Undergraduate Class Assignments:
Blog Postings (25%) – Each student is required to post comments on the reading and films screened on the class blog for this class. The undergraduates will be divided into two groups (A/B). On alternating weeks, each group member (will be expected to post a three-paragraph (or so) entry the blog for that week’s readings. These entries must be posted before class each week. All students are expected to read and comment of their fellow classmates posts (this contributes to your participation grade.)

Animation Assignments (15%) – You will be given several assignments that will introduce you to some of basics of animation techniques and analysis. Don’t worry if you are not artistically inclined, these will be simple assignments that will provide you with some appreciation for the work involved in creating and analyzing animation. This will include at least one group project.

Assignment#1
Assignment#2
Assignment#3

Assignment #4

Class Presentations (5%) – you will each have to give a presentation on your final project. Presentations should be 10 minutes in length.

Participation (10%) – Occupying a seat does not constitute participation, though attendance will affect your participation grade. Students are expected to have read the course readings and to participate in discussions in and the blogs of your fellow classmates.

Midterm Exam (15%) – You will have a take home midterm exam that will test your comprehension of concepts and issues raised in class.

Final Project (30%) – Each student will be required to complete a final project. You will have two options: you can either write a critical paper, 10-15 pages in length or complete a longer animation project (done in groups of at least 3 – this option will require a proposal, details plans for finishing the project, as well as bi-weekly updates).

Graduate Course Requirements:

Blog Postings (25%) – Each week you will be expected to post a 4-5 paragraph entry on the class blog about readings for that week. These entries must be posted before class each week. You will be required each week to comment on two of your classmates’ blogs.

Animation Assignments (15%) – You will be given several assignments that will introduce you to some of basics of animation techniques. Don’t worry if you are not artistically inclined, these will be simple assignments that will provide you with some appreciation for the work involved in creating and analyzing animation. See links above.

Midterm Exam (15%) – You will have a take home midterm exam that will test your comprehension of concepts and issues raised in class.

Class Presentations (10%) – Grad students will have to give two class presentations. You will each have to give a presentation on your final project; these presentations should be 10-15 minutes in length. In addition to this you will each have to prepare a 30-minute lecture for the class on one of the assigned topics in class (you must notify me by week two which week you choose to present).
Participation (5%) – Occupying a seat does not constitute participation, though attendance will affect your participation grade. Students are expected to have read the course readings and to participate in discussions in and the blogs of your fellow classmates.

Final Project (30%) – Each student will be required to complete a final project. You will have two options: you can either write a critical paper, 15-20 pages in length or complete a longer animation project (done individually and groups, accompanied by an analytical essay on the theoretical, aesthetic underpinnings of your work).
More detailed guidelines will be handed out in class.