Introduction to Interactive Media
CD221, 3 Credits
Spring 2006
Tuesday and Thursday				3:15 – 6
Jesse Hemminger, Adjunct Instructor
email:
www.jessehemminger.com or 612-872-7385
Office hours: Tuesdays 2:00 - 3:00 Room 109 (the adjunct faculty office)
0.	PREREQUISITES Intro to Digital Media is a prerequisite. If you are having trouble remembering what you learned in Digital Media then you don't meet the prerequisite and you will be REQUIRED to attend tutoring, provided by CVA on Fridays from 10-2 or with me during my office hours.
I.	COURSE DESCRIPTION
	Intro to Digital Media. If you are having trouble remembering what you learned in Digital Media then you don't meet the prerequisite and you will be REQUIRED to attend tutoring, provided by CVA on Fridays from 10-2 or with me during my office hours. Interactive media affects your work and career: whether to shape ideas; create, deliver or archive work; market yourself; or collaborate with colleagues. We work in an “interactive studio”, and to work productively, it is important to understand the possibilities of these tools – and this medium. Introduction to Interactive Media presents the computer as a creative tool and as a medium. We will learn the fundamentals of the interactive process; therefore this class will start out as being particularly technically oriented. However, I hope that along the way, we will begin to investigate the why and wherefore of our working methods and engage in a dialogue that expands on the possibilities that computers are tools through which we exchange our thoughts and our ideas.
II.	LEARNING OUTCOMES
	Learn to creatively apply your unique artistic skills to interactive media. Understand specific digital skills as part of an overall process. Begin to develop a technical, conceptual and visual vocabulary to allow you to meaningfully discuss, analyze, and critique interactive media. Create interactive media that is dictated by your ideas and intentions, not by the technology. Utilize fundamental art and design concepts such as composition, form, balance, positive and negative space, tone, color theory, etc, in the creation of your interactive media. Learn basic hardware, software, and network functions of a Macintosh computer. Develop basic skills in HTML, Dreamweaver, Photoshop, and Image Ready. Build a library of problem solving tools both on and offline in books and communities to allow you to continue to explore and learn beyond this class. Learn conventions and standards so you can intentionally and successfully break the rules. Develop basic technical skills such as file management, FTP, and image compression. Intro to concepts of site architecture, info arch, hierarchy, navigation design.
III.	METHOD OF ASSESSMENT
	Assignments will be graded and critiqued with the following criteria: - Was it completed on time and did it follow the required instructions? - Was it aesthetically, artistically, and technically successful? - Is its concept and design original and inventive and does it show a spirit of experimentation? - Is the presentation organized, clean, and professional?
IV.	COURSE REQUIREMENTS
	A.	Evaluation and Grading Your final course grade will be based on the following: - 20% Class participation and Attendance - 80% Assignments A – achievement that is outstanding relative to the level necessary to meet course requirements. B – achievement that is significantly above the level necessary to meet course requirements. C – achievement that meets the course requirements in every respect. D – achievement that is worthy of credit even though it fails to meet fully the course requirements. F – represents failure (or no credit) and signifies work that was not either (1) completed but at a level of achievement that is not worthy of credit or (2) was not completed and there was no agreement between the instructor and the student that the student would be awarded an I I – (Incomplete) assigned when, due to extraordinary circumstances (e.g. hospitalization), a student is prevented from completing the work of the course on time. Requires written documentation and may require approval by the Dean.
	B.	Attendance Classes that meet 2 times per week recognize 4 absences as grounds for failure. Classes that meet 1 time per week recognize 3 absences as grounds for failure. 2 tardy are equivalent to 1 absence. After 15 minutes a tardy becomes an absence. A student will forfeit all rights and privileges for the course failed due to attendance and/or tardy absences. Excused absences are only granted due to hospitalization and/ or death in the family. Students are required to show documentation of their circumstance to the Office of Academic Affairs. This office will communicate to the given faculty. CVA recognizes all religions and will grant excused absences for documented religious holidays. Students are required to register the particular times and dates of these holidays at the beginning of each semester with the Office of Academic Affairs. This office will communicate to the given faculty. Students are responsible for understanding this policy and tracking their own attendance and tardiness.
