COM 1020
Basic Web Graphics
3 credit hours

Course Information

Course Description:
An introductory class using a graphics program, scanner, and other digital devices to create and edit graphic images for web pages. Projects will be included to allow students to demonstrate mastery of the use of a graphics program to edit, optimize and create imagery for the Web, set up hierarchical folders/directories and implement, upload, and edit a functional Web site. This course is taught using Photoshop®  CS3 and Photoshop® and Image Ready®  (versions 6 -CS2), or Photoshop® Elements (versions 3 & up) and at least a basic HTML editor (Notepad or TextEdit). (3 credits)

Course Objectives:

Upon successful completion of this course students will:

  1. Understand how to use editing software to create basic Web graphics.
  2. Understand how to optimize images for display on the Web.
  3. Know how to set up logical folder/directory hierarchy for a Web site on their local computers.
  4. Know how to create hyperlinks, and link graphics to specific Web pages.
  5. Know how to FTP upload a multi page Web site and graphics to the server.
  6. Be able to do quality assurance testing of their Web site, and make corrections, if needed
  7. Understand the concept or scanning and resolution
  8. Be able to alter and retouch continuous tone images.
  9. Be able to use color effectively on the web.
  10. Be able to create images such as backgrounds, buttons, and icons
Prerequisite:
COM 1010, Basic Web Design
Course Topics:
  • Introduction to Web Graphics
  • Optimizing Graphics for the Web
  • Displaying Web Graphics
  • Midterm Project - Web site Construction & FTP Upload
  • Retouching Scanned Images & Digital Photos
  • Creating and Using Background Images
  • Creating Icons, Bullets, & Symbols
  • Creating & Using Buttons
  • Final Project - Design a Splash Page
Specific Course Requirements:
  • A basic knowledge of the World Wide Web and computer navigation is necessary.
  • How to name and create folders on a computer.
  • How to navigate folders on a computer.
  • How to create text files in a Text Editor or Word.
  • How to navigate the hard drive to find and/or save files through various dialog boxes or windows.
Textbooks, Supplementary Materials, Hardware and Software Requirements
Required Textbooks:

Professional Web Graphics, Web Warrior Series by Matt Slaybaugh. ISBN 0-619-03470-X

Please visit the Virtual Bookstore to obtain textbook information for this course:

http://rodp.bkstr.com
Supplementary Materials:
It's strongly recommended that you make regular backups of your work for this class in case the hard disk in your computer fails.
Hardware Requirements:

  • Windows

    • Intel® Pentium® III or 4 processor
    • Microsoft® Windows® 2000 with Service Pack 4, or Windows XP with Service Pack 1 or 2
    • 384MB of RAM to run any one creative application with Adobe® Bridge and Version Cue® Workspace
    • Additional RAM required to run multiple applications simultaneously (512MB to 1GB recommended)
    • 3GB of available hard-disk space to install all applications (installation of common files requires at least 1GB on primary hard disk)*
    • 1,024x768 monitor resolution with 16-bit video card (24-bit screen display recommended)
    • CD-ROM drive
    • Internet or phone connection required for product activation
    • QuickTime®  6.5 required for multimedia features

    Macintosh

    • PowerPC® G4 or G5 processor
    • Mac OS X v.10.2.8 through v.10.4 (10.3.4 through 10.4 recommended; G5 requires v.10.3 or later), Java™ Runtime Environment 1.4.1
    • 384MB of RAM to run any one creative application with Adobe®  Bridge and Version Cue® Workspace
    • Additional RAM required to run multiple applications simultaneously (512MB to 1GB recommended)
    • 4GB of available hard-disk space to install all applications (installation of common files requires at least 1GB on primary hard disk)*
    • 1,024x768 monitor resolution with 16-bit video card (24-bit screen display recommended)
    • CD-ROM drive
    • Internet or phone connection required for product activation
    • QuickTime® 6.5 required for multimedia features

    *The Electronic Software Download (ESD) version of Adobe® Creative Suite 2 Premium requires 8GB (Windows) and 9GB (Macintosh) of available hard-disk space. The ESD version of Adobe®  Creative Suite 2 Standard requires 7GB (Windows) and 8GB (Macintosh) of available hard-disk space.
Software Requirements:

Photoshop® and ImageReady®  versions 6 through CS3 or Photoshop®  Elements 3 & up. If you choose not to purchase Photoshop® , you may come to the Nashville State Technical Community College campus to the Open Lab C-308 to complete the Photoshop®  projects. Call for their hours (353-3324). Note there is no technical assistance provided in the Lab.

7/21/07 - IMPORTANT NOTE Photoshop® version CS3 no longer comes with ImageReady® . All optimization is rendered via the File>Save for Web & Devices menu.

Browsers

  1. Netscape®  6.0
  2. I.E. 5.0 or higher Internet Browsers
  3. Firefox™

An FTP Utility (Fetch for Mac, WS_FTP for PC, or a wysiwyg program like Adobe®  GoLive®  or Dreamweaver®  which have built in FTP utility). There are other FTP utilities out there, but your instructor has instructions only for the set up of Fetch for Mac and WS_FTP 2006 Home for PC. These utilities have a free trial period which will not last for the duration of the semester, however, you may contact these companies and purchase an educational licence for home/class use for around $30 (2005 prices). Well worth the investment if you are going into this field.

