Media Studies Department
University of Southern Maine
Tuesdays 7 - 9:30 p.m.
Bailey Hall 304 — Computer Lab, Gorham Campus
Lecturer: Melissa Kim
E-mail: melissak@maine.edu
Class Web site: http://www.usm.maine.edu/~mkim
Office hours: By appointment only; send e-mail first to arrange a time to meet.
Course description
Introduction to Multimedia is an introduction to the Internet and online media. The course has two components. First, we will create basic Web pages, learning basic web authoring and design skills. The course is designed for students with basic computer skills, but no HTML skills. Second, we will explore the fundamentals of editorial news judgment and design in a new media environment. We will analyze and critique information-based Web sites, examine research and trends in new media, discuss how and why users navigate media Web sites, look at the use of multimedia in communicating news and information, and explore careers in the multimedia industry.
Objectives
1) Students are expected to learn basic HTML and create a fully functioning Web site.
2) Students are expected to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of media Web sites and the role that the Internet plays in the media.
Course Essentials
Textbook:
HTML for the World Wide Web, 5th edition by Elizabeth Castro
(publisher: Peachpit Press, 2001)
A. Attendance / Participation
Attendance will be taken at each class. Students may miss one class. Missing two or more classes will result in an automatic drop of one half letter grade. You do not need to contact the professor prior to missing class. This is a lab/production class, so participation will be considered essential. There will be required preparation for class in the form of reading assignments or short assignments and students will be expected to come to class prepared to discuss the topic for the week.
B: Short assignments
These are non-graded assignments that will cover a variety of topics. Students will hand in assignments on due dates; there is no way to make up missed assignments. No credit will be given for a late assignment.
C: Web Log
Throughout the course of the semester, students will keep a Web Log commenting on and critiquing one media site to demonstrate analytical and critical thinking about the mass media's use of the Internet and multimedia. Complete details will be given at the first class.
D: Personal Home Page
Students will design and produce personal pages with links to Web Logs and Projects, and give a presentation of the site to the class.
You must always include, at a minimum, the required elements below. By the end of the course, I will expect you to have added at least TEN optional elements to the page. Some elements we'll learn in class; others you can find in your textbook or from an online resource. Your personal home page will be evaluated twice; once at midterm and once at end of class.
Required elements:
Your name
Title (in browser title bar)
A basic explanation of what this page is for
An e-mail link
Hyperlinks including a link to the class Web page
Three types of text (diff. size/diff. format/diff. color)
Date of last update to page
Links to your Web Logs
Links to the two course Projects
A bio or resume with information about you - sort of an ³About the Author² page (you can choose how you want to present this, as a resume, as narrative biographical information, etc.)
Image or photo
Possible optional elements
linked image
targeted links
tables
ordered or unordered lists
blockquotes
pre-formatted text
background color or image
form
marquees
image map
animated gif
rollover
frames
background sound
E: Project One: INDUSTRY PROFILE
Students will interview a a person working in the multimedia industry or using multimedia tools at work, and design and produce a Web site that showcases a profile of this person. Students will give a presentation of the site to the class.
F: Project Two: MAINE GUIDE
Students will design and produce a Web site that acts as a guide to users and has utility to people in Maine, and give a presentation of the site to the class.
G: Mid-term
This will be a practical test of HTML skills given in the computer lab as an individual exam.
H: Final practical
This will be a practical test of HTML skills given in the computer lab as a group project.
| Grades will be based on the following: | |
| A: Attendance/Participation | 50 |
| B: Short assignments | 50 |
| C: Web Log | 120 |
| D: Personal Home Page | 150 |
| E: Project One / Presentation One | 200 |
| F: Project Two / Presentation Two | 250 |
| G: Midterm | 100 |
| H: Final | 80 |
| Total points possible: | 1,000 |
CLASS BY CLASS
Week One: Jan. 18
Getting started with HTML/Home page basics
TO DO: Assignment One: 1a) Hurl the Url and 1b) Web Logs
Reading Assignment: Textbook Introduction (pages 13 - 24), Textbook Chapters 2 - 4
Textbook Chapter 7 on links pages 117-128
Week Two: Jan 25
New Media topic - Overview, navigation and content
Personal Home Page Project assignment
HTML topic - hypertext links
Due: Assignment One; Web Log One
TO DO: Assignment Two (Enhance a Story); Web Log Two
Reading assignment: Textbook Chapters 5 and 6 on images
Week Three: Feb. 1
New Media topic - use of photos and images
HTML topic - Image and Photoshop basics
Due: Assignment Two; Web Log Two
TO DO: Web Log Three
Week Four: Feb. 8
Personal Home page presentations
Project 1 assignment
HTML topic - more on graphics and images
Due: Web Log Three
Reading assignment: Textbook Chapter 14 - tables
TO DO: Assignment Three (Navigation); Web Log Four
Week Five: Feb. 15
New Media topic - Navigation
HTML topic - tables
Due: Assignment Three, Web Log Four
TO DO: Assignment Four (Interactivity); Web Log Five
Reading assignment: Textbook Chapter 13 - lists; Chapter 16, pages 270, 272-292 (forms)
** Feb. 21 - 25 winter vacation **
Week Six: Mar. 1
CLASS CANCELLED
Due: Web Log Five
TO DO: Web Log Six
Reading assignment: Textbook Chapter 15 - frames, plus class handouts
Week Seven: Mar 8
CLASS CANCELLED
Due: Web Log Six
TO DO: Finish project one; Web Log Seven
Reading assignment: Chapter 16
Week Eight: Mar 15
** NEW ** Project 1 presentations
HTML topic - Lists, Forms
Due: Web Log Seven, Project One
TO DO: Web Log Eight
Week Nine: Mar 22
** NEW ** Midterm (in class)
Personal Web sites: mid-way point grade.
Project 2 assignment
Due: Web Log Eight
TO DO: Web Log Nine
** Mar 28 - Apr 1 spring vacation **
Week Ten: Apr. 5
New Media topic - Design issues
GUEST SPEAKER: Web designer Holly Valero, Hollyworks
Due: Web Log Nine
TO DO: Web Log Ten, Assignment Four (interactivity)
Reading assignment: Chapter 15 (frames)
Week Eleven: Apr. 12
New Media Topic - Interactivity
HTML topic: Frames, Javascripts
Due: Assignment Four, Web Log Ten
TO DO: Assignment Five (Web Authoring); Web Log Eleven
Week Twelve: Apr. 19
New Media topic - Issues in Ethics and Web Authoring
HTML topic - Image maps, animated gifs (ImageReady)
Due: Assignment Five (Web Authoring); Web Log Eleven
TO DO: Web Log Twelve
Reading assignment: Textbook Chapter 17 - audio/video
Week Thirteen: Apr 26
New Media topic - Multimedia, future issues
HTML topic - Audio and video
If time: cascading style sheets (CSS)
Due: Web Log Twelve
TO DO: Finish Project Two
Week Fourteen: May 3
Project Two Presentations
Final Practical in the lab (group project)
Tell me about yourself: