DTC 477: Advanced Multimedia Authoring

Spring 2020

Class: TTH 12:00pm – 1:15pm
Location: VMMC 111
Instructor: Will Luers
Phone: 503-975-3254
Email: wluers@wsu.edu
Office Hours: M & T 3:00pm-4:00pm in VMMC room 26

NOTE: All matters associated with this course are subject to change. Any changes will be communicated to students.

Course Rationale

DTC 477 Advanced Multimedia Authoring builds on the HTML/CSS skills developed in DTC 355 and provides a broad look at the various tools, design approaches and scripting languages (such as HTML5, CSS3, Javascript and jQuery) for creating dynamic multimedia objects for a variety of platforms, including mobile phones and tablets.  The world of digital publishing is changing rapidly and this class seeks to respond creatively and analytically to these changes by introducing students to an array of skill sets.

Learning Goals

The assignments and activities for this course reflect these objectives and serve to assist students with reaching program goals.

Course Structure

• Focus on the manual creation of web-based objects and other digital interfaces
• Readings, discussion of concepts, and application of theory
• Multiple assignments and projects
• Conceptual and creative work with ideas explored in this course

Required Course Texts and other resources

• Codeacademy.com: Introduction to JavaScript tutorial
• Free Code Camp for jQuery and other tutorials
• Selected online readings
• Flash drive or portable media storage on which you can save and transport your work

Course Point-Earning Opportunities

• 2 Quizzes (2 x 10%):  20%
• Mini-projects (5 X 4%): 20%
• Javascript Tutorial: 10%
• jQuery Tutorial: 5%
• Map Story: 10%
• Creative Programming: 10%
• Final Project: 25%

General Project Guidelines

• Multimedia projects should address usability, navigation, and design issues raised in this course and in DTC355
• Multimedia projects should utilize attractive and effective design and layout
• JavaScript/jQuery coding, HTML/CSS mark-up, site design and content must be your own work, unless otherwise specified
• Content should be substantive and should be written/created by you
• All images not created by yourself must be clearly labeled with ownership and copyright information
• Multimedia projects should be checked thoroughly for errors. There is no excuse for sloppy writing and such mistakes will count against you.

Assessment and Final Grades

Both attendance and participation will be monitored and deficiencies in either/both will result in lower final grades. Participation means being attentive in class, joining in discussions, engaging in informal critiques and completing all in-class and outside assignments.

You are allowed three class absences. Each class absence after that will result in a 3 point deduction from the final cumulative points. It is your responsibility to make sure I check your attendance if you arrive after the start of class. You will receive a mark of absence if you repeatedly arrive late to class, leave early without permission and/or take up valuable class time with activity unrelated to class (such checking mail, facebook or other homework).  Stay focused, share ideas, be awesome and you will get an excellent grade. It is that simple. Absent students remain responsible for all course matters during their absence(s). Opportunities to make up missed work may not be available.

Final grades are determined from the cumulative points earned, plus or minus any deductions or additions for attendance or participation. No curving, averaging, or other manipulations are utilized. No other assessment or extra credit opportunities are planned. Incompletes are not available. Final grades are based on the following scale:

Notice that the grade of “D” is not offered; reverts to “F.”

Submission of Late Work

All work must be submitted as and when required. Late work may not be accepted, or accepted with a substantial penalty. Email submissions of work or work submitted “under the door” or “in the mailbox” will not be accepted. No excuses, no exceptions.

WSU Academic Integrity Statement

Academic integrity is the cornerstone of higher education. As such, all members of the university community share responsibility for maintaining and promoting the principles of integrity in all activities, including academic integrity and honest scholarship. Academic integrity will be strongly enforced in this course. Students who violate WSU’s Academic Integrity Policy (identified in Washington Administrative Code (WAC) 504-26-010(3) and -404) will receive [insert academic sanction (e.g., fail the course, fail the assignment, etc.)], will not have the option to withdraw from the course pending an appeal, and will be reported to the Office of Student Conduct. Cheating includes, but is not limited to, plagiarism and unauthorized collaboration as defined in the Standards of Conduct for Students, WAC 504-26-010(3). You need to read and understand all of the definitions of cheating:  https://app.leg.wa.gov/WAC/default.aspx?cite=504-26-010. If you have any questions about what is and is not allowed in this course, you should ask course instructors before proceeding.  If you wish to appeal a faculty member’s decision relating to academic integrity, please use the form available at https://studentaffairs.vancouver.wsu.edu/student-affairs/student-conduct. If you have any questions about the process on the Vancouver campus, please call Helen Gregory at 360-546-9573.

AWARE network

The AWARE Network is an online resource with a list of important resources as well as an Assistance and Referral From that can be completed by anyone on campus if they have concerns about a particular student.  The idea is to make it convenient and easy for the campus community to report a student situation of concern.   The online form and other resources are located at http://aware.vancouver.wsu.edu