INTRODUCTION TO NEW MEDIA

COM 110 -001

Fall 2016
Department of Communication Studies
State University of New York Cortland
Class: Tuesday & Thursday 11:40 a.m. -12:55 p.m., Cornish Hall 1310
Instructor: Sung Woo Yoo, Ph.D.
Office: Van Hoesen B-125E, (607) 753-5425
Email: sung.yoo@cortland.edu
Office Hours: MW 9:00 a.m.-11:30 p.m. and by appointment
Class blog: newmediacortland.tumblr.com
Teaching Assistant: Owen Parseghian
Email: owen.parseghian@cortland.edu
Course Description
Introduction to the rapidly changing scope of new media and
examination of the technical and commercial implications of this epic
change in our everyday lives. Exploration of new media from
sociological, economic, and historical perspectives.
Course Objectives
The key objectives for Introduction to New Media are:
1. To gain an appreciation of the historical complexities
associated with the development of new media
2. To become familiar with the basic hardware and software
needed to create new media
3. To learn about the basic building blocks used in the
creation of multimedia and the net
4. To contemplate some of the ethical dilemmas associated
with new media development
5. To grapple with some of the social, political, and economic
implications of new media
6. To discover more about various new technologies
7. To practice articulating information and ideas verbally and
in written form.
Attendance and Participation
Students are required to actively participate in the classroom. The
instructor evaluates participation in classroom activities. Note that
active participation does NOT imply domination of a given exchange.

Rather it involves the articulation of thoughtful reflection on ideas and

concepts presented in the text, by the instructor, or by fellow
students. Students are expected to be on time, to be prepared, and to
be civil in their dealing with the instructor and classmates.
In c o m p le t e /
Un a c c e p t a b l
At t e n d a n c 3e or more absences
e

Unsatisfactor
y/
Unacceptable
2 absences
Work is not made-up

Satisfactory/
Acceptable
1 or 2 absences
Missed work is made-up

Exce l l e n t
/ Ta r g et
No absences
No missed work

Ac t i v e
No unsolicited
Pa r t i c i p a t i participation in
class or small
on
groups. Resistance
to solicited
participation.

Minimal
participation in class
and in small groups.
Participate only
when solicited. No
questions asked.

Unsolicited participation
in small group or class
discussion.
Asks questions.

Active, unsolicited
participation in class
and group discussions.
Demonstrates
leadership.

Qu a l i t y
No participation
Pa r t i c i p a t i or participation
that is not related
on
to the topic.
Non- constructive
criticism.
Pr o f es s i o
Disrespect for
na l / Mo r a other students or
professor (e.g. head
l
Et i q u e t t e on desk, disruptive,
late arrival)

Participation does
not respond to other
students, professor, or
topic. Reveals lack of
preparation.

Participation is clear and

is relevant to topic and
the flow of discussion.
Demonstrates
understanding and
reflection.
Responds to
conflict/disagreement
constructively w/
respect. Appears focused

Satisfactory and
shows
insight/interest and
develops discussion.
Inspires others.

Passive/apathetic
disposition.
Responds to
disagreement with
aggression or
resentment.

Offers
constructive
suggestions.
Energetic
participation.

Assignments
Visual Storytelling Project: Develop an integrated project that tells a
story using elements of text, color, sound, and motion. Components of
the project are detailed below.
a. Project development: After two weeks of learning new media
theories and storytelling basics, develop a theme or storyline of
your own. This storyline will drive the development of all future class
projects such as audio and video story assignments. You will be
provided with a list of story types suggested by the instructor. Once
you set up your storyline, create a one-page synopsis of your project
for use during your pitch (presentation).
b. Project pitch: Create a 3-minute formal presentation in which you
will sell your idea to your instructor and classmates. In the real
world The Pitch is your one chance to make your case as to why a

