Introduction to Multimedia (Fall 2004)


Course Syllabus

instructor information

Professor: Elizabeth Lane Lawley
Office: 70-2545
Phone: 585-475-6896
Email: ell at mail dot rit dot edu
Office Hours:

Teaching Assistant: Sean Hannan
Email: sph6859 at rit dot edu

textbooks and readings

The following books are required for the course. The edition matters--older editions of these books will not provide all of the information you will be expected to know in class and in exams.

important rit deadlines

Last day of add/drop is September 13, 2004.

Last day to withdraw with a grade of “W” is October 15 (the deadline for withdrawing from a course with a W grade is the end of the 6th week of the quarter). Forms may be obtained from your department office and need your instructor’s signature.

NOTE: IT department policy states that a student has one quarter to challenge any grade. After that, grades cannot be challenged.

course description

This class provides an introduction to key Internet, web, and multimedia technologies, as well as familiarity with the Macintosh computer platform. Topics covered include computer-mediated communication, basic Internet applications such as telnet, FTP, and the WWW, basic digital image techniques, and web page development and publishing.

course goals and objectives

This course provides a basic introduction to Internet technologies and web development. The Internet technology topics (UNIX, FTP, Telnet, email, protocols) provide a foundation for a variety of IT core courses. The web development and imaging topics provide an introduction to the multimedia and web development topic area within the department, and are a prerequisite for concentration level courses in the computer-mediated experience area of the curriculum.

By the end of this course, you should be able to:

  • Identify key figures and events in the development of the Internet and the World Wide Web.
  • Successfully search for and gather information from the Internet.
  • Understand and use basic Internet technologies, including telnet, FTP, electronic mail and conferencing, and the WWW.
  • Perform basic file and directory management tasks in the UNIX environment.
  • Understand digital imaging concepts, including file formats, resolution, color models, and compression methods.
  • Create graphic elements for the Web using both bitmap and vector-based software tools.
  • Create web pages, using valid HTML and basic principles of graphic and information design, and publish them on RIT's server.
  • Understand basic typography for the web, and use of CSS for text formatting.
  • Incorporate basic interactivity into web pages, such as rollovers or embedded audio/video.
  • Utilize the Macintosh operating environment for file management and application tasks.

prerequisites

Students should be able to use a web browser and word processing program.

grading

15% Participation (includes attendance, in-class exercises, homework)

45% Projects:

  • Paper (15%)
  • Web Site 1: Wireframe Implementation (15%)
  • Web Site 2: Graphics Implementation (15%)

15% Midterm Exam

5% Mid-quarter Practical Exam

20% Final Exam

There will also be a final practical exam, which is pass/fail; those who do not pass the final practical do not pass the course. (You have one opportunity to retake the practical if you do not pass the first time.)

A final letter grade will be assigned from points that you have accumulated. (e.g. A = 90-100%, B = 80-90%, etc.) Grades are not curved; if every student does "A" work, every student gets an A. (Or a D, as the case may be...)

It's important to understand that if you complete all the requirements for an assignment, that is only sufficient for a grade of "B" (i.e. "satisfactory work"). To receive an A for an assignment, you must go beyond the basic requirements, and show some creativity, initiative, and excellence--the grade of A is intended for work that is superior, rather than average.

Assignments submitted after the due date/time, without prior approval from the instructor, will lose 10% (one letter grade) for each day that they are late. If you know that a situation will prevent you from turning something in, contact me in advance of the deadline to make alternate arrangements.

If you wish to dispute your final course grade, you must do so before the end of the quarter following this one; after that, documentation of your work may be discarded.

academic honesty policy

Please review the IT department and RIT policies academic dishonesty.