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toc **Multimedia Communication (ComS117) - Fall 2013** **Dr. Diego Bonilla**

Monday and Wednesday, from 12:00 pm to 1:15 pm
 * Class time**

Mendocino Hall 4000 and Synchronous Virtual Classroom (access via SacCT) -- If you have problems, fill out this form and a specialist will contact you.
 * Class location (This is a Hybrid Course)**

Required steps to participate in my classes

 * Every student needs to complete Dr. Bonilla's Class Guidelines**


 * Page explaining how to access Collaborate and how to participate in my synchronous online classes.**


 * If you it is your first time using Blackboard Collaborate, here are the University student resources for that application.**

Catalog Description
Students create and integrate information and digital media with the purpose of informing or persuading an audience. By identifying communication needs, students learn to prepare multimedia presentational aids and standalone multimedia presentations for distribution in online environments. This course features topics in visual communication, story-boarding, presentation and delivery.

Required Textbook
Author: Reynolds, G. Title: Presentation Zen. Simple Ideas on Presentation Design and Delivery. Publisher: New Riders Press Edition: 2012 / 2nd Edition

Participation and "small" homework 25%
This means i nteracting meaningfully during class. Individual engagement in the course normally raises the collective engagement in the course.
 * Participation**

Homework can be assigned during class based on class activities. They are called "small" because normally they take less work than the required pre-established assignments.
 * Small homework**

Presentations 75%
All of your presentations should include a first slide with the following information: 1) Name of presentation, 2) Name of presenter, 3) Date, and 4) Class number and semester. All of your presentations should use one or several slides for credits at the end. Your first slide and your credit slide(s) should not be counted in the number of slides that I request per homework.


 * **First Presentation 15%**

Please create a 5 slide multimedia presentation for your first topic. Your objective is to inform your peers about the Pew Internet and American Life topic that you selected. Your presentation has to be created using the principles we have covered so far: **Design, Story, Symphony, Empathy, Play and Meaning**. Be ready to respond, during class critique, how your presentation achieves its objective by addressing each of these principles. Please describe in writing the experience of using the principles above to create a presentation. Which principles were more difficult to you? Please explain. A screencapture is not required for this presentation.

Technical requirements: Presentation in Power Point, Google Documents Presentations, or any other similar program, and create a short link to the presentation and post it in the homework form. For the writing part, text document in Word or Google Documents, and create a short link to the document and post it too in the homework form.


 * **Second Presentation 25%**

In terms of the content, you are required to inform your audience about a Pew Internet and America Life website Topic. Once you have chosen a topic, you have to rely mostly on the Reports presented within that topic. If you prefer to do so, you can continue using the Topic you selected for the first presentation. You are required to pay attention to the following aptitudes and design principles (you can use it as a checklist for your presentation):
 * Content**

Design Story Symphony Empathy Play Meaning
 * Six aptitudes** (Chapter 1)

Signal-to-Noise Ratio (Clutter is the failure of design) Picture Superiority Effect Empty Space Text within images Font (san serif) size Use of grids Rule of thirds Contrast Repetition Alignment Proximity
 * General Design Principles** (Chapter 6 and those covered in class)

A screencapture is not required for this presentation.

- **Presentation** Number of slides: 15 to 20 slides Place document on Google Documents. Obtain a short URL to paste on the form.
 * Technical aspects**


 * **Final Presentation 35%**

In terms of the content, you are required to inform your audience about a Pew Internet and America Life website Topic. A secondary objective of the presentation is to leave a memorable positive impression on your audience. You should "come through" as well informed (the best way of doing this is by being informed), diligent, fluent, confident, and mindful of your audience. You are required to pay attention to the aptitudes and design principles below.
 * Content**

Design Story Symphony Empathy Play Meaning
 * Six aptitudes** (Chapter 1)

Signal-to-Noise Ratio (Clutter is the failure of design) Picture Superiority Effect Empty Space Text within images Font (san serif) size Use of grids Rule of thirds Contrast Repetition Alignment Proximity
 * General Design Principles** (Chapter 6 and those covered in class)

1) The story connects your information to a human experience. 2) The story makes your presentation memorable. 3) The story speaks well of the storyteller. 4) A good balance between information delivery and story (the objective after all is to present the information, the story is the "vehicle".
 * Story**: You are required to incorporate a story as it is explained in the book and as it was covered in class. The story portion of the grade will be assigned based on the following guidelines:

1) Rehearsed delivery. A presentation that has been storyboarded and scripted can be delivered with a few flaws. Your delivery should be free of long pauses, "uuummm", circular ideas, not too good examples, etc. 2) Clear sound. This relates not only to the amount of noise in your surrounding, but also to your vocalizations. 3) Technically flawless. The media that you prepared for the presentation should aid your presentation not distract you from it.
 * Delivery**: Your delivery of the presentation is graded in the final presentation. Guidelines:

- **Presentation** Number of slides: Up to you. You have to tackle the objectives of the assignment. Place document on Google Documents. Obtain a short URL to paste on the form. - **Video recording / Screencapture** Less than 10 minutes voice presentation utilizing your slides. Place on Google Documents. Obtain a short URL to paste on the form.
 * Technical aspects**

Course Assignments
media type="custom" key="12365910"

Tools
[|Instant Flickr]- Explore images quickly by instant searching their tags. [|Color Palette Generator] - Obtain a palette by submitting an image.

Students with disabilities
If you have a disability and require accommodations, you need to provide disability documentation to SSWD, Lassen Hall 1008, (916) 278-6955. Please discuss your accommodation needs with me after class or during my office hours early in the semester.

This Syllabus may be subject to change, please click on the Notify Me tab above and choose to monitor changes in this page via Email or RSS feed. It is your responsibility to keep updated.

Banner Photo by Jeff Brint

Please create a 5 slide multimedia presentation for you first selected topic. Your objective is to inform your peers about the Pew Internet and American Life website topic you selected. Your presentation has to be created using the principles we have covered so far: Design, Story, Symphony, Empathy, Play and Meaning. Be ready to respond, in class critique, how your presentation addresses each of these principles. Writing assignment for first presentation: Please describe the experience of using the principles above to create a presentation. Which principles were the more difficult to you? Please explain. No screencapture for this assignment.