Course Syllabus
ART107 #68015 Syllabus
Note: This video is re-used from an 8-week section of the class in which a final paper is required. For your shortened, 4-week version of the class, no final paper is required, so please disregard anything in the videos about that. You're welcome!
Because this class is an accelerated, condensed version of a full-length class, you are expected to do two weeks worth of work each week. In other words, Module 1 and Module 2 are due at the same time, then Module 3 and Module 4, etc. I've done what I can to make this more manageable for you. If you have any questions or concerns, you can always email me.
ART107 #68015
The History of Animation
4-week Accelerated Online Course | July 15 - August 11, 2019
Santa Ana College
Instructor
Annapurna Kumar | adjunct faculty, Santa Ana College
MFA Experimental Animation, CalArts
BFA Art History, VCUArts
Course Description
History of Animation is a critical and historical survey of animation as a form of communication and cultural expression, from prehistoric origins to present digital formats. Animation history is studied in relation to the background for its creation in contemporary culture and society, focusing on the U.S.A., Europe, and Japan. Students analyze and evaluate a large cross-section of animated works.
ART 107 currently qualifies as a gen ed option under Plan A and Plan B.*
*Always see a counselor to confirm degree and graduation requirements.
Online Attendance
You may access our course site from home, the library or the student labs at SAC. When you are officially enrolled in the class and the class has been made available to students, you will have access to this class on our college Canvas site. Students are expected to monitor the Canvas site and complete all assignments in a timely manner. Students are expected to login at least every two days.
No Show Drop: In this course, you must complete the following activity by Friday of the first week of classes or you will be dropped as a “No Show”:
- Make an original post in the Week 1 Discussion Board.
Excessive Absence Drop: If two consecutive weeks of non-participation is observed by the instructor the student will be dropped.
SAC Absence and Drop Policy
It is the student's responsibility to withdraw officially from a course. Students must officially withdraw by the web before 75% of the term has expired to receive a transcript symbol of “W”.
Students who fail to turn in the weekly assignments and/or participate in the discussion boards will be considered “absent” and may be dropped from the class for “excessive absence.” Students are responsible to officially drop the class or they will receive a letter grade based on their performance. A student may be dropped for excessive absences when the total hours of absences exceed 10% of the total scheduled hours of the class.
Under extenuating circumstances, a student may be reinstated by the instructor.
Schedule Overview
Week 1
Module 1: Orientation & The Beginnings of Animation
Technique Spotlight: Pre-Cinema toys
Module 2: Early Animation, 1900 - 1930: Disney and the Fleischer Studio
Technique Spotlight: Rotoscoping
Week 2
Module 3: The 1940’s: Warner Brothers, Propaganda, & Abstraction.
Technique Spotlight: Frame-by-Frame & Cel Animation
Module 4: The 1950's: New Studios and Changing Markets
Technique Spotlight: Cut-out animation
Week 3
Module 5: The 1960s: Cultural Shifts & The Birth of Anime.
Technique Spotlight: Flipbooks
Module 6: 1970s Experimentation: Special Effects & the History of CGI.
Technique Spotlight: Computer Generated Imagery
Week 4
Module 7: The 80’s and 90’s: Music Videos, Branding, and International Festival Films.
Technique Spotlight: Stop Motion
Module 8: From 2000 Onward: Expanded Animation.
Technique Spotlight: Digital Drawing
Assignments & Grading
Required Weekly Readings and Viewings will inform the following assignments:
- 8 Discussion Board Posts & Responses (24 points each)
- 8 Short-Response Assignments (10 points each)
- 7 Quizzes (6 points each)
- 2 Graded Surveys (16 points)
Total Possible Points: 330
A: 297 - 330
B: 264 - 296
C: 231- 263
D: 198 - 230
F: 0 - 197
All assignments will be opened at least one week early in case anyone wants to work ahead.
Discussion Board Posts and Responses:
Your initial post in response to a prompt will be graded, as well as at least one response to other people’s posts. There is a separate discussion board available in each module, so each discussion can be kept separate.
Short-Response Assignments:
You will see one short-response assignment within each module. Each assignment has a short prompt and an area for you to type a short response (4-6 sentences). You can use your notes, the internet, and any materials found on our Canvas site when answering an assignment.
Quizzes:
Quizzes contain 6 multiple choice questions based on the readings and viewings from that module. You can take quizzes at any point in the semester. You can use your notes, the internet, and any materials found on our Canvas site when taking a quiz. You can take each quiz 3 times.
Late Work:
For full credit, work must be turned in on time. If you are unavailable on an assignment due date, it is your responsibility to deliver your work to me prior to the due date via Canvas, otherwise it will be counted as a LATE assignment. Rubrics will be made available for every assignment. Late assignment grades will be reduced by 25% for each week they are late.
Online Class Rules of Conduct
Students are expected to be respectful of each other and of the instructor. Any form of bullying, harassment, or insult on the discussion boards will not be tolerated.
Required Materials
-There is no textbook required. Course readings will be made available online for free.
- A computer is recommended. You will find it difficult to complete this course and the quizzes on a personal device such as an iPhone or Tablet as some prompts will require that you have multiple windows/tabs open.
-Regular internet access and a Canvas account is required.
This is necessary in order to receive announcements, emails, and complete graded activities via Canvas. Please verify your email address is accurate via WebAdvisor as you cannot change your email address in Canvas. If you do not have reliable internet access at home, an alternative would be to schedule hours in the Academic Computing Center. You can access our class via canvas by going to http://rsccd.instructure.com
Course Objectives
- Introduce students to animation as a form of communication and cultural expression.
