Course
Information:
ATEC 2382.002
Computer Imaging
Fall 2007

Thursdays 2:30 - 5:15 p.m.
Professor Contact Information:
MaryEllen Lacy
melacy@utdallas.edu
214.521.5393
214.697.9503
Office Hours: by appointment

Course
Pre-requisites,
Co-requisites, and/or Other Restrictions:
Basic computer skills are required.

ATEC 1.104 classroom uses Macintosh Computers.
Course Description:
This course will develop visual art concepts and techniques of digital imaging using the Adobe Photoshop software as a tool. Students will produce original work that reflects a high degree of individual expression. The goal of this approach is to facilitate the integration of technical ability with visual communication and creative artistic work. The course will consist of lectures, demonstrations, assignments, exams, projects, presentations, and critiques. In each class, both technical and aesthetic concepts will be introduced through lectures and demonstrations always building on previous class material. As assignments are completed, critiques will serve to strengthen technical skills and visualization.

Learning Outcomes:
Identify terminology, advantages and limitations of image editing software. Create, edit, and output digital computer image files with reasonable skill and understanding of the tools and hardware. A working knowledge of composition, design elements, creativity, concept development, visual communication, and professionalism should be reflected in the quality of student's digital image work.
Required Texts and Materials:
Adobe Photoshop CS3 Classroom In a Book from Adobe Systems

Required Supplies: High-capacity personal storage device for transporting image files

Suggested Course Materials: Recommended Textbooks: - Not Required -

Photoshop CS3 for Windows & Macintosh: Visual Quickstart Guide
by Elaine Weinmann and Peter Lourekas


Adobe Photoshop CS3 Studio Techniques
by Ben Willmore


Design Basics
by David Lauer, Stephen Pentak

Prebles’ Artforms: An Introduction to the Visual Arts
Patrick Frank
Course Outline:

* The course outline may be modified at the discretion of the instructor.

Date Image Techniques Creative Design Exercises
Exams
Projects Tutorials CIAB
Aug. 16
Tools and Palettes working foundations
      TU_01
Lesson 1 Getting to Know the Work Area
Aug. 23 Tools and Palettes working foundations       TU_02
Lesson 2 Basic Photo Corrections
Aug.30 Selections Creative Design Exercise
  TU_03
Lesson 3 Retouching and Reparing
TU_04 Working with Selections
Sept. 6 Layers Creative Design Exercise
  TU_05
Lesson 5 Layer Basics
Sept. 13 Masks and Channels Creative Design Exercise

  TU_6
Lesson 6 Masks and Channels
Sept. 20 Typography
Creative Design Exercise
    TU_07
Lesson 7 Correcting and Enhancing Digital Photographs
TU_08 Typographic Design
Sept. 27     Exam One    
Oct. 4


    Project One  
Oct. 11
Advanced Layer Techniques
Creative Design Exercise     Tu_09
Lesson 9 Vector Drawing Techniques
Oct. 18 Advanced Mask Techniques Creative Design Exercise     TU_10
Lesson 10 Advanced Layering
TU_11
Lesson 11 Advanced Compositing
Oct. 25
Vector Materials Creative Design Exercise     TU_12
Lesson 12 Preparing Files for the Web
Nov. 1 Vector Creative Design Exercise
  TU_13
Lesson 13 Working with Scientific Images
Nov. 8
 
Exam Two
   
Nov. 15 (ff) lab on P2     TU_14 Producing and Printing Consistent Color
Nov. 22       Project Two  
Nov. 29 Roundup
     

Grading (credit) Criteria:
1 point each
A =
90 - 100
 
 
 
 
 
2 Projects
20 points
10 points each
B =
80 - 89
2 Exams
20 points
10 points each
C =
70 - 79
8 Creative Exercises
32 points
4 points each
D =
60 - 69
14 Lesson/Tutorials 14 points 1 point each
F =
0 - 59
Attendance
14 points
 
   
100 points
total
Make Up Exams: Make up exams with an excused absence are arranged with the instructor.
Extra Credit: Extra credit requires approval from the instructor and is evaluated on an individual basis.
Late Work: Late work receives a penalty of reduced grade points determined by the instructor based on the assignment and how late the work is submitted.
Class Attendance: Extra credit requires approval from the instructor and is evaluated on an individual basis.
Classroom Citizenship:

Classroom citizenship of respect and courtesy toward students and instructors is expected.

