Multimedia Design 2

Dan Phiffer <dan@phiffer.org>

CCNY Art 49550, Fall 2009

Office hours Mondays at 12:00pm-1:00pm, CG-121

Mailing list: http://groups.google.com/group/mmd2

Course info

This is a course about making dynamic websites. You will learn the basics of programming for the web, both on the client-side (JavaScript) and on the server-side (PHP). The first part of the course is a general programming introduction, transitioning to focus more specifically on the web. By the end of the course you should have a firm understanding of writing good, maintainable code and evaluating the effectiveness and usability of dynamic websites.

Your grade will be based on a combination of in-class participation and projects completed throughout the semester. Your weekly work load should be approximately 3 hours per week, but let me know if it's taking more time than that. If it's taking less time than that you might be slacking off. This syllabus will be updated with weekly material, so the online version will always be the most up-to-date version: http://phiffer.org/teaching/mmd2. There are also some links available at Delicious: http://delicious.com/dphiffer/mmd2.

Here is our course meeting schedule. The non-standard days are September 7 (no class), September 29 (we meet on Tuesday) and October 14 (we meet on Wednesday).

Goals

Develop programming skills in Javascript and PHP and their applications to creative projects
Gain ﬂuency in the basic concepts and attributes of programming languages
Analyze problems, develop alternate conceptual approaches, employ project planning, workﬂow and production skills to creative projects
Become ﬂuent in the range of digital tools, used by programmer-artists for web programming
Prepare a portfolio and appropriate self-promotion materials for gaining employment or admission to graduate school

Grades

class participation + attendance: 25%
assignments: 25%
midterm: 15%
ﬁnal project: 20%
meeting deadlines: 15%

Books

This course has no required books, but we will have regular readings. Some optional references I would recommend:

Class participation

Time spent in class is structured to include lecture, lab time, discussion and presentations of your work. You will also give one presentation about a media artist of your choosing. Your participation grade is largely a measure of how involved and prepared you are in class.

Assignments + projects

Weʼll be having weekly assignments and two big projects, a mid-term and a final project. You may revise and improve any of these up until (before) the final week. Your grades on projects will be determined based on craft and punctuality. Basically I want you to do your best on projects, but to approach them as works in progress. You always have the option of returning to unfinished work to improve on it.

Reminders

Lateness and absences will effect your grade. Please turn off mobile phones, instant messaging, email, etc. while in class. Be resourceful, do good work and donʼt slack off.