You can also "google" for freeware FTP utilities. Your instructor may or may not be able to help you set these up.

7/21/07- Found a great FREE FTP utility. Coffee Cup FTP
Instructor Information
Please see the separate page inside the course to find instructor contact information as well as a statement of virtual office hours and other communication information.
Assessment and Grading
Testing Procedures:

Graded Quizzes will be on-line. All Exams will be proctored so please arrange your schedule according to the Proctor's dates of availability.
Grading Procedure:
Grades are based on participation in 4 Graded Discussions, 10 Homework Assignments, 8 Graded Quizzes, 1 Midterm Project, 1 Final Project, 1 Final Project and 1 Final Exam. All of these should reflect students’ understanding of the readings in the text and on-line materials.

Grading Scale:

 
Class Participation:

Interaction with other students is an important component of the course. Students must participate by posting discussions on the topics assigned in a timely manner. Deadlines for discussion posts are included in the Modules. Students are also expected to communicate with the instructor as a learning resource and to check the course bulletin board frequently for announcements.

Punctuality:

Students need to consult the course Events/Calendar for due dates for graded assignments and discussion posts Grade for assignments will be lowered if late. Midterm Exam Final Exam will be available only on the announced dates.

Quizzes are taken online but the Exams are proctored.
Plagiarism and Academic misconduct:
Plagiarism, cheating, and other forms of academic dishonesty are prohibited. Students guilty of academic misconduct, either directly or indirectly through participation or assistance, are immediately responsible to the instructor of the class. In addition to other possible disciplinary sanctions which may be imposed through the regular institutional or school procedures as a result of academic misconduct, the instructor has the authority to assign an F or a zero for the exercise or examination, or to assign an F in the course.


Course Ground Rules

Academic honesty

Discussion posts, quizzes and exams, and the graded homework assignments must be your own work. Books and notes are not to be used during quizzes or exams. Plagiarism, cheating or other student misconduct are grounds for be receiving an "F" or zero in the course. You are expected to submit work completed only by yourself.

Students are expected to:

  • Read all assigned material for each unit before continuing on to the next one.
  • Learn how to navigate in WebCT.
  • Keep current on all course announcements.
  • Use the assigned college or university e-mail address as opposed to a personal e-mail address.
  • Address technical problems immediately.
  • Observe course etiquette at all times.
Guidelines for Communication
Email:
  • Always include a subject line.
  • Remember without facial expressions some comments may be taken the wrong way. Be careful in wording your emails. Use of emoticons might be helpful in some cases.
  • Use standard fonts.
  • Do not send large attachments without permission.
  • Special formatting such as centering, audio messages, tables, html, etc. should be avoided unless necessary to complete an assignment or other communication.
  • Respect the privacy of other class members
Discussion Groups:
  • Review the discussion threads thoroughly before entering the discussion. Be a lurker then a discussant.
  • Try to maintain threads by using the "Reply" button rather starting a new topic.
  • Do not make insulting or inflammatory statements to other members of the discussion group. Be respectful of other's ideas.
  • Be patient and read the comments of other group members thoroughly before entering your remarks.
  • Be cooperative with group leaders in completing assigned tasks.
  • Be positive and constructive in group discussions.
  • Respond in a thoughtful and timely manner.
Chat:
  • Introduce yourself to the other learners in the chat session.
  • Be polite. Choose your words carefully. Do not use derogatory statements.
  • Be concise in responding to others in the chat session.
  • Be prepared to open the chat session at the scheduled time.
  • Be constructive in your comments and suggestion
Web Resources:

Library

The Tennessee Virtual Library is available to all students enrolled in the Regents Degree Program. Links to library materials (such as electronic journals, databases, interlibrary loans, digital reserves, dictionaries, encyclopedias, maps, and librarian support) and Internet resources needed by learners to complete online assignments and as background reading must be included in all courses. 


 

Students With Disabilities

Qualified students with disabilities will be provided reasonable and necessary academic accommodations if determined eligible by the appropriate disability services staff at their home institution. Prior to granting disability accommodations in this course, the instructor must receive written verification of a student's eligibility for specific accommodations from the disability services staff at the home institution. It is the student's responsibility to initiate contact with their home institution's disability services staff and to follow the established procedures for having the accommodation notice sent to the instructor.

Syllabus Changes

The instructor reserves the right to make changes as necessary to this syllabus. If changes are necessitated during the term of the course, the instructor will immediately notify students of such changes both by individual email communication and posting both notification and nature of change(s) on the course bulletin board.

Technical Support

Telephone Support:
If you are having problems logging into your course, timing out of your course, using your course web site tools, or other technical problems, please contact the Eduprise Help Desk by calling

1-866-550-7637 (toll free)

or go to their website at:

http://askrodp.custhelp.com