Course Description
This course is an introduction to principles and practice of using computers for generation of time based media, including video and audio production. In addition students use basic web programing (HTML, CSS, Javascript) to publish media and other course projects online as part of their New Media Portfolio. By semester’s end, students will understand the application of the computer as a tool for the development of interactive platforms and will develop skills in time-based media and audiovisual storytelling as a venue for publishing and distributing their creative work online in these interactive platforms.
No prerequisites, though NMD 100 and 104 strongly recommended.
3 credit hours.
| Instructor Prof Joline Blais Teaching Assistant Arturo Camacho Class MLA Mentors: Ian Donnelley tba | Class Meetings Lecture: Mon/Wed 1:00-2:50 Neville 116 Lab sections Fridays 9, 11, or 1pm IMRC 113 Office hours Mon 11am-1 pm |
Class will run with 2 upper class MLA assistants who will work as mentors during class/lab time. They will help with clarifying class concepts from web programing to media development, especially helping you implement those concepts during lab projects and lab exercises. Lab sections will enable you to practice the skills you will need to complete your assignments and projects. You may also ask Mentors about general New Media questions and about their experiences through the program.
Office Hours
Weekly office hours are Mon 11am -1pm. Please use the class Slack account to communicate with me about class matters and if you need time to meet outside of these hours.
Course Goals and Objectives
We will use the computer as a tool for the creation of time-based media, and for the development of an online portfolio to showcase your work. The focus is on introductory web development skills, media literacy, storytelling strategies, and the development of creative problem solving and idea generation skills, as well as collaborative team building. Additionally, you will learn how to critically discuss time-based media and online portfolios by critiquing your own work and the work of others. The WordPress web platform will enable you to publish and distribute content in a way to reach a global audience, as well as creating a scalable architecture for your NMD and eventually professional portfolio.
Expected Outcomes
Students will gain an understanding of the process of audiovisual storytelling using time-based media, including pre-production, production and post-production techniques. In addition, you will upgrade your initial understanding of basic web development via WordPress and basic HTML coding. Although this is an entry-level course, students will be expected to gain a high degree of competency in the use of digital media as a means for creative and applied expression. Students will learn applicable traditional aspects of audiovisual storytelling and traditional film as well as specific video theory and practice unique to New Media, which can be applied to the development and creation of their projects.
Skills and Concepts
Through in-class and formal assignments students will demonstrate an understanding of the following skills and concepts:
- Comprehension of terms, ideas and issues related to a digital storytelling and video production
- Facility working collaboratively and in teams
- Generation of sound story ideas
- Ability to frame and capture scenes, and to edit and process video
- Ability to capture and edit digital sound, and use effectively
- Ability to solve conceptual, creative and technical problems in time-based media
- Clear communication of content and ideas and ability to support peer work in both the process and in the projects
- Skill in providing feedback and support for peers
- Ability to work with external clients
- Basic familiarity with WordPress development and HTML coding for portfolio, and presentation of New Media projects including text, photo, video, audio, and social media
- Understanding of the relationship between computer codes (web programming) and cultural codes (stories), and how they both enable expression of knowledge to wide audiences
Grading and course expectations
Requirements
You must complete all assignments by the specified due date for full credit. Students are also expected to develop a digital portfolio in wordpress (from NMD 100 or NMD 104) of all work completed during the semester. New Media students are required to maintain this portfolio for future internship and job opportunities and general career prep. Most opportunities in the field of New Media require a professional portfolio–which you will create from class based assignments. Students are encouraged to keep a journal complete with notes, visual samples, and sketches of ideas to help build this portfolio. Consider assignments loosely, so you can achieve the expected outcomes, but also tailor the work to create the kind of portfolio work you’d be proud to show. In sum, take ownership of the learning and work you do.
Class activities and demonstrations begin promptly. Timely arrival for class and readiness to work is expected, along with active participation in lab work, discussions, and critiques.
Unfinished work may not receive the same level of attention or critique, as finished work–so if you want good feedback, complete your drafts. Unexcused absences will have repercussions on your grade.
Grading Standards
C: Meeting the above requirements in an average manner will result in a “C” as the final grade.
B: Better than average effort and execution will result in a “B”.
A: An “A” is reserved for demonstrated exceptional creative development, application, innovation, effort, and an in-depth understanding of process.
