Syllabus
Career Exploration in Visual Communication

Career Exploration in Visual Communication

ARTC-1171

Credit Fall 2021
08/23/2021 - 12/12/2021

Course Information

Section 001
Distance Learning
M 09:00 - 10:00
DLS DIL
Rachel Wyatt

Section 001
Laboratory
M 10:00 - 11:00
DLS DIL
Rachel Wyatt

Office Hours

  • M
    11 - 12
    Online
    Available by Appointment
  • T Th
    3 - 4
    Online
    Available by Appointment

Course Requirements

None

*All courses offered in the Visual Communication department are workforce courses, and may have some transfer restrictions to other colleges. Students interested in transferring courses to another college should speak with our departmental advisor Jen Jones, or their Area of Study advisor.”

Readings

There is no designated textbook for this course. Instead we will utilize the following materials to provide a variety of content for this course:

Course Subjects

Introduction to the process of career decision-making, educational planning, and job searching. Topics include analyzing personal career interests, skills, values, and aptitudes; surveying and researching fields with related educational and training requirements; practicing a decision-making process; and basic job search skills such as completing applications, writing letters of application, developing and using resumes, and interviewing.

 


Week

Competency

Topic

Assessment 

1-2

1

Identify personal strengths and opportunities for growth

Complete personality or skills assessment

3

1

Identify current events, skills, attitudes and behaviors pertinent to the industry

Problem solve real-world industry scenarios

4-5

2

Describe industry opportunities in the local job market

Research various industry opportunities

6-9

3

Discover and connect with resources to achieve your career goals.

Perform a series of Informational Interviews

10

3

Connect with department instructors and staff

Finalize degree program

11-12

4

Create a personal brand

Create portfolio, establish online presence, and construct a successful resume

13

4

Construct a successful resume

Create a physical or digital resume

14-16

5

Prepare and show Professional Journey Capstone Project

Capstone Project

 

Student Learning Outcomes/Learning Objectives

 

  • Analyzing personal career interests, skills, values, and aptitudes; 

  • Surveying and researching fields with related educational and training requirements;

  • Practicing a decision-making process; 

  • Practicing basic job search skills such as completing applications, writing letters of application, developing and using resumes, and interviewing.

 

This course gives students the opportunity to explore opportunities in the visual communications industry and begin the career planning process. Students will expand their understanding of the design profession and learn how to visualize, develop, and execute a strategy for their career. In the end, students will walk away with the opportunity to reflect on their future, define their career goals, build connections, make decisions, and formulate a career plan that can be used throughout their student journey and beyond.

Course Policies

7 | Course Policies Official college policy is italicized

 

Student standards of conduct - Acceptable standards of conduct include behavior that is civil, courteous, and respectful of all members of the campus community, their property, and the property of the college; promotes mutual respect, equality, and safety of its members and opposes those acts that harass. Intimidate, or haze its members. ACC’s policy on student student standards and code of conduct can be found here in the current student handbook: http://www.austincc.edu/handbook

 

online interaction

Throughout the course of the semester, you will be interacting with me, fellow students and outside professionals in critiques and group discussion. You will be both giving and receiving feedback on your work. These critiques will be conducted in various ways, from one-on-one interactions to large group environments. In all instances, classroom behavior should support and enhance learning. I expect everyone to treat one another with understanding, dignity, and respect. 

 

I will not tolerate disruptive behavior, either in a physical classroom or in online environments (video conferencing, chatrooms, etc.). This disruptive behavior may include:

 

  • Persistent speaking without permission 

  • Side conversations or off-topic conversations

  • Engaging in activities not related to the class 

  • Using cell phones for non-related course purposes. Examples: answering calls or sending text messages during class. 

  • Using computers in the classroom for non-course related purposes

  • Sleeping, eating, or other distracting behavior

  • Monopolizing class discussion, refusing to defer to instructor, or listen to others; persisting when the instructor has indicated that the student’s remarks are off topic and it is time to move on

  • Reacting angrily or defensively to critique from guests, instructors, or classmates

  • Sighing, rolling eyes, or muttering when other people are talking

  • Refusing to participate in group activities such as group or peer-to-peer critiques

  • Chronically entering late/leaving early

  • Filming, photographing, or taping the class without the instructor’s prior permission

  • Disputing authority and arguing with faculty and other students 

  • Yelling, arguing, swearing, bullying, or other harassing or intimidating behavior

  • Physically or verbally abusive conduct

  • Failing to follow to the instructor’s rules or instructions

  • Using vulgar or obscene language, slurs, or other forms of intimidation

  • Showing up to class under the influence of alcohol/drugs

  • Threats of any kind 

  • Destruction of property 

  • Any behavior that puts the health or safety of the instructor or other students in the classroom in jeopardy

 

Attendance and participation - Regular and punctual class and laboratory attendance in the virtual classroom is expected of all students.  If attendance or compliance with other course policies is unsatisfactory, the instructor may withdraw students from the class.

