Syllabus
ART 430 - 301
Monday Wednesday | 6:30 - 9:20 | MCCE 506
Instructor
Matt Raithel
Email: mraithel@missouristate.edu
Office Hours: by appointment only
Course Information
Computer Animation III will focus on individual problems as well as advanced techniques in animation. Emphasis will be placed on the development of a personal, narrative point of view.
The objective is to instill working relationships between concept, visualization and technical considerations and to introduce basic staging functions of 3-D software. This course will emphasize visual expression / communication of 3-Dimensional animation creation. It will also incorporate assignments that assist conceptual/creative development.
Prerequisites
Art 330 and permission of the instructor.
Required Book & Supplies
No text is required currently, however, when materials are assigned they will be supplied free-of-charge or made available at Copy This for a small fee.
* A spiral notebook unlined for journaling and storyboarding.
* a CD(s) or data DVD for submission of all course files for review at the end of the semester.
* 5-10 CD-R/RW's for backing up data. Note: Students will be solely responsible for making backup copies of ALL their data. Accidents do occur and you will be held to all deadlines regardless. Save now, save often and make LOTS of backups.
Recommended Book & Supplies
* Inside LightWave 9, by Dan Ablan, New Riders Press
* DVD-R disc ~ if you wish to create a DVD of your work.
Some projects may require the purchase of additional supplies as needed on an individual basis.
Attendance
Attendance at ALL class sessions is mandatory for successful completion of this course. Students are responsible for all material presented in class. The instructor will not repeat lectures or reintroduce assignments. Students are expected to come to class on time, ready to work with all necessary supplies and materials. Three or more unexcused absences will result in the lowering of the student's final grade one full letter grade for each additional day missed. Only the following would be considered an excused absence:
* Participation in University-sanctioned activities and programs
* Personal illness with a doctor's note indicating that the student needed to stay home on that particular class day
* Family and/or other compelling circumstances
Instructors have the right to request documentation verifying the basis of any absences resulting from the above factors. Do not ask the instructor if it is all right to miss a class for any other reason. An excused absence does not excuse the student from making up class time missed in a timely manner. Attendance will be taken daily and arriving to Lecture/Lab component 30 minutes late and/or leaving more that 30 minutes early will be recorded and counts as one-half of an unexcused absence. Signing in for any other student will result in a failing grade.
NOTE: Attendance for all critiques is required. Attendance for final critiques is mandatory - anyone missing final critiques will fail the class, no exceptions.
Grading
This is a studio course and WILL require work beyond the scheduled class period. Computer lab hours will be posted.
Grading Formula:
05 pts - ASN 1 - Refresher
15 pts - ASN 2 - Abstract Animation
15 pts - ASN 3 - Character Development
15 pts - ASN 4 - Imaginitive Reality
35 pts - ASN 5 - Final Project
02 pts - EXT A - Tutorial
02 pts - EXT B - Article Review
02 pts - EXT C - Software Trial
02 pts - EXT D - Online Portfolio
02 pts - EXT E - Studio review
05 pts - General Participation
100 pts TOTAL
Failure to meet assignment and project deadlines will result in lowered grades. For each class day the assignment is overdue, its grade will be lowered one full letter. Documentation of your progress MUST be reflected in your submission pages or it will not count as finished!
Only ONE assignment can be reworked one time after critique and turned in to the instructor for a better grade. All LATE and reworked assignments must be turned in no later than the last day of class - December 07, 2006. NO WORK WILL BE ACCEPTED AFTER THE LAST DAY OF CLASS [NOTE: The last day of class is BEFORE finals week]. You will be required to submit all work on a CD(s) or dada DVD by 5:00pm, December 07, 2006. Failure to submit a CD(s) or dada DVD of work will result in failure of the class.
Individual Grade Expectations
A Projects have a consistent excellence in all aspects of visual expression, technical execution, conceptual completion and presentation.
B Projects are above average. Solutions to assignments exhibit an attempt to understand potentials beyond prevailing standards.
C Satisfactory completion of all required work. Solutions generally lack evidence of growth, individual research or originality of work.
D Inadequate work. Below prevailing standards in effort and/or execution.
F Unsatisfactory work. Incomplete projects and/or an unwillingness to work will result in a failing grade.
Special considerations will NOT be given to students on the basis of technical difficulties, if alternative solutions were not actively pursued. Students are expected to use their time and energies wisely.
Statement on Academic Dishonesty
Missouri State University is a community of scholars committed to developing educated persons who accept the responsibility to practice personal and academic integrity. You are responsible for knowing and following the university’s student honor code, Student Academic Integrity Policies and Procedures, available at http://www.missouristate.edu/provost/3935.htm and also available at the Reserves Desk in Meyer Library. Any student participating in any form of academic dishonesty will be subject to sanctions as described in this policy.
Statement on Disability Accommodation
To request academic accommodations for a disability, contact the Director of Disability Services, Plaster Student Union, Suite 405, (417) 836-4192 or (417) 836-6792 (TTY) , http://www.missouristate.edu/disability. Students are required to provide documentation of disability to Disability Services prior to receiving accommodations. Disability Services refers some types of accommodation requests to the Learning Diagnostic Clinic, which also provides diagnostic testing for learning and psychological disabilities. For information about testing, contact the Director of the Learning Diagnostic Clinic, (417) 836-4787, http://psychology.missouristate.edu/ldc.
Statement on Nondiscrimination
The faculty of the Department of Art and Design believe that all people should be treated fairly and equitably. For this reason, we are opposed to the discrimination on the grounds of race, color, religion, gender, marital status, national origin, age, disability, veteran's status, political affiliation or sexual orientation.
Missouri State University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action institution, and maintains a grievance procedure available to any person who believes he or she has been discriminated against. At all times, it is your right to address inquiries or concerns about possible discrimination to the Office for Equity and Diversity, Siceluff Hall 296, (417) 836-4252. Other types of concerns (i.e., concerns of an academic nature) should be discussed directly with your instructor and can also be brought to the attention of your instructor’s Department Head.
Statement on Dropping a Class
It is your responsibility to understand the University’s procedure for dropping a class. If you stop attending this class but do not follow proper procedures for dropping the class, you will receive a failing grade and will also be financially obligated to pay for the class. For information about dropping a class or withdrawing from the university contact the Registration Center at 836-4335.
For drop deadlines: see Academic Calendars http://calendar.missouristate.edu/academic.asp.
Statement on Use of Cell Phones in Classes
The use by students of cell phones, pagers, or similar communication devices during scheduled classes is prohibited. All such devices must be turned off or put in a silent mode and cannot be taken out during class. At the discretion of the instructor, exception to this policy is possible in special circumstances.