Failure to complete any of the above components of your grade withan average or better effort will result in a “D” or an “F” as your final grade.
Grading Scale
Your grade will be determined based upon the total points earned on quizzes, discussions, projects, exercises, lab work, participation/attendance and the final project and weighted as below.
After presenting your assignments for critique, you may have the opportunity to improve your work before evaluation. This is available for most ongoing projects, but not your final project, which often has feedback in its early stages. Final work is often due at the end of the day on the first day of finals.
Grading
The percentage value for each of the elements considered in determining your grade is as follows:
- Attendance & Participation (quizzes), Class/Lab Exercises: 10%
- Project 1, 2 3: 20% each, total 60%
- (A+W+R=9%, P=11%)
- Final Project: 30%
- (A+W+R=9%, P=21%)
Class policies
Classroom Expectations
Students and instructors each play an important role in maintaining a classroom environment optimal for learning, and are expected to treat each other with respect. Class discussions are interactive and diverse opinions will be shared; please be thoughtful in sharing your perspectives and responses with one another, both in class and online. Disruptive behavior is defined as any type of activity that would interrupt, in a negative manner, the normal flow of information exchange in the classroom or on the UMaine campus. Such conduct will not be tolerated because it interferes with the financial and educational investments of other students. Students that exhibit such unacceptable behavior will be asked to leave the classroom setting, and their future presence in the class will come under the review of an officer of the University.
Examples of inappropriate behavior include but are not limited to the following: verbal or physical abuse of another person, malicious destruction, damage or misuse of college property, and indecent or disorderly conduct. Other behaviors that can be disruptive are chatting during class, the use of electronic equipment for non-course work related activities, preparing to leave before class is over, and consistently arriving late to class. The decision about what constitutes disruptive behavior is made by the attending instructor.
Incomplete
A grade of incomplete may be granted to students who have suffered serious illness or family issues during the academic term, resulting in failure to complete all assignments by the end of the quarter. Proper documentation is required and must be attached to the petition for a grade of incomplete. A student who has missed over 25% of the semester may not be eligible for an incomplete.
Attendance
Attendance is mandatory for both lectures and labs. After two absences, you will begin to lose credit for your overall grade, which counts for 10% plus any missed work in the other grade categories (quizzes, in-class work, etc). Because of the size of the class, it is often difficult to do make-up work, and it will be mostly on your initiative. This means you need to 1) consult the class schedule, ask a classmate (Slack), or otherwise find out about work missed, and then you can verify with TA if any missing work may be passed in. Each successive absence will further affect your grade. The accumulation of absences can lead to failure of this class. Chronic late arrival will also lower your grade. If you do have health issues, we may be able to work out an accommodation, or you may be encouraged to consider a medical withdrawal for the course—in either case, let me know so we can find the best solution for you.
Attribution and Documentation
You must document your process and keep all work done during the semester. This should include everything from all online writings to each aspect of the projects you complete. A paragraph including proper citation of all the elements you include in your work that you did not create yourself (ie pictures or footage found online), or credit given for ideas (from classmates during feedback or lab) is also required when you submit any work to show the collaborative nature of creative work.
Homework
You must complete all of the homework for this class by the specified time. Late work may be accepted but with 10% credit lost per class day late. I suggest that you begin your homework as soon as it is assigned so that you can have plenty of time to do a skillful and competent job. Rushed last minute work is stressful for you and generally poor in quality and you will not learn as much by waiting until the last minute.
Instructional materials and methods
Required Readings
During the semester, we will follow three tracks; 1) media literacy and production from Moving Images; 2) Practice with Adobe CC tools with online tutorials, and 3) development of your NMD portfolio using work completed during the class. You are expected to view/read these materials to use for work, discuss with colleagues, or incorporate. These screenings/readings will be posted to the class website as links and are intended to complement the material we will be working on in class.
Class Website
A majority of the material for this course will be delivered through the class website. Assignments, Discussions, Communications, and Grading will all occur through the class website, or through the class Slack account: NMD106-2019. You will be subscribed to both with your @maine.edu account only (for security purposes).
University Policies
For notices applicable for all courses in the School of Computing and Information Science, see https://umaine.edu/computingcoursesonline/notices/. More explicitly see:
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