CSIS 151D - Syllabus

CSIS 151D Online - Course Syllabus

Instructor:

Don Dean

Email:

don.dean@gcccd.edu

Course Web site:

http://www.grossmont.net/don.dean

Photoshop Web site:

http://www.adobe.com/products/photoshop/main.html

Description:

Introduction to computer graphics provides the student with hands-on instruction in the creation and production of a variety of computer-generated visual experiences. These include, but are not limited to, graphic design, illustration, and slide presentations. [Instructor’s note: We won’t be doing any Web techniques such as generating slices this semester. The intermediate Photoshop and the multimedia courses now provide this instruction].

If this course is too basic for you, the CSIS department also offers an intermediate-level course in Photoshop. See the class schedule for details. It is also advisable to consult the Career Advice on the Grossmont Web site as you plan your academic goals.

Phone #s:

Grades and enrollment information: (619) 668-4040
Grossmont College (main number): (619) 465-1700

Texts:

Adobe Photoshop CS4, Classroom in a Book, published by Adobe Press ISBN-10: 0-321-57379-X; ISBN-13: 978-0-321-57379-7. Adobe keeps additional tutorial material on their website; check it out for advanced tips and techniques. Amazon and Bookpool are good online sources. That Technical Bookstore, 8760 Complex Drive, (858) 614-4323 often has a good selection and a 20% discount on many books.

Errata - There are some errors in the textbook. You can visit this site to see the Errrata.

Prerequisites:

None; however, basic familiarity with the PC or Mac and Web browsing is strongly recommended.

Disabilities:

Students with disabilities who may need accommodations in this class are encouraged to notify the instructor and contact Disabled Students Programs and Services (DSP&S) early in the semester so that reasonable accommodations may be implemented as soon as possible. Students may contact DSP&S in person in room 110 or by phone at (619) 644-7112 (voice) or (619) 644-7119 (TTY for deaf).

Grading:

Quizzes – Nearly every week (see the class schedule) there will be one or two short quizzes on your reading material. It will usually consist of questions drawn from the review questions and answers at the end of the lesson(s) we covered that week. You will be taking these quizzes online using Blackboard. They will be available to you for a limited time only. The exact times TBA. Note: The two lowest grades from the quizzes will be dropped from the total. Total of twelve quizzes @ 5 points each, minus two that are dropped. Total = 50 points.

Online Discussion/Mini Projects – Every week, except when a project is due, there will be a discussion thread or mini-project that will either relate to the material in the textbook, some other Photoshop topic, or tutorial in the Open Forum section of Blackboard. Students can post questions or comments about the material. Hopefully other students will answer the questions, but if not, the instructor will, usually within 48 hours. There will also be topics and tutorials posted by the instructor. Students are expected to either respond directly to the Instructor’s topic and to comment on at least one of the other student’s responses. Students must participate in at least nine of the eleven discussions @ 20 points. Total = 180 points.

Lessons from the textbook - You must complete all assigned lessons (see the class schedule). Save your completed lesson in a folder on your computer and submit all lessons at the end of the semester when you submit your final project. Note: The two lowest grades from the lessons will be dropped from the total. Total of eleven lessons @ 20 points each minus the two that are dropped. Total = 180 points.

Projects - Three projects will be assigned. These projects will allow you greater freedom and creativity than the lessons. Late submissions will automatically be dropped one grade point. Before starting on these projects, get a better idea of what is expected by visiting our class Web site. Here, you can see good examples of what past students have done in this class. All projects will be submitted through Blackboard. Total of three projects –- two during the semester worth 100 points and a final project worth 200. Total = 400 points.

Final exam - The final exam will be taken using Blackboard. It will be based on the quiz questions. Total = 30 points.