	C.	Academic Honor Code
		1.	Principles
			Every student at the College of Visual Arts must adhere to high standards of honorable behavior. Academic work for all liberal arts and studio classes must be a student’s own, with appropriate credit given for use of the words, images, and ideas of another. If a student uses fraudulent means to obtain grades or other advantages in academic work, he or she has not truly gained in knowledge, understanding, or skill. Grades, honors, and other marks of achievement lose their meaning; the reputation of the College of Visual Arts is diminished and the value of its B. F. A. degree reduced. It is therefore essential to the integrity of the college that every member of the community -- students, faculty, staff, and administration -- uphold the highest standards of academic integrity.
		2.	Definition and Examples of Academic Dishonesty
			Cheating § Copying another student’s answers on a quiz or exam § Using notes or other source materials on a quiz or exam without the instructor’s permission § Collaborating on a take-home exam meant to be completed individually § Using electronic devices such as phones, computers, or calculators during an exam without the instructor’s permission § Copying another student’s homework assignment § Using answers from an instructor’s version of a textbook for a homework assignment meant to be completed individually.
			Plagiarizing § Presenting for either a liberal arts or studio class the work of another without acknowledgement, as though it were your own § Using the “cut and paste” method of constructing a paper from internet or print sources without synthesizing the ideas to create your own independent thesis or identifying the sources § Using information, ideas, or images from any source (internet, book, article, a classmate’s research paper or artwork) without proper attribution § Using the exact words of another without using quotation marks and citing the source § Paraphrasing the words of another without citing the source
			Making multiple submissions § Submitting, without prior permission, a paper, project, or other assignment completed in one class to fulfill a requirement for another class
			Facilitating academic dishonesty § Allowing another student to copy answers from your exam paper § Giving or selling another student a completed assignment, project, or paper § Informing students in a later section of a class the questions on an exam
			Stealing or defacing materials or other property § Theft or defacement of any materials or property belonging to another student or member of the staff or faculty § Theft or defacement of any materials or property belonging to the college § Theft or defacement of library books or other materials § Theft of proprietary software
			Using materials in an unauthorized manner § Unauthorized entry into college property such as classrooms, studios, computer labs, faculty offices, or library § Unauthorized use or manipulation of studio equipment or computer programs
			Falsifying academic records § Alteration of grade books or files § Use of personal relationships to gain grades or favors § Any attempt to obtain grades or credit through fraudulent means.
		3.	Process for Dealing with Violations of the Honor Code
			The College of Visual Arts will treat violations of the honor code with the utmost seriousness. If a student is accused of academic dishonesty, the student will be informed of the alleged violation and the evidence on which the allegation is based. If circumstances warrant, the instructor and relevant department chair, in consultation with the academic dean, may decide on a penalty such as a failing grade or 0 on the assignment or exam or a failing grade in the course. A record of the violation will be filed in the office of the dean, who will maintain a permanent record of reported student violations. Students may appeal to the relevant department chair. If dissatisfied with that decision, the student may appeal to the academic dean. The decision from that office will be final. In special circumstances a student may appeal to a standing hearing committee. Second and subsequent violations of the honor code will be dealt with by the academic dean. Students may appeal decisions to the standing committee, the decision of which is final.
