WEB 2811
ADVANCED WEB GRAPHICS
3 Credit Hours

Course Information

Course Description:

This course is designed to enhance the computer skills of those using graphics programs to prepare images for web or print delivery. Students will use Photoshop CS3 for graphics manipulation.

Course Objectives:

Students will learn to enhance and create digital images using Photoshop. They will:

· Calibrate computer systems for use with Photoshop;

· Adjust images;

· Correct color;

· Transform images;

· Work with layers and masks;

· Use selection techniques;

· Blur and sharpen images;

· Use layer styles;

· Create patterns and textures;

· Create special effects;

· Import and export files;

· Use filters for special effects;

· Retouch images

Prerequisites and Co-requisites:

A practical knowledge of how the Internet operates, HTML code, graphic formats, web site building, web page design, and an introductory knowledge of a computer graphics program are required. These are the pre-requisites required before taking this course:

· COM 1020 (RODP)

· MDT 2100 (PSTCC)

· Equivalent knowledge and training.

Course Topics:

· Basic color adjustment;

· Shadows, highlights, and midtones;

· Image size and resolution;

· Cropping and straightening;

· Making selections;

· Replacing, retouching, and editing;

· Masking essentials;

· Sharpening focus;

· Blurring and averaging;

· Layer essentials;

· Layers and layer comps;

· Opacity and blend modes;

· Transform, warp, and liquefy;

· Vanishing point 2.0;

· Creating and editing text;

· Layer effects and styles;

· Vector-based shapes;

· Smart objects;

· Non-destructive smart filters;

Specific Course Requirements:

Students taking this course should be proficient in Windows XP or greater, have access to a copy of Photoshop CS3, have a working knowledge of the Internet, and have a working knowledge of web page development using HTML and/or an HTML editor. Students should also be able to create and manipulate digital graphics by using a graphics program; they should be familiar with graphic file types, be able to submit files to the instructor using the Desire2Learn assignment interface.

Textbooks, Supplementary Materials, Hardware and Software Requirements

Required Textbooks:

Online training library subscription to lynda.com available at http://lynda.com for $25/month. Each student should subscribe to the online training library during the first week of class.

Supplementary Materials:

N/A

Hardware Requirements:

IBM-type criteria:

Hardware:

* Intel Pentium 4, Intel Centrino, Intel Xeon, or Intel Core Duo (or compatible) processor.

* Microsoft Windows XP with Service Pack 2 or Windows Vista Home Premium, Business, Ultimate or Enterprise (certified for 32-bit editions)

* 1 GB of RAM

* 5 GB of available hard-disk space

* 1024 x 768 monitor resolution with 16-bit video card

* CD-ROM drive (DVD preferred)

* High-speed Internet connection such as cable modem or DSL recommended, if possible

* Speakers

Software:

* Internet Explorer 6.0 (or higher) with Outlook Express

* Macromedia Shockwave and Flash players. Download free from http://www.macromedia.com/downloads/

* Adobe Acrobat Reader 6.0 or better. Download free from http://www.adobe.com/support/downloads/main.html

* OPTIONAL: Netscape 7.0 (full installation)

Macintosh criteria:

Hardware:

* PowerPC G4 or G5 or multicore Intel processor

* Mac OS X v.10.4.8

* 1 GB of RAM

* 7 GB of available hard-disk space space

* 1024 x 768 monitor resolution with 16-bit video card

* CD-ROM (DVD preferred)

* High-speed Internet connection such as cable modem or DSL recommended, if possible

* Speakers

Software:

* QuickTime 7.0.4 or better

* Adobe Acrobat Reader 6 or better. Download free from http://www.adobe.com/support/downloads/main.html

* Macromedia Shockwave and Flash players. Download free from http://www.macromedia.com/downloads/

Software Requirements:

Adobe Photoshop CS3

Instructor Information

Please see the instructor page inside the course to find instructor contact information as well as a statement of virtual office hours and other communication information.

Assessment and Grading

Testing Procedures:

Online quizzes will be built into the course. Due to security issues in online testing, the weighting of the quizzes will be minor in relation to the overall grade for the course. Quizzes will be based on the assigned video content from Lynda.com. The quiz items will be randomly generated from a bank of quiz items; each student may receive a different set of quiz questions over a specific topic.

Grading Procedure:

Projects: 75 percent of grade - Students will complete weekly projects involving the manipulation of digital graphics. Using Photoshop to complete these projects will comprise the major part of the grade for this course. The projects will consist of content created in the course of working along with the assigned video content from Lynda.com, and also of summary exercises created by the instructor to assess comprehensive knowledge of course concepts. The files will be sent weekly through the Desire2Learn Assignment interface.

Quizzes: 20 percent of grade - Students will be given a series of comprehensive exams covering content in the assigned Lynda.com tutorials during the semester. These exams will consist of true/false, multiple choice, and/or essay questions.

Online Communication Tools: 5 percent of grade - Students will use email and discussion board postings to communicate with instructor and with each other. Discussion board postings will be comprised of student interaction on assigned topics, as well as required postings with a specified due date.

Grading Scale:

90-100---A
80-89---B
70-79---C
60-69---D

Assignments and Participation

Assignments and Projects:

Tutorials: You will be assigned video tutorials to complete weekly. To master Photoshop, as with any applications program, you learn best by using the software to complete real-world scenarios.

Assignments (75%): Assignments for the week are due on each Sunday (with the exception of extra time given at midterm and toward the end of the semester, or at the discretion of the instructor).

Quizzes (20%): There will be 12 online quizzes delivered through Desire2Learn. These quizzes will consist of true/false, multiple choice, and/or essay questions and will check the comprehension of the practical application of the tutorial materials. Each quiz will contain 10-25 items randomly generated from a bank of quiz items over the specified chapter(s).

Class Participation (5%):

Students are expected to communicate with their instructor on a weekly basis at a minimum (this includes the submission of assignments).

Punctuality:

It is the student's responsibility to submit assignments by the date indicated. Should events occur which will prevent the student from submitting assignments on time, it is the responsibility of the student to discuss this prior to the due date or as soon as possible. (See Late Work policy under Course Ground Rules section.)

Course Ground Rules

Online or "on ground": An on-line course is not for everyone. Students often state that the hardest part of an on-line course is to stay motivated to stay on task and to complete work in a timely fashion. You are basically teaching yourself the material; the instructor is managing your learning. The trade-off is that you are involved in a class that you have great control over. If you are not a self-starter, you should consider taking the class in a traditional classroom.

Email: You will be given a Desire2Learn email account. Technical problems on your computer will not be an excuse for the lack of completion of any course work. In addition, the instructor is unable to provide computer repair for the student's PC.

Late work: Assignments sent after the due date will be subject to late penalties. Assignments submitted within 2 weeks of due date will receive half credit. Assignments later than 2 weeks late will receive zero credit.

Guidelines for Communications

Email:

· Always include a subject line.

· Remember without facial expressions some comments may be taken the wrong way. Be careful in wording your emails. Use of emoticons might be helpful in some cases.

· Use standard fonts.

· Do not send large attachments without permission.

· Special formatting such as centering, audio messages, tables, html, etc. should be avoided unless necessary to complete an assignment or other communication.

· Respect the privacy of other class members

Discussion Groups:

· Review the discussion threads thoroughly before entering the discussion. Be a lurker then a discussant.

· Try to maintain threads by using the "Reply" button rather starting a new topic.

· Do not make insulting or inflammatory statements to other members of the discussion group. Be respectful of others' ideas.

· Be patient and read the comments of other group members thoroughly before entering your remarks.

· Be cooperative with group leaders in completing assigned tasks.

· Be positive and constructive in group discussions.

· Respond in a thoughtful and timely manner.

Chat:

· Introduce yourself to the other learners in the chat session.

· Be polite. Choose your words carefully. Do not use derogatory statements.

· Be concise in responding to others in the chat session.

· Be prepared to open the chat session at the scheduled time.

· Be constructive in your comments and suggestion.

Web Resources:

· Columbia Guide to Online Style by Janice R. Walker and Todd Taylor

· Citation Styles Online http://www.bedfordstmartins.com/online/cite6.html

Library

The Tennessee Virtual Library is available to all students enrolled in the Regents Degree Program. Links to library materials (such as electronic journals, databases, interlibrary loans, digital reserves, dictionaries, encyclopedias, maps, and librarian support) and Internet resources needed by learners to complete online assignments and as background reading must be included in all courses.

Students With Disabilities

Qualified students with disabilities will be provided reasonable and necessary academic accommodations if determined eligible by the appropriate disability services staff at their home institution. Prior to granting disability accommodations in this course, the instructor must receive written verification of a student's eligibility for specific accommodations from the disability services staff at the home institution. It is the student's responsibility to initiate contact with their home institution's disability services staff and to follow the established procedures for having the accommodation notice sent to the instructor.

Syllabus Changes

The instructor reserves the right to make changes as necessary to this syllabus. If changes are necessitated during the term of the course, the instructor will immediately notify students of such changes both by individual email communication and posting both notification and nature of change(s) on the course bulletin board.

Technical Support

Telephone Support:

If you are having problems logging into your course, timing out of your course, using your course web site tools, or other technical problems, please contact the AskRODP Help Desk by calling 1-866-550-7637 (toll free or go to the AskRODP website at: http://help.rodp.org