NMED 3700 Section A – Production Management
Session:
Instructor:
Email:
Office:
Office Hours:
Phone:
Spring 2009
Dana Inkster
dana.inkster@uleth.ca
W862
On Wednesdays by Appointment
382-7145
Room FA W401
Tuesdays
Thursdays
14:30-16:20
14:30-16:20
A) New Media 3700
Course Description:
Group project experience emphasizing production with
instruction in the following areas: team building,
marketing, audience development, budget development,
curatorial practice and self and peer evaluation.
B) Introduction/Program Related Information:
In this semester’s production management course,
students will production manage three projects: 1. a major
grant proposal, 2. a Level 7 Gallery exhibition; and 3.
Production of a digital catalogue of student work of which
class members have creative control over the content and
execution of the project.
Further, and throughout the semester, every student
will work as an active member of a team/committee as well
as documentation and organization related to all projects.
Students will keep each other informed through in-class
presentations that both relay key information to the class
and provide professional presentation practice for the
students. Team will be expected to make progress reports on
a bi-weekly basis.
Production Management this semester will be fastpaced, fun, and demanding. Students should expect to spend
at least 8 hours outside of class meeting times per week
working on projects, and should budget for even more time
the closer we get to the events.
C) Objectives and Standards
The purpose of this course is to explore and practice
as many aspects of production management as possible.
Because we are working towards a number of finished
outcomes, professional practices such as effective
communication, timeliness, and a team-oriented approach are
critical for success and will be explored and practiced
throughout the semester.
This is a rigorous and fast-paced course that provides
practical experience in many aspects of new media
production. What you do with that experience, and the level
to which you apply your knowledge, expertise, and
imagination, is the key to a successful class experience
and a strong mark in the class.
D) Course Content
The course content promotes the artistic and critical
application of skills in service to production management
of one individual curatorial project and one group
curatorial project.
E) Required Texts
Students are expected to discover and make use of
reference materials appropriate to their projects. The
instructor will be available to guide and make suggestions
on supporting material. For those in need of support for
critical reading and writing at the university level,
please consult
http://www.uleth.ca/ics/writingcentre/writingresources.htm
Required texts will be distributed by the instructor.
As the semester unfolds, there may be readings and
links that correspond with current projects. Students will
always be provided with support materials and opportunities
for further reading. However, there are no required
textbooks for this course.
F) Departmental Attendance Policy
Attendance in class, lab and fieldwork is mandatory.
It is the policy of this department that more than 4
absences constitutes grounds for failure.
The classroom door will be locked 10 minutes after
class begins. Arriving more than 10 minutes late for class
constitutes an absence.
G) Late Assignment Policy
Projects submitted late will receive a deduction of 5%
per day, unless arrangements prior to the due date have
been negotiated. Late work will not be accepted after one
week.
H)
Ability Issues
If you have a chronic health or require accommodation
due to a disability please identify yourself to me
privately and early on.
The University has a Disability
Coordinator to assist with any accommodations needed.
I) Course-Related Purchases
Part of the coursework is to use fundraising to cover
budgetary expenses for the course. However, students should
expect to pay for day-to-day expenses related to Production
Management such as transportation costs, personal event
costs, and for personal new media related items such as
back-up storage, CDs, presentation materials, etc, as
applicable to their individual projects. We will try to be
as thrifty and inventive as possible, but students should
expect to have some course-related expenses.
J) Plagiarism or academic dishonesty is considered a very
serious offence (see the U of L Calendar). The University
of Lethbridge subscribes to a plagiarism detection service
called Turnitin.com. Your paper may be submitted to this
service
to
verify
its
originality.
Information
on
plagiarism
may
be
found
at
<http:www.plagiarism.org/research_site/e_home.html>
Plagiarism occurs when a writer takes the words,
ideas, expressions or media content of another author and
claims them explicitly or implicitly (though failure to use
proper credits) as his or her own. Plagiarism is not only
cheating, it is stealing and as such is a violation of
copyright laws. Copyright laws insure that an author's work
remains the author's and prevents others from copying
without receiving permission.
Students can make use of published material if they
credit the author properly. To avoid plagiarism you must
give proper credit to the authors from whom you borrow
material.
You
provide
credit
with
footnotes
and
a
bibliography. You should credit direct quotes, specific
ideas used by another writer, an opinion of another and any
displays such as tables, charts or diagrams that have been
used in other works.
Plagiarism can be from many sources including books,
magazines, electronic media or another student's paper or
work. To credit information you must identify the source.
