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MDT 2100 Syllabus

Course Syllabus

MDT 2100 - Photoshop Essentials

3 Credit Hours

Course Information

Course Description:

This course introduces photo editing, image enhancement, workflow, color management, and best practices using Adobe Photoshop. The course also focuses on related software with images from professional digital cameras and other digital images. Documents created in class will be optimized for the web, print and multimedia uses. Students will complete a variety of tutorials as well as create personal projects.

The topics studied in this course include:

  • editing a photo
  • using selection tools and shortcut keys
  • working with layers
  • drawing and painting with color
  • enhancing and repairing photos
  • applying filters and patterns
  • creating color channels and actions
  • working with vector graphics
  • creating web pages and animations
Course Outcomes:

Upon successful completion of this course, students will:

  • Be skilled at using Adobe Photoshop CS6 and related software.
  • Be able to color correct, optimize, retouch, and enhance digital images for a variety of uses using Adobe Photoshop CS6.
  • Create new images from existing images using digital techniques.
  • Create a portfolio or other project using advanced techniques and knowledge developed in this class.
  • Use an efficient workflow appropriate to the specific project, industry standards, and equipment. 
Prerequisites & Co-requisites:

COM 1000

Course Topics:
  • Editing a photo
  • Using Selection Tools and Shortcut Keys
  • Working with Layers
  • Drawing and Painting with Color
  • Applying Filters and Patterns
  • Creating Color Channels and Actions
  • Working with Vector Graphics
  • Creating Web Pages and Animations 
Specific Course Requirements:

Students taking this class must have access to Adobe Photoshop CS6, purchase a student subscription to Lynda.com (Instructor will send you access, once you send the instructor an email—see details inside course) and familiarity with a personal computer, creating and saving documents, types of documents, and be able to download and upload zipped files. 

 

Textbooks, Supplementary Materials, Hardware and Software Requirements

Required Textbooks:

Please visit the Virtual Bookstore to obtain textbook information for this course. Move your cursor over the "Books" link in the navigation bar and select "Textbooks & Course Materials." Select your Program, Term, Department, and Course; then select "Submit."

Supplementary Materials:

Lynda.com-Student Subscription (Instructor will send you access, once you send the instructor an email – see details inside course) 

Hardware and Software Requirements:

Minimum hardware requirements can be found here.

Minimum software requirements can be found here.

Common applications you might need:

Web Resources:

Purdue OWL Online Writing Lab (for APA, MLA, or Chicago style)

The Writing Center Online Writer's Handbook

Student Resources:
  • Technical support information can be found on the TN eCampus Help Desk page.
  • Smarthinking virtual tutoring is available FREE of charge. to access Smarthinking, visit the course homepage and select Smarthinking under Course Resources. You also view sample sessions to see what Smarthinking offers and how it works.
  • Information on other student issues or concerns can be located on the TN eCampus Student Resources page.

Instructor Information

Please see "Instructor Information" in the Getting Started Module for instructor contact information, virtual office hours, and other communication information. You can expect to receive a response from the instructor within 24-48 hours unless notified of extenuating circumstances.

Participation, Assessments, & Grading

Testing Procedures:

Students will submit all exercises and take quizzes online through Desire2Learn (D2L). 

Grading Procedures:

The evaluation system is based on points. You may earn bonus or extra credit points along the way, but the required elements are based on the following point system: 

18 Exercises (30 points each)540 Points
9 Discussions (20 points each)180 Points
9 Quizzes (20 points each)180 Points
1 Final Project100 Points

 

Grading Scale:
900-1000 pointsA
800-899 pointsB
700-799 pointsC
600-699 pointsD
599 points and belowF

 

Assignments and Projects:

Projects and exercises using Adobe Photoshop CS6 will comprise the major part of the grade for this course. The projects will be completed in the course of reading, watching tutorials and utilizing the discussion forum. 

Typical Module Assignments: 

Module AYK Exercise30 points
Module CaP Exercise30 points
Module Discussion20 points
Module Quiz20 points

 

Class Participation:

Students are expected to communicate with their instructor on a weekly basis at a minimum (this includes the submissions of assignments and discussions). 

Late Policy:

It is the student’s responsibility to submit assignments by the date indicated. 

