Spring 2007, Section 4, Wed. 6:00 - 8:45 p.m., DBH 226

Instructor: Cynthia A. McCune
DBH 127 / 408-924-3245 / cynthia.mccune@sjsu.edu
Office hours: M/W 2:00-3:00 p.m., W 4:30-5:30 & by appointment

Required Texts/Readings, Etc.

• The Cluetrain Manifesto: The End of Business as Usual, by Levine, Locke, Searls & Weinberger (the entire text of the Cluetrain Manifesto is available online)
• We the Media (2004) by Dan Gillmor. (Read Intro & Ch. 1-2 -- available online at http://www.authorama.com/we-the-media-1.html).
• The World is Flat, by Thomas Friedman. Book available on the Internet or in bookstores. Or, listen to Friedman's MIT speech about this book (1 hr., 15 min., requires Real Player) or his 2005 presentation to The World Bank (1hr., 30 min.).

Course Description
This hands-on class combines multimedia and emerging "new media" technologies such as blogging, podcasting, RSS and other Web 2.0 media.

In this class, students will learn to use multimedia and new media technologies to tell stories and convey information, and to have interactive conversations and build relationships with global audiences.

Class Format/Projects
Brief lectures, guest speakers and in-class discussions combine with "how to" demonstrations and hands-on labs. Class projects include simple web page design, blogging, podcasting, videocasting and multimedia (combining still pictures, graphics and video with music and/or audio to create a multimedia project/presentation). It will also cover RSS (Really Simple Syndication), Web. 2.0 technolgies and social networking.

Software programs used in this class will include Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, InDesign), Dreamweaver, Audacity and Apple's iLife Suite (iPhoto, iMovie, Garageband).

Student Learning Objectives
* Understand concepts, apply theories, and use new technologies to present images and information.
* Demonstrate an understanding of the history and role of professionals, institutions and technology in shaping communications.
* Think critically, creatively and independently.
* Write correctly and clearly in forms and styles appropriate for online and other new media formats, and for the audiences and purposes they serve.
* Understand and apply the principles and laws of freedom of speech and press, including the right to dissent, to monitor and criticize power, and to assemble and petition for redress of grievances.
* Demonstrate an understanding of professional ethical principles and work ethically in pursuit of truth, accuracy, fairness and diversity.

Course Requirements
Students will contribute regularly to a class blog, develop and post a simple web page to showcase their projects, record and post a podcast, develop a multimedia project, and learn how to use RSS and other Web 2.0 technolgies. Students will create a final project involving focusing on one or more of the areas listed above. In the process, students will also learn to use software such as Photoshop, InDesign, Dreamweaver, Audacity and/or Apple's iLife Suite (iPhoto, iMovie, Garageband, etc.).

It is recommended that students have laptops with the software noted above so they can work on projects outside of class. Although attendance, per se, will not be used as a criterion for grading, students are encouraged to attend all class meetings to contribute to in-class discussions and take advantage of lectures, guest speakers, demonstrations and lab sessions. Missed in-class discussions, exercises and lab sessions cannot be made up.