producer should pick up your project. Evaluation based on ability to

communicate idea, organization, delivery, attitude, and effort.
c. Images on social media: Shoot a series of photo images that
relate to your storyline and post to a professional social media
account. Students are asked to set up at least three social media
accounts which include Instagram, Twitter and Tumblr. During the
assignment weeks, you must post at least 15 images on social
media. Edit them using Adobe Photoshop based on the rules for
good photos we discuss in class. Provide strong captions that let the
viewer know what is happening in the photo. Send links to five
images for grading. They will be evaluated on the basis of: story
development, technical competency, originality, composition, visual
interest, color, lighting.
d. Audio-slide show project: Using images you have, create an
original audio-slide story. Standard time is 1:30 to 2 minutes. Edit
and enhance a minimum of five still images and three audio files
using Adobe Photoshop, Premiere and Audition. Examples of audio
files are narration, interview, music, natural sound, and media
sound track. The project is expected to have good movements of
images, title and captions.
e. Interview/bio video clip: As a preparation for a full video story,
create a video clip that introduces you or other characters. Use
tripod. You can use smartphone for this project but microphone use
is recommended. Post them on youtube and snapchat. Send to the
instructor.
f. Video story project: Using field video cameras and/or DSLRs,
acquire audio and visual elements needed to create a video story.
Plan a field work and create a storyboard for the instructors
approval. Downloadable templates for storyboard will be provided
by the instructor. In-class discussion and critique of professional
video stories will be held prior to the project. Standard time is less
than 3 minutes. This project will be the main story in your digital
portfolio.. Elements of these components will be evaluated on the
basis of: story development, technical competency, creativity,
originality, composition, visual interest, audio interest, color,
lighting, audio depth, audio levels, color levels, and timing.
Digital portfolio website: Author a personal website to promote
yourself professionally. Using Adobe Muse, create an interactive,
responsive website that highlights your skills and abilities. This of this as
an online resumeone that allows you to use images, video, audio and

text to tell your story. You need to ensure that the site works as a
cohesive whole and all the visual elements support the final product. All
your decisions should be audience driven. This element will be evaluated
on the basis of: design integrity, creativity, originality, story
development, navigational structure, visual aesthetics, audio interest,
and responsive nature of the site.
Quiz and software knowledge: This course is mostly learn-by-doing
course of digital storytelling. However, theoretical instructions will be
given on each sections. Also, this courses requires knowledge of four
Adobe Creative software: Adobe Photoshop, Premiere, Audition, and
Muse. Students level of knowledge will be tested at the end of each
section.
Activity
Visual storytelling
Synopsis
Project pitch
Images
Audio slideshow script
Audio slideshow project
Video interview on
Youtube and Snapchat
Video scripts/storyboard
Video story
Digital portfolio
Website writing and
design
Portfolio website
Formal project presentation
Quiz and software knowledge
Participation
Total points

Point
s

Due Date

50
50
100
50
200
150

15
20
29
06
20
27

100
250

01 November
19 November

50

22 November

300
100
200
200

08 December
08-12 December
4 times
In-class
discussion

September
September
September
October
October
October

1800

Grading
A = exceptional: work exhibits essential elements of professional
design and production expectations
B = work which exceeds minimal standards in terms of analytical
sophistication, presentation, and technical competency.
C = all work complete on time and to a level of sophistication
indicative of course numbering.
A+
(>98) B+ (>88) C+ (>78) D+ (>68)

A (>94) B
A- (>90) B-

(>84) C
(>80) C-

(>74) D
(>70) D-

(>64)
(>60)

Disability
If you are a student with a disability and wish to request
accommodations, please contact the Office of Student Disability
Services located in B-1 Van Hoesen Hall or call 753-2066. Information
regarding your disability will be treated in a confidential manner.
Because many accommodations require early planning, requests for
accommodations should be made as early as possible. No late work or
incompletes will be accepted. Be sure that all materials prepared for
this course conform to contemporary professional and academic
ethical standards. When you incorporate existing materials into your
work, be sure to cite the source; where needed, you should gain the
consent of the author or copyright holder.
Fall 2015 Time Schedule
Week 1 (August 30)

Overview, what is new media?

(September 1) Key concepts of new media

Week 2 (September 6) Basics of storytelling
(September 8) Multimedia & website
Week 3 (September
Project development
13)
(September
Images
15)
Week 4 (September
Images and social media
20)
(September
22) Image editing, Photoshop
accounts continue
Week 5 (September 27) Photoshop
(September 29) Audio
assignment
Audio
Slideshow
Week 6 (October 4)
(October 6)
Adobe Premier instruction
Week 7 (October 11)
(October 13)

Adobe Premier
Audio retouching

Week 8 (October 18)

(October 20)

Fall Break
Video shooting
assignment
Interviewing
Video story theories
Youtube
Video
production
Video production
Video production

Week 9 (October 25)

(October 27)
Week 10 (November 1)
(
(November
3)
Week 11 (November 8)

(November 19) Digital portfolio examples

Reading assigned.
In-class discussion
Quiz
Synopsis
Project pitch
Social media
Quiz
5 image
Audio story script

Quiz

Audio slideshow

Video Snapchat and

Storyboard

Video story project

Week 12 (November 15) Adobe Muse

(November 17) Adobe Muse
Week 13 (November 22) Portfolio production

Website design
Quiz
Website writings

(November 24) Thanksgiving Break

Week 14 (November 29) Portfolio production
(December 1)
Week 15 (December 6)
(December 8)
Final Presentation TBA

Promoting digital presence

Data visualization
Portfolio presentation

Website final draft