Quoted material must be footnoted or endnoted. Proof of
clearance for audio-visual material must be secured from
the copyright owner.
K) Classroom Decorum
The classroom should be a place where the free
exchange of ideas can occur in an atmosphere of mutual
trust and respect. Students are expected to conduct
themselves with courtesy, civility, purposefulness, and
integrity.
Use the following examples as guides to behaviors that
support learning. Avoid those which disrupt the learning
process.
Supportive Actions include:
 Coming to class prepared including reading all
assignments.
 Being attentive and responsive in class.
 Respecting fellow students' opinions and ideas.
 Offering critiques and alternative ideas in a noncondescending manner.
 Supporting the rights of classmates to contribute, even
when disagreeing with content.
Examples of disruptive behaviors to avoid include:
 Sleeping in class.
 Eating and drinking in class.
 Talking in class or lab while the instructor is teaching
or while guest lecturers or other students are
presenting.
 Using cell phone; beepers or any other PDA while in
class.
 Walking out of class during instruction.
 Emailing, texting and passing notes to classmates while
class is in session.
L) Backup Data
Students are required to backup their course material
on some sort of external media such as a jump drive, CD-RW,
etc. No concessions will be made for lost files.
Technical difficulties, lost files, etc are not a
legitimate holdup for turning in an assignment. Correct
file formatting is expected of new media students, and is
always part of your projects.
M) EVALUATION:
Upon completion of the course, students will have
demonstrated and be evaluated on:
a) an articulated
understanding of the competencies
embodied in the projects
b) the ability to explain and justify the techniques of
production of the project
c) present a rationale for the organization and supporting
illustrative materials used in the project
d) the ability to understand and integrate the theory and
critical analysis presented in required texts into project
proposals
e) engagement in conversation with their instructor to pose
specific questions about assignment; obtain feedback and
evaluate course progress.
f) a working knowledge of professional practices as it
applies to production management
g) a sincere attempt to participate in the class
h) improved communication skills
i) successful design, assessment and follow-through for a
project ideas
k) self-motivated problem solving skills using research and
technical solutions
l) a thoughtful understand of the entire process of
production management
m) a semester's worth of project documentation
1. One criterion for grading will be the degree to which the
media projects address the objectives of the program.
2. Marks for participation will be based on:
a) Attending classes and other meetings prepared
time. Attendance is mandatory.
b) Positive involvement in course activities.
and
on
c) Consistent and critical engagement with instructor and
fellow classmates on topics related to production
management
d) Presentation of assignments on time.
GRADING SYSTEM
Letter
(%)
*A+
(94-100)
*A
(90-93.9)
*A(86-89.9)
B+
(82-85.9
B
(78-81.9)
B(74-77.9)
C+
(70-73.9)
C
(66-69.9)
C(62-65.9)
D+
(58-61.9)
D
(50-57.9)
F
(0-49.9)
GPA
4.3
4.0
3.7
3.3
3.0
2.7
2.3
2.0
1.7
1.3
1.0
0
* The letter grade of “A” is reserved for students who
demonstrate an exceptional performance and ability to meet
Objective & Standards outlined in Section C) at an advanced
level appropriate for post-secondary contexts.
Students will be evaluated for the course based on the
following criteria and percentage breakdowns.
Attendance & Participation (15%)
Production Management will simply not work unless everyone
is there for class meetings. Class time is the only time of
the week that we are guaranteed no scheduling conflicts,
and when working on a multi-pronged project under a
deadline, it is absolutely essential that the group meet to
face-to-face.
Being present and on time, is an important aspect of
professional practice and is one of the fundamentals of the
class. Therefore attendance and oral participation and
respectful listening practices while in class are weighted
accordingly.
Individual Curatorial Project (20%)
Production Management of curatorial activity is the core of
this course of study. Each student will profile the work
of another student in the Level 7 Gallery.
Project Log (25%)
Weekly Log Entries (Tuesday and Thursday In-class; outside
of class activity): Beginning on the first day of class and
continuing throughout the semester, students are required
to keep a detailed log of their activities. Included in
this log will be notes, sketches, scheduling, finances, and
any other specifics related to your projects. This working
file will document the day-to-day aspects of creating a
project.
Team Performance and Class Project (40%)
Marks for work in the course will be based on:
1. Group Curatorial Project. Students will break into
groups of 4 to organize, manage and deliver a major
group project. (10%)
2. Peer Evaluation. A rubric for peer evaluation for
the members of your team will be provided. (5%)
3. The instructor's assessment, based on notes taken
throughout the course. (25%)
See Section “M) Evaluation” for specifics.