Skyline High School

Graphics I

Meredith Giltner Room 215A

giltnerm@aaps.k12.mi.us

Course Syllabus

734-994-6515 x55216

skylinehsgraphicdesign1.blogspot.com
Course Information & Overview
Graphics is a 1-term course where the student earns 0.5 credit. This credit may be used as an
elective credit or as half of the 1.0 art (VPAA) credit required for graduation.
Graphics are all around you print media, Internet, TV, packaging, and the document youre
reading now! As our world becomes increasingly visual, graphics are impacting how information
is delivered. This course provides experiences for students to use image, type, color, illustration,
and photography to create dynamic media using Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator and
Photoshop). Students will focus on the computer skills, design process, and aesthetic decisions
needed to create print and digital media that effectively communication messages and
information.
Learning Goals
1) To demonstrate familiarity with the basic tools and techniques of page layout, illustration and
photo editing software applications.
2) To apply design and problem-solving techniques to a variety of graphic design challenges.
3) To develop writing and image-making skills for the expression of ideas and client needs.
4) To understand the production sequence of printing graphics from the idea to the delivery.
5) To understand the sequence of designing, creating, and presenting digital media.
6) To develop an awareness of careers in graphics-related fields.
All work will be placed in the Dink Box- Drop Box at the class Blog
skylinehsgraphicdesign1.blogspot.com/p/dink-box-drop-box.html for credit when due. Files that are not
uploaded will not receive credit. Both the Drop Box and Blog are accessible from anywhere and anytime
for information on the course.
Student Evaluation: Skyline High School Grading Scale
Letter
Grade

Percentage

4.0
GPA SCALE

A+
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
CD+
D
DE

97 - 100
93 - 97
90 - 92
88 - 89
83 - 87
80 - 82
78 79
73 - 77
70 - 72
68 - 69
63 - 67
60 - 62
Below 60 is Failing

4.0
4.0
3.67
3.33
3.00
2.67
2.33
2.00
1.67
1.33
1.00
0.67
0.0

Graphics Grade Weights:

1)
Projects/Class work .............................70%
2)
Final Project/Exams..... 20%
3)
Participation .10%
(Participation includes: being on time, prepared for class, participating in class discussions,
cleaning-up, responsible use of equipment & supplies, work ethic, and generally doing what you are
suppose to do everyday).
Classroom Procedures
In order to meet the aforementioned learning goals students are expected to:
o be in class on time every day
o music with headphones only allowed at work time
o no cellphones
o be prepared for class everyday (must have a pencil and journal everyday)
o work productively in class everyday and take responsibility for their own work
o clean up after themselves and help to maintain the classroom environment
o work independently when the teacher is working with other students
Late work will be accepted when the student discusses the situation with the teacher,
otherwise late work will be accepted with credit loss. Final deadline for all late work is 5 school
days prior to exam day (end of term).
After 5 absences it becomes difficult to know what is going on in a lab class where most of the
information is delivered via demonstrations and lectures. In these cases, the student will be given
alternative assignments that can be done without the missed instruction.
Students who misuse the classroom equipment or supplies will be given alternative assignments
that can be done without the classroom equipment and supplies.
Supplies
Students will need a flash or thumb drive that will hold 8GB/16GB or 32GB. Students will have room
on the desktop in the lab but they will need to back up their work. I will provide a journal with graph
paper.
Mastery Learning
Each student in the arts will accomplish a set of benchmarks in a cyclical manner of learning where the
students demonstrate their ability of each skill, working towards the National Standards.
Skyline Writing Center Website: tinyurl.com/skylinewc
The Skyline Writing Center offers free writing support to all currently enrolled Skyline students. Writing Center
tutors are highly trained juniors and seniors that have been identified as having excellent writing skills and
teaching ability. The Writing Center is open every hour of every day that school is in session. Writing Center
tutors can assist students at any academic level and at any stage in the writing process from initial brainstorming
to final revisions. Students may use the Writing Centers services for writing assignments in any course (except
for world language courses). Students may also use the Writing Center for creative writing, college essays, ACT
writing preparation, and more.
Students can visit a tutor in person in room B429 on a walk-in or appointment basis. Appointments can be made
with specific tutors at specific times by using the Writing Center website. In-person sessions typically last 15-20
minutes. Students can also submit their work through the Writing Centers website for online tutoring in the

Online Writing Lab (OWL). Writing is returned in 48-72 hours with suggestions and an invitation to visit the
Writing Center for a follow-up appointment.