		4.	Penalties for Violations
			Penalties for students found to have engaged in academic dishonesty may include: § A grade of F or 0 on an assignment, paper, or exam § A grade of F for the course § Suspension from the college § Expulsion from the college
	D.	Student Responsibilities
		1.	Treat class time as an opportunity to learn.
		2.	Abide by the CVA Attendance Policy, Honor Code, Grievance Procedure and Code of Conduct (see Student Handbook).
		3.	Arrive on class on time, with all materials, ready to work steadily throughout the session.
		4.	Be prepared with all your required materials for every class.
		5.	Complete assignments on time. No exceptions.
		6.	Cite all research, text and image sources (see Student Handbook and visit http://www.shortstreet.net/WRsec4/htm)
		7.	Participate in all class discussions and critiques.
		8.	Confront difficulties in your work in the spirit of learning, creative exploration, and personal growth.
		9.	Ask for help from your instructors when needed.
		10.	Avail yourself of all available support services including advising, tutorials, and workshops.
		11.	Respect your fellow students at all times.
		12.	Disruptive behavior is not tolerated.
		13.	You are responsible for cleaning up after yourself at the end of each class.
		14.	No radios, players, walkmans, pagers, or cellular phones are allowed in class.
		15.	No smoking anywhere in any CVA building. Smoke only in designated outdoor smoking areas on campus.
V.	RESOURCES AND READINGS
	REQUIRED Lynda.com subscription. Sign-up instructions will be given in class. Aproximately $10/month. w3schools.com FREE RECOMMENDED TEXT Web Style Guide (2^nd Edition) - by Patrick Lynch and Sarah Horton - Yale University Press - FREE online version at: www.webstyleguide.com Internet Art - by Rachel Greene – Thames & Hudson ISBN 0-500-20376-8 ( www.wwnorton.com/orders/th/520376.htm ) Visual Quickstart Guide: Macromedia Dreamweaver MX 2004 for Macintosh & Windows - by Tarin Towers - Peachpit Press
	The Little Mac OS X Book - by Robin Williams - Peachpit Press
VI.	MATERIALS AND SUPPLIES
	Sketchbook and notebook - to sketch ideas and take class notes. CD-R disks and/or portable hard drive, flash drive, jump drive etc. (an iPod for example) Web hosting account and domain name
VII.	COURSE METHODOLOGY
	The class will use a mixture of techniques, including: - Lectures, demonstrations and in-class activities, - Readings: books, handouts, pdf documents, online sources - Discussions and critiques, - Project assignments, - Sketch books, - and a Final Project, to integrate specific skills. Keep a sketchbook handy to develop your concepts and visual ideas, it will count towards your final grade. Plan to practice your skills outside of class – and explore and share with each other. You should be spending as much time working outside of class as you spend in class each week. The value you receive from this course is directly dependent on your active participation and engagement.
VIII.	OUTLINE AND OBJECTIVES
	This is a rough schedule and is subject to change.
	A.	Poem			Week (s) 1-2
		1.	Project goal: Learn the basics of HTML and CSS
		2.	Description:		Build a multipage web site using a poem as the content. Do all coding and styling by hand using a text editor (BBEdit)
	B.	Portfolio Web Site			Week (s) 3-8
		1.	Project goal: Learn FTP and more advanced HTML and CSS
		2.	Description:		Build a multipage portfolio web site using your own work as the content. Develope concepts and design through sketching, thumbnails and storyboarding. Use Dreamweaver and Phototshop to design and implament your site. Upload the final site to a web server with your own unique domain name.
	B.	Interactive Story Telling			Week (s) 9-15
		1.	Project goal: Learn basics of Flash animation and more advanced HTML and CSS
		2.	Description:		Build a multipage interactive web site using your own artwork/design to tell a story. Develope concepts and design through sketching, thumbnails and storyboarding. Use Dreamweaver and Phototshop and/or Flash to design and implament your site. Upload the final site to a web server with your own unique domain name.

IX.	AGREEMENT (include on separate sheet to be collected and retained by instructor) I have received, read, and understand the course syllabus for FD100A Course Title as well as the CVA Student Handbook. The instructor has, within the structure of the class, explained the material contained within the syllabus. I hereby agree to abide by the structure outlined in the syllabus and by the policies dictated in the CVA Student Handbook.
	Student Signature:
	Printed Name: