WCC COURSE SYLLABUS
COURSE INFORMATION:
GRD 131 Illustration I
Semester: Fall 2006
Semester hours credit:  2
Class hours per week:  4
COURSE DESCRIPTION: 
This course introduces the application of rendering techniques to create illustrations. Emphasis is placed on controlling various media, methods, surfaces, design problems, and the appropriate media selection process. Upon completion, students should be able to produce quality illustrations from conception through finished artwork.
INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION: 
Name:  Brian Barker
Office:   Thompson Hall - Room 139
Office Hours:   TBD
Office Phone:   Chad - 336-838-6181
Email Address: brian.barker@wilkescc.edu
Website: http://www.wilkescc.edu/graphicdesign
TEXT: 

 

No Text Required  
COURSE SUPPLIES & MATERIALS: 

1 - 512MB minimum Jumpdrive for project storage (for entire curriculum)
1 - 25PK CD writable media

*NOTE: Students are expected to have funds available (when necessary) for file output, purchasing stock photography or purchasing research materials, such as books, magazines or various printed media or necessary materials in order to complete this course.

COURSE OBJECTIVES: 

The purpose of this class is to introduce the second-year Graphic Design student to the world of interpretive illustration.

The student will be required to use critical thinking skills to ascertain the best visual solution to a set of given circumstances. Projects will be assigned which will challenge the student to think in different and abstract ways about how he/she perceives the world around us through communicative arts.

Media will be relagated to the digital area, using software programs such as Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop. Students will be allowed, and encouraged, to explore many different types of expressive media and content in order to comunicate their message effectively.

All work is expected to be original in its creation. Students will present their step-by-step processes in class via class critiques in order to allow a free and creative atmosphere and to help improve each student's critical thinks skills.

CLASS REQUIREMENTS & POLICIES: 
  1. Grading and Testing Policies:
    Projects- 75%
    Final - 25%
  2. Critiques Procedures: Students are expected to participate and post work for class critiques. Failure to post work for a critique will result in points being deducted from the final project grade.
  3. Grading Scale:  Your final letter grade will be determined from your numerical grade calculated on a 10-point scale. The grading scale is as follows:
    ( A: 90-100 ), ( B: 80-89 ), ( C: 70-79 ), ( D: 60-69 ), and ( F: Below 60 ).
  4. Attendance Policy:Students are expected to be present and on time for every class. It is the student's responsibility to make up any assignments missed due to absence. Students who miss more than twice the number of hours the class meets per week may be dropped and should consult with the instructor regarding their progress. If the instructor is not contacted the student will receive an F for the semester. No distinction is made between missing class due to college-related functions such as meetings, sports events, or field trips, and doctor's appointments, illnesses, funerals or other 'cuts'.
  5. Makeup Tests:  Make-Up Assignments & Projects
    Projects and any assignments given are always expected to be completed by the assigned date. Any projects turned in late without an approved reason/excuse will result in an automatic grade reduction. NO EXCEPTIONS. Any lab work which is missed must be turned in to the instructor on disc or other media to receive full credit. The student is entirely and solely responsible for turning in any missed work.
STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES:  

A.  Assumptions about Students:  Students taking this class are assumed to be self-motivated, self-disciplined, and capable of being held accountable for all assigned materials and for abiding by the rules and regulations for this class.

B.  Learning Environment:  Any student whose behavior disrupts the learning environment of the class will be given one written warning. If the disruptive behaviors recur, the student will be dropped from the class.

C.  Class Etiquette:

1.  No food or drinks are allowed in computer classrooms.

2.  Students who must come in late or leave early must do so without disrupting the class.

3.  Students (except for emergency services personnel) must turn off cell phones, beepers, and other portable communication devices, including watches with beeping alarms, during class time to prevent disruptions.  

D.  Withdrawal:  Students may drop courses after registration ends and through the tenth week of the semester. Students must complete a drop form by obtaining the signatures of the advisor and of the instructor, who records the last date of attendance. A withdrawal (W) grade will then be reported on grade reports and transcripts. Failure to complete the drop form may result in a failing grade.

E.  Conflict Management:  If there is a problem with the class or a disagreement with the instructor, students may arrange a conference after class or during the instructor's office hours. The Student Grievance Process in the WCC Catalog provides guidelines for further action.

F.  Academic Integrity:  Plagiarism and other forms of cheating are violations of the WCC Academic Integrity Policy and will be dealt with accordingly. Briefly, that means offenders may receive a zero on the assignment, be dropped from the course, or receive an F in the course at the instructor's discretion. A document citing the offense may also be placed in the student's file in Student Services.

G.  Inclement Weather Announcements:  Announcements regarding college closings due to inclement weather are made on local television and radio stations, including the WCC station WSIF, 90.9 FM, and posted on the WCC Homepage. If classes are canceled due to inclement weather, students should continue working on course assignments. If classes are delayed, follow the two-hour delay schedule posted on the college website. Announcements for the Ashe and Alleghany campuses and local public schools do not apply to the Wilkes campus.

If class is canceled due to inclement weather or any emergency, the instructor will provide make-up work or schedule an extra class meeting the next time the class meets. If classes are canceled on the final day, your instructor will average your grades or give an Incomplete until all work is submitted.

STUDENT RESOURCES:

A.  Student Success Center:  An open computer lab is available for word processing, online research, online classes and other academic uses in Thompson Hall, Room 252. Email can be checked if computers are available. Instructors will schedule tests or make-up tests in the Student Success Center Testing Center . In order to take a test in the Testing Center (TC), you must have a photo I.D. A TC instructor will check your I.D. and administer your test, which you must complete at one sitting and before closing time.

B.  Learning Resources Center (LRC):  Wilkes Community College students, including distance learning students, may borrow books from the WCC Library and other NC community college libraries. For interlibrary loan requests, students must furnish full bibliographical information and the name of the library holding the materials. Interlibrary loan books will be sent to a public library or community college nearest the student.

Students may research topics in journals, periodicals, newspapers and reference sources through NCLIVE. Home access to NCLIVE is possible with a free password, which is available by visiting, phoning (336) 838-6114 or emailing (fay.byrd@wilkescc.edu) the library. The LRC has computers with Internet access available for research purposes.

Students needing research assistance during the hours the library is closed may use NCKNOWS, a virtual reference desk provided by the State Library of North Carolina. Access is free and available by clicking the link on the library web page or going to www.ncknows.com.

C.  Student Support Services (SSS):  Student Support Services is a federally funded comprehensive program that provides educational support services to eligible students. Students who demonstrate a need for academic support and are 1) first generation college students (neither parent has a 4-year degree); 2) persons with limited income; and/or 3) persons with a disability are eligible to enroll in the program and participate in a comprehensive array of academic support services.

D.  Students with Documented Learning or Physical Disabilities:  Students may receive assistance with academic and physical accommodations based upon documentation of disability. It is the student's responsibility to initiate requests for services by contacting the Disability Services Coordinator, located in the Student Success Center, Room 257D of Thompson Hall, and by completing the accommodation request form obtained in that office. Special assistance and accommodations are provided to meet ADA standards. No special concessions will be made for students who are not registered with the disability services office.

E.  Student Services:  The Student Services staff provides a variety of services to assist students with successful program completion and the achievement of their educational goals. The services provided are available free of charge to all students. The Student Services Office is located on the first floor of the Student and Learning Resources Center . Hours of operation are 8:00 am - 9:00 pm Monday through Thursday and 8:00 am - 5:00 pm on Friday. Among the services provided are: admissions, financial aid, academic advisement, career planning, job placement, transfer counseling, personal counseling, records and registration, housing, student activities, and first aid. Additional information may be obtained by calling 838-6135.

F.  Course Evaluation:  Students may have the opportunity to evaluate this course and instructor during the semester. If the instructor has not selected this course for a formal evaluation, students may give a written evaluation to the division chairperson. Internet students are expected to complete the online course evaluation.

G.  WCC Web Page:  The WCC Web Page is the source of information for WCC students, including the WCC catalog, contact information for faculty and staff, and links to student resources. In addition to the college website, your instructor may provide course materials on Campus Cruiser.

H.  Campus Cruiser:  Campus Cruiser is a new web portal for WCC. It provides student email accounts, accessible links to all classes each student is taking and much more. To access Campus Cruiser, navigate your browser to the college home page and click the Campus Cruiser link. When the main page opens, click the login button to enter your account name and password.