Syllabus

Catalog Description

Development of short animations and interactive multimedia projects, while learning the basics of time-based authoring software. The students will begin with short exercises, culminating in final, larger interactive projects that develop their design and programming skills. Projects will focus on technical aspects of the software, as well as layout and usability of the program. Students will create media for distribution over the Internet or on CD-ROM. A laboratory fee is required.

Course Objectives

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Demonstrate an understanding of how the design concepts and principles gained from other design classes apply (or don’t apply) to a medium that allows for motion and interactivity
• Gain an understanding of usability and accessibility
• Develop problem-solving skills in regards to programming interactive media
• Successfully author applications for interactive media delivery using industry standards
• Practice and demonstrate competency in the art of storyboarding, editing theory, and concepts of interactivity as critical components of effective storytelling
• Observe interactive media and discuss its impact on current culture and the marketplace
• Update and revise your interactive résumé and portfolio

Required Text

Flash Professional CS5 Visual Quickstart Guide
by Katherine Ulrich
Peachpit Press
ISBN-13: 978-0321704467 / ISBN-10: 0321704460
Available at HACC bookstore.

Supplies:

• Sketchpad or notebook for developing concepts and storyboards 
• Removable electronic media

Exercises:   

• Create a complex drawing using the canvas API. It can be an animal, an insect, a car, of a face. Your code should include commenting, and use methods like lineTo(), moveTo(), or fillRect(). (25 points)
• Create an animation using a provided template. Use variables to modify the size, color, or positioning of your animation. (75 points)
• Create an interactive drawing. You can use either keyboard inputs or mouse inputs.  (100 points)
• Restructure your previous assignment using functions and objects. (100 points)
• Create an interactive drawing that uses functions and multiple objects. The object is one that is authored by another student. This exercise should include the use of a conditional, an array, or a loop. (100 points)

Projects:     

1. Banner Ad (150 points)
2. Count to Ten Game (200 points)
3. Portfolio Site (250 points)

Grading Criteria:

• Creative process (research, sketches, rough and final execution)
• Meeting project requirements
• Craftsmanship, organization, and documentation
• Critiques and presentations
• Attendance

All projects and assignments are due on the assigned deadline, at the beginning of class. For each class period an assignment is late its value will be dropped by one letter grade.

A (Superior work with consistent advancement) = 100 - 90 pt
B (above average which fulfills the requirements) = 89 - 80 pt
C (average work which fulfills minimum requirements) = 79 - 70 pt
D (below average passing grade, poor work) = 69 - 60 pt
F  (Unacceptable work, failure) = 59 - 0 pt

"I" (Upon recommendation of the student and with the approval of the instructor, the "I" (incomplete) grade may be applied. The "I" grade shows that coursework is incomplete and must be completed within eight weeks of the ensuing fall or spring semester. On the recommendation of the instructor and subject to the division administrator's approval, the eight-week period may be extended. An incomplete grade is computed as an F in the student's cumulative grade point average when not completed within the allotted period.

Resubmission Policy     
One project may be resubmitted during the course of the semester. Projects eligible for resubmission must have been turned in on time and earned a grade of "C" or lower. Resubmission projects must be turned in, with instructor’s consultation, within two weeks from the date the project was first graded and handed back to the students. Resubmits must be accompanied with the original project plus a CD with reworked digital files in order to be graded. This does not guarantee that the earned grade will be adjusted to a higher grade. Resubmission will not be accepted after Project 5.

Attendance Policy:         

This is a participatory course. Therefore, attendance is required. In accordance with College Regulation 661, students are expected to attend all scheduled classes. Students will not be penalized for legitimate excused absences, and the instructor reserves the right to require supporting documentation or evidence (to be submitted on the first day of class following the absence); however, students are still responsible for all class work and assignments. Furthermore, because non-attendance precludes the opportunity for class participation, an instructor may lower a course grade after six or more hours (three class periods) of unexcused absences. More unexcused absences may result in being dropped from the class roster with a grade of “F” or “W” if, in the opinion of the instructor, there is no possibility of the student in completing the course successfully.

A student who decides to stop attending is responsible for completing the paperwork needed for an official withdrawal from a HACC course. Without the completed paperwork for a drop, a grade of "F" will be given to the student.

It is important that students arrive on time for class. Any time lost from class by showing up late or leaving without permission, from the instructor will be noted and added to the absence total. (A total of two late or early leave markings will count as one absence).

Attendance will be taken at the start of each class. If you arrive late, it is your responsibility to let me know that you are in class, otherwise you will be marked absent.

Other Policies:

Please respect your classmates and your instructor. If you have a cell phone, please switch it to silent mode or turn it off during class. A break will be provided during every class session. Computer stations are not to be used during lectures or presentations unless otherwise instructed.

All work done in class will be conducted in a professional manner. Questionable content and vulgarity will not be accepted in class or on any assignments or projects. Consult with me if you have any questions about the appropriateness of your creative concepts or social statements.

There may be special departmental events, such as visiting artist lectures, or field trips, that students will be strongly encouraged to attend. The dates and times for the events will be announced in class.

Academic Dishonesty:  

Academic honesty is one of the fundamental principles upon which the College was founded and upon which it must operate to continue to perform its most important function. Students are expected to be honest in all of their academic endeavors. The College views academic dishonesty as a serious breach of conduct. Depending upon the nature and severity of the dishonest act, the faculty and the College may discipline a student for verifiable acts of dishonesty occurring in or out of the classroom. Specific procedures for handling incidents of academic dishonesty are contained in Administrative Procedure 594.

In the context of this class, this includes written, oral and visual work.

EEOC/PHRC

EEOC POLICY 005: It is the policy of Harrisburg Area Community College, in full accordance with the law, not to discriminate in employment, student admissions, and student services on the basis of race, color, religion, age, political affiliation or belief, gender, national origin, ancestry, disability, place of birth, General Education Development Certification (GED), marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any legally protected classification. HACC recognizes its responsibility to promote the principles of equal opportunity for employment, student admissions, and student services taking active steps to recruit minorities and women.
 
The Pennsylvania Human Relations Act (“PHRAct’) prohibits discrimination against prospective and current students because of race, color, sex, religious creed, ancestry, national origin, handicap or disability, record of a handicap or disability, perceived handicap or disability, relationship or association with an individual with a handicap or disability, use of a guide or support animal, and/or handling or training of support or guide animals.
 
The Pennsylvania Fair Educational Opportunities Act (“PFEOAct”) prohibits discrimination against prospective and current students because of race, religion, color, ancestry, national origin, sex, handicap or disability, record of a handicap or disability, perceived handicap or disability, and a relationship or association with an individual with a handicap or disability.
 
Information about these laws may be obtained by visiting the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission website at www.phrc.state.pa.us.
 
If an accommodation is needed, please contact:

Harrisburg Campus
Carole Kerper
Cooper 230
(717) 780-2614
clkerper@hacc.edu

Students who wish to register to receive services from the Office for Disability Services (ODS) should provide documentation of disability to Carole Kerper, ODS Director or their campus representative.  Documentation requirements are determined by disabling condition.  Three disability categories exist: medical disabilities, psychiatric disabilities, and learning disabilities.  Attention deficit disorder is classified as a medical disability.  In addition, students who are recent high school graduates may submit an evaluation report from their high school.   Documentation should be faxed to 717-780-1115 or sent to:  Carole Kerper, Director, Office for Disability Services, C-230, Harrisburg Area Community College, One HACC Drive, Harrisburg, PA 17110 or to the appropriate campus representative.