Course Syllabus
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This course introduces you to theory of multimedia design; specifically to visual representation. This is not a course where you work exclusively with software, but you will create a few cool projects along the way. The course is divided into 2 sections.

Lecture-Discussion/Workshop-Development

You will have access to various software in LA 317. You are expected to do research as you would for any other gradaute course. The course is designed to encourage you to consider audience, region, design, and research. Two of many lingering question are "When can design create more understanding among people? When does design perpetuate stereotypes?"

The syllabus gives you a week-by-week schedule for the course.

We will learn about and apply key theoretical concepts of visual and literacy work
We will learn about and apply library research
We will learn about and apply usability testing
We will create and develop multimedia projects and include description notes/cover letters
We will end the course with an Open House where you will be the developer/writer in residence

This course will cover a variety of uses of multimedia and expose you historical as well as current situations where media influenced the outcome. For these reasons, we'll read texts that provide you with academic as well as nonacademic texts.

Required
Freedman, Russell. Kids At Work: Lewis Hine and the Crusade Against Child Labor. New York: Clarion Books, 1998.

Lohr, Linda L. Creating Graphics for Learning and Performance: Lessons in Visual Literacy. New Jersey: Prentice Hall, 2003.

Recommended
Williams, Robin and John Tollet. The Non-Designer's Web Book. 2nd edition. Berkley: Peachpit Press, 2000.

Various Articles on Reserve

Active participation in class discussions or online discussions (20 points)
This course has a WebCT segment as well. You are expected to use the online discussions to continue the class discussions outside of our class time. You are also expected to fully participate during discussions and lab time.

Short Papers/Response Notes/Informal writing  (20 points)
You just can't get away from writing even in a multimedia course. It's important to articulate what you understand and what you believe the consequences are. You'll have ample practice as this course requires a note/cover letter for each project you complete.

Journal  (10 points)
Your journal is much like an artist's/developer's journal. You'll keep sketches, ideas, thoughts about theory and design.

Discussion Leader (10 points)
Most students dislike speaking in front of groups which is why I always make opportunities for students to speak in front of groups. Think of this as practice. You are expected to use various media, of course, in your presentations.

Presentation of Final Project (20 points)
The final presentation is a formal one. You are expected to use this opportunity as you would for a job interview, except there is no job on the line. Have some fun. Experiment. And make sure you cover all the basic steps of presenting (more on this later).

Final Portfolio (20 points)
The final portfolio needs to show ALL your work. Missing items means an incomplete for the course. Your portfolio should contain the following materials:
# 2-3 page cover letter explaining your work. Make sure to walk through each item's purpose, and your thoughts behind the design. (10 points)
#All revised work with their originals.(10 points)
#3-4 page answer to "When can design create more understanding among people? When does design keep people out?" using your own work as examples.(10 points)

Absences/Attendance
If you need to miss a session, talk to me about make-up work. -1 absence = -5 points.

Extra Credit
2 extra curricular activities at 2.5 points each, = 5 extra possible points.

More information on the Rhetoric, Compostion, Professional Writing Program, our Certificate Program, the Department, and NAU in general.