Course Number: ARTD 275
Course Name: Time Arts II
Meeting Time and Room: 2p.m. - 4:45p.m. TU/TH JAAB 310B
Professor: Mr. Bart Woodstrup
Office Hours: T/TH 5-6p.m. JAAB 314 H (by appointment)
Semester: Spring 2010
Email: bwoodstrup@niu.edu
Phone: 815.753.3808 (email preferred)
Course Website: Blackboard and www.bartwoodstrup.com/teaching.htm

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course is designed to introduce students to the fundamentals of time-based art, animation, and interactive multimedia design. The course introduces the theory and application of time-art, computer technology in the disciplines of design and fine art, with an emphasis on interactivity. Properties of non-linear and interactive narrative will also be explored. Students will develop three or four “abbreviated” interactive multimedia titles using Flash and PhotoShop. All assignments will require research and minimal fieldwork. Students will work with the media elements; sounds, text, graphics, movement, transitions, etc.

COURSE OUTCOMES

Upon successful completion of this course the student will:

1. Develop knowledge of the interactive design process.
2. Explore narrative development and produce effective storyboards.
3. Experiment with algorithmic image processing.
4. Learn screen interactive/navigation design skills.
5. Design and evaluate static/motion screen images.
6. Evaluate sequential (time-based) imagery.

REQUIRED TEXT

“Digital Media Primer” by Yue-Ling Wong

CLASS MATERIALS:

Sketchbook or whatever works best to develop your ideas
Notebook for course handouts
USB 2.0 Thumb Drives or personal hard drives, CDs (for handing in projects)

ASSIGNMENTS

ASSESSMENT

Participation
You will be required to discuss topics, present your work, and provide constructive feedback about your colleague's work.
You will be required to participate in online readings, research, and discussions (blackboard)
Part of each assignment grade will be based on your participation during critique and in online discussions.
Ideas and comments that intentionally cause any physical or emotional harm to the student or anyone else will not be accepted.
A student may excuse themselves for a short duration if there is a conflict of religious beliefs with the content presented.

Attendance
Attendance is mandatory and taken at the beginning of class. If you arrive after attendance has been taken, it is your responsibility to notify the instructor after class.

Attendance and tardy final grade modifications as follows:

Each three tardies equal one absence.
Each three absences equal reduction of total points by one letter grade.
Work-in-class days are not "free" days, and you are required to attend.
Attendance to the final critique during exam week is mandatory. Failure to appear will result in the reduction of total points by one letter grade.

Grading

Universal Grading Criteria for All Projects (see course grading rubric):

• Technical execution and application of resources.
  
• Visual aesthetics and design.
  
• Originality and strength of concept.

Projects will be graded on image aesthetics, communication of idea and presentation, technical and innovative skills using the equipment. The project grade as usual will be influenced by any required roughs, flowcharts, or interim requirements of the assignments. Learn to develop efficient working methods, work smart, not just hard. If your project is not completed, you are still required to attend the project review.

Any appeal for grades must be brought to the instructor during office hours or at a scheduled time convenient to both parties.
Incomplete grades ("I") will only be granted for the death of a family member during the semester, or a note from a doctor documenting a hospitalization representing a significant period of time.
Only if given the final grade of "I" (incomplete) will additional work after the conclusion of a semester be accepted.

Grades are not curved and adhere to the following scale:

Note: I will send grades and official announcements via blackboard so make sure to read your official NIU email. This syllabus may be modified at the instructor’s discretion. Students will be notified in a timely manner of any changes.

EXHIBITION

I customarily document student assignments, which I want reproduce (with credit) in my scholarly work. If you do not want me to reproduce your work or use your name, please notify me in writing. I customarily credit student work when it’s displayed on the boards or posted on the Internet. If you do not want me to use your name or post your work, please notify me in writing.

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY

Student-teacher relationships are built on trust. Students must trust that teachers have made appropriate decisions about the structure and content of the courses they teach. Additionally, teachers must trust that the assignments that students turn in are theirs. Acts that violate this trust undermine the educational process. All work produced in this course must be original and created by the student. The first infraction will result in a failure for the course and a report to the Office of the Dean. Works that involved the use of appropriation should be discussed with your instructor before you submit them for grading. Collaborative work and discussion is encouraged. Instructor must be notified of students' intention to collaborate on assignments well ahead of that assignment's deadline. Instructor will determine whether or not collaboration will be allowed. Upon assignment completion, there must be documentation of each member's contribution to the finished assignment. The instructor reserves the right to award members of the collaboration different grades.

Statement on Plagiarism and Appropriation
Plagiarism is a serious offense, it is not allowed, and will be taken very seriously in this class (typically resulting in course or project failure - depending upon the severity of the act). Very simply, plagiarism is the act of taking someone else's work (in part or whole) and claiming that it was yours. Do not get plagiarism and appropriation confused. Appropriation is the act of using someone else's work to create a new work - often retaining the original authorship and/or creating a commentary on the original context. Appropriation plays an important role in cultural criticism and can be very effective artistically. Appropriation will be allowed for this class provided that you either receive written permission from the owner or are using work that follows the Creative Commons "Attribution + Noncommercial + ShareAlike (by-nc-sa)" license or Copyleft license. You must always make a reference to the work you are appropriating in the documentation of your work.

Look for these symbols:

For more information you should review these links:

http://www.appropriationart.ca/
http://www.illegal-art.org/
http://www.prelinger.com/
http://creativecommons.org/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copyleft

DISABILITY CLAUSE

NIU abides by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 that mandates reasonable accommodations are provided for qualified students with disabilities. If you have a disability and may require some type of instructional and/or examination accommodation, please contact me early in the semester so that I can provide or facilitate in providing accommodations you may need.

If you have not already done so, you will need to register with the Center for Access-Ability Resources (CAAR), the designated office on campus to provide services and administer exams with accommodations for students with disabilities. The CAAR office is located on the 4th floor of the University Health Services building (815-753-1303). I look forward to talking with you soon to learn how I may be helpful in enhancing your academic success in this course.