syllabus:

This semester I plan on covering the following:

- Navigation, and Usability
- Various Forms of Multimedia (image, sound, animation, video)
- Internet Based Art
- Web Design Basics
- Typography
- Scripting Languages: HTML, CSS, JavaScript, - jQuery, maybe some PHP
- Adobe Dreamweaver (basics)


[ Required materials for this class ]

Course Policies:

Attendance is mandatory. You are expected to come to all the classes this semester.
Attendance will affect your grade for the class. Always tell the teacher why you missed a class.
You can email any good excuses to:
ryansmithstudent@aol.com

*New Policy: If you miss 2 classes (2 weeks) without any valid excuse. You will fail this class. Please email the instructor and/or the art office if you are having any difficulties coming to class. Emails should be sent prior to your absence, or at least the week of your absence.

If you come in late, then talk to the teacher after class. Otherwise you will be marked as absent. If you are significantly late 2 times, then it will count as 1 absence.

While absent from class, it is your responsibility to learn the material that you might have missed. If you are having trouble because you missed class, then contact another student outside of class.
note: Get phone numbers and email addresses of 3 other students in this class (now).

Class participation will affect your grade. In addition to being in class, you are expected to come prepared, and say something during class discussions and critiques. Asking intelligent questions, will always get you class participation points.
Speak up. Please stop me, get me to elaborate, ask me to repeat myself, or slowdown.

During Class: do not text, never get on Facebook, do not use this time to check your email, do not play games, don't do any online shopping, and don't fall asleep. If you find yourself getting bored, then be productive; work on a project, or just draw. But, don't be a distraction to others. If you are starting to fall asleep, then excuse yourself, and leave the room.

Due Dates should be taken seriously.
Always turn in something by the due date, even if it is incomplete.

Attitude: It does not matter if you are working with a client, a colleague, or for your manager, your attitude affects your job. A bad attitude can cause you to lose a promotion, lose a client, or get you fired. In this class your attitude affects your grade.

I TAKE MY JOB SERIOUSLY.
I expect my students to take their education seriously. Do your job. Show up on time (as if it was your job).

Project grades will be averaged at the end of the semester, and determine the majority of your final grade. ( 70% )
-The grades for these projects will be based on your attention to detail, organization,
consistent aesthetic style, and the ability to follow directions
-Projects should be turned in on time
-You will be asked to present your work in class. Presentations affect your grade.
-Preliminary sketches and/or evidence of research will be collected with your projects.

Homework, classwork, quizzes, and/or reading ( 20% )
-You will be given homework assignments to help you prepare for your projects.
-There may be some quizzes.
-You will be expected to read (or watch) some material, and write some responses.

Class Participation & Attendance ( 10% )
-You are expected to come to every class prepared, on time, and ready to learn.

A grades : 90 - 100%
Compared to the rest of the class, your work is exceptional.
There is not much you could do to improve your work.

B grades : 80 - 89%
Your work is complete, or you followed most of the directions.
However, your work could be improved.

C grades : 70 - 79%
You struggled with the project(s), and need to improve your work.
However, you did enough work to earn a passing grade.

D grades : 60 - 69%
Your work is less than satisfactory, and incomplete.
You did not do enough work to earn a passing grade.

F grades : 0 - 59%
I need to ask, "what were you thinking?"
You barely did anything, or did not do anything at all.

Late work always gets a C or less.

Academic Dishonesty & Plagiarism will not be tolerated. Do not cheat. Do not copy the work of other students and artists. If you use someone's work, or are heavily influenced by someone's work, then give some credit to that person.

Support:

Special Assistance Notice
(from the Americans with Disabilities Act)
If you have a disabling condition that will require an accommodation in tests or class structure, please advise the instructor or the department accordingly.

Available Support:
I am here to help you. Please take advantage of the fact that I care about you, and want you to succeed.
Email me anytime. If you need help, then ask me.

Technical Support at TOWSON:
Student Computing Services (SCS) located in the Cook Library, Room 35
http://www.towson.edu/technology/studentservices/locations/index.html
e-mail: scs@towson.edu

Richard Thomas (Digital Lab Manager)
phone: 410-704-5429
email: rthomas@towson.edu

Computer Lab: room 4012 (open 7 days a week)
http://www.towson.edu/cofac/departments/art/resources/labs.html