Sheridan Course Outlines

APPL11662
Computer Techniques

I: Administrative Information II: Course Details III: Topical Outline(s) Printable Version

Section I: Administrative Information

Total hours: 42.0
Credit Value: 3.0
Credit Value Notes: N/A
Effective: Fall 2013
Prerequisites: N/A
Corequisites: N/A
Equivalents: N/A
Pre/Co/Equiv Notes: N/A

Program(s): Visual Merchandising Arts
Program Coordinator(s): Louise Franklin
Course Leader or Contact: Tba
Version: 9.0
Status: Approved - Under Rev (AREV)

Section I Notes: N/A

Section II: Course Details

Detailed Description
Students are introduced to computer hardware and software with emphasis on the Macintosh platform. Three basic forms of image creation, manipulation and page layout are covered. Students learn a vector based drawing program, manipulation of photographs and images and the principles of page layout. Through lectures, demos and in class hands on activity, students apply computer software skills and design principles to related assignments.

Program Context

Visual Merchandising Arts

Program Coordinator: Louise Franklin

Computer literacy is an essential tool in the visual merchandising industry. Students learn how to produce graphic visuals for presentation purposes. This is a pre-requisite for Visual Literacy: Graphic Applications.

Course Critical Performance and Learning Outcomes

 Critical Performance

By the end of this course, students will have demonstrated the ability
to work with various software applications and understand basic
digital technologies.

Learning Outcomes 

To achieve the critical performance, students will have demonstrated
the ability to:

1.  Explain computer terms and terminology associated with MAC O/S.
2.  Describe file management concepts and principles associated with 
    MAC O/S. 
3.  Use page layout and illustration software to design documents.
4.  Apply appropriate typefaces, sizes and styles to layouts for 
    optimal effect.
5.  Manipulate images to enhance layout design.
6.  Prepare files for printing using prepress tools. 
7.  Exhibit professional behaviours and attitudes including:
    - Safely and effectively work in an industry-like classroom 
      environment. 
    -  Willingness to work collaboratively
    - Openness to peer and instructor critiques
    - Manage time through assignment deadlines
    - Commitment to working in a professional studio environment

Evaluation Plan
Students demonstrate their learning in the following ways:

In-class Exercises :    5%
Assignment 1:          10%
Assignment 2:          15%
Assignment 3:          20%
Test 1: 	       20%
Test 2: 	       30%
Total:                100%


Faculty of the Visual Merchandising Program at Sheridan encourages 
students to submit all projects on time as this is excellent training 
for the professional merchandising industry.

All assignments and exercises must be submitted at the beginning of 
the class on the date specified in the assignment brief, unless otherwise specified by the 
professor. If an assignment is handed in by the end of class, it will receive a 10% 
grade reduction. An assignment submitted within one week will receive 
a 30% grade reduction. Assignments more than one week late will not 
be graded unless a prior arrangement has been made with the 
teacher.

If there is a valid reason for the late assignment, the student must 
email the teacher no later than the date the assignment is due to 
indicate it will be late. If the reason is deemed to be valid, there 
will be no late penalty.

There will be no resubmission of work unless, under exceptional 
circumstances, this has been agreed to or suggested by the teacher.

Provincial Context
The course meets the following Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities requirements:

Essential Employability Skills
Essential Employability Skills emphasized in the course:

X	Communication	X	Critical Thinking & Problem Solving		Interpersonal
	Numeracy	X	Information Management	X	Personal

Notes: N/A

Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition
PLAR Contact (if course is PLAR-eligible) : Office of the Registrar
Students may apply to receive credit by demonstrating achievement of the course learning outcomes through previous relevant work/life experience, service, self-study and training on the job. This course is eligible for challenge through the following method(s):

Challenge Exam	Portfolio	Interview	Other	Not Eligible for PLAR
X

Notes: Either is required.

Section III: Topical Outline

Some details of this outline may change as a result of circumstances such as weather cancellations, College and student activities, and class timetabling.
Effective term: Fall 2013
Professor: Multiple Professors
Textbook(s):

Cohen,S.  (2012).  In Design CS6 for Macintosh and Windows: Visual
Quick Start Guide. Berkley, California: Peachpit Press.

Applicable student group(s): Visual Merchandising Arts
Course Details:

Description: 
Unit 1: Introduction to Mac platform and Creative Suite Design tools
[Weeks 1-4]
Topics: 
- MAC intro
- SLATE intro - assignments/contact
- www introduction & research techniques
- Creative Suite introduction
- InDesign introduction
- Illustrator introduction
- Importing graphics
- Photoshop introduction
- Setting up a Document & working with Pages
- File management
- Introduction to Colour
- Working with objects
- Flowing and Editing Text
- In-class Exercises due (5%)

Unit 2: Creating layouts in InDesign [Weeks 5-8]
Topics:
- Working with Colour
- Working with typography
- Modifying graphics
- Outputting & exporting 
- Typing on a path
- Working with Transparencies & effects
- Assignment 1 due (10%) 
- Test 1 (20%) 

Unit 3: Spreadsheets and Tables [Weeks 9-11]
Topics:
- Creating tables
- Microsoft excel introduction
- Working with special characters
- Assignment 2 due (15%)

Unit 4: Presentations [Weeks12-14]
Topics:
- Creating Presentations
- InDesign - creating rich and interactive documents 
- Presentations
- Review of all topics 
- Assignment 3 (20%)
- Test 2 (30%)

Sheridan Policies

All Sheridan policies can be viewed on the Sheridan policy website.

Academic Integrity: The principle of academic integrity requires that all work submitted for evaluation and course credit be the original, unassisted work of the student. Cheating or plagiarism including borrowing, copying, purchasing or collaborating on work, except for group projects arranged and approved by the professor, or otherwise submitting work that is not the student's own, violates this principle and will not be tolerated. Students who have any questions regarding whether or not specific circumstances involve a breach of academic integrity are advised to review the Academic Integrity Policy and procedure and/or discuss them with the professor.

Copyright: A majority of the course lectures and materials provided in class and posted in SLATE are protected by copyright. Use of these materials must comply with the Acceptable Use Policy, Use of Copyright Protected Work Policy and Student Code of Conduct. Students may use, copy and share these materials for learning and/or research purposes provided that the use complies with fair dealing or an exception in the Copyright Act. Permission from the rights holder would be necessary otherwise. Please note that it is prohibited to reproduce and/or post a work that is not your own on third-party commercial websites including but not limited to Course Hero or OneNote. It is also prohibited to reproduce and/or post a work that is not your own or your own work with the intent to assist others in cheating on third-party commercial websites including but not limited to Course Hero or OneNote.

Intellectual Property: Sheridan's Intellectual Property Policy generally applies such that students own their own work. Please be advised that students working with external research and/or industry collaborators may be asked to sign agreements that waive or modify their IP rights. Please refer to Sheridan's IP Policy and Procedure.

Respectful Behaviour: Sheridan is committed to provide a learning environment that supports academic achievement by respecting the dignity, self-esteem and fair treatment of every person engaged in the learning process. Behaviour which is inconsistent with this principle will not be tolerated. Details of Sheridan's policy on Harassment and Discrimination, Academic Integrity and other academic policies are available on the Sheridan policy website.

Accessible Learning: Accessible Learning coordinates academic accommodations for students with disabilities. For more information or to register, please see the Accessible Learning website (Statement added September 2016)

Course Outline Changes: The information contained in this Course Outline including but not limited to faculty and program information and course description is subject to change without notice. Any changes to course curriculum and/or assessment shall adhere to approved Sheridan protocol. Nothing in this Course Outline should be viewed as a representation, offer and/or warranty. Students are responsible for reading the Important Notice and Disclaimer which applies to Programs and Courses.

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