements or inBox messages, or with a Google Hangout if we've arranged one beforehand. Please take time to check Canvas often for messages, assignments, discussions, and more.
Syllabus or Class Changes: During the course of this class, you will be notified of any changes to the class syllabus by a message in Canvas. Changes to this syllabus before or after the course may occur without any notification. Please check back. Changes to a scheduled class or a class cancellation (because of illness, bad weather, natural disaster, etc) will be posted to the Weekly Lessons section above, and also a message in Canvas. Please check before class for any changes in plans. I suggest you bookmark this page in your browser.
Submitting assignments and electronic files: Instructions for submitting each assignment will be given along with the assignment.
Late work: In the industry, it's critical that you meet your deadlines. You need to have the skill of getting work done well and on time! In this class, late work will be accepted, because I realize that "life" happens. On the other hand, you shouldn't procrastinate getting your assignments in on time, or you'll find that you'll quickly get so far behind that it's extremely difficult to catch up. And to be honest, scoring late work makes more work for me! Late work will be accepted as follows:
Ethics and Honesty: "Each student has the right and duty to pursue his or her academic experience free of dishonesty. The Honor System is designed to establish the higher level of conduct expected and required of all Utah State University students.
The Honor Pledge: To enhance the learning environment at Utah State University and to develop student academic integrity, each student agrees to the following Honor Pledge: "I pledge, on my honor, to conduct myself with the foremost level of academic integrity." A student who lives by the Honor Pledge is a student who does more than not cheat, falsify, or plagiarize. A student who lives by the Honor Pledge:
Plagiarism: "Plagiarism includes knowingly "representing, by paraphrase or direct quotation, the published or unpublished work of another person as one's own in any academic exercise or activity without full and clear acknowledgment. It also includes the unacknowledged used of materials prepared by another person or agency engaged in the selling of term papers or other academic materials." The penalties for plagiarism are severe. They include warning or reprimand, grade adjustment, probation, suspension, expulsion, withholding of transcripts, denial or revocation of degrees, and referral to psychological counseling."
Please take time to read through Utah State University's Academic Honesty/Integrity Policy - we will adhere to it in class. In particular, the Photoshop assignments you turn in must be your own work. Sources of images that are not your own must be documented and credited. Using Photoshop brushes, gradients, actions, styles, etc., that are not your own must be documented and credited.
Students with Disabilities - The Americans with Disabilities Act states: "Reasonable accommodation will be provided for all persons with disabilities in order to ensure equal participation within the program. If a student has a disability that will likely require some accommodation by the instructor, the student must contact the instructor and document the disability through the Disability Resource Center (797-2444), preferably during the first week of the course. Any request for special consideration relating to attendance, pedagogy, taking examinations, etc., must be discussed with and approved by the instructor. In cooperation with the Disability Resource Center, course materials can be provided in alternative format, large print, audio, diskette, or Braille."
Withdrawal Policy and "I" Grade Policy: Students are required to complete all courses for which they are registered by the end of the semester. In some cases, a student may be unable to complete all of the coursework because of extenuating circumstances, but not due to poor performance or to retain financial aid. The term 'extenuating' circumstances includes: (1) incapacitating illness which prevents a student from attending classes for a minimum period of two weeks, (2) a death in the immediate family, (3) financial responsibilities requiring a student to alter a work schedule to secure employment, (4) change in work schedule as required by an employer, or (5) other emergencies deemed appropriate by the instructor.
Instructor Feedback/communication: The best way to communicate with me is to either visit with me during my office hours in the YETC, or to message me in Canvas. I will use Canvas for announcements, for its grade-book, class discussions, assignment submissions, etc., but most of my class content and resources I'll share with you will be here at this website. I can arrange with you to communicate via a Google Hangout as well anytime you need to share your computer screen with me to solve a problem or issue.
Student Feedback/communication: Outside of class, I will communicate with you several ways, through Canvas announcements or inBox messages, or with a Google Hangout if we've arranged one beforehand. Please take time to check Canvas often for messages, assignments, discussions, and more.
