SALEM STATE COLLEGE, Spring 2008

COM 205: Computer Production

Meeting time: WF 9:30-10:45, MH 218

Professor Brett M. Rhyne

telephone: 978-542-7088

e-mail: brett.rhyne@salemstate.edu

office: MH100B

Office hours: WF 12:30 p.m.– 1:30 p.m.

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Catalog description: This course will involve the application of computer programs to the design and development of communication materials. Students will be introduced to computer software for word processing, desktop publishing, web design and electronic information presentations. Students will produce such communication materials as flyers, brochures, web sites and other visual presentations.

Global goals:

• To understand the principles of good design.

• To master basic skills in the software used by communications majors.

• To critically evaluate your own work and the work of others.

Course objectives:

• To produce communications materials which demonstrate a knowledge of basic design principles.

• To be able to identify successful strategies for design of communications

   materials.

• To successfully present work to a group.

This course will provide you with a basic understanding of computer-based processes such as e-mail clients (MS-Entourage), word processing (Word), document portability (Acrobat), CD ripping (iTunes), video editing (iMovie), DVD burning (iDVD), image creation and manipulation (PhotoShop), Web site creation (iWeb), file transferring (Fetch), desktop publishing (QuarkXPress) and slideshow creation for presentations (PowerPoint).

Student assessment (grading)

The software to be practiced and the percentage values of graded assignments are in parentheses.

PDF scavenger hunt (Adobe Acrobat; 5 percent). You will be given a PDF file and asked to collect and format clippings from it.

Three forms assignment (MS-Word; 10 percent). You will be given the text to create three pieces, each of which must be filed in proper form: a news brief, a TV reader, and a press release.

MP3 scavenger hunt (iTunes; 5 percent). You will be given a CD and asked to rip a song from it.

Video assignment (iMovie & iDVD; 20 percent). You will be asked to produce a video and burn it onto a DVD.

Web site assignment (Adobe PhotoShop, iWeb & Fetch; 20 percent). You will be asked to construct a Web site that includes specific kinds of pages (e.g., a blog, podcasts, etc.).

Newsletter assignment (QuarkXPress; 15 percent). You will be asked to design and produce a newsletter.

Slideshow assignment (MS-PowerPoint; 15 percent). You will be asked to design and present a slideshow.

Class participation/attendance (10 percent). Attendance is mandatory for all scheduled class meetings. If you think you are going to miss a class meeting, please notify me in advance. You are responsible for all class assignments, regardless of your attendance. Please do not contact me to get work you have missed; in these cases, your classmates are your best resources. Credit will be awarded based on a formula of attendance x quality of participation.

There is no final examination for this course.

SECTION 504

Salem State College is committed to providing equal access to the educational experience for all students in compliance with Section 504 of The Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act and to providing all reasonable academic

accommodations, aids, and adjustments. Any student who has a documented disability

requiring accommodation, aid, or adjustment should speak with the instructor

immediately. Students with disabilities who have not done so should provide

documentation to and schedule an appointment with the Officer for Students with

Disabilities and obtain appropriate services.