Course Objectives

Students will expand their repertoire of expression by studying animation, graphic storytelling, and interactive programming. This course is a primer on game development, animation, and the principles of programming. As we design and implement graphic narratives, we will learn to employ various tools of interactivity.

Course Learning Objectives

1. Understand basic graphics and interactivity.
2. Understand core programming concepts. Explain variables, data types, operators, conditionals, and loops.
3. Apply problem-solving strategies. Break down problems into logical steps and design simple algorithms to solve them.
4. Write and debug basic programs. Develop working programs that solve introductory-level problems.
5. Demonstrate computational thinking. Translate real-world problems into computational solutions.

Textbook, Software & Hardware Requirements

1. Required Textbook: JavaScript: A Beginner's Guide, by John Pollock (Any edition is acceptable)
   publisher: McGraw Hill
2. Krita.com, a free online graphic application, will be required for bitmap artwork elements.
3. Wick Editor, a free open-source animation application, will be used for animation.
   This software can be downloaded as a desktop application or executed within a browser.
4. Interactive applications will be programmed using JavaScript. JavaScript will mostly be written within Wick Editor projects.
   We may also use Visual Code (an editor) to write a final application to be run within the Chrome browser.
5. Students are required to have Laptop computers that can efficiently run Krita, Wick Editor, and Visual Studio Code.

Course Work and Evaluation

Evaluation will be based upon a combination of labwork and exams.


• Labwork: Labwork is an important part of this course. It is essential that students complete ALL assigned labs, which consist of artwork, animations, and JavaScript programming exercises. It is expected that concepts from these assignments are well understood. Labwork is available on-line. Labwork will count for 30% of your final grade.
  
  
  IMPORTANT
  All lab assignments must be submitted on time to receive credit. No late work will be accepted. It is the student's responsibility to manage their time and ensure all assignments are submitted promptly. Exceptions to this policy will only be made in cases of documented emergencies or pre-approved accommodations. Student's two lowest homework scores will be dropped at the end of the semester.
  
  
  
• Tests: Two tests will be given during the semester and will assess understanding of JavaScript Labwork. Each exam will count for 25% of your final grade.
  
  
• Final Animation Project: This is a culminating project where students apply and demonstrate mastery of the skills, concepts, and knowledge learned throughout the course. The final project will count for 20% of your final grade.

1. Labwork: 30% Note: All labwork must be submitted to Canvas.
2. Exam 1: 25%
3. Exam 2: 25%
4. Final Animation: 20%

NOTE:

Canvas is used solely as a repository for your submitted work.
Canvas should not be treated as gradesheet for the course.

Grading Scale

100 - 95% 94-90% 89-87% 86-83%

4.0 3.7 3.3 3.0

82-80% 79-77% 76-73% 72-70%

2.7 2.3 2.0 1.7

69-67% 66-63% 62-60% below 60%

1.3 1.0 0.7 0.0

Policies:

• Exams are an essential component of CS103. They are designed to measure mastery of the course material in a controlled environment, since assignments completed outside of class may not reliably demonstrate independent understanding. For this reason:
  Exams are required for all students. They cannot be waived or replaced with alternative assignments.
  Accommodations: Students with documented disabilities are entitled to reasonable accommodations (such as extended time, breaks, or a reduced-distraction testing environment) as determined by the Student Services Office. In order to receive such accommodations, students must provide me with an official accommodation letter from Student Services in advance of the exam.
  Make-up Exams: In the case of illness, emergency, or other University-approved reasons, make-up exams may be arranged in accordance with University policy.
  This policy ensures fairness for all students and upholds the integrity of the course learning objectives.
  
  
• Normal university policies concerning incomplete, etc.
• Make-up for tests requires either 2 weeks of advance notice (in case of planned absence), or a medical statement (in case of unforeseen problem).
• Credit will not be given to labwork turned in late.
• No extra credit work will be given during the semester.
• Any academic dishonesty will result in a failing grade.

ADDITIONAL SYLLABUS STATEMENTS

• Accommodations
  If you are a student with a disability that qualifies for academic accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, contact Academic Success and Accessibility (ASA). ASA is located on the ground floor of the Armacost Library, down the hall from the Jones Computer Center (past the restrooms). You can reach the office at 909-748-8069 or asa@redlands.edu.
  
  
• Office of Equity and Title IX
  In order to provide a safe and equitable learning environment for all students, faculty, and staff, discrimination, harassment, retaliation, sexual misconduct, and sexual harassment (including sexual assault, dating or domestic violence, and stalking) are not tolerated at the University of Redlands. The University prohibits unlawful discrimination or harassment (as defined in the Policy Prohibiting Discrimination, Harassment, Sexual Misconduct, and Retaliation} on the basis of age, color, race, ethnicity, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, pregnancy, status as a complaining party of domestic violence, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, physical or mental disability, genetic information, religion/creed, citizenship status (except to comply with legal requirements for employment), military/veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. If you or someone you know has experienced or experiences any of these behaviors, know that you are not alone. You can contact the Office of Equity and Title IX for reporting options, supportive measures, and resources to support you.
  
  All faculty and staff at the University of Redlands are considered "Responsible Employees," which means that if you tell me about a situation involving any of the above, I must report the matter to the Office of Equity and Title IX. Although I make that report, you are in control of how you would like to proceed, including whether, or not, you wish to pursue a formal complaint. Our goal is to make sure you are aware of the range of reporting options available to you and have access to the support and resources you need.
  
