goals
:: structure :: activities :: expectations :: policies
README!
This course is meant to be fun, engaging, and exciting — and,
indeed, this is the experience that the majority of former
students have enjoyed. But be clear on a couple of points:
It's
about more than making video
In addition to learning how to
shoot and edit video, you will also be expected to think,
reflect, and write. This is not a
filmmaking class where you can indulge your fantasies of
making music videos, or get college credit for making silly
movies with your roommates. This is a
course where you will use video to
explore the challenges of thinking creatively and critically,
while exploring the pleasures and perils of composing and
communicating ideas that matter. No exceptions.
technique,
technology, and software
The purpose of this course is not
to transform you into a Hollywood filmmaker in 15 weeks,
or to give you encyclopedic advanced experience with editing
software. Our goal is to give you a basic introduction to simple
tools that, while limited in what they can do, will allow you
to make interesting work (provided you have started with interesting
ideas and are willing to work hard). We will not spend extensive
amounts of time training you on software and, in fact, you
will likely be expected to learn some of this on your own with
the help of online resources. Your instructor will probably
not know every detail about editing
software, laptops, electronic journals, camcorders, etc. What
a nice thought, but it's no longer a reality in a world where
software versions and equipment models can become obsolete
in less than the duration of a semester. Be prepared to do
some exploring and digging on your own, ask a classmate to
share information, and share with others what you know and
have discovered. Your instructor is an expert guide into the
realm of thinking, creating, and communicating; but, like everyone
in the field of new media, s/he is very much self-taught and
in a constant state of learning and re-learning. If you cannot
respect or appreciate this, or want a classroom experience
where the teacher always has the answer, this is probably not
the appropriate course for you.
Bottom line: carefully review
the information below. If you are not prepared to accept
these terms, you will not be happy or successful in
this course. You should drop the course immediately, which
will perhaps give another student the opportunity to enroll.
course
structure
The Writing with Video curriculum is divided roughly
into three sequential learning modules. Below is a very
general outline of each module, but individual instructors
generally provide their own variations and interpretations
of this structure. Students should consult the instructors.sections component
of this site for specific syllabi and activities for
their section, and the modules.coursework component for
more details on the modules themselves.
Module
01:: the basics
. creativity and writing: reading, discussion, and activities
.
video: a powerful communication language
. basic
concepts and strategies for building time-based narratives
. technical: introduction to camcorders, Mac laptops, editing
software, electronic journals, etc.
Module
02 :: the art of the real
. video production stages
. social engagement and improvisation: the art of the interview
. research: video as a tool to gather information
. organizing complex tasks/ideas: shot lists, paper edits
. rehearsal: work-in-progress, multiple drafts, fine tuning
(more improvisation)
Module
03 :: this i believe
. beliefs and values: self-reflection and personal manifestos
. transcending the personal: from manifesto to social document
. the sophisticated media consumer: deconstructing media
messages
coursework,
activities, projects
In a typical week, students will be
reading, writing, working on video projects, and participating
in classroom discussions and critiques. There are three
main types of student activity that will constitute
visible evidence for ultimately assessing performance
and assigning grades:
finished video projects
Each course module includes a significant
creative video production project.
electronic journals
Every student will maintain
a WordPress electronic journal (provided as part of
the class).
classroom participation
Students will screen and discuss videos, their own work
and the work of other students, and engage in a variety
of group classroom activities on a regular basis.
learning
goals and student assessment
In a nutshell, after completing
this course you can expect to have developed:
-
creative inquiry methods that
you can apply to lots of creative opportunities in life
-
a
robust set of video production skills
-
reflective habits that lead to greater self-knowledge
-
the ability to compose and communicate clearly
and in multiple modes
-
critical thinking
skills that will make you a more sophisticated consumer
of media
On
a more formal level, the assessment and grading of student
work can best be described by refering to the Master
Rubric, which assesses student performance in five
categories:
Section instructors
can explain this document in more detail, but basically you
can think of this as a map that defines all the qualities
we want to help students develop and/or build upon. All coursework
and activities have been designed to assist students in honing
skills in these areas.
