| Animation & Gaming and Video Journalism Course Descriptions
JP Catholic will endeavor to offer the courses as outlined below; however, unforeseen circumstances sometimes require a change of scheduled offerings. Students are strongly advised to check the Schedule of Classes before relying on the schedule below.
DIGM 100, 101, 102, and 104 Web Site Design and Build I, II, and III:
In this three part course, students will be introduced to the Adobe Creative Suite Premium family of products for professional print, web, interactive and mobile design. The suite includes: Dreamweaver, Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop and Flash. They will learn the basic elements of these critical tools to design visually compelling web sites. They will also learn to read and write basic HTML. Student teams will register and launch their own multi-page web sites using a commercial hosting service. They will learn the essential process and tools for defining, planning, designing, and preparing user friendly web sites. Students will learn about web site user and technical requirements.
DIGM 103 e-Commerce: Principles & Practices:
Student will learn the fundamental principles that underpin e-commerce. The Instructor works with students teams to determine a product offering for student teams to sell. e-commerce web site planning; design; hosting; testing and maintenance, product sourcing, delivery, shipping, handling and service; revenue collection; legal and tax considerations are covered.
DIGM 300 Web 2.0:
This course provides the student with the fundamental understanding of internet strategy and trends. Students will gain a thorough understanding of Web 2.0 technologies and business models.
DIGM 301 Storyboarding for Animation & Gaming:
This course introduces the student to the principles and practical issues of storyboarding and sequential imaging related to animation and game production. The course will include; the narrative process - idea to narrative; movie-making terminology; camera moves; thumbnail storyboards; development of the storyboard based on the principles of storytelling, plot, conflict, action and character development; timing a board and animatics; concepts of design, facial expression and lip synch; camera angles, camera moves and character posing. On completion of the course participants will have created a range of work including a number of short storyboards or sections of storyboards for a variety of animation productions and a short animatic.
DIGM 302 Animation Production:
Students will learn the fundamentals of digital animation production. Final production of a short animated film and a demo-tape of animation will demonstrate their creative vision and artistic abilities. Students will learn how to apply traditional animation principles to simple 3D digital models, incorporating design basics, portfolio development, story telling, storyboards, digital audio, composition and editing. They will gain practical skills by creating a professional level, short animation sequences using Lightwave 3D and After Effects or equivalent software.
DIGM 310 Introduction to Video Journalism:
Students will gain an overview of the journalistic marketplace by exploring the following questions: What is news? How is it gathered, organized, and disseminated? How are electronic newsgathering and convergence changing the profession – and how will the news of tomorrow be presented and understood? What are the moral, ethical, and legal implications for practitioners of this “gatekeeper” profession? The class will also examine the roles and responsibilities of journalists as well as the professional opportunities and challenges that exist for those aspiring to enter the field.
DIGM 312-313 Elements of News Writing and Production I & II:
Students will master the fundamentals of electronic newsgathering and dissemination in this sequence of two highly practical, hands-on courses. Students will learn the basic format and structure of various news story elements (VO, SOT, standard and long form packages, teaser, stand-up) as well as interview and research techniques and the legal and ethical standards of the profession. Building on that foundation, they will work individually and in teams to develop, research, write, and produce professional quality segments for a broadcast and inclusion on a resume reel.
DIGM 314 Public Relations:
Students will explore the field of public relations from both journalistic and corporate points of view. Through discussion, case studies, and individual and group projects, they will develop an awareness of the important roles branding, PR, and publicity play in our society; learn the differences between news, opinion, advertising, and propaganda; discover basic strategies and tools for attracting publicity and dealing with press attention, and wrestle with the moral and ethical aspects of creating and maintaining a compelling, authentic public image.
DIGM 400 Principles of Game Design and Play:
Games can be understood as formal systems of rules. Readings and critical discussions will frame the process of designing games as formal systems, focusing on fundamental principles for structuring interactivity. Game rules give rise to play, students will engage in critical discussion that will focus on the emergence of play. Students will explore developing game concepts and move them through a series of prototypes to a final product.
DIGM 401 & 402 Game Design and Implementation I & II:
This 2-part course explores the technology, science, and art involved in the creation of games. The course will emphasize hands-on game development. Students will study a variety of software technologies relevant to games including programming languages, scripting languages, operating systems, file systems, networks, simulation engines, and multi-media design systems. Students will be exposed to the underlying principles from computer science including: simulation and modeling, graphics, artificial intelligence, real-time processing, and game theory. Students will study the art and design principles for developing useable and engaging games including: software engineering, human computer interaction, thematic structure, graphic design, choreography, music and sound effects, and game aesthetics. A group project will involve system implementation, but emphasize design and use of existing tools. The final group project will require the students to go through all phases of system conceptualization, specification, design, implementation, and evaluation.
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