Syllabus

This course is a study and application of computerized design principles from a journalism perspective, including print planning and layout. Students will examine the basics of computerized page design using desktop publishing (DTP) software, specifically Adobe InDesign. Special attention is given to the jargon or vocabulary relevant to working in DTP and fundamental components of page design: headlines, text, photos and cutlines. The primary goal of this course is to be able to apply the above knowledge and ultimately create an four-page publication, which is the final project for the course.

Readings & Materials

Required Texts & Storage

Harrower, Tim. The Newspaper Designers Handbook with CD-Rom. 6th ed. Boston, MA: McGraw Hill, 2007. ISBN 0072996692.

"This textbook is for journalism students and professionals alike. It is loaded with examples, advice, design ideas, and exercises that teach students how to manipulate the basic elements of design (photos, headlines, and text); create charts, maps, and diagrams; design attractive photo spreads; add effective, appealing sidebars to complex stories; create lively, engaging feature page designs; work with color; and redesign a newspaper" (mhcollege.com).

Adobe® Indesign® CS3 Classroom in a Book® - Graphically Rich Book Adobe Creative Team. Classroom in a Book: Adobe InDesign CS3. Adobe Press. 2007. ISBN 9780321492012. (You might also need to download updates, which we can do in class: http://www.peachpit.com/store/product.aspx?isbn=0321492013.)

Jump Drive

Each student must save lessons and final projects on a jump drive or some type of external hard drive. Finished assignments will be uploaded to NetLearn. (NOTE: LifeSprings Bookstore sells a 2GB jump drive for less than $20.)

E-mail Requirement

Students MUST activate their campus e-mail accounts with our college no later than one week into the semester. The instructor distributes and collects assignments via online resources such as campus e-mail and NetLearn. Students should check messages at least 2-3 times each week. Basic online operations will be reviewed in class by the instructor as needed.

Course Goals

Upon completion of this course, students should be able to

	to successfully complete 10 tutorials in Classroom in a Book: Adobe InDesign CS,
	use Adobe InDesign CS software to create layout assignments,
	pass the vocabulary test,
	recognize and use the special jargon of print design,
	locate and import photos and artwork,
	design other features like liftout quotes, cutlines, etc.,
	explore creative special effects,
	create an 4-page publication,
	meet deadlines, and
	to recognize the inherent value of all human beings by demonstrating the importance of effectively and respectfully communicating with all members of society, including women, people with varied cultural backgrounds, people with special needs, and others.

Course Procedures

Attendance Policy

Class participation is vital. Significant portions of course material will be presented through in-class interactive assignments and discussions; therefore, attendance will directly affect your success and course grade. Each absence is a one-point deduction from the final course grade, and each tardy is a 1/2-point deduction from the final course grade.

It is the student’s responsibility to sign the attendance sheet. If the student fails to sign in, s/he will be recorded absent. If absences are because of college-sanctioned events, then the absence will be recorded but the absence will not carry a penalty. (Submitting late work will, however, will carry a penalty.) Any written excuses, such as a doctor's excuse, must be given to the instructor within one week of the absence to allow make-up tests or assignments.

Responsibility Grade

Twenty percent of the course grade will be a direct reflection of the student's attendance, conduct in the classroom, participation in class discussions, group work, interaction with peers, instructors and guests. This reflects issues of attitude, effort, attentiveness, timeliness, participation, the ability to work well with others, meeting deadlines, etc.

Automatic Grade Reductions

Reading a Speech

Presentations require extemporaneous speaking style, not manuscript. Students who read or appear to read will receive zeroes on those assignments.

Missed Deadlines

Because of the nature of the business industry, timely communication, and the importance of time management skills in any field, this instructor does not give full credit for any assignment or in-class exercise after the deadline/due date. Late submissions result in a deduction of 20 points per each day after the deadline for the assignment or exercise.

Each deadline for each assignment and exercise is clearly outlined in the course schedule of this syllabus, and the instructor usually reminds students frequently about upcoming deadlines. However, it is the responsibility of the student to keep up with deadlines and plan accordingly.

