The course will convey the story of how media provides audiences with messages through imagery.  From the power of still photography to the explosiveness of film the strength of images to convey stories is deep rooted in our humanity. First, we will take a look at the meaning of images both in the news and entertainment media.  Analysis of the characteristics, basic design and vehicles of presentation will be addressed. Thus, a theoretical approach to how messages are conveyed visually is first presented. Secondly, hands on lab format will provide students with exposure and basic skills in the application of the presented design concepts and theories into practical web design. Finally, students will produce working web sites that represent in a creative and practical manner the current principles of visual communication as presently practiced in today’s online oriented journalism.

Outcomes:

By the end of the semeter, the student will:

• Have a foundational understanding of visual design as manifested in present day media
• Understand the stronger design characteristics in various media formats
• Have basic knowledge of web design through practical web page creation

Standars:

• Class attendance, preparation, quizzes and participation is 15 % of your grade. There will be penalties for any unexcused absence. They will result in a deduction of points from your final grade. Do not arrive late. Arriving late more than twice will result in your grade being reduced by one letter.
• Extenuating Circumstances
  Rarely, the unexpected happens and emergency situations may arise causing you to miss graded work in class. Please contact me within 24 hours from the start time of the missed class if you encounter such a situation. It is your responsibility to communicate promptly and directly. If you can prove the legitimacy of your absence or tardiness with documentation, you MAY be able to make up work.
• All Excuses Are Not Created Equal:
  The university recognizes documented illness and the death of immediate family as examples of circumstances that call for excused absence. In the case of illness, you need a doctor’s note that says you COULD NOT ATTEND class, not a note saying you went to a doctor. In the case of a death, you need to provide a funeral program or obituary documenting the death and your relationship to the deceased. The university does not recognize as excused absences such things as scheduling a routine doctor’s appointment during class time, scheduling a grammar exam during class time (see later note on this), taking dad to the airport, a business trip, an assignment in another class, a student organization meeting or a traffic jam. Miami traffic problems are no secret; plan ahead.
• Plagiarism/Academic Dishonesty:
  The School of Journalism and Mass Communication commits itself to the preparation of mass media professionals and scholars. Such a mission demands the highest standards of academic honesty and integrity. Violations of academic honesty, including but not limited to plagiarism, collusion, deception, conflict of interest, and theft, are not tolerated and can lead to severe penalties. Disciplinary actions are outlined in your student handbook. I simply do not tolerate dishonesty and will seek to assess the harshest punishment available if you are caught.Personal Electronics
• Use of cell phones, PDAs or MP3 players during class is prohibited. That includes texting. If you insist on violating this rule, I will ask you to leave. Computers may be used only with instructor permission and if you sit across the back wall. Lectures may be recorded with prior approval. If you are caught using your cell phone or any other banned device during a quiz or exam, you will be in violation of the university’s policy on academic dishonesty.
• Always number and staple the pages. Write in double space
• On top of the first page write your name, title and number of the assignment, course name and date.
• Always keep a printed copy of your assignments and save them in a USB and in your e-mail account.

Required Text/Materials:

NO BOOK is required for this class. However, ALL STUDENTS are required to have, by the second week of class (DEADLINE /17) an external hard-drive of at least 250 GB.
This drive will be essential component of your participation in this class, as you will NOT be allowed to save any of your work on the computers in the classroom. Make sure that
the drive you buy (the cost should be between $69-$99; try BestBuy, Target, or COSTCO) is compatible for MAC/PC.

Other equipment that you will use in this class but do not need to buy (although doing so will make your life a lot easier):

• Digital audio recorder “Point and click” digital camera that shoots both stills and video (preferably HD)
• Clip-on and/or handheld microphone with a mini jack
• All of this equipment can be checked out through the equipment room, once you have signed a “Release and assumption of risk” form (we will do this in class)

Grades:

Practice projects /Attendance	15%
Photoshop Flyer	15%
First Draft Website (February 23rd)	20%
Google map/Interactive Graphic	20%
Final Site	30%

Final site rubric: http://www2.uwstout.edu/content/profdev/rubrics/inspirationrubric.html

A = 92 - 100% (your work is exemplary according to the grading rubrics)
A- = 90 - 91% (your work is mostly exemplary according to the grading rubrics)
B+= 87 - 89% (one or two projects are exemplary; the rest are proficient)
B = 82 - 86% (one project is exemplary; the rest are proficient)
C+= 77 - 79% (your work is proficient)
C = 72 - 76% (your work does not fulfill the minimal professional requirements)
D = 62 - 66% (your work lacks quality)
F = 0 - 59%

Helpful Links:

SJMC Equipment Room and Software Wiki:
http://fiuinfo.pbworks.com/w/page/5768851/FrontPage
Essential resource for all equipment room related questions, as well as questions about and access to software, manuals, equipment, etc.

Atomic Learning:
https://auth.fiu.edu/cas/login?service=https://secure2.atomiclearning.com/sso/FIU
Step by step video tutorials for all of the software we will be using throughout the semester

Mindy McAdams’ “Journalist’s Toolkit”:
http://www.jtoolkit.com/wp/
Excellent resource for multimedia production from a professor at UF