GCOM 415(G)
Printing Production Management
Spring 2010
Dr. Charles Weiss, Assistant Professor
CT-Weiss@wiu.edu
Knoblauch Hall B37
(309) 298-1488
CT-Weiss@wiu.edu
GCOM 415 meets from 1:00 p.m. - 2:50 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday in Knoblauch Hall
B 51. All students in this course should have taken GCOM 211, 217, and 312. This requirement is
based on the idea that this is one of the capstone courses for the graphic communication major and
it is important that each student come into the class with a good understanding of all or most of the
other graphic communication courses offered here in our department. Upon completion of this
course each student will have a good understanding of the current trends in the printing and design
industries, and how a printing production functions in almost every aspect.
Information regarding Printing Production Management
CATALOG DESCRIPTION: A practical application in the operation of a printing plant with emphasis
upon specific production and planning techniques characteristic of the printing industry.
TEXT/CONTENT: you will be required to purchase Pocket Pal. We will use this extensively and the
book will be a great resource for everything graphic communications. You can get it at the
bookstore, or order it online.
Required Text: Pocket Pal: the handy little book of graphic arts production
20th Edition - 2007
Published by International Paper
• Other References
• National Association of Printers and Lithographers series of publication on management,
• American Printer, Graphic Arts Monthly, and other printing magazines.
• Other handouts by the instructor, provided through WesternOnline and in paper form.
• Reserve readings through the library may also be used.
CLASS WEB SITE:
Every student enrolled in this class will be required to log in and use the university Westernonline
system. Quizzes and tests may be administered through this online course delivery system, and the
site will also be the location for course materials, handouts, and links to helpful information.
Students will also be required to log in to check for announcements. The Web site can be accessed
through the following link.
https://westernonline.wiu.edu/
Log in using your “ecom” information and password. Please note this is the same as your e-mail log
in and password. I will assist you in logging in if you have problems. I cannot assign you an “ecom”
account, and I do not have access to your info or passwords. You will have to contact UCSS
directly if you are having problems logging into the WebCT system. For questions concerning
access to Westernonline you can call 298-2704.
If you miss a class for some reason, check the Westernonline site to find out what you may have
missed. Often times I will post assignments directly on the course Web site. I will also try to update
the weekly announcements so that you will know of upcoming deadlines.
COURSE OBJECTIVE: The main objective of this course is to acquaint the student with the
management responsibilities and problems involved in production printing, as well as practical
knowledge of having a job in the industry. Upon completion of this course, a student should be:
• Able to complete a functional and practical business plan;
• Versed in estimating methods used for determining customer charges for unit cost of
production, including by hand, software, and other means;
• Acquainted with various printing processes and techniques utilized in the graphic arts
industry;
• Familiar with layout requirements of a production facility and the criteria used in
determining the general physical and mechanical recommendations;
• Familiar with the time frame it takes for a company to design, print, and deliver products
(i.e. having it done yesterday is not fast enough);
• Proficient in writing technical reports, and what it means to write in a technical manner;
• Familiar with personnel job descriptions, hiring practices and working conditions
utilized in the printing and design industry;
• Familiar with management practices and structure;
• Able to follow a job from the initial design stage all the way to the delivery stage, and
understand the steps in between;
• Able to produce advanced electronic presentations using PowerPoint;
• Ready to get a job!
COURSE LOGISTICS
Attendance Policy:
In a class such as this, the only way to learn as a student is to be present. Therefore, students are
required to attend class. At the same time, I am not your parent, and it will be your responsibility to
attend class on a regular basis. I will not be taking roll through out the semester, but it is required
that you be in class on a regular basis…. If you are not in class, you will not be learning with the
other students, and you WILL fall behind. In the case of unexcused absences, I am under no
obligation to aid you, the student, in making up missed assignments or missed lectures.
Excused absences are those that you tell me about before hand, or those that happen under
unexpected consequences such as a death or illness. Unexpected consequences do not include
hangovers, naps, or sunny afternoons in the spring. In all cases of absences, it is your responsibility
to get the lecture material you missed, or find out what projects we may have started or finished. In
addition, arriving late and leaving early will be not be acceptable, unless you have a good reason to
do so. Each student is expected to stay to the end of the scheduled class period and aid classmates
with learning opportunities and lab cleanup. Absences, late arrivals, and early departures will have a
direct effect on your grade. If you decide to take a week or two off, I can guarantee that your grade
will be directly affected and you will have a hard time passing the course. Someone is paying for
you to be in this class, so take advantage of my knowledge and desire to teach, and be in class on a
regular basis.