  To report an incident directly, you can:
  
  • contact the Director of Equity & Title IX, Corinne Vorenkamp, at titleix@redlands.edu or 909-748-8916
  • report online
  
  
  You can also report to local law enforcement at (909) 798-7681, ext. 1. If you are ever in immediate danger, please call 911 or email/text 911@redlandspolice.org if you cannot call.
  
  If you wish to speak to someone confidentially (meaning not connecting with the Office of Equity and Title IX Office), you can contact the following resources:
  • Campus: Counseling Service: 909-748-8108 or 24-Hour Crisis Line: 909-748-8960 or
  • Chaplain's Office: 909-748-8368
  • Community: *Partners Against Violence, 24-hour sexual assault crisis line: 909-885-8884
  • *Option House, 24-hour dating/domestic violence crisis line: 909-381-3471
  • *Online chat: https://www.loveisrespect.org/
  For more information, please visit www.redlands.edu/titleixandequity

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

The Counseling Center provides free and confidential short-term mental health services, including individual therapy, group therapy, single session therapy, consultations, and urgent appointments to all students with in-person or virtual options. Our Counseling Center is committed to inclusivity and to providing a supportive space for everyone. Please call 909-748-8108 to schedule an appointment. If a student is in crisis, please call 909-748-8960 for the 24/7 mental health crisis line. For more information, see https://www.redlands.edu/student-affairs/health-and-psychological-services/counseling-center/ Another option for individual therapy for all students is TimelyCare (timelycare.com/Redlands) which provides virtual therapy immediately (Talk Now) or up to 12 scheduled virtual therapy sessions per year. Students can choose their therapist from a list of providers for the scheduled therapy option.

Experiencing a conflict? Whether it's with a friend, roommate, another member of a student organization, or faculty or staff member, conflicts happen. Learning to navigate conflicts is important to success in virtually any field, and a vital step in being a part of a community and having healthy, meaningful relationships with others. See https://sites.redlands.edu/conflict-resolution-center/student-resources/ for more information.

The University CARE Team exists to help provide support and resources to students that are overwhelmed, experiencing significant distress, or possibly present some risk to themselves or others. A s a faculty member, I may reach out to students about whom I am concerned to talk individually, and/or refer them to the CARE Team. If you have concerns about a fellow student, consider sharing your concern with the CARE Team via their online form. This is part of who we are as a caring, proactive community where we all look out for one another.  Additionally, if you feel that you or someone else needs immediate mental health support, the University has a 24/7 mental health crisis line at 009-748-8960, and the Timely Care app, which offers on-demand emotional care. Both services connect to a live, licensed counselor.

The Book Lending Program is an initiative to ensure the academic success of First-Generation students (students who are the first to go to college in their families who meet a particular estimated family contribution [EFC] level). Funded through alumni donations, this program provides books and other classroom materials, when needed, for First-Generation students who could not otherwise afford to purchase them. Books are returned at the end of the course, to be used by other First-Generation students the next semester. The program works alongside the Library and faculty members to ensure the availability of books and classroom materials. For more information, see https://www.redlands.edu/student-affairs/campus-diversity-and-inclusion/programs/first-generation-student-programs/book-lending-program/
Contact: blp@redlands.edu

Student Financial Services (SFS) administers a short-term, no-interest loan fund to assist students experiencing an emergency or cash-flow problem. Except in unusual circumstances, these loans do not exceed $200 and are billed to the student's account. Evidence of repayment ability is a prerequisite for all short-term loans made to students. Students are not eligible for more than one emergency student loan per term.
Contact: SFS@redlands.edu or x8047

The Student Emergency Fund was established by the Associated Students of the University of Redlands (ASUR), funds are available to students who are unable to meet immediate, essential expenses due to temporary hardship related to an unforeseen or emergency situation. Our goal is to provide flexible assistance in a timely manner to help students continue successfully in school. The distribution of funds is agreed upon by committee comprised of representation from Student Affairs, ASUR Cabinet, and Student Financial Services. Awards are not considered loans and do not require repayment. Some funds may be considered income and are therefore subject to federal taxes. The average award ranges between $25 and $400. Students may only be awarded assistance from the ASUR Student Emergency Fund once during their undergraduate career at the University of Redlands. Go to ASUR Emergency Fund App - Presence

These endowed funds in Student Affairs can be used to support student success and remove impediments that otherwise may cause the student to stop or leave school. To utilize this fund, divisional leadership should be made aware of the student in dire need of financial support. This support can be anything from personal expenses, such as utility bills, gas money, emergency trips home due to family tragedy, off-campus counseling, and other medical costs, and occasionally mental health assessment expenses. Students receive grants based on their financial need.
Contact: student_affairs@redlands.edu

The Student Food Support Pantry is a resource available to all established full and part-time University of Redlands students facing food insecurities. The Pantry is located on the north side of North Hall. This space is an open, no-questions-asked space with dried and canned goods, and non-perishable items, as well as seasonal fresh produce from our sustainable farm and limited refrigerated goods. Food for this distribution is provided in partnership with Feeding America Riverside and San Bernardino. It is also funded through private donations, ASUR, and the Office of Community Service Learning. For more information, please contact SURF@redlands.edu