DIGITAL MEDIA ARTS |

Haley MacKenzie, Studio 613, ext 2613

WELCOME
Think of this course as a traditional art class but the tools are different: instead of canvas and paint, we use computers,
software programs, scanners, and printers. As with all art classes that are project-based, students at all levels are able to
succeed in Digital Media Arts as long as they commit themselves to the art-making process.
Digital Media is designed for students who are interested in developing art from a digital perspective. General computer
experience is a prerequisite, but no prior knowledge of the particular software programs used in the class is required.
Everyone can create art. Because of the project-based nature of the class, students at all levels will be able to learn at
their own pace and create meaningful pieces to add to their portfolio.
The state standards are infused in the Digital Media curriculum. The 25 California High School Arts Content Standards will
be met through the course. The five broad standards are: Artistic Perception, Creative Expression, Historical and Cultural
Context, Aesthetic Valuing and Connections, Relationships and Applications.

THE RULES

Attitude is everything!
Be prepared to learn from each other and share the tools. A substantial portion of your grade
will be determined by your attitude: your effort in learning new material, your desire to help me and fellow students,
and your respect for our precious (and expensive) equipment and resources. You will also be expected to behave in a
professional and ethical manner. You need to understand that rudeness and disrespect will not be tolerated. Be
prepared to come to class every day with a positive attitude, showing me and your classmates patience, tolerance,
and cooperation.
Be on time and physically, mentally, and creatively present.
There will be a warm up exercise at the start of every
class. If you are tardy you will not get points for this exercise. You are tardy if you are not in your seat when class
begins. If you are absent it is YOUR responsibility to come to me at an appropriate time to find out what you missed.
You must have signed agenda and have my approval to leave the room at all times.
Behave appropriately and professionally in class
(language, dress, etc). We will cover what is OK in class. If you get
one warning we will have a small conference between us. Two warnings and I will talk to a parent. Three warnings
and we will have a meeting with the Dean.
Art related work in class only.
Music permitted only during Studio.
No food or drinks allowed on desks or near equipment.
Twist-cap water bottles can be kept on the floor near your
desk and must remain closed. Other drinks or snacks may be left on the table near the door or kept in backpacks.

TECHNOLOGY AND NETWORK ACCESS

provides students with access to computer equipment, software, and network services. These tools support learning,
collaboration, and educational research related to the curriculum. All technology and network usage must be consistent
with these purposes, the Digital Use Policy, and all provisions of law governing the actions of the user. Students are
expected to use any technology equipment, software, and network services only for assignments/projects that are
assigned by their classroom teachers. Some examples of inappropriate use include playing games; installing,
downloading, copying, or deleting files; and attempting to access or use anyone elses account or password.
Consequences for violating the Digital Use Policy vary depending on the nature and seriousness of the violation.

Consequences in Studio 613 for breaking the DIGITAL USE POLICY are:
1st offense:
Verbal warning
2nd offense:
Lunch detention with teacher & parent phone call.
3rd offense:
Parent and student attend panel meeting with cohort teachers.
4th offense:
Meet with Dean and/or Dr. Griffith.

ACADEMIC HONESTY
Do your own work! If you are caught cheating or collaborating when not approved, your 1st offense will get you a 0 on the
assignment and a referral. Your 2nd offense will get you a 0 for the entire grading period! You will verify for each project
that it is your own work and sign it.

MATERIALS
We will be using a sketchbook for this class, and you must bring it to class EVERY day, along with your charged computer.
Also, do not throw any of your sketches away; leave everything you do in your sketchbook. This sketchbook is where you
will draw your ideas and inspirations for your projects, as well as complete weekly assignments given by me. This
sketchbook is to be used only for this class, please keep it organized and neat.
We will be using cloud storage for our digital media files. A secondary storing method for backing up files, such as a USB
drive or external hard drive, is also highly recommended. (2GB or higher is recommended).

FIGURE STUDIES
Often during the course sequence of all the visual art courses, the student will be working with visual materials such as
famous art works, films of famous artists, charts and diagrams, slides, dvds, the Internet, and computer programs. This
material may contain complete anatomical references, nude model poses and views of artists working from the nude in
their studios, as well as scenes from modern films. The material may also mention and discuss the alternative lifestyles
sometimes lived by famous artists, and may be expressed in language that might be considered offensive to some people.
Current issues, as they relate to art and free expression, are also discussed in the art classes. If you have questions, please
contact me at hmackenzie@e3civichigh.com.

GRADING
25% of your grade will come from "Practice Work". Practice work is all the work that you will do in class and at home to
gain inspiration, do research, brainstorm ideas, practice techniques, explore concepts and ideas, and write about your
art-making process. Some practice work will also be small assignments that have a due date, but most will be ongoing
work that is unique to each individual.
50% of your grade will come from "Presentation Work". Presentation work is all the "major" projects that you do; the ones
that you will present to the class during critiques. Artistic skills such as elements of art, principles of design, color theory,
composition and framing, and in most assignments, and the ability to communicate conceptually will be evaluated in
presentation-level work. Meaning and originality in the work is highly respected. There is always a self-evaluation
component to every presentation-level project. And in addition to receiving a grade for the actual work, you will also be
graded on your presentation and your ability to talk intelligently about your own and other's work during the critique
25% of your grade will be determined by your "Studio Performance," or participation. Each day you earn participation
points by displaying professional behavior, the desire to learn and improve, a commitment working during studio time, for
respect for our equipment and resources, AND for leaving your space neat and organized at the end of the period.

LATE WORK AND RE-GRADES

Because you will be presenting your work to the class during critiques, it is vital that you turn in your completed project at
the beginning of class on the day that it is due. If you do not, there will be a 10% penalty for each day the project is late.

Art is a process that can often take many revisions to perfect. Once you have turned in a "Presentation Work" project and
received your grade and feedback on it, you may redo the project for a higher grade if you wish. In order to have a project
re-graded, you must request to redo the project or sketchbook, and turn it in once again once complete to me. You must
also make an appointment with me for a re-grade conference outside of class time and you must bring your original
grading sheet to that conference. You can raise any aspect of your grade except for points lost due to turning in the
project late. All re-grades must be completed within
ten
school days of the posted grade.

CONCLUSION
I am looking forward to your work in the Digital Media Arts course. Youre going to learn to use tools and develop skills
that will prepare you for academic and professional excellence moving forward, as well as enable you to make incredible,
imaginative, fun, and useful works! Its going to be a great experience for all of us, so lets get started!
Haley MacKenzie
Digital Media Arts Instructor

Both student and their parent(s) should read over and review this syllabus.
Please return to Ms. MacKenzie by
Wednesday, September 9, 2015
"I have read and understand the attached document and policies.
______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________

Student name (print)

Student Email

Julio Campos
______________________________________________________________

Student Signature

______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________

Parent/Guardian name (print)

Parent/Guardian Email

______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________

Parent/Guardian Signature

Parent/Guardian Phone
Preferred contact method:

Email

hone

______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________

Parent/Guardian name (print)

Parent/Guardian Email

______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________

Parent/Guardian Signature

Parent/Guardian Phone
Preferred contact method:

Email

hone