Media Arts Seminar Syllabus

Media Arts Seminar
MART 3500
CRN 2021
M, W 2:00 -3:50
TB 102

Lauren Addario
Media Arts & Technology
TB 135
Office Hours  M 11:00-12:00; T 12:00-2:00; W 11:00 – 12:00, & by appointment
Email: lladdario@nmhu.edu
Phone: 505-454-3239

COVID-19 Policies

If you feel unwell, please stay home, inform your instructor, and get medical advice, CDC guidelines are linked here. Let the Media Arts & Technology faculty or staff know what we can do to support you.

  • Positive cases should be reported to the university at EOC@nmhu.edu
  • The university will NOT require isolation rooms for use by any member of the campus community, including students in the residence halls
  • Anyone positive with COVID-19 should isolate for at least 5 days, but medical clearance is no longer required to return to work/campus
  • Masks will remain recommended but not required

Inclement Weather

In the event of storms, check your email for information on closures, alternate instructions on class meeting times, and/or make-up assignments/submissions.

Description of course:
An investigation of the core concepts and topics of media arts, specific to graphic design, photography, multimedia, and videography, through critical readings, written papers, and guest lecturers.  The course will culminate in a collaborative community-based project.

Course Pre-requisites: 
MART  121 Visual Concepts
MART  220 Color Theory / Ideational Concepts
Or Instructor Permission
Required Textbook (s): None (readings will be assigned/required)

NMHU Academic Traits connect to the learning outcomes in this course syllabus:

  • Mastery of content knowledge and skills. Fostered via high-interest lecture content, readings, hands-on skill exercises, and the completion of a media arts plan of study (which this course is one component of).
  • Effective communication skills. Through regular group and one-on-one discussions, scheduled critiques, and personal journaling assignments found in this course calendar, students learn to communicate effectively.
  • Critical and reflective thinking skills. Gains are earned through the inherent problem-solving processes and challenges that students face in creating design solutions from concept to completion, along with the employment of technology.
  • Effective use of technology. Daily use of computers and the latest industry-standard creative software applications create effective and productive tech/media habits

The general Objectives of the Course are tied to NMHU Academic traits: 

1) Acquire a foundation of knowledge regarding historic and contemporary thinkers, artists, and innovators in the media arts fields.
2) Be comfortable using the vocabulary of the media arts discipline in an oral presentation.
3) Think critically and write articulately in response to readings that are significant to the field of Media Arts.
4) Present in a professional manner using appropriate technology and industry-standard software.

Specific Objectives:
At the conclusion of this course, students should be able to:
1) Immerse themselves in writing through an iterative process
2) Incorporate and understand the use of media technologies in contemporary society
3) Solve a community concern through collaborative creative problem-solving
4) Accurately use vocabulary to critically examine and discuss, design, photography, interactivity/multimedia, and videography
5) Develop an understanding of how to effectively work with others through collaboration

Major Topics:
Major topics to be studied include:
1) Current trends in Media & Technology
2) Design for Good
3) Film as a tool for social engagement
4) Multimedia and Interactivity
5) Enriching the community through technology
6) Photography and social justice

Instructional Methods and Techniques:
Instructional methods/techniques to be used will include: 
1) Class discussion
2) Lecture
3) Guest Speakers
4) Peer Editing
5) In class Writing Exercises
6) collaborative project(s)

Assignments for the course:
Assignments for students in the course will include: 
1) Four papers, 3-5 pages
2) One oral presentation
3) One group presentation
4) One community-based project

Evaluation:
Evaluation will be based on the following:
1) Written papers 10% each, total 40%
2) Oral presentations 20%
3) Collaborative, community-based, group project 20%
4) Attendance and participation 20%

Evaluation scale

A 94-100%                        (Exceptional performance, effort, and accomplishment                                          beyond expectations)

B  84-86%                          (Very good work, consistent effort and participation)

C  74-76%                          (Satisfactory work and average effort)

D 64-66%                          (Poor work, form and/or incomplete effort)

F       59% – below          (Unacceptable work; poor form and/or 8 unexcused absences, tardies or more)

Attendance and behavior: Media Arts Department
Cell phones and texting are not permitted during class. Failure to recognize this policy will result in a grade reduction. If you are sick or have to miss class, you are responsible for finding out the assignment from a classmate or the instructor and you are responsible for coming to the next class with any missed work completed. Students CANNOT miss critique. If the final critique is missed you will fail the class.
4 absences = final grade is dropped one full letter grade
5 absences = final grade is dropped two full letter grades
6 absences = final grade is dropped three full letter grades
7 absences = final grade is an F
3 tardies =1 absence
Tardy
Leaving class early or arriving late will count as a tardy. This applies to not being on task, not having your materials in class, or taking long breaks during class time.
NMHU Class attendance policy

Academic Integrity:
NMHU Academic Integrity Policy

This course follows the Highlands Student Academic Integrity Policy as described in the catalog. New Mexico Highlands University students are expected to maintain integrity through honesty and responsibility in all their academic work. Examples of academic dishonesty include Plagiarism, Cheating, Collusion, Facilitation, Fabrication, Multiple Submissions, and Falsification of Records. Penalties may range from a reduced grade on an individual assignment to a failing grade in the class. Students may also be flagged for major cases of academic dishonesty, and multiple flaggings of academic dishonesty may result in suspension (2 flags) or expulsion (3 flags). For additional information and more detailed definitions of academic dishonesty, please see the Student Academic Integrity Policy in the catalog and/or student handbook. WARNING: Under no circumstances will any written or visual document generated by AI be accepted for a grade when the assignment’s intent is student originality. Such submissions will be penalized as defined above.

NMHU’s official policy states
Because academic dishonesty in any form compromises the university’s reputation and thus devalues the NMHU degree, it simply will not be tolerated.  Consequently, students caught cheating, plagiarizing, or doing anything that involves trying to pass off someone else’s intellectual work as their own, will be subject to disciplinary action (NMHU Student Handbook, page 28; http://bit.ly/nmhustudenthandbook).

Under federal law, it is university policy to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). If you believe that you have a physical, learning, or psychological disability that requires an academic accommodation, contact the Coordinator of Disability Services by phone at (505) 454-3250, via e-mail at camille@nmhu.edu, schedule a Zoom appointment, or visit Room 250 of the Lora Shields building on the Las Vegas campus. If you need the document upon which this notice appears in an alternative format, you may also contact the Coordinator of Disability Service.

HU-CARES Information

Title IX makes it clear that violence and harassment based on sex and gender are Civil Rights offenses subject to the same kinds of accountability and the same kinds of support applied to offenses against other protected categories such as race, national origin, etc. If you or someone you know has been harassed or assaulted, you are encouraged to contact the Center for Advocacy, Resources, Education, & Support (HU-CARES) located in the Student Union Building at 800 National Ave in Suite 328. If you have questions or need to speak to someone regarding a concern, please call HU-CARES at 505-454-3445 or email leonbustos@nmhu.edu. HU-CARES can support you in various ways, regardless if you want to report to the police or not. All services are confidential, student-centered, and free for all NMHU students, including center campuses.

 

Additional resources available to you include:

  • Student Health Center Main Campus-(Counseling) 505-454