 

absences

If for any reason you’re unable to come to class, you will be counted as absent. You are allowed 3 absences. I make no distinction between excused or unexcused absence, so use your absences meaningfully and sparingly. 

 

I will count you absent if you:

  • are not in class

  • leave the class extremely early

  • disappear in the middle of the class for a significant length of time [aka “ghosting”]

  • arrive to class after 9:30 am

 

At your fifth absence, your course grade will drop by a letter grade. Your course grade will drop a further letter grade for each subsequent absence thereafter. If you continue to accumulate absences, I may withdraw you from the course.

 

arriving late 

I will start the class on time. If you are only a few moments late, please log-on quietly—there’s no need to call out to me to tell me you have arrived. If you have a pattern of late attendance your grade and/or your ability to stay in the course may be affected. Four tardies will equal one absence.

 

leaving early

If you must leave class early, please make arrangements with me ahead of time so you'll know what material we'll be covering for the rest of the class period. Leaving class early will count as an absence.

 

critique expectations

Critique is one of our most interactive classroom experiences. The feedback from your peers will help you to develop stronger work. During critique I will expect you to:

  • take notes on paper with pen/pencil when you are receiving feedback from me or your classmates about refining your work. 

  • participate by physically joining the group, answering any questions directed to you, and asking questions to the group

  • pay attention to the person who is speaking

  • not text, eat, drink or sleep during critique

 

 

Withdrawal Policy - It is the responsibility of each student to ensure that his or her name is removed from the roll should he or she decide to withdraw from the class. The instructor does, however, reserve the right to drop a student should he or she feel it is necessary. If a student decides to withdraw, he or she should also verify that the withdrawal is submitted before the Final Withdrawal Date. The student is also strongly encouraged to retain their copy of the withdrawal form for their records.

 

Students who enroll for the third or subsequent time in a course taken since Fall, 2002, may be charged a higher tuition rate, for that course.

 

State law permits students to withdraw from no more than six courses during their entire undergraduate career at Texas public colleges or universities. With certain exceptions, all course withdrawals automatically count towards this limit. Details regarding this policy can be found in the ACC college catalog.

 

Missed or late work - Assignments are due at the beginning of class periods. If you turn an assignment in after that, your project is late, and you will receive a grade reduction on your work.

 

Written Responses: This is work assigned at the end of every class period and typically includes process work for a major project, or minor and/or in-class exercises. These assignments are due by 9:15am of the date due. You will only receive credit for the work you’ve completed. I will not accept late daily homework assignments.

 

Projects: Both major and minor projects are listed on the schedule, and are the sum total of all process work and your final solution. These assignments are due at the beginning of class periods. I will accept late major projects, but I will lower a major project one letter grade for each class day that it is late.

 

What if I’m absent and miss assignment deadlines? You can turn in work when you return, and I will give you one day of make up for each day you miss. You won’t receive a late penalty.

 

However, if you are absent, it’s your responsibility to track what work you will miss and how you will make it up. I will not remind you. You must:

  • notify me by email when you will be / are absent. It’s not enough to tell me verbally.

  • find out from online resources, myself or classmates what assignments you’ve missed

  • notify me by email the dates that you will complete your missed assignments

 

Course Homework Expectations - As a profession, graphic design is extremely work intensive. Professional designers may routinely find themselves working much more than 40 hours per week. This typography course packs a lot of information in a short amount of time.

 

It’s essential for you to work on your assignments outside of class time. I will assign work every class period for completion by the next class period. You will have work over the weekends. The amount of time you’ll spend on work outside of class will vary depending on your experience, skill and knowledge, but the typical rule of thumb is to calculate double the amount of time for each hour in the course.

 

Although this is a lab class, there may be some classes at the beginning of projects when we will take all or most of the time to critique. Homework at these classes typically involve research and/or sketches. We will also have days where it’s mostly lab time in class. If you don’t have a computer accessible to you outside of this lab course, you’ll have to schedule time to work during open lab slots during the week or weekend.

 

Incomplete - An instructor may award a grade of “I” (Incomplete) if a student was unable to complete all of the objectives for the passing grade in a course. An incomplete grade cannot be carried beyond the established date in the following semester. The completion date is determined by the instructor but may not be later than the final deadline for withdrawal in the subsequent semester. 

 

Students receiving an “I” for Spring 2020 or Summer 2020 may complete remaining course requirements and convert the I to a completion grade during the Summer or Fall 2020 semesters. The final date for conversion of spring and summer semester incompletes is November 19th, 2020; the published final fall conversion date for Incompletes.