Technical Support: If you experience any problems with your UTD account you may send an email to: assist@utdallas.edu or call the UTD Computer Helpdesk at 972-883-2911.
Student Conduct & Discipline: The University of Texas System and The University of Texas at Dallas have rules and regulations for the orderly and efficient conduct of their business. It is the responsibility of each student and each student organization to be knowledgeable about the rules and regulations which govern student conduct and activities. General information on student conduct and discipline is contained in the UTD publication, A to Z Guide, which is provided to all registered students each academic year.

The University of Texas at Dallas administers student discipline within the procedures of recognized and established due process.  Procedures are defined and described in the Rules and Regulations, Series 50000, Board of Regents, The University of Texas System, and in Title V, Rules on Student Services and Activities of the university’s Handbook of Operating Procedures.  Copies of these rules and regulations are available to students in the Office of the Dean of Students, where staff members are available to assist students in interpreting the rules and regulations (SU 1.602, 972/883-6391) and online at http://www.utdallas.edu/judicialaffairs/UTDJudicialAffairs-HOPV.html

A student at the university neither loses the rights nor escapes the responsibilities of citizenship.  He or she is expected to obey federal, state, and local laws as well as the Regents’ Rules, university regulations, and administrative rules.  Students are subject to discipline for violating the standards of conduct whether such conduct takes place on or off campus, or whether civil or criminal penalties are also imposed for such conduct.

Academic Integrity:

The faculty expects from its students a high level of responsibility and academic honesty.  Because the value of an academic degree depends upon the absolute integrity of the work done by the student for that degree, it is imperative that a student demonstrate a high standard of individual honor in his or her scholastic work.

Scholastic Dishonesty, any student who commits an act of scholastic dishonesty is subject to discipline.  Scholastic dishonesty includes but is not limited to cheating, plagiarism, collusion, the submission for credit of any work or materials that are attributable in whole or in part to another person, taking an examination for another person, any act designed to give unfair advantage to a student or the attempt to commit such acts.

Plagiarism, especially from the web, from portions of papers for other classes, and from any other source is unacceptable and will be dealt with under the university’s policy on plagiarism (see general catalog for details).  This course will use the resources of turnitin.com, which searches the web for possible plagiarism and is over 90% effective.
Copyright Notice: The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted materials, including music and software. Copying, displaying, reproducing, or distributing copyrighted works may infringe the copyright owner’s rights and such infringement is subject to appropriate disciplinary action as well as criminal penalties provided by federal law. Usage of such material is only appropriate when that usage constitutes “fair use” under the Copyright Act.  As a UT Dallas student, you are required to follow the institution’s copyright policy (Policy Memorandum 84-I.3-46). For more information about the fair use exemption, see http://www.utsystem.edu/ogc/intellectualproperty/copypol2.htm
Email Use: The University of Texas at Dallas recognizes the value and efficiency of communication between faculty/staff and students through electronic mail. At the same time, email raises some issues concerning security and the identity of each individual in an email exchange. The university encourages all official student email correspondence be sent only to a student’s U.T. Dallas email address and that faculty and staff consider email from students official only if it originates from a UTD student account. This allows the university to maintain a high degree of confidence in the identity of all individual corresponding and the security of the transmitted information. UTD furnishes each student with a free email account that is to be used in all communication with university personnel. The Department of Information Resources at U.T. Dallas provides a method for students to have their U.T. Dallas mail forwarded to other accounts.
Withdrawal from Class: The administration of this institution has set deadlines for withdrawal of any college-level courses. These dates and times are published in that semester's course catalog. Administration procedures must be followed. It is the student's responsibility to handle withdrawal requirements from any class. In other words, I cannot drop or withdraw any student. You must do the proper paperwork to ensure that you will not receive a final grade of "F" in a course if you choose not to attend the class once you are enrolled.
Student Grievance Procedures: Procedures for student grievances are found in Title V, Rules on Student Services and Activities, of the university’s Handbook of Operating Procedures.

