GDT 141&142: Photoshop
Course Overview
Supplies and Textbook
- 100MB Iomega Zip disk
- Required Text: Adobe Photoshop 5.5 Classroom in a Book, Adobe Systems
- Optional, but highly recommended: Photoshop 5.5 Visual Quickstart Guide, Weinmann and Lourekas
Attendance
Students are required to attend class in order to get the full benefit of the information and demonstrations offered. Because this is a 7½ week course, more than 3 unexcused absences will result in a your grade being reduced one full letter grade. Also, if you are more than 15 minutes late to class 3 times, one unexcused absence will be recorded. Classes will start with lecture and demonstrations-it is important to be on time.
Plagiarism and Piracy
Plagiarism of projects and piracy of software will not be permitted. Both are illegal and will be reported to the administration. This is not flexible.
Projects and Exercises
As we advance in the class, projects will become more in-depth and will build on skills that you have acquired. Students can expect to spend about 2 hours a week outside of class working on class projects. You are expected to engage in the projects, selecting subject matter that interests you. Exercises will consist of short in-class projects that teach basic Photoshop skills. Projects are expected to be turned in on time. A late project will drop one full letter grade for each class that it is late. Obviously, this will not be the case for any excused absence.
Naming Files
All the files that you turn in to me need to follow these naming conventions. Use your first initial, the first 4 letters of you last name, followed by a dash and the assignment number. Use the lowercase extension (.psd, .jpg, .gif, etc.) for all your files and allow the extension to change automatically in the Photoshop Save dialog box. If you accidentally delete the file extension, please retype it. Windows will not recognize file types without extensions. For example, the file name for my first assignment would be: ccass-1.psd
Grading
WCC has instituted a plus-minus grading system this semester. Possible grades are: A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, C-, D+, D, D-, F. Final grades will be assigned based on the following: 1/3 In-class exercises and class participation, 1/3 Projects, 1/3 Final Exam.
Exercises will be graded on the following criteria: following instructions, technical accuracy, craftsmanship, demonstration of understanding of material, and completion of project on time.
Projects will be graded on the same criteria as the exercises, as well as the following: appropriate use of subject matter and skills, effective use of skills developed in exercises, and fulfillment of the assignment objectives.
The final exam will be graded based on overall comprehension and technical use of the course material.