Course Ground Rules

The following two statements (1., 2.) were derived from the TBR System-wide Student Rules document, released January 2012:

RULES OF THE TENNESSEE BOARD OF REGENTS STATE UNIVERSITY AND COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM OF TENNESSEE SYSTEMWIDE STUDENT RULES CHAPTER 0240-02-03 STUDENT CONDUCT AND DISCIPLINARY SANCTIONS

Read the document in its entirety here.

1. Standards of Conduct:

  • Students are required to adhere to the same professional, legal and ethical standards of conduct online as on campus. In addition, students should conform to generally accepted standards of "netiquette" while sending e-mail, posting comments to the discussion board, and while participating in other means of communicating online. Specifically, students should refrain from inappropriate and/or offensive language, comments and actions.

2. Review the TN eCampus Academic Integrity/Academic Honesty Policy:

  • In their academic activities, students are expected to maintain high standards of honesty and integrity. Academic dishonesty is prohibited.

Such conduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • an attempt by one or more students to use unauthorized information in the taking of an exam
  • to submit as one's own work, themes, reports, drawings, laboratory notes, computer programs, or other products prepared by another person,
  • or to knowingly assist another student in obtaining or using unauthorized materials.

Plagiarism, cheating, and other forms of academic dishonesty are prohibited.

Students guilty of academic misconduct, either directly or indirectly through participation or assistance, are subject to disciplinary action through the regular procedures of the student’s home institution.  Refer to the student handbook provided by your home institution to review the student conduct policy.

In addition to other possible disciplinary sanctions that may be imposed, the instructor has the authority to assign an "F" or zero for an activity or to assign an "F" for the course.

Other Course Rules:

Students are expected to:

  • Participate in all aspects of the course
  • Communicate with other students
  • Learn how to navigate in Brightspace
  • Keep abreast of course announcements
  • Use the assigned course management (Brightspace) email address rather than a personal email address
  • Address technical problems immediately:
  • Observe course netiquette at all times.

Guidelines for Communications

Email:

  • Always include a subject line.
  • Remember without facial expressions some comments may be taken the wrong way. Be careful in wording your emails. Use of emoticons might be helpful in some cases.
  • Use standard fonts.
  • Do not send large attachments without permission.
  • Special formatting such as centering, audio messages, tables, html, etc. should be avoided unless necessary to complete an assignment or other communication.
  • Respect the privacy of other class members

Discussions:

  • Review the discussion threads thoroughly before entering the discussion. Be a lurker then a discussant.
  • Try to maintain threads by using the "Reply" button rather starting a new topic.
  • Do not make insulting or inflammatory statements to other members of the discussion group. Be respectful of other’s ideas.
  • Be patient and read the comments of other group members thoroughly before entering your remarks.
  • Be cooperative with group leaders in completing assigned tasks.
  • Be positive and constructive in group discussions.
  • Respond in a thoughtful and timely manner.

Library

The Tennessee Virtual Library is available to all students enrolled in TN eCampus programs and courses. Links to library materials (such as electronic journals, databases, interlibrary loans, digital reserves, dictionaries, encyclopedias, maps, and librarian support) and Internet resources needed by learners to complete online assignments and as background reading will be included within the course modules. To access the Virtual Library, go to the course homepage and select the Virtual Library link under Course Resources.

Students with Disabilities

Qualified students with disabilities will be provided reasonable and necessary academic accommodations if determined eligible by the appropriate disability services staff at their home institution. Prior to granting disability accommodations in this course, the instructor must receive written verification of a student's eligibility for specific accommodations from the disability services staff at the home institution. It is the student's responsibility to initiate contact with their home institution's disability services staff and to follow the established procedures for having the accommodation notice sent to the instructor.

Syllabus Changes

The instructor reserves the right to make changes as necessary to this syllabus. If changes are necessitated during the term of the course, the instructor will immediately notify students of such changes both by individual email communication and posting both notification and nature of change(s) on the course bulletin board.

Disclaimer

The information contained in this syllabus is for general information purposes only. While we endeavor to keep this information up-to-date and accurate, there may be some discrepancies between this syllabus and the one found in your online course. The syllabus of record is the one found in your online course. Please make sure you read the syllabus in your course at the beginning of the semester. Questions regarding course content should be directed to your instructor.


Last Revised on July 12, 2021