 

Students receiving an “I” for Spring 2020 or Summer 2020 who have not completed course requirements by the November 19th, 2020 extended conversion date may request that the I be converted to a W and that they receive a voucher to take the course in Spring 2021. These requests will be considered by the COVID-19 Spring 2021 Hardship Review Committee. Approval would require extenuating circumstances that did not allow the student to complete the course requirements during the extended completion time.  

 

Students may request an Incomplete from their faculty member if they believe circumstances warrant.  The faculty member will determine whether the Incomplete is appropriate to award or not. The following processes must be followed when awarding a student an I grade. 

 

  1. Prior to the end of the semester in which the “I” is to be awarded, the student must meet with the instructor to determine the assignments and exams that must be completed prior to the deadline date. This meeting can occur virtually or in person. The instructor should complete the Report of Incomplete Grade form.

  2. The faculty member will complete the form, including all requirements to complete the course and the due date, sign (by typing in name) and then email it to the student. The student will then complete his/her section, sign (by typing in name), and return the completed form to the faculty member to complete the agreement. A copy of the fully completed form can then be emailed by the faculty member to the student and the department chair for each grade of Incomplete that the faculty member submits at the end of the semester.   

  3. The student must complete all remaining work by the date specified on the form above. This date is determined by the instructor in collaboration with the student, but it may not be later than the final withdrawal deadline in the subsequent long semester.  

  4. Students will retain access to the course Blackboard page through the subsequent semester in order to submit work and complete the course. Students will be able to log on to Blackboard and have access to the course section materials, assignments, and grades from the course and semester in which the Incomplete was awarded.  

  5. When the student completes the required work by the Incomplete deadline, the instructor will submit an electronic Grade Change Form to change the student’s performance grade from an “I” to the earned grade of A, B, C, D, or F. 

  6. If an Incomplete is not resolved by the deadline, the grade automatically converts to an “F.”  Approval to carry an Incomplete for longer than the following semester or session deadline is not frequently granted.

 

Copyright – The software programs used in the labs are licensed to the college, which is the original purchaser. Thus students cannot duplicate the software for their personal use. Do not use college equipment to duplicate software for other students or to produce work-for-profit.

 

Do not download, copy or scan copyrighted material for use in your projects unless it meets the Fair Use guidelines below and the copyright holder is properly credited.

 

 

Fair Use is an important element of U.S. copyright law that allows for the use of copyrighted work without asking permission of the copyright holder, especially when the copyrighted work is used for criticism, scholarship, and education. Under the Fair Use guidelines students may:

 

For more information on Fair Use see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fair_use

 

 

Official Communications - The college uses ACCmail as the preferred means of communicating with students for most circumstances. You are assigned a personal ACCmail account that can be accessed through any web-based browser. It is your responsibility to receive and read email communications. Communications are considered properly delivered when they are sent through ACCmail. The college periodically mails items to the physical address listed on your student record. It is your responsibility to keep the address updated to ensure proper delivery. Instructions for activating an ACCmail account can be found at www.austincc.edu/accmail/

 

As your instructor, I will email you only at your ACC account. Likewise, you should use your ACC account when communicating with instructors and staff. 

 

For this course, I will:

  • try to answer emails by 10:00 pm, Monday - Thursday. If I get your email after 6:00pm you will get a response on or before the following class day.

  • not normally answer emails over the weekend from 3:00pm Friday to 10:00am Monday.

  • only answer questions from your ACC email account to mine; or from Blackboard

 

 

Cell phone policy - Please silence your phone during scheduled class times. Please do not check your phone or text during class time; you may check messages during your break.

8 | Visual Communications Lab and Tutoring

 

All classes and support services will be online. There will be no access to classrooms, including open labs and printers. Tutoring will be available online—a tutoring schedule will be available early in the semester.

 

9 | Etiquette Guide for Online Courses

It is important to recognize that the online classroom is in fact a classroom, and certain behaviors are expected when you communicate with both your peers and your instructors. These skills will be valuable in the workforce, so now is the time to establish good habits.

 

Security 

Remember that your password is the only thing protecting you from pranks or more serious harm. 

  • Don't share your password with anyone. 

  • Change your password if you think someone else might know it. 

  • Always log out when you are finished using the system. 

  • Be careful with personal information (both yours and others’). 

General Guidelines

When communicating online, you should always:

  • Treat your instructor and classmates with respect in email or any other communication. 

  • Use clear, concise language. 

  • Remember that all college-level communication should have correct spelling and grammar (this includes discussion boards). 

  • Avoid slang terms such as “wassup?” and texting abbreviations such as “u” instead of “you.” 

  • Avoid using the caps lock feature AS IT CAN BE INTERPRETED AS YELLING. 

  • Limit and possibly avoid the use of emoticons like :) 

  • Be cautious when using humor or sarcasm as tone is sometimes lost in an email or discussion post and your message might be taken seriously or sound offensive. 

