Media Arts

This is the first class in the Cinematography Pathway.

Introduction to Media Arts uses photography and photojournalism to familiarize students with the concepts of exposure, composition, visual storytelling and journalistic ethics before introducing video.


Syllabus

Course Syllabus

Introduction to Media Arts

2019-20

KDE Course description

This course is an introduction to and survey of the creative and conceptual aspects of designing media arts experiences and products, including techniques, genres and styles from various and combined media and forms, including moving image, sound, interactive, spatial and/or interactive design.

At Frederick Douglass, Introduction to Media Arts uses photography and photojournalism to familiarize students with the concepts of exposure, composition, visual storytelling and journalistic ethics before introducing video.

Course objectives

In this course you will learn:

  • Workflow and file management
  • Elements of composition in photography
  • Exposure Triangle
    • Aperture
    • Shutter Speed
    • ISO
  • Available Light Photography
  • Digital Editing using Photoshop
    • Standards required for Adobe Certified Associate Exam
  • Copyright Law as applied to photography
  • History of Photography
  • Photojournalism
    • Ethics
    • News, Sports and Feature Photography
  • Video Shot Types
  • Video Editing

Prerequisites

None. This is the introductory course.

Materials Needed

  • Charged Chromebook
  • Chromebook compatible earbuds (standard headphone jack), very cheap ones are fine
  • SD Card for taking photos.



The following list is optional:

• USB 3.0 memory drive 32G or higher

Grading

  • This course follows FDHS 10 point grading scale :

A 90-100

B 89-80

C 79-70

D 60-69

F Below 60

This course follows FDHS grade weight categories:

  • Summative grades count for 50%
  • Formative 35%
  • Final exam/project count for 15%

Formative grades are entered in a 1-5 scale:

  • (5) Thorough understanding of the Standard 100/A
  • (4) Understanding of the Standard 90/A
  • (3) Basic understanding of the Standard 80/B
  • (2) Approaching the Standard / Some understanding 70/C
  • (1) Does not meet the Standard or Did not apply the content 55/F
  • (0) Did not attempt 0/F

Late Work

  • KDE standards for this pathway require that students demonstrate the "ability to stay on task to produce high quality deliverables on time." If this standards in included in the rubric for an assignment, points may be earned or deducted for meeting or failing to meet this standard.
  • Instructor follows FDHS rules for accepting late work and resubmissions. There should be no expectations for instructor to accept work outside of these circumstances. Currently, that means two weeks (14 calendar days regardless of school calendar) or the end of the Module or Unit according to Canvas.
  • In the event of an excused absence, is the student's responsibility to check Canvas for missed lessons and assignments and make arrangements for submitting late work or make-up work.
  • Assignments will be locked at the start of class time on the due date. Please have work completed before then.
  • Late work will be accepted under school policy rules provided the student emails instructor asking for the assignment to be unlocked and cc's parent's email listed in Infinite Campus.
  • Make-up exams must be scheduled outside of class and confirmed by email with parent cc'd.

If a student is absent, it is the student's responsibility to check Canvas for missed lessons and assignments and make arrangements for submitting late work or make-up work. A form letter is available here.


About Project Based Learning

Most work in the class is project-based. We will cover the standards required by creating projects. Lessons will typically have several formative grades as we acquire skills while creating the project. Summative grades will include the module’s project, exams and writing projects.

Media Arts Sample Projects

  • Create a Portfolio demonstrating Elements of Composition
  • Create a portrait using a digital pinhole camera
  • Landscape/nature photography walk
  • Research famous photographers from history
  • Cover a news or sporting event
  • Personal photo essay
  • Family or historical photograph digital slideshow

Canvas

This is a Canvas-based course. All assignments must be submitted individually on Canvas with proper permissions set. Instructor will not grade work submitted on paper, email or any other format.

Expectations

• Be present and arrive on time

• Listen when instructor is speaking

• Follow all school-wide and classroom rules

• Bring a charged Chromebook to every class

• Follow instructions given verbally, written on the whiteboard and on Canvas

• Respect deadlines