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Syllabus

Syllabus: Computer Illustration – VT 2500-01 – 20945 & VT 2500-01 – 20946
Dixie State College – Department of Visual Technologies
Spring 2010 – 3 credit hours – Udvar Hazy Building 104 – MWF – 9:00-11:00 a.m.

Instructor: Matt Kearl
Email: kearl@dixie.edu
Phone: 435-767-1090
Office: UHB 329
Office Hours: By Appointment Only

DSC Education Department Program Standards

Required Items:

  • NO BOOK IS REQUIRED
  • A USB Drive or other storage media drive for transporting files and a way to back those files up.
  • Sketch pad(s) for brainstorming/creating thumbnails

Recommended Items:

DSC Semester Calendar:

Course Description, Objectives, & Requirements
To advance your knowledge of Adobe Illustrator thereby increasing your proficiency in the graphic design field, this course examines the practical considerations and application of creating various projects with the application package. The bulk of the course deals with hands-on approach to learn how to work confidently and creatively with Adobe Illustrator. Assignments/projects, selected class work, and/or lectures will be presented weekly.

Study Requirements & Teaching Methods
Reading and study of the assigned texts, note taking, class participation and computer lab use is required. Class meets 3 times a week for 1 hour and will consist of hands-on, interactive instructor/student exploration of outlined course topics. The instructor will clearly present each session’s software design issues prior to student participation and will be available to answer questions and provide assistance throughout. In-class written tests will be given. A reasonable amount of time will be given for completion of all assigned projects, although additional lab time will be required.

Grading is one component of my system of evaluation and feedback concerning students’ progress.  As in most classes, student evaluation is based on a range of criteria including:

  • Individual conferences reviewing student’s work
    • Mastery of basic skills
    • Quality of work (craftsmanship)
    • 3 Execution of key notions and concepts
    • Quality of ideas (creativity and originality)
    • Progress and growth thus far in the semester (achievement of potential)
  • Class time efforts
    • Class and lab attendance
    • Deadlines in this class are not flexible (just as they are not flexible when working with clients)
    • Energy and effort put forth (and relation of that effort to the content of students’ work)
    • Class participation and interaction with other students
  • Assignment Grading
    • 95% of your grade will be determined on the amount of time spent, quality and creativity.
    • The remaining 5% of your grade will be determined on how you present your work as well as going above and beyond on the projects.

Grading
Final course grade is determined by averaging all projects and exams. Standard grading scale is as follows:

  • 94-100% = A
  • 90-93% = A-
  • 87-89% = B+
  • 84-86% = B
  • 80-83% = B-
  • 77-79% = C+
  • 74-76% = C
  • 70-73% = C-
  • 67-69% = D+
  • 64-66% = D
  • 60-63% = D-
  • Below 59% = F

Please refer to the DSC website for drop/add and withdrawal procedures.

Assignments & Schedule
Assignments will be due at the beginning of class on the dates announced in class or online. Any work turned in after the due date will be considered late and will lose 5% daily until it reaches 60% which is the maximum late work can reach. A schedule of assignments & due dates can be found on the class website. A list of assignments and the maximum amount of points that can be received is listed under the grades section on the class website.

The instructor reserves the right to make changes to the syllabus if needed.

Attendance, Absences, & Tardiness (Read this section twice!)

Consistent attendance is essential for the successful completion of this course. All students are expected to attend class regularly. The work is intensive and absence, for whatever reasons, may seriously affect your progress (and grade). A strong attendance record demonstrates a commitment to established goals. Each absence reduces your grade by two percent until you get to five absences; more than five unexcused absences from this class, for any reason, will result in an automatic “F” for the class and no credit will be earned until the course is repeated satisfactorily. You are responsible for all material covered and assigned regardless of absences. You should obtain any missed lecture notes from a classmate and contact the instructor about any assignments. It is your responsibility to explain your absence to the instructor.

Students are expected to arrive on time for all classes. Students arriving more than 10 minutes late will reduce their grade one percent even if they attend the remainder of the class session. Students who consistently arrive on time should not have to wait for class to begin because others are chronically late. A similar policy will affect those who excuse themselves early.

Academic Honesty
As stated in the DSC Student Handbook; “Academic dishonesty in any form will not be tolerated at Dixie State College (Academic Discipline Policy, 3.34)” including cheating, and plagiarism. These acts of academic dishonesty are strictly prohibited.

Disability Statement
“Proper documentation of a disability is required in order to receive services or accommodations. Any student eligible for and requesting reasonable academic accommodations due to a disability must provide a letter of accommodation to their professor from the Disability Resource Center within the first two weeks of the beginning of classes. Please contact the Center on the main campus to follow through with the documentation process. We are located in the Student Services Center Room #201, or you may call for an appointment and further information regarding the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) at 652-7516.”

  • Tutoring services are provided for all registered DSC students and is available for all subjects. http://dsc.dixie.edu/tutoring/index.htm
  • The writing center is in the Browning Learning Center. The online writing center can be accessed at http://dsc.dixie.edu/owl
  • Library: Online help for the Browning Library can be accessed at: http://new.dixie.edu/library/index.php
  • The Smith Computer Center is available for students who need technology services to complete homework assignments and research for any course on campus. Check at the facility for time schedule. Location: Avenna Ctr.
  • Testing Center: The hours are posted online at http://new.dixie.edu/testing/index.php – Location: Browning Learning Center

RebelMail:
Important class and college information will be sent to your Rebelmail email account. This information includes your DSC bill, financial aid/scholarship notices, and notification of dropped classes, reminders of important dates and events, and other information critical to your success in this class and at DSC. All DSC students are automatically assigned a Rebelmail email account. If you don’t know your user name and password, go to www.dixie.edu and select “Rebelmail,” for complete instructions. You will be held responsible for information sent to your Rebelmail email, so please check it often.

DSC E-MAIL:
Important class and college information will be sent to your Dmail account. This information includes your DSC bill, financial aid/scholarship notices, and notification of dropped classes, reminders of important dates and events, and other information critical to your success in this class and at DSC. All DSC students are automatically assigned an e-mail account. If you don’t know your user name and password, go to http://dmail.dixie.edu for complete instructions. You will be held responsible for information sent to your Dmail, so please check it often.

Disruptive Behavior
DSC disruptive behavior policy states, “Teachers at Dixie State College have the right to aggressively manage the classroom environment to ensure an effective learning climate. Toward this end, teachers may dismiss and remove disruptive students from individual class activities. If a student’s behavior continues to disrupt class activities, the teacher may dismiss and remove disruptive students from their courses.”

Examples of disruptive behavior would include:

  • Surfing the web instead of using class time effectively.
  • Using iPods or other MP3 players during lectures or presentations.
  • Not turning off cell phone ringers and interrupting the class by them.

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