- Offer historical context as a backdrop for animation's creation in contemporary culture and society including the U.S.A., Europe, and Japan.
- Evaluate a large cross-section of animated works.
- Discuss different ways that animation is made and how advances in technology have affected what is possible in the animation field.
Student Learning Objectives
At the end of this course, students will be able to:
- Identify themes associated with animations styles and eras.
- Identify key figures from animation history across cultures; including Japan, USA and Europe.
- Distinguish animation studio styles and innovations within the context of cultural history.
- Have a basic understanding of how animation is made.
Digital Media Arts Program Information
Digital Media Arts Website: https://sacdigitalmediaarts.wordpress.com (Links to an external site.)
DMA offers multiple pathways to receive Certificates and Degrees via 2-year plans (Links to an external site.)
DMA Courses (Links to an external site.)
Communication Policy
The primary sources of communication in this course will be through the discussion board and by email. Please be sure to have a current working email address in your Canvas profile - if you need to change it, go to WebAdvisor
Personal Questions: For questions regarding personal issues such as a grade on a specific assignment, please communicate with me via email. I will generally respond to emails within 24 hours between Monday 9am and Friday 4pm. Emails received over the weekend will be answered on Monday.
Assignment and Course Questions: For questions about assignments, the course or Canvas, please refer to our “General Course Questions” Discussion Board. If an answer to your question cannot be found, please post a question on our discussion board. Students are encouraged to post answers to each other’s questions. I will check the board at least once each day Mon-Fri to post answers.
Other SAC Policies:
Disabilities Statement
Your success in this course is important to me. Santa Ana College and I are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for all individuals with disabilities. If you have a disability that may have some impact on your ability to do well in this course, I encourage you to speak with me as soon as possible. Information regarding specific diagnostic criteria and policies for obtaining academic accommodations can be found at https://www.sac.edu/StudentServices/DSPS/
Also, please contact Disabled Student Programs & Services so that we can all collaborate on your classroom accommodations in a timely manner. DSP&S is located in U-103 and their phone number is 714-564-6264. The DSP&S office requires documentation of your disability in order to receive reasonable accommodations. If you do not have documentation they will work with you to acquire it. I look forward to supporting you to meet your learning goals. You can visit the DSP&S office located in the Johnson Campus Center, Rm. U-103 or call them at (714) 564-6264.
Course DSPS Policy: If you require extra time on exams, YOU MUST EMAIL ME 48 hours prior to the exam to confirm that you will be receiving the necessary accommodations for your exam.
Academic Policy Information
Students at Santa Ana College are expected to be honest and forthright in their academic endeavors. To falsify the results of one’s research, to steal the words or ideas of another, or to cheat on an examination, corrupts the essential process by which knowledge is advanced. Academic dishonesty is seen as an intentional act of fraud, in which a student seeks to claim credit for the work or efforts of another without authorization, or uses unauthorized materials or fabricated information in any academic exercise. As institutions, we also consider academic dishonesty to include forgery of academic documents, intentionally impeding or damaging the academic work of others, assisting other students in acts of dishonesty or coercing students into acts of dishonesty.
In cases where a violation of academic honesty is discovered, the faculty member is encouraged to file an "Academic Misconduct Incident Report" form and distribute the form to the appropriate offices listed.
There are two categories of sanctions: Limited and College-wide. Limited sanctions include an academic action such as assigning a lower grade or a grade of "F" for the assignment, project, or test. College-wide sanctions include any sanction that will affect a student's standing with the college-at-large, up to and including suspension or expulsion from the college.
In matters relating to academic honesty violations, the primary responsibility for disciplinary proceedings rests with the instructor and the academic division where the violation allegedly occurred. The Dean of Student Affairs will assist in all College-wide sanctions.
Family Education Rights and Privacy Acts (FERPA)
As required under the provisions of the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, the Rancho Santiago Community College District will make public without student consent only certain directory information. This information consists of the following:
- a student's name
- city of residence
- major field
- participation in officially recognized activities and sports
- weight, height and age if a member of an athletic team
- dates of attendance
- degree and awards received and
- the most recent previous educational institution or agency attended by the student.
A student may request the Admissions and Records Office to withhold this information. Such request must be in writing and submitted every semester.
Procedures for Student Grievances Regarding Grades
Education Code 76224 states:
(a) When grades are given for any course of instruction taught in a community college district, the grade given to each student shall be the grade determined by the instructor of the course and the determination of the student's grade by the instructor, in the absence of mistake, fraud, bad faith, or incompetency, shall be final.
Procedure
- Student shall meet with the instructor to discuss the grade.
Email me at kumar_annapurna@sac.edu to arrange a meeting time and discuss.
- If the issue is not resolved and the student believes that the grade is based on mistake, fraud, bad faith, or incompetency (EC 76224), he/she may appeal in writing to the Dean. Such an appeal must be made within a one year period following the semester in which the grade was assigned. Forms for the written appeal may be found in any instructional Dean's office or the Student Services Office of the college.
- The student may be requested to set-up an appointment with the appropriate Dean to discuss the written grievance.
- The appropriate Dean will review the allegations with the instructor.
- The Dean will review the issue and will notify the student and instructor in writing of his/her decision.
- The decision of the Dean is final.
Course Summary:
| Date | Details | Due |
|---|---|---|