Course Description:

CITS F221 is a 3-credit course that teaches students how to create and present graphics and multimedia content on the Web. Graphic topics include formats, size and resolution, optimization, and design fundamentals. Multimedia topics include animation, interactivity, and combining sound, speech, graphics, photographs and video.

Prerequisites:

Students should have completed CIOS 150 or possess equivalent computer literacy including saving/retrieving files, use of office applications, Internet and e-mail.

Instructor:

Christen Bouffard, cdbouffard@alaska.edu

Office Location: UAF Campus, Bunnell Bldg, Suite 131

Office Phone: 907.455.2066

Office Hours: By appointment, please. You can email me or call my office during regularly scheduled business hours. If you are in Fairbanks, we can schedule a time and place to address questions about the course material. If you’re outside of the Fairbanks area, we can meet by phone or online.

Textbooks:

THERE IS NO TEXTBOOK FOR THIS COURSE. All required reading will be linked on this site in each respective lesson. Supplemental resources will also be linked with the course material for more advanced students. You are encouraged to explore these resources as well. I include them because I feel they are essential concepts for those of you seriously considering pursuing web development, design, or programming further. Note that these advanced concepts go beyond the expected outcomes for this class.

Recommended Reading:

In the past students have asked for a book recommendation for this course. There are not many individual books that encompass all of the skills this course covers. The text below an exception, and does a fine job introducing topics for beginners. THIS BOOK IS NOT REQUIRED FOR CLASS.

HTML & CSS: Design and Build Websites, by Jon Duckett. 2011.

ISBN-10: 1118008189 | ISBN-13: 978-1118008188

This book’s website is https://htmlandcssbook.com where you’ll find code from the book and additional resources.

Software, Sites, and Supplies:

This semester we will use Adobe Creative Cloud apps to create graphics, animations, and HTML/CSS. We will also use Audacity to edit audio, and YouTube to serve video. There are many fine graphics/audio/video editing programs out there and you may use other software if you wish, but the tutorials and instructions in this class will be based on the software applications mentioned above. Adobe’s Creative Cloud is available at a discount for a monthly billed annual plan, or a more expensive month-to-month contract. Alternative software will be mentioned where available, but this class may not include specific tutorials for all of the available software.

During the semester students will keep a portfolio of their work. They will also curate a collection of graphics, design and UI (user interface) elements, color palettes, and layouts by other designers that they find inspirational.

Students enrolled through UAF:

  • will find the materials for each week of class on the class website
  • will submit all assignments through UAF Blackboard
  • will complete assignments using Adobe Creative Cloud or software with equivalent capabilities.

Adobe Creative cloud is industry standard software for web and design professionals. Tutorial videos are provided for students interested in learning more about Creative Cloud, or who are having trouble on the class assignments. If you chose to use alternative software I will attempt to provided tutorial resources upon request.

Meeting Information:

This is an elearning class, so there are no scheduled meetings. Students will make use of this class website, UAF Blackboard, and Behance.net to access class materials, to carry on discussion, and to submit assignments.

Course Goals and Learning Objectives:

Upon successful completion of this course students will be able to define, explain, or perform tasks related to the following:

  • create professional graphics for use within web pages
  • optimize graphics for use on the web
  • apply understanding of the constraints that must be taken into account when creating web graphics
  • acquire imagery and media from a variety of sources
  • use the tools common to most graphics programs
  • create advanced web graphics, such as image sprites and animated GIFs
  • author web animation
  • create multimedia animations using graphics programs and multimedia software
  • combine graphics, text, and audio clips to create multimedia files for use on a website
  • prepare video clips for use on a website

Instructional Methods:

A variety of classroom methods will be used, including video instruction, discussion, demonstration, presentation, peer evaluation, and hands-on practice. Students are expected to complete reading assignments and homework assigned each week prior to 11:59pm, Sunday evening.

Students bring a variety of experiences and knowledge to the classroom and are expected to participate actively in online discussion. Students’ unique perspectives are an important component of this class experience.

Evaluation Policy:

Course grade will be calculated using the following formula:

  • Participation, and sharing: 15%
  • Weekly homework: 60%
  • Final Mock Up: 25%

There are no quizzes or tests in this course. All grades are driven by projects and participation.

Grading:

A = 90-100

B = 80-89

C = 70-79

D = 60-69

F = below 60

Note that I do not use plus and minus grades.

C— (1.7) is the minimum acceptable grade that undergraduate students may receive for courses to count toward the major or minor degree requirements, or as a prerequisite for another course. A minimum grade of C (2.0), however, MAY be required by specific programs for prerequisite and/ or major / minor courses. Please consult specific program listings in the UAF Catalog.

C— (1.7) is the minimum acceptable grade required for all Core (X) Courses.

Explanation of NB/I/W Grades:

This course adheres to the UAF regarding the granting of NB Grades The NB grade is for use only in situations in which the instructor has No Basis upon which to assign a grade. In general, the NB grade will not be granted.

Your instructor follows the University of Alaska Fairbanks Incomplete Grade Policy:

“The letter “I’ (Incomplete) is a temporary grade used to indicate that the student has satisfactorily completed (C or better) the majority of work in a course but for personal reasons beyond the student’s control, such as sickness, he has not been able to complete the course during the regular semester. Negligence or indifference are not acceptable reasons for an “I’ grade.’