In attempting to resolve any student grievance regarding grades, evaluations, or other fulfillments of academic responsibility, it is the obligation of the student first to make a serious effort to resolve the matter with the instructor, supervisor, administrator, or committee with whom the grievance originates (hereafter called “the respondent”). Individual faculty members retain primary responsibility for assigning grades and evaluations. If the matter cannot be resolved at that level, the grievance must be submitted in writing to the respondent with a copy of the respondent’s School Dean. If the matter is not resolved by the written response provided by the respondent, the student may submit a written appeal to the School Dean. If the grievance is not resolved by the School Dean’s decision, the student may make a written appeal to the Dean of Graduate or Undergraduate Education, and the deal will appoint and convene an Academic Appeals Panel. The decision of the Academic Appeals Panel is final. The results of the academic appeals process will be distributed to all involved parties.

Copies of these rules and regulations are available to students in the Office of the Dean of Students, where staff members are available to assist students in interpreting the rules and regulations.
Incomplete Grades: As per university policy, incomplete grades will be granted only for work unavoidably missed at the semester’s end and only if 70% of the course work has been completed.  An incomplete grade must be resolved within eight (8) weeks from the first day of the subsequent long semester.  If the required work to complete the course and to remove the incomplete grade is not submitted by the specified deadline, the incomplete grade is changed automatically to a grade of F.
Disability Services:

The goal of Disability Services is to provide students with disabilities educational opportunities equal to those of their non-disabled peers.  Disability Services is located in room 1.610 in the Student Union.  Office hours are Monday and Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; Tuesday and Wednesday, 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.; and Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

The contact information for the Office of Disability Services is:
The University of Texas at Dallas, SU 22
PO Box 830688
Richardson, Texas 75083-0688
(972) 883-2098 (voice or TTY)
disabilityservice@utdallas.edu

If you anticipate issues related to the format or requirements of this course, please meet with the Coordinator of Disability Services.  The Coordinator is available to discuss ways to ensure your full participation in the course.  If you determine that formal, disability-related accommodations are necessary, it is very important that you be registered with Disability Services to notify them of your eligibility for reasonable accommodations.  Disability Services can then plan how best to coordinate your accommodations.

It is the student’s responsibility to notify his or her professors of the need for such an accommodation.  Disability Services provides students with letters to present to faculty members to verify that the student has a disability and needs accommodations.  Individuals requiring special accommodation should contact the professor after class or during office hours.
Religious Holy Days: The University of Texas at Dallas will excuse a student from class or other required activities for the travel to and observance of a religious holy day for a religion whose places of worship are exempt from property tax under Section 11.20, Tax Code, Texas Code Annotated.

The student is encouraged to notify the instructor or activity sponsor as soon as possible regarding the absence, preferably in advance of the assignment. The student, so excused, will be allowed to take the exam or complete the assignment within a reasonable time after the absence: a period equal to the length of the absence, up to a maximum of one week. A student who notifies the instructor and completes any missed exam or assignment may not be penalized for the absence. A student who fails to complete the exam or assignment within the prescribed period may receive a failing grade for that exam or assignment.

If a student or an instructor disagrees about the nature of the absence [i.e., for the purpose of observing a religious holy day] or if there is similar disagreement about whether the student has been given a reasonable time to complete any missed assignments or examinations, either the student or the instructor may request a ruling from the chief executive officer of the institution, or his or her designee. The chief executive officer or designee must take into account the legislative intent of TEC 51.911(b), and the student and instructor will abide by the decision of the chief executive officer or designee.
These descriptions and timelines are subject to change at the discretion of the Professor.