Engineering Technology Department
College of Business & Technology
Western Illinois University
Knoblauch 135
1 University Circle
Macomb, IL 61455-1390
Graphic Communications 111-1: Graphic Communication Foundations
Spring 2012
Meets at 12:00-1:50 PM on Tuesday and Thursday.
The class meets in Knoblauch Hall, Room 34B.
3 semester hours
Catalogue Description:
GCOM 111 – Graphic Communication Foundations. Overview of the Graphic Communication
Industry. Topics include the history and conventional techniques used in printing, hardware and
software tools used in the industry, and basic principles and methods used in the creation of print and
non-print-based layouts.
2 hours.lecture; 2 hrs.lab.
Instructor Information:
Joyce A. Runquist
Knoblauch Hall B33
Office/Voicemail: 298-1860
Online Course Content: http://westernonline.wiu.edu/
E-mail: Ja-Runquist@wiu.edu
Office Hours: Monday, Wednesday: 12:00 PM -1:00 PM; Tuesday & Thursday: 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM;
other times by appointment.
8:00
9:00
10:00
11:00
12:00
1:00
2:00
3:00
4:00
Monday
GCOM 217-01
GCOM 217-01
GCOM 217-02
GCOM 217-02
Office Hour
Tuesday
Office Hour
GCOM 111-01
GCOM 111-01
GCOM 211-01
GCOM 211-01
Wednesday
GCOM 217-01
GCOM 217-01
GCOM 217-02
GCOM 217-02
Office Hour
Thursday
Office Hour
GCOM 111-01
GCOM 111-01
GCOM 211-01
GCOM 211-01
Friday
Required Text:
Non-Designer’s Design Book
by Williams (Author)
Pearson– Publisher - 2008
ISBN - 9780321534040
Special Course Costs:
Students of this course are required to pay a special course charge of $25 for each lab-related course in
the Engineering Technology Department. This money is used to support the consumable items used
during the course.
Payment of the course cost is a required portion of the class and must be paid after the second week of
the semester but prior to your final exam. If you fail to pay your course cost, you will receive a grade of
"I" for the course until the lab fee is paid or the university automatically changes the grade from "I" to
"F" according to the University Policy. If the grade is changed to an "F", the grade will remain an F on
your permanent transcript, regardless of payment.
Payments can be made to the Engineering Technology department office (Knoblauch Hall 135) any time
after the beginning of the third week of classes. Also, for the convenience of the students, the instructor
will announce one date that a staff member will visit the classroom to collect course charges en masse.
It is recommended that students’ pay by check made out to "WIU". Likewise, the student should expect
a receipt to serve as proof of payment.
If you have questions or concerns, please direct them to the staff in Knoblauch Hall 135 or call 309/2981091.
Required Technologies:
Students must furnish their own thumb (flash) drives to record their files. Students also are responsible
for keeping their own back-ups. Files left on the server are at student’s own risk – they can be deleted
or damaged by others, so make sure to take a copy with you.
Computers:
Students must have access to computers and Internet. Students should have access to a Macintosh or
Windows compatible and the appropriate software. There are University operated, fee supported
laboratories in Library, Horrabin, and in most of the dormitories. Graphic Communication labs may be
used during open lab times.
Class Web Site: http://westernonline.wiu.edu/
Attendance:
It is the policy of the university that students attend classes at all times except when unable due to illness
or emergency. The instructor is under no obligation to the student to aid in makeup for unexcused
absences. Arriving late and leaving early is not recommended. Attendance will be taken through out the
semester and will account toward the student’s final grade. Coming to class tardy 3 times counts as 1
absence. Perfect attendance allows for a student to drop their lowest grade at the end of the semester.
Department of Engineering Technology Goals for Student Learning:
Engineering Technology (Construction Management, Graphic Communication, Manufacturing
Engineering Technology) is a field of study designed to provide students educational programs that
allow them to communicate effectively, design and apply technical solutions, use technology effectively,
and respond to project management tasks in an environment with continually changing and sophisticated
technology in an increasingly competitive global marketplace.