The nature of this course will be the following: There are 4 hours of contact hours between students
and the instructor each week. At the beginning of the semester much of this time will be spent with
lectures, and in-class exercises. As the semester progresses the contact hours may change so that
student's have more individualized lab hours, as well as individual or small group meetings with the
professor. This shift on class focus will be discussed in more detail as the semester proceeds.
Failure for students to stay on top of their weekly workload will result in lower grade results, and
possible failure of the class.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Cell phones are prohibited in the classroom and the laboratory. The
first time it goes off in class you will automatically lose 5 points from your final exam grade, the
second time you will lose an additional 10 points (15 points
total), the third time you might as
well not take the final…
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. You will not be allowed to wear headphones during any type of examination.
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 in which
you are supposed to be doing something class related.
ASSIGNMENTS: Specific assignments will be made throughout the semester. These assignments will
change depending upon the class.
All students will be required to turn in at least 3 typewritten abstracts pertaining to the course
materials. They will be a part of the written assignment category. They will follow guidelines
provided and will be due at predetermined times. Topics for the abstracts will be discussed in class,
and be assigned by the instructor. It is up to you to proof read your work and ensure proper
grammar is used. I will deduct points for misspelled words and poor grammar.
Students will be doing various design projects in addition to the written elements. Since you are
expected to know how to use the various design programs, time will not be spent reviewing these
programs, you are expected to know how to use InDesign, Quark, Photoshop, and Illustrator.
Each student will prepare a complete proposal (business plan) for a printing production facility
including statement of purpose, work to be produced annually, equipment lists by cost centers, floor
plan, personnel requirements, hourly cost rates for equipment, overall analysis or evaluation of
project, and three and five-year projected costs. The proposal will also include a professionally
presented interactive PowerPoint presentation and all associated design work (logos,
advertisements, illustrations, printed examples, etc.).
Rough drafts of the above proposal will be submitted for partial evaluation throughout the semester.
The final complete proposal will be turned in for evaluation after it has been presented to the class.
Students will be graded individually. Make sure that you are doing the work necessary to complete
the project, and that you do not fall behind.
All information will be typewritten (word processed) using an accepted style manual and a standard
8 1/2 x 11 format. All drawings and designs should be designed to fit in the same folder, and use
color where appropriate. Electronic versions of the paper, plant layout, and supporting materials
will also be turned in and presented to the class.
Last time I checked we were in a university setting. Therefore it is your responsibility to proof your
work before you turn it in for a grade. Recently I have noticed a steady decline in student’s proofing
efforts, so this semester I am going to be very strict when it comes to spelling and grammar
mistakes. The best way to avoid this is to read your work over before you submit it, use the spell
check tools in your programs, and double check words you are unsure of. Take this time up front
and you will not lose points.
*If I find misspelled words or poor grammar I will deduct the following points:
4 points for every misspelled word
4 points for each case of poor grammar
*** On a similar note, plagiarism in any form will not be tolerated in this class. Make sure you
correctly reference any material you use directly, and use your own words when you do not directly
reference it. If I catch you doing this, you will fail the course and be reported.
All students will be required to attend an organized field trip to a local printer. The field trip will
hopefully take place during our normal class meeting time, but may extend beyond the normal
ending time. This will be coordinated early in the semester, and if you cannot attend the tour with
the rest of the class, arrangements can be made so that you do not miss this assignment and grade.
All students will also be required to visit a printer or similar on their own to interview them and to
write up a short report on the business.
Various in-class projects will be assigned.
