Introduction to Media Syllabus

COURSE OUTLINE

Email: mtrigilio@ucsd.edu
Office Hours – Visual Arts Facility (VAF) studio 511
Wednesdays 2:00 - 3:00pm

TA: Danny Cannizzaro

Email: dcannizzaro@ucsd.edu

Office Hours – Visual Arts Facility (VAF) studio 267

Mondays 3:00 - 4:00pm

OVERVIEW:
Operating as both a lecture and production course, this introductory class provides a technical foundation and theoretical context for all subsequent production-oriented film and video studies. In the laboratory, the student will learn the basic skills necessary to initiate video production. Completion of Visual Arts 70N is necessary to obtain a media card. Prerequisite: none. Materials fee required.

STUDENT EXPECTATIONS:

active and engaged participation in sections, labs, and lecture attendance

professional use of the media center

attending museums and gallery exhibitions 

creative and courageous response to Mid-term and Final videos 

actively resisting cynicism and fostering open-mindedness

cyn-i-cism
noun.
1. An attitude of scornful or jaded negativity, especially a general distrust of the integrity or professed motives of others.
cynical, adj; 1.implies having a sneering disbelief in sincerity or integrity 

Being intellectually and aesthetically dogmatic will not serve you as an artist and will adversely affect your performance in this course.

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT:

presentation of new and challenging ideas about what film, video, and media art is and can be in the future. 

respect and honest critical feedback 

a passionate and engaged articulation of course material, free of cynicism or contempt

fair and honest grading of your participation, papers, videos, and other classwork.

 REQUIRED TEXTS & SUPPLIES:

A course reader has been prepared at the University Bookstore.

 HIGHLY RECOMMENDED:

A firewire external hardrive.  This will let you use all the editing suites at the media center as well as work at your project in the Mandeville lab.  (If you have questions about what type feel free to ask me during lab next week -- Danny)

A mini dv tape.  Some might be available to borrow when you check out the cameras.  If you don't have your own you'd have to capture footage before turning the camera back in.

GRADE CALCULATION

Midterm take-home exam 20%

VIDEO ASSIGNMENTS:  30% (midterm and final)

Final take-home exam 20%

Section participation & lecture attendance 25%

Museum/Screening/Performance attendance 5%

(You will be required to attend the exhibitions at the University Art Gallery and Calit2 Art Gallery before the Mid-Term of the quarter.)

LATE-WORK POLICY: 

I will only accept assignments late if you have an excused absence from class or in an emergency situation about which you have spoken with me directly. Late assignments will be accepted at Instructor’s discretion.

ATTENDANCE POLICY:

Students are expected to attend all of every class meeting unless they have received prior permission from the instructor. Attendance will be taken at the beginning of each class meeting. Tardiness and absenteeism will be reflected in the Class Participation portion of your grade.