By graduation, Engineering Technology students should be able to:
1. Think critically and creatively;
2. Understand the theoretical principles of the profession;
3. Understand and apply relevant technology in the solution of technical problems;
4. Organize, manage, and maintain projects;
5. Develop an appreciation for ethical and professional practices;
6. Develop and refine oral, written, and visual communication skills;
7. Demonstrate an overall competency in the program objectives.
Course Objectives:
After successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
1. Identify major events in the history of printing
2. Identify and explain the major characteristics of the various printing processes including screen
printing, lithography and flexography
3. Identify and correctly label various type classifications
4. Become familiar with benefits and drawbacks of vector and pixel based graphics
5. Become familiar different tools and methods used in the creation of simple print and web-based
layouts and be able to effectively use these tools in the creation of those layouts
6. Become familiar with the principles of design and various elements of design
Last Day to Drop Course:
April 1, 2012 Last day to drop regular 16-week course and receive "W" grade.
Course Outline:
Weeks 1-2: Introduction & What is Graphic Communication
Week 3: Careers
Weeks 4-5: Introduction to Design Elements
Week 6 & 7: Color Theory
Midterm: Week 7
Weeks 8-9: Type
Weeks 10-11: Hardware & Software
Weeks 12-16: Project and Application of Software Tools
Final Exam: Tuesday, May 8th, 2012, at 1:00 PM. Any exceptions to the final exam schedule must be
approved by department chair and the Dean of the College of Business and Technology in writing
including student’s name, ID# and signatures.
*Subject to change with notice*
Grading Information:
Tests and quizzes account for 30% of the total grade. Regular assignments, class presentations, and
abstracts account for 60% of the total grade. Class participation and attendance accounts for 10% of the
total grade. Grades can be found at the following website: http://www.wiu.edu/users/murlr/students. You
will need to login using your class, name and password that is found in Western-Online.
Grading scale:
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
CD+
D
DF
93% and above
90 – 92% of maximum possible points
87-89%
83-86%
80 – 82% of maximum possible points
77-79%
73-76%
70 – 72% of maximum possible points
67-69%
63-66%
60 – 62% of maximum possible points
59% or less
Late Assignments:
Late assignments should be discussed with the instructor on an individual basis. Assignments are due at
the beginning of class. Late assignments will be assessed a 10% deduction for each DAY late.
Assignments five or more days late will be counted as a zero.
Assessments:
Four tests will be administered over the course of the semester. Students are expected to take the test at
the assigned times. MP3 players, cellular phones and PDAs should be turned off during lecture times
and will not be allowed during test times. During an exam, if a student leaves the room (i.e. to get a
drink, place a call, use the restroom, etc.) the examination will be considered completed at that point.
Rules for Giving an Incomplete:
WIU policy – A temporary symbol of I (Incomplete) for a course may be given only when a student, due
to circumstances beyond his or her control, has been unable to complete the course requirements within
the official limits of the term. The circumstances must be documented to the instructor’s satisfaction.
Laboratory Guidelines:
1. No smoking, food or drink in the laboratories; if you want to use a water or drink container that
can be sealed you are welcome to keep it under your computer desk or in your backpack; do not
set these bottles next to your keyboard, and do not munch on greasy food right before using a
keyboard J;
2. Students are responsible for cleaning up their work area. Clean up should be done during class
and at the end of class. This ensures a clean environment for other students and other classes.
Failure to clean up work areas will result in loss of participation points, and a dirty laboratory in
which to complete our projects;
3. Computers in the lab are for work in this class only. Students may save appropriate files to the
computers and the server, as long as the files are related to this class;
4. Printing from computers is for the sole purpose of completing class assignments. Do not use the
laser printers in either of the GCOM lab’s to print out work for other classes;
5. Paper is expensive, so please be careful to print only what you need, and please recycle all paper
that you print out but cannot use. If you are having problems printing something, do not continue
to hit PRINT over and over again. Stop your print job and see me. Save a tree!
6. IMPORTANT NOTE: Cell phones are prohibited from ringing in the classroom and the
laboratory. Make sure they are turned off, or at least have them on vibrate. Also, if you are
working during lab hours, do not just chat away on your cell phone in the lab, take your phone
call into the hallway so that the other students around you can focus on their work and not listen
to your conversation about what might be going on at the Café that night;
7. Headphones/Music: I love music and often will play music during the lab times. I know some of
you feel the same way. So, feel free to bring in your
Ipod and your headphones. During normal lab times you are welcome to listen to it at a
reasonable volume level. If the student next to you can hear that you are listening to the Grateful
Dead, the volume is too high. Respect the students around you. You will not be allowed to wear
headphones during any type of examination.
8. Internet/E-mail: you are welcome to surf and check your e-mail before or after class, or during
lab time. I do not want you surfing, chatting, or e-mailing as I am lecturing or during times
which you are supposed to be doing something class related. If you insist on surfing while I
lecture, I will deduct points from your participation grade. If you are caught downloading illegal
software or viewing inappropriate sites, you will automatically be banned from the computer lab
during open lab hours, and have all of your participation points removed from your final grade.
Academic Integrity:
Preamble:
Western Illinois University, like all communities, functions best when its members treat one another
with honesty, fairness, respect, and trust. Students have rights and responsibilities
(http://www.wiu.edu/provost/students/) and students should realize that deception for individual gain is
an offense against the members of the entire community, and it is the student's responsibility to be
informed and to abide by all University regulations and policies on Academic Integrity.
Plagiarism, cheating, and other forms of academic dishonesty constitute a serious violation of
University conduct regulations. Students who engage in dishonesty in any form shall be charged with
academic dishonesty.
It is a duty of faculty members to take measures to preserve and transmit the values of the academic
community in the learning environment that they create for their students and in their own academic
pursuits. To this end, they are expected to instill in their students a respect for integrity and a desire to
behave honestly. They are also expected to take measures to discourage student academic dishonesty,
to adjust grades appropriately if academic dishonesty is encountered, and, when warranted, to
recommend that additional administrative sanctions be considered. Grading policies are the exclusive
prerogative of the faculty; administrative sanctions are under the authority of the Director of Student
Judicial Programs. This document provides policies and procedures to be followed when academic
dishonesty is encountered.
Definitions of Academic Dishonesty:
The following definitions and examples are not meant to be exhaustive. The University reserves the
right to determine, in a given instance, what action constitutes a violation of academic integrity. (See
www.wiu.edu/policies/acintegrity.php for complete descriptions of the following topics:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Plagiarism
Fabrication and Falsification
Cheating
Complicity in Academic Dishonesty
Abuse of Academic Materials
Multiple Submissions
Reporting Academic Dishonesty:
All members of the University community share the responsibility and authority to challenge and make
known acts of apparent academic dishonesty. Any student, faculty member, or staff person who has
witnessed an apparent act of student academic dishonesty, or has information that reasonably leads to
the conclusion that such an act has occurred or has been attempted, has an ethical responsibility for
reporting said act(s). Confronting and reporting academic dishonesty can be done in a variety of ways,
and people should choose the manner most appropriate for the circumstances. Acts of apparent academic
dishonesty that occur in the classroom should be reported directly to the course instructor, and/or the
course instructor's Department Chair, and/or the instructor's College Dean. The Council on Admission,
Graduation, and Academic Standards (CAGAS) or the Graduate Council will not accept or act upon
anonymous reports, but will hold in strict confidence the identity of any person reporting a suspected
instance of academic dishonesty, unless that person consents to having his/her identity revealed.
Access & Disabilities:
In accordance with University policy and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), academic
accommodations may be made for any student who notifies the instructor of the need for an
accommodation. For the instructor to provide the proper accommodation(s) you must obtain
documentation of the need for an accommodation through Disability Resource Center (DRC) and
provide it to the instructor. It is imperative that you take the initiative to bring such needs to the
instructor's attention, as he/she is not legally permitted to inquire about such particular needs of students.
Students who may require special assistance in emergency evacuations (i.e. fire, tornado, etc.) should
contact the instructor as to the most appropriate procedures to follow in such an emergency. Contact
Disability Resource Center (DRC) at 298-2512 for additional services.
Resolution of Problems:
Should a problem occur, students should speak to their instructor first. If the problem is not resolved,
meet with the chair of the department. If the problem continues to be unresolved, go to the College of
Business and Technology’s Dean.
Students should observe the following sequence for the resolution of problems:
Student --- Instructor --- Chairperson --- Dean
Syllabus subject to change with notice.