Syllabus or Class Changes: During the course of this class, you will be notified of any changes to the class syllabus by a message in Canvas. Changes to this syllabus before or after the course may occur without any notification. Please check back. Changes to a scheduled class or a class cancellation (because of illness, bad weather, natural disaster, etc) will be posted to the Weekly Lessons section above, and also a message in Canvas. Please check before class for any changes in plans. I suggest you bookmark this page in your browser.
Submitting assignments and electronic files: Instructions for submitting each assignment will be given along with the assignment.
Late work: In the industry, it's critical that you meet your deadlines. You need to have the skill of getting work done well and on time! In this class, late work will be accepted, because I realize that "life" happens. On the other hand, you shouldn't procrastinate getting your assignments in on time, or you'll find that you'll quickly get so far behind that it's extremely difficult to catch up. And to be honest, scoring late work makes more work for me! Late work will be accepted as follows:
- I will give you a 2 day grace period on turning in your assignments - no penalty.
- After the 2 day grace period, late work will be accepted at 50% the score you would have received if turned in on time or during the grace period.
Ethics and Honesty: "Each student has the right and duty to pursue his or her academic experience free of dishonesty. The Honor System is designed to establish the higher level of conduct expected and required of all Utah State University students.
The Honor Pledge: To enhance the learning environment at Utah State University and to develop student academic integrity, each student agrees to the following Honor Pledge: "I pledge, on my honor, to conduct myself with the foremost level of academic integrity." A student who lives by the Honor Pledge is a student who does more than not cheat, falsify, or plagiarize. A student who lives by the Honor Pledge:
- Espouses academic integrity as an underlying and essential principle of the Utah State University community;
- Understands that each act of academic dishonesty devalues every degree that is awarded by this institution; and
- Is a welcomed and valued member of Utah State University."
Plagiarism: "Plagiarism includes knowingly "representing, by paraphrase or direct quotation, the published or unpublished work of another person as one's own in any academic exercise or activity without full and clear acknowledgment. It also includes the unacknowledged used of materials prepared by another person or agency engaged in the selling of term papers or other academic materials." The penalties for plagiarism are severe. They include warning or reprimand, grade adjustment, probation, suspension, expulsion, withholding of transcripts, denial or revocation of degrees, and referral to psychological counseling."
Please take time to read through Utah State University's Academic Honesty/Integrity Policy - we will adhere to it in class. In particular, the Photoshop assignments you turn in must be your own work. Sources of images that are not your own must be documented and credited. Using Photoshop brushes, gradients, actions, styles, etc., that are not your own must be documented and credited.
Students with Disabilities - The Americans with Disabilities Act states: "Reasonable accommodation will be provided for all persons with disabilities in order to ensure equal participation within the program. If a student has a disability that will likely require some accommodation by the instructor, the student must contact the instructor and document the disability through the Disability Resource Center (797-2444), preferably during the first week of the course. Any request for special consideration relating to attendance, pedagogy, taking examinations, etc., must be discussed with and approved by the instructor. In cooperation with the Disability Resource Center, course materials can be provided in alternative format, large print, audio, diskette, or Braille."
Withdrawal Policy and "I" Grade Policy: Students are required to complete all courses for which they are registered by the end of the semester. In some cases, a student may be unable to complete all of the coursework because of extenuating circumstances, but not due to poor performance or to retain financial aid. The term 'extenuating' circumstances includes: (1) incapacitating illness which prevents a student from attending classes for a minimum period of two weeks, (2) a death in the immediate family, (3) financial responsibilities requiring a student to alter a work schedule to secure employment, (4) change in work schedule as required by an employer, or (5) other emergencies deemed appropriate by the instructor.
Logan River Walk II - photo by Nathan Smith
IDEA Student Course Evaluation at Semester's End
I value your candid feedback on this course. Each semester, I use that feedback to redesign the course to better fill your needs. I will provide extra credit for completing the USU IDEA student course evaluation. You have my sincere thanks as well!
I value your candid feedback on this course. Each semester, I use that feedback to redesign the course to better fill your needs. I will provide extra credit for completing the USU IDEA student course evaluation. You have my sincere thanks as well!
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This page was last updated August 9, 2019
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