INSTRUCTOR:
Jean McIntosh
WEST VALLEY COLLEGE CONTACT:
jean_mcintosh@westvalley.edu
TELEPHONE: 408.741.2435
Office N - Business Division

EMAIL FOR ALL ASSIGNMENTS AND CLASS EMAIL:
dmis10a@gmail.com

URL FOR CLASS:
http://www.jean-mcintosh.com/

ONLINE EMAIL HOURS:
I am available before and after chat to discuss or help with the class. If this isn't convenient, email me so we can arrange a time to have an email exchange.

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course is a 1-unit Quick Start class in Adobe Photoshop. We will be using CS5. This course introduces a variety of tools and techniques designed to help you develop a proficiency in using Photoshop in image editing and image development. Some class assignments will utilize the class text and some assignments will be based on the class videos.

The homeworks are comprised of mostly graphic assignments, but, you may be asked to write your findings regarding certain tutorials. Since this is an online class, written communication, in the form of emails, chat, and occasionally in homework assignments is very important. Students are encouraged to use their own source photography. Now is the time to get out your digital camera and use your own photos as much as possible.


STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
UPON COMPLETION OF THIS COURSE STUDENTS SHOULD BE ABLE TO:

• Perform image editing techniques including: selecting simple and more complex shapes, make clean well integrated composites using masking techniques, color correct and color enhance images, simple portrait retouching, learn to work with values in your photographs, and make a duotone.

• Develop a proficiency with many of the CS5 Photoshop tools.


REQUIRED TEXT BOOK:

CLASS SCHEDULE/BEST PRACTICES:
Go to the lessons page for the class schedule. Since this is an accelerated class for winter session, you may find that there is a heavy workload involved. Many students find it helpful to print out the lessons section, and mark on a calendar the due dates for the homeworks, and the chat schedule.


MATERIALS:
Sketch/note book, usb storage device if you will be working on more than one computer, a library card for any library. Access to Photoshop, a digital camera, and a printer (if possible - not necessary). See SOFTWARE/HARDWARE in the Help section.


SOFTWARE/HARDWARE:
Students will need access to Adobe Photoshop CS5. Please make sure that any trial version of the software does not impede your completion of the course.
A one month trial version of Photoshop CS5 is available at:
https://www.adobe.com/cfusion/tdrc/index.cfm?product=photoshop

You may buy the student version of Photoshop CS5 online at:
http://www.journeyed.com
http://www.uscollegebuy.com/s.htm
Please note that you typically need to submit student id card/number in order to qualify for the student edition.

The software is also available from Adobe:
http://tryit.adobe.com/us/cs5/studentteachereditions/?sdid=FXOBF&


STUDENT COMMITMENT:
This course will cover a lot of material and requires a serious commitment of time and energy both from students and the instructor. Students should have enough time in the week to absorb the lesson information within the given deadlines: experiment and play with new techniques, complete assignments, read text material and pursue additional web resources.

The lecture part of this class is equivilent approximately to1.5 hours per lesson. Readings, watching and doing the video tutorials, and the homework assignments require typically an additional three hours per lesson - maybe more. The amount of hours you devote to your daily lesson may vary due to the nature of the lesson, your proficiency, and your desire to make a really outstanding graphic. Most students tell me that they lose count of the hours because they get so 'into' Photoshop. This is a good outcome!

CLASS COMMUNICATION:
Please plan on participating in chat. It is not mandatory, but it can help if you have questions, troubles, etc. I look at each assignment that comes in and if I see any problem I will notify you immediately. If you have any concerns about assignments, or the class, please contact me and I will do my best to get back to you within 48 hours.

We will have two chats in this class. Chat dates are April 24, and May 8 and begin at 7 pm. Please read the community section to see how we do chat.

GRADING:
This is a 1-unit class, therefore, if you successfully complete all of the course work, and hand in each homework on the prescibed due date you will receive a 'P'. If you do not complete all of the required assignments you will receive 'NP'. Both a 'P' and a 'NP' does not effect one's grade point average.


ASSIGNMENTS:
The assignments are designed to enable students to practice the techniques and tools covered in each lesson. If you demonstrate a good understanding of the lesson material in your home works, and, hand in all of the homeworks on the prescribed date, you will receive a 'P'.


IMPORTANT DATES for 1 unit classes:
Last day to ADD a class - 10% of total days.
Last day to DROP a class without a “W” and with a Refund is 10% of total days.
Last day to DROP a class with a “W” is 75% of total days.

Official grades will be posted after finals week is over.