SYLLABUS: how the class will operate

How the class will operate

First three weeks: A fairly intense immersion in 1) concepts of digital storytelling,
2) mechanics of multimedia equipment and software, and 3) creating your specialty.

Remaining weeks

• Regular contributions: You will proceed, in a mostly self-directed manner, to make two content contributions per week to the online magazine. Between larger projects, you may make smaller-scale contributions such as updates (short stories or briefs) and opinion pieces.
• Centerpieces: The Bear Claw needs a new centerpiece every day.You will prepare four or five multimedia projects that will appear in the featured position on the site for a daily cycle. We will set up a rotation and assess it weekly at a staff meeting during Wednesday’s class session. We will revise the rotation to accommodate the usual uncertainties of the publishing routine, then we will set a schedule for the next week.
• A note about work flow: You will present a centerpiece every 2-3 weeks. Between these larger, more time-consuming projects, you should try to add multimedia to some of your smaller contributions so that your learning curve will accelerate. If you are dedicated in this way, the quality of your work will improve over the semester.
• Editing help: You will be called upon occasionally to copy-edit materials before they appear online. We must work hard to correct our mistakes before they are published!

Attendance: This is a lab class. Class sessions provide you with 150 minutes per week of dedicated computer time and access to the instructor. If you miss class, you will have to replace these resources on your own. These factors will lead to self-directed choices about attendance. I won’t take roll or make attendance a part of your grade. However, I will be aware of who attends and who doesn’t; don’t depend on me to meet you outside of class as an alternative to attending class.