Course Description

ART310 is a studio/performance oriented course. It is a continued exploration of Interactive Media, Software and Programming with emphasis on the creative and experimental use of available tools. Interactive time based media will be the focus of the class,

We will use Flash and Actionscript/Javascript to define traditional and interactive animation, and the basics of advanced programming, as well as Quicktime, Audacity and other digital time based tools.

Process and Strategy

The class will be divided into two main areas. The first part will be devoted to understanding the basics of Vector Linear Animation, digital audio and digital video integrated via Flash.

The second part will be devoted to understanding Interactivity, Computing, non-linear thinking, non-linear narration, story-boarding and pre-production of interactive media. On the programming side, we will use Actionscript/Javascript to understand the general notions of programming languages such as variables, arrays, functions and object oriented programming.

Readings / assignments / requirements

Digital Multimedia - Nigel and Jenny Chapman, Wiley - 2nd Edition - Amazon link

Activate your utweb server space. Make sure you empty your ut webmail account regularly. We will use Blackboard permanently to post the grades and communicate.

Short readings will be distributed throughout the semester. Most of the information will be provided by the teacher or will be found freely online. Critiques will frequently be initiated from various topics covered in the readings. In order to participate effectively you will need to have read the required texts and be able to articulate your responses to them within the context of class discussion and critique. We will watch plenty of excerpts from movies and documentaries during the class that will also be considered as part of the material for the class.

Get plenty of blank CD-R, you will be using them permanently over the semester. You can also use your own portable hard-drives or iPods, and JumpDrives such as Sandisk or others in case you have any, to store your art work.

No email, chatting, messaging will be allowed during our sessions. All the cell phones should be silenced. NO EATING or DRINKING in the labs will be tolerated, unless it is required by a medical prescription.

Participation

A class is a multiway form of communication. I am very open to a lot of proposals, and NO DISCRIMINATION will be tolerated or promoted. Consider the class as a brainstorming session. And please contact me during office hours, or send me an email so we can solve any problem before the class.

No animals, persons or yourselves will be harmed during the production of your assignments. Nothing can justify harming physically or psychologically a living creature - including yourselves. You are responsible for the respect of other students, and I count on your integrity for this.

Grading 

There will be several projects throughout the course, including papers, assignments, quizes and others. Each one of them will be a part of the final 85% of the grade. If necessary I will do some pop quizes, depending on the students' participation and motivation, and depending on how certain classes work, I might add an extra work not listed in the syllabus. The final project will count for 15% of the final grade.

Attendance

Attendance is mandatory. NO EXCUSES, more than 3 unexcused absences you will have the chance to withdraw the class - if allowed by the academic calendar - or you will get an F. I really consider that punctuality and assistance are the most important parts of a class. If you miss a class, you will never be able to experience that class again. I use the word "experience" because not all the information given during the class can be put in paper, or even videotaped. Classes are a question of communication, and communication implies many different ways of exchanging information, the feeling, the laughters, the collective experience... An absence for any reason is an absence. It is your responsibility to initiate and maintain communication with me in case of an unusual circumstance.

If you were not able to do your homework, please do not miss a class! Never miss a class and be responsible for your actions. If you are absent and you have not posted your homework on your blog / site, you will get an F on that project. I will not be able to grade the project if you do not attend the class. Depending on the circumstances - a medical excuse, an emergencyfor example - I will grade a late project over the minimum grade I awarded to the projects that were presented on time, only if you are present in the classroom when the project is due. The longer you take to present your project, the worse the grade.

Academic Integrity

"In the event that a student violates any provision of The University of Tampa's policy on academic integrity as spelled out in the student handbook, the professor reserves the right to assign whatever grade for the course the professor judges to be appropriate, including a grade of F, without regard to the student's accumulated points. Violations of academic integrity will be handled in accordance with the University's policies. It is the student's responsibility to be familiar with the policies of the university regarding academic integrity and to avoid violating these policies." (from the UT PT Faculty Handbook, page 10-11)

Please be very aware that I do check for references from other sites or postings in your blogs and projects. Every time you quote something from another author or you use images from other websites you HAVE to give proper credit or I will report you for plagiarism to the Dean of Students.

Americans with Disabilities Act Compliance

"If there is any student who has special needs because of any disability, please go directly to Dr. Cheri Kittrell in PH 409 to report your needs and provide documentation of your disability for certification. Please feel free to discuss this issue with me, in private, if you need more information." (UT PT Faculty Handbook, page 11)

The University of Tampa Disruption Policy

At the University of Tampa, it is expected that all students will observe acceptable classroom behavior that fosters an atmosphere of learning, free and open exchange of thought, and respect for the individual within the learning environment*. Faculty members are expected to establish
the standards of acceptable classroom behavior in their syllabus, and such standards are to be clearly communicated to students. If a student chooses to engage in behavior(s) that contradict these standards, the faculty member is to adhere to the following policy.

1. In the case of threatening and/or physically disturbing behavior, Campus Safety and Security (ResCom, 251-5133) or the appropriate local law enforcement agency will be summoned to alleviate the situation. The individual(s) will be removed from the learning environment pending a university hearing. If deemed necessary by the faculty member within the learning environment, the class may be dismissed and rescheduled if appropriate.

2. Following non-critical incidents of unacceptable behavior within a learning environment, the faculty member will discuss such behavior with the student. It is to be understood that this discussion will serve as a warning to the student. Such discussion will emphasize the action(s) to be taken by the faculty member, if a continuation of the behavior should occur. Any incident(s) where the behavior is deemed to be more serious in nature, the faculty member may elect to file a complaint directly with the Office of Student Conduct. As a matter of record, all conversations with a student regarding aspects of classroom behavior should be documented with copies forwarded to student as well as the appropriate department chairperson. Students are cautioned that should the situation move to a judicial hearing, they will be removed from the learning
environment pending the outcome of the hearing.

3. If the inappropriate behavior persists and/or escalates despite a warning from the faculty member, a report will be filed with the Office of Student Conduct. The individual(s) responsible for such behavior will be advised that their actions merit a judicial review/hearing. The report is to include a copy of any written warning(s) issued to responsible parties, a copy of the syllabus or other documentation which outlines the faculty member's classroom behavioral policy for the course wherein the behavior occurred, and any other relevant information (i.e. statements from witnesses, other written communication/email, and/or physical evidence).

4. The Students Rights and Responsibilities shall govern the subsequent proceedings. An Administrative Board will hear the case unless otherwise specified by the Associate Dean of Students. If appropriate, sanctions will be assigned in accordance with established procedures and based upon the severity of the behavior(s) in question. Sanctions may include but are not limited to: course section change, removal from the course entirely, or suspension/dismissal from the university. If a student is removed from the course, no academic credit will be earned.

* A learning environment is defined as a space wherein educational instruction is administered. A learning environment may include but is not limited to a classroom, studio, performance or gallery space, office, laboratory, lecture hall, conference/meeting/function room, or university sponsored events held at off-campus locations.

Possible last-minute changes

Although unlikely, it is possible that last-minute changes might be made to the dates for all assignments or class meetings, excepting only the final exam. In this unlikely event, I'll make all possible efforts to inform students with sufficient lead-time. I reserve the right to modify this syllabus for any reason at any time.