Successful, timely completion of this course depends on committing yourself early and maintaining your effort. To this end, this course adheres to the following UAF eCampus Procedures:

  • The first contact assignment (Introduction) is due one week after the first day of instruction. Failure to submit this assignment within the first two weeks of the course could result in withdrawal from the course.
  • The first content assignment (Lesson 1) is due one week after the first day of instruction. Failure to submit this assignment within the first two weeks of the course could result in withdrawal from the course.
  • Failure to submit the first three content assignments (Assignments 1, 2 and 3) by the deadline for faculty-initiated withdrawals (the ninth Friday after the first day of classes) could result in instructor initiated withdrawal from the course (W).

Instructor Response Time and Communication:

  • Questions submitted via email will be responded to within 24-hours.
  • Homework will be graded within one week after it has been submitted for a grade.
  • I will use your @alaska.edu email for communication regarding this class.
  • Class announcements will be posted in Blackboard and by email.
  • You can receive announcement notifications by SMS if you want. You must opt into this service by following this link,  https://www.remind.com/join/7692ec.

How to Check Your Grade:

To check your grades for assignments and find comments from your instructor, click on the My Grades link in the sidebar menu. All the assignments and their due dates are listed. If your instructor has left comments, there will be a Comments link. Click on this link to view comments.

If the score is for a test or quiz, click on the check mark or your score to see results and feedback.

If the score is for an assignment, the title of the assignment is a link and by clicking this link you’ll be taken to your submission, grade and comments.

If you see a green exclamation point, your assignment has not been graded yet.

Attendance Policy:

Although this is an elearning course, class participation is very important. Not completing assignments and participating in discussion will result in a failing grade.

Expectation of Student Effort:

Students should expect to spend 10-12 hours per week on this class. Students are expected to complete the weekly assignments by their due dates. If circumstances arise that cause you to need extra time on any assignment(s), e-mail your instructor for guidance. Extensions of due dates may be granted, but your instructor expects to be informed in advance if you are not able to submit your assignment on time. (Emergency situations will be dealt with as needed.) Students are expected to maintain a working backup plan to be implemented in the event of a computer malfunction or an interruption of their normal Internet service during the course.

Academic Integrity:

Only submit your own original work in your assignments. Where you make use of materials (for example: audio samples, images, or video snippets) made by other artists, for the purpose of remixing into your own work, be sure and give the appropriate credit to the original artist as required by the license associated with that material.

As described by UAF, scholastic dishonesty constitutes a violation of the university rules and regulations and is punishable according to the procedures outlined by UAF. Scholastic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, cheating on an exam, plagiarism, and collusion. Cheating includes providing answers to or taking answers from another student. Plagiarism includes use of another author’s words or arguments without attribution. Collusion includes unauthorized collaboration with another person in preparing written work for fulfillment of any course requirement. Scholastic dishonesty is punishable by removal from the course and a grade of “F.’ For more information go to Student Code of Conduct. (https://uaf.edu/usa/student-resources/conduct)

Student Services:

The Student Assistance Center provides services that contribute to a successful learning experience and transition to a career. Services are available by appointment and on a walk-in basis. Staff at the center recognizes the unique concerns of adult and returning students. Services include pre-admission advising, academic assessment and placement advising, financial aid information and application, and assistance with choosing a major. Ongoing academic advising, degree planning, and course selection are available.

Disability Services:

Disability Services, a part of UAF’s Center for Health and Counseling, provides services for UAF students with disabilities to ensure equal access to educational opportunities. Services are free of charge and available to any student who qualifies as a person with a disability. Some of the services provided include note takers, readers, audio-taped texts, test proctoring and other alternative testing arrangements and sign language interpreters. Other available resources include enlarged print and other adaptive materials, and assistive technology at the Assistive Technology Lab. Disability Services provides referral to other campus and community resources, advocacy for students needing accommodations from faculty and staff, and advocacy for students experiencing physical accessibility problems.

To discuss eligibility and available services, call the Center for Health and Counseling at 474-5655 or TTY 474-1827 and schedule an appointment with the coordinator of Disability Services.

Title IX Protection

The University of Alaska Board of Regents have clearly stated in BOR policy that discrimination, harassment and violence will not be tolerated on any campus of the University of Alaska. If you believe you are experiencing discrimination or any form of harassment, including sexual harassment/misconduct/assault, you are encouraged to report that behavior. If you disclose sexual harassment or sexual violence to faculty members or university employees, they must notify the UAF Title IX coordinator about the basic facts of the incident. Your choices for disclosure include:

  • You may confidentially disclose and access confidential counseling by contacting the UAF Health and Counseling Center at 474-7043.
  • You can get support and file a Title IX report by contacting the UAF Title IX coordinator at 474-7599.
  • You may file a criminal complaint by contacting the UAF Police Department at 474-7721.

From Disability Services:  UAF is obligated to provide accommodation only to the known limitations of an otherwise qualified student who has a disability. Please identify yourself to UAF Disability Services by applying for accommodations. To be considered for UAF Disability Services accommodations, individuals must be  enrolled for at least one credit  as a UAF student. For more information contact Disability Services at  uaf-disabilityservices@alaska.edu,  474-5655 or by TTY at 474-1827.