COMMUNICATIONS LAB

Course Description

Communications Lab is a production-based course that surveys various technologies including 2D design, digital imaging, audio, and moving images. Students learn in a laboratory context of hands-on experimentation, and principles of communications design and media theory will be introduced in readings and discussions. Much of class time will be spent introducing and playing with equipment and software essential to media production and contemporary storytelling. Each technology is examined as a tool that can be employed and utilized in a variety of situations and experiences. Weekly assignments, group, and independent projects, as well as readings, will be assigned in each of the core areas of study.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

- demonstrate a broad knowledge and experience in visual communication and digital media design;
- recognize the context in which digital media operates, both historically, socially, and in current practices;
- demonstrate confidence working with media production equipment and software;
- create work from ideation to completion;
- demonstrate an understanding of storytelling fundamentals and processes;
- apply an understanding of design theory in various forms of media;
- practice and produce digital content, i.e. audio, photo, video, and develop filming, recording, and mastering skills;
- collaborate with others in both creative and technical processes

Assignments

There are 4 main projects in this course:

1) Sound Visualization
2) Photo Diptych
3) Memory Soundscape
4) Visual Metaphor

There are reading and viewing assignments throughout the semester. You will be required to write a short response to each reading and post it to the class blog. These responses should contain thoughtful reflections on the reading and its relevance to the material covered in class. Blog posts will be graded on reading comprehension, as well as the quality of writing and critical thought.

You will also be required to post detailed documentation for each project on the blog, detailing your process and linking to the documentation of the work. These posts will be expected to contain a description of the project and a working link; a description of the process of making the project and collaborating with your peers; and an evaluation of whether or not the project was successful and met your initial goals. Even if you work collaboratively, every student MUST post his/her own response.

Software: The Adobe Creative Cloud Suite is a central tool in this class. It is available on computers in the IMA Equipment Room and in the 24-hour computer labs located in the Academic Building. Additionally, the software can be accessed online via the Virtual Computer Lab. No prerequisite knowledge of the software is expected.

In addition, this course will necessitate (when appropriate) the use of equipment from the IMA Equipment Room. Policies and procedures for checking out, caring for, and returning equipment will be announced by the instructors. Be aware that keeping IMA equipment past return dates or failing to adhere to the policies of the IMA Lab WILL affect your participation grade for this course.

Grading

78% – Projects
6% – One Black Square Exercise
8% – Sound Visualization Project
12% – Photo Diptych
21% – Audio Exercise I/II/III & Memory Soundscape
31% – Video Exercise I/II/III & Visual Metaphor

13% – Blog posts
13% – Responses to readings and viewings

9% – Attendance & Participation (Engagement)

Detailed grading system can be found here.

Project Resubmission

The 3 projects, the Sound Visualization, the Photo Diptych, and the Memorry Soundscape, can be resubmitted. If students submit their project ON TIME they will be allowed to resubmit their project work within 2 weeks after the deadline. The last resubmission is allowed until Week 9. Resubmission does not guarantee a better grade. The right to resubmit a project is only given to those who submitted the project on the due date.

Grading Scale

A: Excellent performance showing a thorough knowledge and understanding of the topics of the course; all work includes clear, logical explanations, insight, and original thought and reasoning.

B: Good performance with general knowledge and understanding of the topics; all work includes general analysis and coherent explanations showing some independent reasoning, reading and research.

C: Satisfactory performance with some broad explanation and reasoning; the work will typically demonstrate an understanding of the course on a basic level.

D: Passable performance showing a general and superficial understanding of the course’s topics; work lacks satisfactory insight, analysis or reasoned explanations.

F: Unsatisfactory performance in all assessed criteria.

Letter Grades

Letter grades for the entire course will be assigned as follows:

Letter Grade	Points	Percent Range
A	4.00	95% and higher
A-	3.67	90 – 94.9%
B+	3.33	87 – 89.9%
B	3.00	83 – 86.9%
B-	2.67	80 – 82.9%
C+	2.33	77 – 79.9%
C	2.00	73 – 76.9%
C-	1.67	70 – 72.9%
D+	1.33	67 – 69.9%
D	1.00	63 – 69.9%
F	0.00	59.9% and lower

View Grades

Grades will be available in Albert after the midterm(Audio) and final projects(Experimental Video).

COURSE POLICIES

Attendance & Participation

Attendance in all classes is mandatory. Any absence deemed unwarranted will be reflected in your attendance and participation grade. 4 absences will lead to an F for your attendance and participation grade. 5 absences will lead to failure of the course. More than 30 minutes late will be considered as 1 absence. Students have a responsibility to make up what you missed in class.

In addition to the lecture sessions, you will also be required to attend a mandatory recitation. The recitation will be used in two ways: to allow time to work on projects, or to work on mini-projects created specifically to reinforce concepts covered in class during the week. If you know you will have to miss a recitation, please let your instructor know as soon as possible. Recitations count toward total attendance, and will reflect in your unexcused absences as well.

Students are expected to participate actively in class discussions and to contribute to each class session. During group project presentations, each student in the group must speak about the work in some capacity.