  • Before asking a question, check the instructor’s FAQs or search your Learning Management System resources and/or the internet to see if the answer is obvious or easy to find.

Email Etiquette

When you send an email to your instructor, or classmates, you should: 

  • Use a descriptive subject line. 

  • Begin with an appropriate greeting or salutation (for formal emails, “Dear Dr. Rhodes:” or more casual emails could use, “Hi Anna,”).

  • Be brief. 

  • Avoid attachments unless you are sure your recipients can open them. 

  • Avoid HTML in favor of plain text. 

  • Sign your message with your name. 

  • Think before you send the email to more than one person. Does everyone really need to see your message? 

  • Avoid using “reply all.” 

  • Be sure that the message author intended for the information to be passed along before you click the “forward” button. 

  • If you must forward an email chain to someone, summarize questions or concerns in your email.

  • When emailing college staff with requests that will require them to look up your records, include your eID in your signature.

Message Board Etiquette and Guidelines

When posting on the Discussion Board in your online class, you should: 

  • Make posts that are on topic and within the scope of the course material. 

  • Take your posts seriously and review and edit your posts before sending. 

  • Be as brief as possible while still making a thorough comment. 

  • Always give proper credit when referencing or quoting another source. 

  • Be sure to read all messages in a thread before replying. 

  • Don’t wait until the last minute to make your post. Allow time for other students to respond before the deadline. Likewise, don’t wait to post your replies until the deadline; the author deserves an opportunity to address any questions you have or respond to points you make.

  • Avoid short, generic replies such as, “I agree.” You should include why you agree or add to the previous point. 

  • Always be respectful of others’ opinions even when they differ from your own. 

  • When you disagree with someone, you should express your differing opinion in a respectful, non-critical way. 

  • Do not make personal or insulting remarks. 

  • Be open-minded.

HEALTH & SAFETY PROTOCOLS ADDENDUM

HEALTH & SAFETY PROTOCOLS ADDENDUM 

The rapidly changing situation with regard to the recent surge in COVID cases has led to  Austin Community College updating their health and safety protocols even from what  was in place last week. As a result, the wording in the master syllabus template,  specifically the section on health & safety protocols under College Policies, is no longer  accurate. 

However, given the high state of uncertainty about how the situation will develop, it has  been decided that rather than revising the template repeatedly (and forcing those who  have already written their syllabi for this fall to do it again), faculty should incorporate  the wording as it is provided in the template into their course syllabi and first-day  handouts. 

But, if you would, please distribute to your students this addendum that details the  current health & safety protocols as they stand at this time. Most importantly, ALL  FACULTY, STAFF, AND STUDENTS SHOULD FREQUENTLY VISIT ACC’S COVID WEBSITE AT https://www.austincc.edu/coronavirus FOR THE LATEST UPDATES AND GUIDANCE. 

Operational areas of ACC campuses and centers are fully open and accessible through  all public entrances. While some health & safety protocols are no longer mandatory,  the college encourages its staff, faculty, and students to be mindful of the well-being of  all individuals on campus. If you feel sick, feverish, or unwell, please do not come to  campus. 

Some important things to remember: 

Face Masks Required - On Friday, August 13, 2021, the ACC Board of Trustees  unanimously approved a face mask mandate at ACC. Effective August 20,  2021, anyone who is 2 years of age or older will be required to wear a face mask  in all ACC buildings. 

Virtual Learning for the First 3 Weeks - ACC will scale back the number of students  and employees on campus when the fall semester begins. Many courses will be  held online for the first three weeks of the semester from August 23 through  September 12. Courses that require in-person instruction, including some labs,  will still be held on-campus. Those that can be moved to online formats will do so  for this period. 

Health Screening Required - Starting Monday, August 16, 2021, ACC’s health app  will be required for all students, employees, and visitors. Download the app here.  If you’re exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 or have tested positive, the app will  provide you information about steps you can take to report your illness. 

Vaccination Clinics - ACC hosts a series of on-campus COVID-19 vaccination  clinics for eligible members of the ACC community. Clinics are offered at select  campuses districtwide. The clinics are offered in partnership with Austin Public  Health and Travis County Fire & Rescue. The vaccination schedule is available  here. All appointments are walk-up and available on a first-come, first-served  basis unless otherwise noted. The college strongly urges those who are eligible  for the COVID-19 vaccine to get one.  

COVID Testing - If you are experiencing COVID-19-related symptoms, please get  a COVID-19 test as soon as possible before returning to an ACC facility. Testing is  now widely available. If you test positive, please report it on the ACC self reporting tool located here. Please do not come to campus if you are feeling ill or if you test positive for COVID-19. 

Social Distancing - The college asks that we all continue to respect the personal  space of others. We are encouraging 3 feet of social distancing. 

  

Identification - ACC ID badges or Student ID cards will be required for all  employees and students upon entry.