Desktop Publishing – EPR 326, Section 1

Murphy 119 T 3:30-6:20

 

Instructor

Dr. Michael Charlton

mcharlton@missouriwestern.edu

Eder Hall 212F

Office Hours: MW 1:00-3:30 and by appointment

 

Course Description

This is a workshop course designed to introduce you to multiple facets of desktop publishing, including basic design principles such as layout skills, font choice, and color use.  We will also learn how to use some common design software, such as advanced features of Word and aspects of Adobe Creative Suite.  The major focus of this class is to help you become a more aware, productive, and creative designer of texts which will attract, persuade, entertain, “sell”, or inform your intended audience.  We will examine and create several common types of desktop publishing, such as flyers, brochures, and newsletters.  We will also investigate some aspects of the web and working with clients.

 

Required Materials

 

Assignments and Grades

During most class sessions, considerable class time will be devoted to individual work on drafting the current assignment and on group work, class critique, and instructor consultation.  However, you will also be expected to complete and revise assignments on your own time.  All assignments (except Portfolio 7) must be completed using Adobe InDesign.  According to IT, InDesign is available during open lab hours at Murphy 119 and Potter 204.  This is subject to change.

 

There are seven major projects in this course, each of which is worth ten percent of the final grade.  In addition, for the final exam, each student will make revisions to these projects and include them in a semester portfolio.  This portfolio will be preceded by a cover letter explaining the design choices and strengths of the portfolio and asking a fictional client for a job as their new desktop publisher.  The final portfolio will also be worth ten percent of the final grade. 

 

The final twenty percent of your grade will consist of class participation (including class discussion, in-class group work, and in-class drafting), quizzes, and homework assignments.

 

Project 1 (Business Card, Letterhead, Envelope) – 10% (100 points)

Project 2 (Newspaper Ad) – 10% (100 points)

Project 3 (Flyer) – 10% (100 points)

Project 4 (Brochure and Postcard) – 10% (100 points)

Project 5 (Newsletter) – 10% (100 points)

Project 6 (Brochure and Poster) – 10% (100 points)

Project 7 (Website Critique) – 10% (100 points)

Semester Portfolio (Final Exam) – 10% (100 points)

Class Participation, Quizzes, and Homework – 20% (200 points)

100% (1000 points total)

 

A = 90-100% (900-1000 points earned)

B = 80-89% (800-899 points earned)

C = 70-79% (700-799 points earned)

D = 60-69% (600-699 points earned)

F = 0-59% (0-599 points earned)

 

Final Exam

Thursday, December 11th 2:00-3:50

 

Attendance

You are allowed one excused absence for this course.  At the second unexcused absence, you will automatically fail.  Please note that this course meets one day a week and is done in a workshop format.  Missing any class session will prevent the student from learning and asking questions about large amounts of material and also deprive the student of considerable time for drafting, revision, and consultation.  Students representing the university at officially sanctioned activities must inform me before their absence.  All absences due to illness must be documented.

 

Academic Misconduct

Academic honesty is required in all academic endeavors.  Violations of academic honesty include any instance of plagiarism, cheating, seeking credit for another’s work, falsifying documents or academic records, or any other fraudulent activity.  Violations of academic honesty may result in a failing grade on the assignment, failure in the course, or expulsion from the University.  When a student’s grade has been affected, violations of academic honesty will be reported to the Provost or designated representative on the Academic Honesty Violation Report forms.

 

Please see the 2008-09 Student Handbook for specific activities identified as violations of this policy and the student due process procedure. This handbook is also available online at http://www.missouriwestern.edu/handbook/index.pdf

 

Special Needs

Any student who has a special need or disability that might affect performance in this course should contact the appropriate MWSU coordinator for assistance. Also, let me know immediately so that arrangements can be made to make sure your needs are met as quickly and completely as possible.

 

 

Final Notes

Please visit me in my office.  If you cannot come by during my posted office hours, please make an appointment.

 

I encourage lively discussion but please show appropriate respect for the learning environment, including your peers.

 

Please turn off all cell phones upon entering the classroom.  Any student caught with a ringing cell phone will receive a very stern look.  On the second occasion, the student will be marooned on a barren island without cell reception for the rest of his or her natural life to consider his or her actions.  On the third occasion, the student’s class participation grade will be lowered.  The same penalties apply for inappropriate web-surfing or other behavior disruptive to the classroom.