Description:

This Course encompasses using audio equipment, computer software and mobile technology to create and record sound for film, video and multimedia projects. By improving listening skills,  applying critical listening and using technology, students will develop a solid foundation in producing sound designs for multi-media.

Prerequisite(s): Students must have basic computer understanding (copy, cut, paste, google searching, moving files on a hard drive and uploading files to social media).  Students must be willing and able to speak and listen during class discussions as well as present their own work in front of the group.

Class Location: B0907 Multimedia Graphics Lab

Front Range Community College: Westminster Campus

Class Meets: Fridays 1pm-3:30pm

Instructor: Langdon Crawford  langdoncrawford@gmail.com   (please only use this email)

Course Resources:

The sylabus and other course materials can be found at www.langdoncrawford.com/SD1

Recommended but not required Books:

Sound Design  by David Sonnenschein

ISBN-10: 0941188264

Required Materials:  You must have access to a set of headphones and an at least a 256GB USB hard drive for saving and transporting files. You will also be expected bring these items and note taking materials to class each week.  

Suggested Materials:

Portable recording/editing suite: (laptop, USB-audio interface and microphone)

Nature of weekly meeting:

Each week we will take some time to discuss a topic, issue or challenge related to your work in sound design.  We will take a short break and then focus on experiential learning in a lab setting where you will be expected to work alone and groups on sound design projects in class.  Each meeting will conclude with a presentation and discussion of the work you did this week (whether in the lab or at home).

Expected Outcomes:

By the end of the semester, you will have encountered many of the experiences involved in designing sound for picture.   You should have mastered either the technical or the artistic use of sound recording, producing and manipulating tools. You will be more confident with the tools, terms and techniques of working in sound design.

Grading:

28% preparation and participation (attendance, bringing required materials, engagement)

28% Lab work and exercises. (Must be on time to receive credit)

44% Projects  (21% Projects 1-7,  23% final,  also must be on time to receive credit)

Want to know how you are doing?

14 meetings, 4 possible points each meeting:

1 point,  on-time and prepared

1 point,  active, positive contribution to discussion,

1 point, on-time completion of lab project

1 point, presenting work

Projects 1-7 will be graded x of 3,  Final will be graded x of 23.

Grading Scale A=90-100   B= 80-89   C= 70-79    D= 60-69    F=under 60

Tentative Schedule of Topics    

MGD Labs:

 The computers in the MGD lab room B0907 have all the software used in this Course. Open labs are a courtesy of MGD, not a student right, they are not paid for by student fees. Lab schedules will be posted in the hallway

in front of Room B0907 and on httn://frontranae.edu/mGd/Iabs/

Lab Rules:

• You must check in with the lab monitor to use the lab.
• The lab monitor is charge of the labs and has the right to enforce lab rules and eject any student from the labs.
• Please sign-in and out when using the lab.
• No food or drink at the Computers.
• Be courteous to the lab monitor.
• We need Lab Monitors. Lab monitors are a work/study position, if you are interested in being a lab monitor Contact student services.

Class Policies:

Important Concepts will be presented in each class to help you understand this complex subject. If for some reason you need to miss a Class, it is important that you “catch-up” on your own. I suggest you team up with a couple of class members who will help you it you need to miss a Class.  Since attendance and participation are such a big portion of your grade, we will have to find some make up work for the occasional absence.

No food or drink is allowed near the computers. There will be at least a ten minute break per hour of class.

Cell phones must be silenced! Texting during lecture time is discourteous to the class and the instructor. lf I think you are texting, it will hurt the class participation portion of your grade by 2 points each incident and I may ask you to leave the classroom for the remainder of the session.

Student rights, freedoms and responsibilities

Students should be aware of their rights, freedoms, and responsibilities as well as the student code of conduct as outlined in the academic catalog and at: http://www.frontrange.edu/

Plagiarism and Copyright Violations: Although in this class, the use of other’s material is allowed and expected from time to time (i.e. royalty-free licensed video, music and sound effects), there should be no plagiarism when producing final Work or presenting one’s own ideas. lf you have a question, talk to me for clarification as to what is allowed for educational use in a Multimedia classroom or refer to the Front Range catalog where it states:

The Humanities Department strives for academic excel/ence and encourages all students to achieve their best. Moreover, the department promotes academic honesty and does not tolerate cheating or plagiarism. Cheating is defined as the practice of fraud or trickery, to violate rules dishonesty and to act deceiving/y. Plagiarism is defined as presenting ideas or words of another as one’s own. As a college student it is your responsibility to fully understand the concepts of cheating and plagiarism. Instructors are always available to clarify for students the exact definition of cheating and plagiarism. Failure to understand these concepts does not excuse you from potential reprimand. According to Front Range Community College policy, consequences of cheating or plagiarism can result in an F on the assignment or exam, an F in the course, and/or dismissal from Front Range Community College.

In this class it means dismissal from the class and an automatic F.

Students with Special Needs:

Any student who requires accommodations because of a physical, learning, psychiatric, vision or hearing disability must contact the instructor and the Special Services office (303-404-5302) at the beginning of the semester. After the student has documented their disability with Special Services, please make an appointment with the instructor to discuss the accommodations.

Tutoring:

NOTE: A list of private (those that are not free) tutors will gladly be provided to those who do not qualify for free tutoring services, or who Wish to hire their own tutor.

How do I Qualify for Free Tutoring?

    1. Meet the prerequisites for the course for which you are requesting assistance or have assessment scores indicating you should be in that class.

    2. Be attending class regularly, including logging on, participating, and submitting assignments for online courses.

    3. Be getting a C or below in the class for which you are requesting assistance.

    4. Have attempted other resources for help, Re. Learning Development Center, Math Lab.

How do I Request a Tutor?

    1. Download, complete and sign the Referral for Tutoring form.

    2. Ask your instructor to sign this form. A tutor cannot be assigned without the instructor's signature.

    3. Those on the Westminster Campus may leave these forms in the red folder outside room B1208. Students at other campuses may arrange, at the front desk, to have them faxed or sent via intercampus mail to Special Services .

    4. You will be contacted by phone with several tutors‘ names and telephone numbers lf a message cannot be relayed via phone, then it is the student's responsibility to make other arrangements to get the information. For students at Boulder County campuses and the Brighton Center, the instructor will be contacted and given tutor names and phone numbers. Those students may then obtain the tutor list from their instructors. Call the numbers you have been given and discuss scheduling tutoring times. It times can't be worked out, cali the Tutoring Office.

FRCC Legal details: For many of you this may be one of a few or maybe even the only FRCC class you are taking this semester. Below are several of the items that FRCC requires you to know or have available. Important dates which are also available online http://www.frontrange.edu/calendars-and-events:

Last day to drop with refund: 8th of September 2015

Last day to withdraw. 20th of November 2015