Engineering Technology Department College of Business &
Technology Western Illinois University
Knoblauch 135
1 University Circle
Macomb, IL 61455-1390
Graphic Communications 112-1: Introduction to Graphic Communication
Fall 2015
Meets at 10:00-11:50 AM on Tuesday and Thursday.
The class meets in Knoblauch Hall, Room 34B.
3 semester hours
Catalogue Description:
GCOM 112 - Introduction to Graphic Communication. A study of the graphic communication industries
including composition, photoconversion, press work, and finishing operations.
2 hours.lecture; 2 hrs.lab.
Course Objectives:
At the completion of the course, the student will:
• Demonstrate an ability, and an understanding, to produce graphic material by the common reproduction
processes of offset lithography, screen-printing, digital duplicator and laser printing;
• Demonstrate an understanding in basic color theory, and how images are printed;
• Demonstrate an understanding of basic graphic design principles;
• Demonstrate an understanding of the theories of each of the common graphic reproduction processes;
• Be aware and able to use some of the industrial versions and methods of the common graphic
reproduction processes;
• Understand the general structure of the printing industry and its support industries and be aware of the various
careers available in the Graphic Communication industry;
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 1-2 PM, and Tuesday &Thursday at 9-10 AM - other times by appointment.
8:00
9:00
10:00
11:00
12:00
1:00
2:00
3:00
4:00
Monday
GCOM 117 -­‐ 1
GCOM 117 -­‐ 1
GCOM 212 -­‐ 1
GCOM 212 -­‐ 1
Office Hour
GCOM 111
GCOM 111 Tuesday
Office Hour
GCOM 112 -­‐ 1
GCOM 112 -­‐ 1
UNIV 100-­‐57(12:30)
UNIV 100-­‐57(1:20)
UNIV 100-­‐69
Required Text:
Graphic Communications: The Printed Image
by Prust (Author)
Goodheart-Willcox Co; 5th edition – Publisher - 2009
ISBN - 978-1605250618
Wednesday
GCOM 117 -­‐ 1
GCOM 117 -­‐ 1
GCOM 212 -­‐ 1
GCOM 212 -­‐ 1
Thursday
Office Hour
GCOM 112 -­‐ 1
GCOM 112 -­‐ 1
Office Hour
GCOM 111
GCOM 111 Friday
Class Web site:
http://westernonline.wiu.edu/ 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. 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 309/298-1091.
Required Technologies:
Students must furnish their own thumb (flash) drives or cloud space to record their files. Students also are responsible
for keeping their own back-ups. Files left on the server or lab computers are at student’s own risk – they can be
deleted or damaged by others, so make sure to take a copy with you.
Computers & Software:
Students must have access to computers and the Internet. Students should have access to a Macintosh or Windows
compatible and the appropriate software. There are University operated, fee supported laboratories in Library (Digital
Commons Area – check out laptop), Horrabin Hall, and in most of the dormitories. Graphic Communication labs may
be used during open lab times, http://wiu.edu/users/mucad11/LabHours-­‐Fl15.png
Students must have access to Adobe Creative Suite CS6 and QuarkXPress. If using a newer version of the software
then what is provided in the lab, make sure to down save the file.
Supplies:
The majority of supplies are furnished by the university. The student is responsible for the purchase of a
notebook, folder, and a portable storage device (USB thumbdrive) of cloud space.
The notebook you have for this class will be used to store assignments and projects.
Your folder does not have to be new and pretty, it just needs to be functional. You are welcome to use a folder from an
old class, but you will need to turn in the majority of your assignments in this folder, as most assignments will consist of
more than one sheet of paper.
You will also be responsible for buying your textbook (where you buy it is up to you).
You should also plan on bringing a pencil to class, as we will be drawing the old fashioned way in addition to working
on the computer.
E-mail:
The main mode of communication outside of the classroom will be through WIU's email system.
Students should expect to check their Zimbra email with frequency about course related items.
If you request an appointment with the instructor, utilize Zimbra's appointment feature to request a mutually
agreeable time. The instructors will accept/decline to provide notice that the time will/won't work.
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.