If the student foresees a problem with meeting a deadline, for example an absence on that particular deadline date, then that student should plan to submit that assignment before the deadline and should talk to instructor to arrange that. Early submissions are always welcome.

Failure to Cite Sources

Assignments which intentionally or unintentionally omit sources will receive a grade of zero. The instructor may or may not give one warning, but do not expect two. This refers to written, visual, and audio sources. "In plain language, plagiarism is taking someone else’s work and passing it off as one’s own without proper acknowledgment or documentation" (www.ala.org, July 3, 2003).

Copyrighted Works

Unless the artists or their representatives have granted permission to use a copyrighted works, students will NOT be allowed to use copyrighted works in their projects. This includes--but is not limited to--music, film, images, etc. Violations will result in a grade of zero.

EC's Distance Education Policy

Because some of this course is handled in an online format, please be aware of Emmanuel College's policy:

"Because of the nature of online courses, if a faculty member has any concerns that a student’s work might not be his/her own, the College reserves the right to require any distance education student to take or re-take any quizzes or exams in a supervised setting. Furthermore, under such circumstances, the College reserves the right to base the entire course grade upon the results of a supervised comprehensive exam. Students refusing to take supervised quizzes/exams will be subject to administrative withdrawal from the course(s). Attempts by any student to buy, borrow, or steal work from another individual for the purpose of submitting that work as one’s own will be treated as the equivalent of actually having submitted the work and may result in failure of assignment, failure of course, and/or expulsion from the College."

Dress Code

Students are expected to comply with the dress code of modesty in the Student Handbook.

Examinations

Three exams will be given during the session and constitute 15 percent of the overall course grade (see the Course Schedule for dates). Students who anticipate absences on exam dates should arrange to take tests before exam dates. Approval is at the discretion of the instructor.

Conversely, students who do not anticipate absences but are unable to attend class on exam dates may be allowed at the discretion on the instructor to complete late exams. However, late exams must be completed within one week of the original exam date. Failure to take exams on scheduled dates results in automatic elimination of any curve or bonus points which might be added to exam scores.

Lessons/Tutorials

Students will work through 10 interactive in-class tutorials to become proficient in Adobe InDesign CS software. Tutorials account for 60 percent of the course grade. These assignments also aim to specifically teach students to apply design knowledge when working independently on projects that make up a significant amount of the course grade. The instructor will demonstrate some in class and will be available for individual help.

Newsletter Project

This major requirement of the course is designed to be a complete and comprehensive measure of the student's ability to independently create an 4-page publication (newsletter) using Adobe InDesign CS3. This accounts for 20 percent of the course grade. The instructor will share sample publications and will discuss specific components to be included in the final version of the student's newsletter. Class time has been set aside for general discussion and assistance with the project.

Calculation of Course Grade

Grading Scale

A = 93-100, A- = 90-92, B+ = 87-89, B = 83-86, B- = 80-82, C+ = 77-79, C = 73-76, C- = 70-72, D+ = 67-69, D = 63-66, D- = 60-62, F = 0-59

Examinations...15%

	Exam One (Vocabulary) = 5%
	Exam Two (Newspaper Book) = 5%
	Final Exam (Performance) = 5%

Lessons/Tutorials...60%

Lessons 0-9 = 6% each

Newsletter Project...20%

	Front Page = 5%
	Page 2 = 5%
	Page 3 = 5%
	Back Page = 5%

Responsibility Grade…5%

Writing Across Curriculum Policy

Consistent with our college's goal of striving for writing excellence in all classes, this instructor will grade all high stakes assignments for correct grammar, spelling, and the like. Points will be deducted for writing mistakes and will not receive an A regardless of content. For assistance, visit EC's Success Center in Aaron 207.

Multicultural Objective

Students are expected to show respect for all, regardless of gender, ethnicity, cultural background, disability, or religious viewpoint.