• Possible Projects/Topics Covered:
o Taking a job from start to finish
o Paper and ink
o Software
o Advanced Layout and Imaging Techniques
o Interactive Web Sites
o Resumes – Interviews
o Screen Printed Products
Late Assignments: Late Assignments will only be accepted at major penalty. Each day an
assignment is late there will be a 2-letter grade deduction. So, if you turn in an A quality assignment
one day late, your grade automatically drops to a C because it was late. If you turn in an A quality
assignment 2 days late, your grade automatically drops to an F. I will not accept assignments more
than 2 days late. Adequate lab time will be given to work on assigned projects. In fact, if several
students are having similar problems I will happily extend the due date. Once the due date has been
finalized, that is when your assignment is due. Of course, there may be extenuating circumstances
beyond your control like a freak blizzard that closes school down for a week. (*) Therefore each
student will be allowed to turn in ONE project up to one week late without penalty. You must also
tell me directly that you are turning in the project late, so that I can make note of it. This does not
include the final project or exams. I will give you plenty of time in and during class to complete
your projects. But, you will need to work outside of class to complete homework and take-home
projects. Students are encouraged to complete some stages of the assignments outside of class and
to utilize open computer lab times. Students are allowed to turn work in early, if their schedule
permits. Again, I will accept late projects, but at major penalty. so turn your work in on time!
EXAMS: there will be no exams in this course but announced and unannounced quizzes will be
administered through out the semester. Your final project presentation will act as your final exam
grade.
SUPPLIES
Most supplies will be furnished by the university. The student is responsible for an X-acto knife,
notebook/folder, and a computer file storage device. Students are also required to provide a portable
storage device. Flash drives, thumb drives or memory sticks are the preferred type and the campus
bookstore has the cheapest prices on these. Students are also required to provide a professional
folder/portfolio for their class project.
SPECIAL COURSE COSTS
All students will be required to utilize laboratory materials to create projects in this course. The
course costs (film, developer, chemistry, printing plates, computer programs, ink, etc.) and
laboratory maintenance costs are approximately $25.00 per student. These costs will not exceed the
actual cost of replacement materials. All funds collected will be placed in a university account
maintained by the department to be used to purchase replacement supplies and maintain equipment.
Official Note from Department Chair: To help cover the costs of this course, special costs of
$25.00 will be charged to each student. This is payable to Kristin in Knoblauch 135 by March 15,
2010. If the Special Course Costs are not PAID by March 26th, 2010: those costs will be doubled
and turned over to the University for billing by the University.
EVALUATION: Approximate value each. (subject to change)
In class projects, class participation:
35%
Quizzes
10%
Completed proposal
35%
Written abstracts, homework
20%
Total: 100%
OFFICIAL MATTERS:
Rules for Giving an Incomplete
Western Illinois University 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.
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
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 Support Services 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 Support Services at 298-2512 for additional services.
If you have emergency medical information to share with me, if you need special arrangements in
case the building must be evacuated, or if you need accommodations in this course because of a
disability, please make an appointment with me as soon as possible. My office location and hours
are at the top of this syllabus. If you plan to request disability accommodations, you are expected to
register with the Disability Support Services (DSS) at 298-2512.
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
(NOTE: Syllabus subject to change with notice.)
Charles Weiss
Office Hours - Spring 2010
Tuesday: 12 noon – 1:00 p.m.
Wednesday: 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Thursday: 12 noon – 1:00 p.m.
I keep these office hours so that you, the student, may visit, ask questions, get
assistance, etc. Please use them. If you have missed a class, or feel like you missed
something during a lecture or a demo, my office hours are a perfect time for you to
interact with me, so that you do not feel lost or behind! If you cannot make these
office hours, we can arrange an alternate time to meet.
E-mail: CT-Weiss@wiu.edu
Office phone: 309.298.1488
GCOM 415 – SPRING 2010
Upon reading your syllabus, please sign the following form. This form will act as a contract
between you (the student) and me (the professor). By signing the form you acknowledge reading the
syllabus and understanding such things as; what might happen if you break the honor code (you fail
the project, fail the course, and are reported to the University honor code office), what might happen
if you do not turn in a project on time (you get a major penalty and possibly a zero if you do not
turn it in within 2 days of the assigned due date), what might happen if you miss more than one
class (your grade will suffer). This “contract” allows me to know you have read the syllabus and
understand the consequences. On a different note, by reading the syllabus and signing this form,
you also understand how it is easy to pass this course, and get a good grade; show up to class
everyday, complete your projects on time, do a little more than the assignment asks for, and clean
up after yourself.
Please print your name and sign the line below, then I will tear this sheet off when I take up the
syllabus at the end of class.
Thanks!
Print your name here: ________________________________________________
Print your preferred e-mail address here __________________________________________
Sign your name here: ________________________________________________