Last Day to Drop Course:
November 1st, 2015 Last day to drop regular 16-week course and receive "W" grade.
Attendance/Participation:
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 and participation will be taken every class period and combined will account for
10% of the student’s final grade.
5 points will be given each day for attendance/participation:
1-point deduction will be giving for being disruptive to the classroom
2-point deduction will be giving for being on cellphone
3-point deduction will be giving for being on social media
5-point deduction will be giving for falling asleep
Coming to class tardy (late) three times counts as one absence. Perfect attendance allows for a student to drop their
lowest homework score at the end of the semester. I allow for two excused absence a semester, but I have to be notified
by the OARS System (SEE LINK BELOW) that you will be missing before class time, other wise you will be counted
absent.
WIU has developed a new absence reporting system that students may use to report absences from classes. The
following is a link to that resource: https://www.wiu.edu/OARS/; if you will be missing class, please use this form.
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.
WIU Graphic Communication Program Competencies: By graduation, Graphic Communication students should be
able to:
1. Develop an in-depth knowledge of the characteristics of graphic design in printing and online publishing
processes;
2. Demonstrate competency in the operation and maintenance of computer hardware, software and
printing/publishing equipment;
3. Apply resource and project management principles used in the graphic communication industry;
4. Demonstrate competency in oral, written, and graphic communication;
5. Develop critical thinking and problem solving skills necessary to compete in industry;
*This course will address all of the program competencies listed above.*
Course Outline:
Week 1: Introduction and History
Week 2: Design Elements and Principles of Design
Weeks 3-8: Types of Printing
Midterm: Week 7
Weeks 9-12: Project and Application of Design Elements
Weeks 13-15: Advanced Project Design
Final Exam: Tuesday, December 15th, 2015, at 10:00 AM. 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.
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 will be emailed
throughout the semester using Zimbra (Western’s Email).
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
CD+
D
DF
93% and above
90 – 92.9% of maximum possible points
87-89.9%
83-86.9%
80 – 82.9% of maximum possible points
77-79.9%
73-76.9%
70 – 72.9% of maximum possible points
67-69.9%
63-66.9%
60 – 62.9% of maximum possible points
59.9% 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. This includes weekends.
Assessments:
Two 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. Students are only allowed to work in the printing laboratory during the assigned class times, unless the
instructor has given permission to do so outside of regular class time. Students are allowed to work in the
computer lab without the instructor present, and the times for computer lab open sessions will be posted;
2. 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;
3. 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;
4. 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;
5. 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;
6. 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!
7. 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;
8. 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.
9. 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.
Safety:
Safety is an important and crucial factor in the Graphic Communication Industry. It is equally, or more, important
within the setting of this class and the laboratory. All students should abide by the following procedures:
1. All students are required to wear safety glasses in critical eye-safety areas, such as the press area;
2. No student will operate any piece of equipment before the instructor has demonstrated the correct
manner to use the equipment;
3. Students with long hair are required to tie hair back or wear a net when operating equipment;
4. Neckties and other loose clothing should not be worn around operating equipment;
5. Long sleeve shirts should have their sleeves secured or rolled up;
6. Necklaces and other jewelry must be secured or removed before operating equipment;
7. Chemistry must be handled with extreme caution;
8. While operating equipment students must always be focused on the task at hand! Students who are not
focused have a much better chance of having an accident. Therefore, only students operating a particular
piece of equipment will be allowed to be around that said piece of equipment;
9. Any accidents should be reported to the instructor immediately.
Any student violating any of these procedures will immediately have lab privileges suspended for a period of time
specified by the instructor.
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.
Plagiarism
2.
Fabrication and Falsification
3.
Cheating
4.
Complicity in Academic Dishonesty
5.
Abuse of Academic Materials
6.
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:
“Students with disabilities: In accordance with University values and disability law, students with disabilities may request
academic accommodations where there are aspects of a course that result in barriers to inclusion or accurate assessment of
achievement. To file an official request for disability-related accommodations, please contact the Disability Resource
Center at 309-298-2512, disability@wiu.edu or in 143 Memorial Hall. Please notify the instructor as soon as possible to
ensure that this course is accessible to you in a timely manner.
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.