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Visual Communications |
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Mendocino County Career & Technical education |
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Class Syllabus |
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2 Semester Term—10 units (Satisfies the MHS Technology Graduation Requirement) Grade Level(s) for which course is intended 9-12 Pre-requisites—None Course Meeting Days: Weekly—Monday, Tuesday, Thursday Course Meeting Time: 1st period Office Hours: By appointment
Brief Course Description Visual Communications courses offer both a theoretical and applied academic foundation to graphic art and design. After acquiring a historical context of graphic design, students in the project-based Graphics and animation class will develop skills in artistic perception, and the ability to plan and create original works of art, developed through research, analysis, and critique. Throughout this coursework students will explore two-dimensional and three-dimensional industry-standard software applications. Students will express their original creativity visually and develop and showcase their ability to communicate ideas through visual arts communications. A portfolio will be generated that can be used to demonstrate their abilities for college entrance or employment in the visual arts field. All experiences will focus on developing perception and application of the elements of art and principles of design through contemporary design applications.
Teaching Methods The instructor serves as course facilitator with students participating in discussions, classroom exercises and presentations. Students will have a mid-term project, final project, and project assignments and presentations. Students will participate in classroom activities, and will post assignments via email. Academic Honesty Mendocino High School is an academic community. All of our community members are expected to abide by ethical standards both in their conduct and in their exercise of responsibilities toward other members of the ethical standards both in their conduct and in their exercise of responsibilities toward other members of the community. Students, faculty members, administrators, and staff are expected to adopt standards of behavior that place a high value on respecting the ideas of others. All intellectual accomplishments—examinations, papers, lectures, experiments, and other projects—should adhere to the highest standards of academic integrity and ethics. The faculty, administration, and staff recognize their obligation to provide continuing guidance as to what constitutes academic honesty and to promote procedures and circumstances that will reinforce the principle of academic honor. Fundamental to the principle of independent learning is the requirement of honesty and integrity in the performance of academic assignments, both in the classroom and outside. Students should avoid academic dishonesty in all of its forms, including plagiarism, cheating, and other forms of academic misconduct. The Mendocino High School staff reserves the right to determine in any given instance what action constitutes a violation of academic honesty and integrity. Role of Students as Individuals and as Members of Teams or Groups Students are expected to complete all individual assignments on their own. All work should reflect only the efforts of the individual, unless working on a group assignment or presentation. Student Learning Outcomes from Course By the end of this course, students will have an understanding of the following: ♦ Written, Visual & Verbal Communication Skills ♦ Keyboarding & Document Processing ♦ Desktop Publishing, Graphics & Design ♦ Career Skills related to Graphics and Design ♦ Presentation Skills ♦ Interviewing Techniques & Resume Writing ♦ Work & Computer Ethics ♦ Internet Research & Critical Thinking Skills ♦ Organizing & Analyzing Information Skills Class Policies Homework: Students must complete assigned readings and homework prior to class when due. Assignments that are due between class sessions must be submitted via email to the instructor’s email account, by the due date. Assignments must be turned in on time. Any exception is the prerogative of the instructor. All written assignments must be grammar and proofing error free and will be graded on correctness. Attendance: Students are expected to attend all classes. If a student must miss class, they must contact the instructor prior to the absence. Students are responsible to make up missed homework assignments. Attendance and promptness (tardiness is also monitored) is mandatory and monitored. Missing a class will result in a reduction of participation points. Planned absences should be communicated to the instructor as soon as possible, and may still result in the loss of participation points. Cell Phones, iPods and other electronic devices: All electronic devices must be turned off during class sessions, unless otherwise indicated by the instructor. Class Participation: Students are expected to actively participate in class discussion by asking questions, answering questions and conversing in group dialog, and completing classroom computer and internet-based assignments. Class participation is vital and includes coming to class on time, participating in small groups, participating in the large group and participating in classroom activities. Students who do not come to class, are not participating in the large group and participating in classroom activities. Students who do not come to class, are late, or do not actively engage in discussion or learning exercises will lose participation points. Participating includes actively answering questions, asking questions, and contributing to each class discussion, and actively engaging in project work during class time. Students who continue to abuse computer privileges will be removed from the computer and must then complete class work in hand-written format. Plagiarism/Cheating: Immediate failure of the assignment, project or exam, and possible expulsion from the course, will occur if a student plagiarizes or cheats on the assignment, project, or exam. Assessment of Goals and Objectives/Assignments: 15% Homework 20% Class Participation 40% Projects 25% Final Presentation Grading Policies and Practices: Class Expectations, Course Grading Levels and Policy, Class Participation, Attendance Policy Class Expectations: All students are expected to show respect for the instructor and their fellow students. An honest and open reflection of opinion is encouraged. Course Grading Levels and Policy: A = 95-100% A- = 90-94% 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 = < 60% Late or Missed Assignments: Policy for Late Assignments and Missed Quiz/Exams, Makeup Policy Policy for Late Assignments and Missed Quiz/Exams: Late assignments are automatically dropped two grade levels for each week they are late. Quizzes or exams missed are considered failures unless exception is made by the instructor prior to the date of the quiz/exam, or an emergency situation exists. Makeup Policy: Students knowing they may miss a due date are required to meet with the instructor to seek approval PRIOR to missing class for completing the assignment/quiz/exam at an arranged date. Returning Assignments: Time Frame for Return of Assignments, Opportunity to Redo Assignments for Better Grade or Extra Credit Time frame for Return of Assignments: Assignments are returned to students as soon as possible, usually by the next class session. If there is a delay, the instructor will notify students. Assignment Redo or Extra Credit: Students can meet with the instructor to discuss the possibility of redoing an assignment for a better grade or extra credit.
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