Creativity and Computers
(64.200)
Syllabus
Semester: | Fall 1997 |
Course Number: | 64.200 |
Section: | 3 |
Course Title: | Creativity and Computers |
Meeting Time(s): | Tuesdays and Thursdays, 8:10 - 9:25 Pm. |
Location: | Hurst Hall 104 |
Class Web page: | http://www.cas.american.edu/~ribiere/creativ.htm |
__________________________ | |
Instructor: | Vincent Ribière |
Office Location: | Clark Hall, Room 122 |
Office Hours: | Tuesdays and Thursdays or by appointment |
Telephone: | 202-885-1488 |
Email: | ribiere@american.edu |
Home page: | http://www.cas.american.edu/~ribiere |
Multimedia Literacy, by Fred T. Hofstetter, McGraw Hill 1997
/ Second Edition.
Includes CD-ROM by Patricia Fox.
Creativity and Computers is a second-level General Education course that may be taken after students have completed either 05.100 (Arts: The Studio Experience), 23.105 (The Literary Imagination), 23.135 (Critical Approach to the Cinema) or 67.110 (Understanding Music) for fulfillment of the General Education requirements in Curricular Area 1.
This course explores a wide range of creative uses for computers in today's society -- both presently and in the future. Together instructor and students will explore how computers can enhance the creative process in the arts and other areas of society (e.g., business, government, education, entertainment). The course will focus on some combination of the following areas of technology: multimedia, the Internet and World-Wide Web, computer graphics and design, 3-D art and animation, digital video editing and more. The course will consist of reading assignments, Web surfing and research, lectures, demonstrations, class projects and some hands-on experience.
Students successfully completing this course should be able to:
The format to the course is primarily that of lectures, class discussions, and workshop sessions in using the computer. Since the class will hold a number of sessions in the Anderson Laboratories, students will gain hands-on experience in using computers.
Each student is responsible for carefully and thoroughly reading all
assigned material before the next class. The majority of the readings will
be assigned from the assigned textbook. Additional readings may be assigned
and class handouts may be distributed to supplement textbook assignments.
Assignment | Percent of Grade | Due Date | |
---|---|---|---|
Review and presentation of a current multimedia article (Team of 3 students) |
15% | Present to class Oct 7 &9 |
|
Review and analysis of favorite Web Site | 10% | Oct 14 | |
Take-Home Mid-Term Exam | 15% | Oct 23 | |
Comments on class discussion (Social, Legal and Ethical issues) | 10% | Nov 11 | |
Design and development of Web site | 20% | Present to class Dec 2,4 & 9 |
|
Final Exam | 25% | Dec 11 |
Attendance and Class Participation: 5% of your
grade will be based on attendance and class participation. Attendance will
be taken before each class begins.
Exams: there will be a take-home mid-term and
an in-class final exam. The dates are listed above. Exams will consist
of essay questions which will require creative thought and analysis.
Late Assignments: for each week that an assignment
is handed in late, your grade will be dropped one level (e.g., if you get
an A on the assignment, your grade will be a B).
Assigned Readings & Web Surfing: these
are noted in the syllabus below. If students have not read the assignments
and are not prepared to discuss the material, this will be counted against
their grade.
The policy of the CSIS Department, the College of Arts and Sciences, and the University is that the grade of Incomplete (I) is rarely given. Departmental approval for a grade of I is only granted in unusual, documented circumstances.
Students are responsible for learning and using word processing, spell-checking, and grammar/style checking software for all written work. Students are strongly encouraged to take advantage of training courses for specific word-processing, spreadsheet, and database management software offered by the AU Computer Center, or similar opportunities at their place of employment. Students are also responsible for learning and using the University's email system.
The Academic Integrity Code for the American University describes standards for academic conduct, rights and responsibilities of members of the academic community, and procedures for handling allegations of academic dishonesty. Academic dishonesty as defined by the Code includes, but is not limited to :plagiarism, inappropriate collaboration, dishonesty in examinations (in-class or take-home), dishonesty in papers, work done for one course submitted to another, deliberate falsification of data, interference with other students' work, and copyright violations (including both document and software copyrights). Copies of the Academic Integrity Code are available from the office of the University Registrar.
Plagiarism is defined as taking the language, ideas, or thoughts of another, and representing them as your own. If you use someone's ideas, cite them; if you use someone else's words, clearly mark them as a quotation. Plagiarism includes using another's computer programs or pieces of program. Consult one of the many "writer's guides" that are available in the library and bookstores for citation practices. All instances of plagiarism will be reported to the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences for appropriate action.
Date | Description |
---|---|
Tu. Sept 02 | Introduction to course. |
Th. Sept 05 | Topics: Email setup and use. |
Tu. Sept 09 | Topics: Introduction to multimedia. |
Th. Sept 11 | Topics: Demonstration of multimedia applications. |
Tu. Sept 16 | Topics: Computers and multimedia devices. |
Th. Sept 18 | Topics: Graphics. |
Tu. Sept 23 | Topics: Learning the basics of Adobe Photoshop. |
Th. Sept 25 | Topics: More about Adobe Photoshop. |
Tu. Sept 30 | Topics: The Internet. |
Th. Oct 2 | Topics: Exploring the internet. |
Tu.Oct 7 | Topics: Students present a current multimedia article. |
Th. Oct 9 | Topics: Students present a current multimedia article. |
Tu. Oct 14 | Topics: How to develop and design a Web site (Part I). |
Th. Oct 16 | Topics: How to develop and design a Web site (Part II). |
Tu. Oct 21 | Topics: How to develop and design a Web site (Part III). |
Th. Oct 23 | Topics: Microsoft Office 97 Web functions (Part I). |
Tu.Oct 28 | Topics: Microsoft Office 97 Web functions(Part II). |
Th. Oct 30 | Topics: Animation, music and sound (Part I). |
Tu.Nov 04 | Topics: Social, Legal and Ethical issues |
Th. Nov 06 | Topics: Animation, music and sound (Part II). |
Tu. Nov 11 | Topics: Animation, music and sound (Part III). |
Th. Nov 13 | Assisted work-time on Web site project. |
Tu. Nov 18 | Assisted work-time on Web site project. |
Th. Nov 20 | Assisted work-time on Web site project. |
Tu. Nov 25 | Assisted work-time on Web site project. |
Th. Nov 27 | Thanksgiving holiday. |
Tu. Dec 2 | Students present their Web site project |
Th. Dec 4 | Students present their Web site project |
Tu. Dec 9 | Students present their Web site project |
Th. Dec 11 | Final Exam |
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The American University
College of Arts and Sciences
Department of Computer Science
and Information Systems
Washington, D.C. 20016