grading and attendance
policies
Grading policies for will
generally follow this breakdown:
33% electronic journals
34% finished videos
33% class participation + personal skills
Students complete three course modules. Each
course module includes its own grading rubric that gives
explicit criteria on how each of the three categories above
will be assessed. Each module is worth roughly 1/3 of a student's
final grade. At the end of the semester, instructors will
review a student's grades for each module and complete a
master rubric for
each student. This information will be used to determine
a final grade.
attendance
Regular attendance (and punctuality) is
imperative and expected, and lack of attendance will have
concrete negative consequences. Students should know that
regular attendance is one of the assessment criteria on all
module grading rubrics. No student should miss more than
three classes during the entire semester (and even this is
too much). After that, each additional absence will result
in reduction of a student's final grade by 1/2 a grade point.
Irregular attendance will also effect a student's access
to a Mac laptop. See the laptop policies below.
excused absences
Receiving an excused absence requires
either a letter from the Emergency
Dean, a visit record
from McKinley
Health Center, or a letter from a private physician.
Teaching Assistants are not allowed to negotiate or
approve exceptions to this policy. Any questions should
be directed to Joseph
Squier, the faculty coordinator of the course.
turning work in late
Teaching Assistants are not allowed to negotiate or approve
the acceptance of work after the official due date. Students
who cannot complete all work by the announced due date
are advised to submit partially completed assignments.
Joseph Squier, the faculty coordinator of the course, should be
contacted if there are any questions about this policy.
teaching
methods, tools, resources
methods
This is a very 'hands-on' course.
Instructors try to maximize the 'making' and 'participating',
and limit the time spent sitting through a lecture.
Here is a partial list of what to expect:
-
lots of information, advice, and directed
writing that will help you develop effective strategies
for thinking and creating
-
sustantial opportunities to learn how to
make videos that are interesting and communicate your ideas
successfully
-
interesting readings and discussions; group
brainstorming
-
viewing relevant video and cinematic work
tools and resources
Students enrolled in Writing with
Video are allowed to check out a mac laptop from CITES
for the duration of the semester. This will be your
24/7 writing journal, production studio, research library,
social network, and publishing platform. Instructors
will give details on visiting the Oregon
CITES facility to procur a machine.
Enrolled students
can also check out a variety of video production equipment
from the Art+Design
checkout window, located on the 3rd floor of the Art+Design
building. This includes a limited supply of camcorders and
a basic array of tripods, microphones, etc. Instructors will
provide more details.
The number of camcorders
available is limited and there is increasing demand for
this equipment. Students are encourage to consider owning
their own camcorder in the interest of convenience. An
expensive machine is not necessary; there are many models
currently available for $250 or less. Although instructors
cannot make specific buying suggestions, the one consideration
recommended is that students purchase a camcorder with
a jack for attaching an external microphone.
fees
and expenses
Students enrolled in Writing with Video
will be assessed a $100 facilities fee, which will be charged
automatically to student accounts. This helps pay for costs
associated with providing laptop computers and production
equipment such as camcorders, microphones, etc.
There is no required textbook
in this course. All assigned reading is provided electronically.
Students will need to supply
their own recordable media: video tapes, blank DVD's, SD
cards, etc. These costs will likely not exceed $100.
laptop policies
Writing with Video students are allowed
to check out an Apple laptop for the duration of the semester.
Laptops are picked up at the Oregon
CITES facility and must be returned to the same location
at the end of the semester.
Students sign a legally
binding loan agreement when they pick up their laptop,
making them legally liable for damage, loss, or theft of
the equipment. There is also
an explicit policy covering recall of a student laptop
in the event of irregular attendance: if a student misses
more than 3 classes in a row their laptop will be recalled
and they will be charged an additonal fee (see below).
Students are encouraged to review
the loan agreement in advance, paying particular
note of those sections highlighted in yellow.
Possible fines, fees, and charges:
- laptop recall initiated by irregular attendance: $50
processing fee
- laptops returned after Friday, December 19, 2008: $100
late fine
- laptops not returned by Friday, January 9, 2009: $1,200
charge