JMC 4683/5683, "Interactive Multimedia," is designed to study visual aesthetics and other concepts relevant to the world of digital media. Students will also apply the tools of multimedia on the World Wide Web. You will learn about the various types of multimedia applications (e.g. Adobe Photoshop and Premiere) and how to construct effective interactive multimedia messages. The class will also involve utilizing the Internet for class projects and communication. Special emphasis will be placed on using multimedia in a world wide network delivery system (the World Wide Web). Students will learn how to use hypertext markup language to create their own web pages as part of a final project. Although this is a class about utilizing and creating online resources, the class meets regularly and good attendance is a requirement. No prior experience with hypertext markup language or graphics applications will be required. Basic computer proficiency and an understanding of directory hierarchies (folders within folders) will be most helpful as a base.

Students with more advanced skills (some html and/or graphics experience) will have an opportunity to work on a group project which incorporates more advanced multimedia applications. This group will work primarily with our RealAudio and RealVideo server and encoder to develop streaming video/audio applications over the Internet.

Texts, Required Reading and Online Resources:

4683/5683 STUDENTS
Niederst, Jennifer (1999). Web Design in a Nutshell: A Desktop Quick Reference
Sebastopol, CA: O'Reilly & Associates, Inc.
(1st Edition)

5683 STUDENTS ONLY
Stoll, Clifford (1995). Silicon Snake Oil. New York: Anchor Books (Doubleday)

Online Class Lecture Notes: (Password given out in class)

Required Materials:

(2) Iomega Zip Cartridges
These must be Macintosh Formatted. (We can format an IBM formatted cartridge in class).
(You do need to buy Iomega brand. Other brands have created problems in our labs).

You will also need to purchase a poster board and some "stickies" (or Post-Its) for the creation of a "navigation map."

Disability Policy:

Any student who has a disability that may prevent him or her from fully demonstrating his or her abilities should contact the instructor to discuss accommodations necessary to ensure full participation and facilitate his or her educational opportunities.

Requirements:

1.) Participation: You have a significant responsibility to keep up with class readings, contribute to class discussion and ask questions to clarify material.

2.) Attendance: You are expected to take responsibility for class attendance. Poor attendance will affect the assessment of your participation in the class. This means not only showing up for class, but arriving on time and staying until the end. I consider it extremely rude to have students arrive late. Important material will be covered at the beginning of class and I can't keep repeating it to new arrivals.

3.) Exam: There will be a final exam. More information on the exam format and date will be provided during the semester. I do not give make-up exams after the test date, but if you have a legitimate conflict or problem, I will consider giving you the exam one day early.

4.) Email Assignments: You will be required to send email to me about certain matters. Three assignments have specific (and early) due dates. The rest of this assignment involves a regular on-going email correspondence with the professor.

5.) Personal Home Page Project: We will create a basic home page with a couple of links early in the semester for instructional purposes. After that, you will be required to further develop your personal home page (actually "pages") as you like. You must include at least a completed bio and resume. I will grade these at the end of the semester.

6.) Final Project: You will be required to conceptualize, structure and create an original interactive multimedia project for the World Wide Web. This project is to be completed by Wednesday, December 1st.

7.) Non-Linear Video Editing Assignment: You will be required to create a video clip which can be used on a web page in streaming format. This project is to be completed by Wednesday, December 8th.

Grade Calculation:

* Exam: 10%
* Email Assignments: 5%
* Personal Home Page Project: 10%
* Final Project: 60%
* Non-Linear Video Editing Assignment: 15%

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