PELLISSIPPI STATE TECHNICAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE
MASTER SYLLABUS
TYPOGRAPHY
CGT 1110
Class Hours:  3.0   Credit Hours:  3.0  
Laboratory Hours:  0.0   Date Revised:  Fall 1998  
       
Catalog Course Description:    
   A study of the basics of typography including history, font designs, functional and expressive applications for graphic design. Introduction to the use of computerized equipment emphasized.
Entry Level Standards:    
   None at this time
Prerequisite:    
   CGT 1030 
Corequisite:    
 CGT 1100 or consent of instructor
Textbook(s) and Other Reference Materials Basic to the Course:  
   Textbook: None 
  Reference: The Macintosh Font Book, Latest Edition, Peachpit Press 
                    Designing with Type by James Craig
I. Week/Unit/Topic Basis:    
  Week  Topic
  1 Introduction  / scope of course / type basics
  2 Origins of the Alphabet / The Families of Type
  3 Units of Measure
  4 Old Style Roman, Garamond
  5 Transitional Roman, Baskerville
  6 The Egyptians / Sans Serifs
  7 Sans Serifs, Helvetica, Futura, Avant Garde, et al;  Mid-Term Review
  8 Mid-Term Exam;  Typographic composition / Size, Position, Weight, Direction
  9 Legibility / Kerning, Wordspacing, Letterspacing, Leading
  10 Postscript / True Type
  11 Font Management / Font Installation, Buying Fonts
  12 Type Tips / QuarkXpress, Freehand and/or Adobe Illustrator / Font Problems
  13 Expressive typography / Creating and enhancing typefaces
  14 Final project production;  Final Exam Review
  15 Final project presentation
  16 Final Exam
II. Course Objectives*:    
  A. To understand typographic history, selection and application. I, II, IV
  B. To understand typographic controls and nomenclature from historical and 
 contemporary perspectives. I, II, III
  C. To develop typographic skills using Macintosh technology. I, II, IV
  D. To understand and apply the functional and expressive potential inherent to 
 typographic form. I, II
*Roman numerals after course objectives reference goals of the CGT program.
III. Instructional Processes*:     
Students will:      
  1. Design and produce a self-promotion device utilizing the principles of      effective typographic communication. Communication Outcome,  Personal Development    Outcome,   Problem Solving and Decision Making Outcome,  Technological Literacy Outcome,  Active Learning Strategies
  2. Examine and research a particular roman font or font designer of   historical significance and incorporate findings and related elements into a two-dimensional project and presentation.   Problem Solving and Decision-Making Outcome,  Information Literacy Outcome,  Active Learning Strategy
  3. Design and execute a newsletter format that includes edited text information.  Communication Outcome,  Problem Solving and Decision Making Outcome,   Technological Literacy Outcome,  Active Learning Strategies, Transitional   Strategy
  4. Develop a speculative logotype for an existing non-profit service provider utilizing existing fonts.  Communication Outcome,   Problem Solving and Decision-Making Outcome,   Cultural Diversity and Social Adaptation,  Technological Literacy Outcome,  Transitional Strategy,  Active Learning Strategy
*Strategies and outcomes listed after instructional processes reference Pellissippi State’s goals for strengthening general education knowledge and skills, connecting coursework to experiences beyond the classroom, and encouraging students to take active and responsible roles in the educational process.
IV. Expectations for Student Performance*: 
Upon successful completion of this course, the student should be able to:
1. Use the Macintosh computer as a design and production tool, applying the options and     expressive capabilities of that technology. D
2. Demonstrate the mastery of typographic concepts and digital technology sufficient to     produce basic desktop publishing. C, D
3. Incorporate visual perception, gestalt theory and other objective criteria as a basis for     effective typographic design. B, C
4. Identify the historical and cultural aspects of the alphabet, significant designers, and the 
 classic fonts. B
5. Design with both text and display copy. C, D
6. Demonstrate the ability to precisely and accurately articulate design evaluation in both     oral and written formats. A, B
7. Exhibit a basic understanding of the fundamentals of typographic units of measure. B
8. Apply the controls of size, weight, position, direction and leading in producing 
 legible type. B, C
*Letters after performance expectations reference the course objectives listed above.
V. Evaluation:
A. Testing Procedures:  50% of grade
 Short Quizzes (15%), Written Mid-term (15%) and  Written Final Exam (20%) 
  Students will be tested on material from reading assignments, lectures, 
 class handouts, etc. (Missed tests or quizzes may not be made up without instructor     approval.) 
B. Laboratory Expectations:
 Students will find it necessary to spend additional time in the Macintosh lab in  order to successfully complete assignments.
C. Field Work:  None
D. Other Evaluation Methods:  50% of grade
 Students will maintain a journal/workbook (3 ring binder with pocket page protectors)     of  reference materials/examples, in-class exercises, and other assignments. Instructor will review journals at random intervals throughout the term and at the end of the semester. (20%) Students will submit a project portfolio. Each project will be evaluated and count equally towards a composite portfolio grade. (30%) The final grade will be calculated from the factors as mentioned above and will be evaluated on a standard scale. 
E. Grading Scale:
       A      90 - 100
       B+     86 - 89
       B       80 - 85
       C+     76 - 79
       C       70 - 75
       D       60 - 69
       F       Below 60
VI. Policies:
Attendance Policy:
 Pellissippi State Technical Community College expects students to attend all scheduled instructional activities. As a minimum, students in all courses must be    present for at least 75 percent of their scheduled class and laboratory meetings in order to receive credit for the course.  More than 7 absences will result in a failing grade.  Roll will be at the beginning of the class period. Three or more absences will result in a     reduction of the final grade by one full letter. Three tardies will count as one absence.    Leaving class early is not acceptable and will count as an absence.  In the event of an    absence, students must use their own initiative to secure lecture notes, assignments, and other information that might have been covered during the class period.