Laptops are permitted in class to take notes and to follow along during demonstrations. During class discussions and student presentations, there will be a strict lids-down policy enforced. All other devices are not to be used, and checking social media during class is prohibited.

No student may record any classroom activity for a personal use without express written consent from the instructor. If you have a disability such that you need to record or tape classroom activities, you should contact the instructor to request an appropriate accommodation.

Absence Exceptions

Observance of Religious Holidays: You may miss class for the observance of religious holidays. If you anticipate being absent because of religious observance, notify me in advance so we can create a plan for making up missed work. For more on this policy: https://www.nyu.edu/about/policies-guidelines-compliance/policies-and-guidelines/university-calendar-policy-on-religious-holidays.html

Competitions, Conferences, Presentations: You are permitted to be absent from classes to participate in competitions, conferences, and presentations, either at home or out of town, as approved by the Associate Provost for Academic Affairs. Review the Undergraduate Bulletin for the conditions you must meet to obtain approval for this kind of absence.

Extended Illness: If you are ill and need to miss more than one week of classes, you must speak to the Health & Wellness Office. Once Health and Wellness verifies the reasons for your extended absence, I will consult with Academic Affairs and recommend the best course of action. I will not look at doctors’ notes, both for your health privacy reasons and because I cannot verify the authenticity or content of the notes.

Late Assignment

Assignments are due at the date and time indicated in the schedule of activities and your group briefing. Missed assignments will earn an F. Exceptions can be made only with the prior approval of the instructor. The late penalty for the final paper/project is one third of a letter grade per day. So, an ‘A’ project that is one day late will be graded an ‘A−’, two days late a ‘B+’, three days late a ‘B’, etc.

Incomplete Grade Policy

The grade of I (Incomplete) is a temporary grade that indicates that the student has, for good reason, completed all but a single requirement or a small amount of the course work, and that there is the possibility that the student will eventually pass the course when all of the requirements have been completed. A student must ask the instructor for a grade of I, present documented evidence of illness or the equivalent, clarify the remaining course requirements with the instructor, and receive approval from the site and NYU Shanghai Assistant Dean for Academic Affairs. The Incomplete grade is not awarded automatically. It is not used when there is no possibility that the student will eventually pass the course. If the course work is not completed and a grade submitted by the course instructor before the statutory time for making up incompletes has elapsed, the temporary grade of I becomes an F or the default grade indicated by the instructor and is computed in the student’s grade point average.

Academic Honesty/Plagiarism

Carefully read NYU Shanghai’s Statement on Academic Integrity (in the Undergraduate Bulletin). Breaches of academic integrity could result in failure of an assignment, failure of the course, or other sanctions, as determined by the Academic Affairs office.

Disability Disclosure Statement

NYU Shanghai is committed to providing equal educational opportunity and participation for students with disabilities. It is NYU Shanghai’s policy that no student with a qualified disability be excluded from participating in any NYU Shanghai program or activity, denied the benefits of any NYU Shanghai program or activity, or otherwise subjected to discrimination with regard to any NYU Shanghai program or activity. Any student who needs a reasonable accommodation based on a qualified disability should register with the Moses Center for Student Accessibility for assistance. Students can register online through the Moses Center and can contact the Academic Accommodations Team at shanghai.academicaccommodations@nyu.edu with questions or for assistance.

Title IX Statement

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX) prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in educational programs. It protects victims of sexual or gender-based bullying and harassment and survivors of gender-based violence. Protection from the discrimination on the basis of sex includes protection from being retaliated against for filing a complaint of discrimination or harassment. NYU Shanghai is committed to complying with Title IX and enforcing University policies prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sex. Mary Signor, Executive Director of the Office of Equal Opportunity, serves as the University’s Title IX Coordinator. The Title IX Coordinator is a resource for any questions or concerns about sex discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual violence, or sexual misconduct and is available to discuss your rights and judicial options. University policies define prohibited conduct, provide informal and formal procedures for filing a complaint and a prompt and equitable resolution of complaints.

Links to the Title IX Policy and related documents:

Tutoring and Writing Support

The Academic Resource Center (ARC) provides tutoring and support to students looking to reach their highest academic potential. Students can schedule a meeting, or drop by, for any of the following:

Individual and small-group tutoring in over 30 STEM and Business & Economics courses
Individual writing consultations at any stage of the writing process
Academic coaching in areas such as time management, reading & note-taking strategies, exam preparation, and goal setting
Workshops on writing, academic skills, and technologies
Group study and conversation circles

Students are also welcome to study on their own in the comfortable, supportive atmosphere of the ARC.

Library and Research Services

The Library is available to support your research needs. We have access to 14,000 print resources, 2,000 DVDs, and 1,000 databases (including over a million e-books, as well as streaming audio & video and image databases). Librarians with expertise in fields such as Business, Economics, Humanities, Science (STEM), and Social Sciences are available in-person and online to help you with your research. Our services include:

One-to-one consultations to help you with your research projects
Reference Desk hours in the library for immediate help with finding & using resources
Workshops throughout the semester on research strategies, special databases, academic integrity, and using citation tools.

Visit the Library on the 4th floor, or go to shanghai.nyu.edu/library to learn more.