Grade breakdown:

756 - 840 = A
672 - 755 = B
588 - 671 = C
504 - 587 = D
0 - 503 = F

Working Ahead:

Students are more than welcome to work ahead and finish coursework early. Every effort will be made to offer assignments and quizzes in advance.
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Credit/No Credit:

Artists and non-artists alike have an equal opportunity to earn an "A" in this course. The credit/no credit grading option is offered so that students may explore subject areas of interest outside of their known abilities without competing for a grade with students who are majoring in computers. If you do not need this course for credit toward your major, you may apply to take this course CR/NC; see the class schedule for the application deadline.
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Topics Covered:

In this course students will Investigate, analyze and demonstrate basic proficiency in image enhancement and correction.

By the end of this course, you will be able to create professional level digital graphics using the fundamental tools of Photoshop. You will understand:

Getting to Know the Work Area
Basic photo corrections
Working with Selections
Layer basics
Masks and channels
Correcting and enhancing digital photographs
Typographic design
Vector drawing techniques
Advanced layering
Advanced compositing
Preparing files for the web
Working with 3d images

Intended Audience:

This course is intended for anyone interested in learning the basics of Photoshop, and producing digital graphics. Students are expected to be self-motivated and independent. Regular participation (on a weekly basis) is required for a passing grade.

Software Access:

For this online class it is not likely students will be successful without a copy of Photoshop CS on their home computers. The least expensive way to purchase Photoshop is through the California College Buy program. It is also avaialable at discounted student prices through the bookstore and sites like Gradware (local store), JourneyEd and CreationEngine.

If you absolutely cannot obtain the software, access to Photoshop software may be obtained in the CSIS labs. As soon as possible you will be provided the lab schedule. Hardware problems are not an excuse for assignments incomplete on the due date. Your computer will crash at some point. Plan for it.

Logging onto Blackboard:

The format for the student accounts is:
ID = firstname.lastname (ex: jane.student)
password = 6 digit PIN assigned by Grossmont (birth date in the format MMDDYY)

Tutoring Help:

Students are referred to enroll in the following supervised tutoring courses if the service indicated will assist them in achieving or reinforcing the learning objectives of this course:

IDS 198 - Supervised Tutoring to receive tutoring in general computer applications in the Tech Mall;
English 198W - Supervised Tutoring for assistance in the English Writing Center (Room 70-119); and/or
IDS 198T - Supervised Tutoring to receive one-on-one tutoring in academic subjects in the Tutoring Center (Room 70-229, 644-7387).

To add any of these courses, students may obtain Add Codes at the Information/Registration Desk in the Tech Mall.

All Supervised Tutoring courses are non-credit/non-fee. However, when a student registers for a supervised tutoring course, and has no other classes, the student will be charged the usual health fee.

Academic Integrity:

Cheating and plagiarism (using as one's own ideas writings, materials, or images of someone else without acknowledgement or permission) can result in any one of a variety of sanctions. Such penalties may range from an adjusted grade on the particular exam, paper, project, or assignment (all of which may lead to a failing grade in the course) to, under certain conditions, suspension or expulsion from a class, program or the college. For further clarification and information on these issues, please consult with your instructor or contact the office of the Associate Dean of Student Affairs.

Requirements for Completion:

The lessons and projects will have strictly enforced due dates by which you must submit your work. The purpose is to keep you on track with the rest of the class. You are encouraged to seek the help of your instructor, "open" lab instructors and assistants, and more experienced classmates in completing your lessons. You can also ask questions in the Blackboard discussion area that will be answered either by your fellow students or the instructor. The lessons you submit for credit, however, should be primarily your own work. Your class projects, on the other hand, should be entirely your own work, with good advice being your only assistance.

In order to protect your transcript from unofficial withdrawals (automatic "F"), I may drop any student missing 2 or more exercises. It is still your responsibility to officially withdraw from any class that you are no longer attending.

Weekly Lessons:

To stay on track, you should complete the assigned lessons in your textbook by the end of the week that they are assigned. Before getting started, carefully read the instructions for the individual assignments posted on Blackboard. In many cases a minor change from the book’s instructions will be required. These lessons will be submited through Blackboard.