Course Number: HUW 112
Days/Time: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:15a - 11:30a — E-230
Instructor: Jeff Ong — Section 5382
Email jeffrey.ong97@lagcc.cuny.edu
Office Hours: Tuesdays 12:30p - 1:30p, email or chat to schedule
Course Description
This course introduces students to the field of new media technology. For our purposes, new media are forms of communication and expression made with computers. We will study and practice various foundational modes of digital media: text, digital graphics, videos, and websites.
This is both a lecture and studio class, serving as the foundational course for the New Media Technology major at LAGCC. Most classes will contain some lecture, followed by some time to practice and work on your assignments and projects. We will learn together and share what we learn.
By the end of this course students will have a deeper understanding of the role that computational media plays in how we communicate, in addition to practical skills that allow you apply them.
Goals
The course has three goals:
- to introduce you to the field of new media.
- to equip you with hands-on skills to realize your ideas.
- to help you develop your own critical and creative understanding of new media, and figure out which media you enjoy working with and want to pursue further.
Objectives
On completion of this course, you will be able to:
- Lay out text using a computer.
- Create and manipulate digital images.
- Create videos and animations.
- Code a basic website by hand with HTML and CSS.
- Explain your reasons for using a digital tool.
- Showcase projects you made in class via an online portfolio.
Having objectives allows us to evaluate how well we have achieved our goals.
Is this course for me?
This course is relevant to students who are interested in:
- Using computers for artistic, expressive, creative purposes
- Designing interactive experiences including websites, games, or other creative environments
- Understanding the critical aspects of computing in culture today
What this course is NOT:
- A purely theoretical or philosophical study of new media
- A deep dive into Adobe, coding, or any one specific way of making
- Using generative AI to entirely create images and videos
Course Overview
Unit 1 — Text
September 15 – 29
An introduction to the field of new media and to the tools and habits we will use all semester.
We will look at text as the foundational method of interacting with computers and each other.
Tools: macOS (Finder, Spotlight), TextEdit, VS Code, terminal
Unit 2 — Digital Images
Oct 1 — 22
Creating, manipulating images, posters, and memes digitally.
Tools: Adobe Illustrator, Figma
Unit 3 — Video & Animation
Oct 27 — Nov 17
How is a video different than a movie? What happens when everyone has a video camera? How do sounds affect us compared to visuals?
We will look at how to create and manipulate time-based media — how to create and edit text, images, and sounds in combination to create video and audio.
Tools: Adobe Premiere
Unit 4 — Website
Nov 19 — Dec 3
What is a website made of? Is Instagram a website? What happens when suddenly billions of people across the world can talk to each other instantly via the Internet?
We will look at the Internet, and how people put things there, and what is possible.
Tools: VS Code, HTML, CSS
Final Projects & Presentations
Dec 8 — 10
You will take what you have learned and combine it to create a final project.
Assignments
Each unit has one assignment, that is due at the beginning of class. You will have time to work on it during class across the full duration of the unit.
| # | Assignment | Unit | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Poster | Unit 1 | Sep 29 |
| 2 | Portrait | Unit 2 | Oct 22 |
| 3 | Video / Animation | Unit 3 | Nov 17 |
| 4 | Portfolio Website | Unit 4 | Dec 3 |
| 5 | Final Project | Unit 5 | Dec 15 |
All assignments must be submitted via the class website in Brightspace.
Portfolio
In addition to the assignments, creating an online portfolio is part of the course requirements. By the end of the semester, you will have created one and it will contain some representation of all six assignments. We will discuss and learn how to build it together during the semester.
Grading Policy
Letter grades are determined by a combination of your work and participation in class:
40% assignments
30% final project and portfolio
30% participation (includes attendance)
Assignments are evaluated according to effort, completeness, and creativity you put in. Late work is always accepted, but will receive one letter grade down per late class:
- 1 class late — one grade down A→B
- 2 classes late — two grades down A→C
- 3 classes late - D
Final grade examples:
A — Completes every assignment and final project with great effort and creative enthusiasm. Active and consistent participant during class time.
B — Assignments completed with few late submissions, and the required effort. You are attendant and participate in class discussions and work.
C — Frequent late work. Assignments are submitted but show inconsistent effort. Participation is limited.
D — Significant missing or late work. Incomplete participation, or inconsistent and / or disruptive effort.
F — Failure to submit required work, attendance and participation are non-existent or extremely disruptive.
Attendance Policy
Your on-time attendance is crucial. Roll call is within 5 - 10 minutes of the beginning of class. You are expected to arrive on time and remain for the entire class period. Take a break when you need it, you don't need to ask, just try to not disrupt others.
- 10 minutes late = 1 late
- 30 minutes late or leaving class for more than 30 minutes = 1 absence
- 3 lates = 1 absence
- 5 absences = Automatic withdrawal (WD)
- Final critique absence = F
If you are absent, you are responsible for finding and reviewing information and homework from that class, via Brightspace.
- Absences without communicating with me beforehand count toward your 4 absence limit.
- If you miss class without communication, it is your responsibility to figure out what occurred during that session
- It is not my to chase students to review missed material or submit late assignments.
For excused absences:
- It is your responsibility to seek out the information that was covered in class. You are more than welcome to send me a message and I will help point you to the resources.
- It is your responsibility to complete any assignments due that day.
- You are encouraged to come to office hours or message me for extra help.
Participation
Attendance does not equal participation. I look forward to sharing work, and discussing with you and learning together. We spend so much time staring at our phones. I ask that while I or one of your fellow students is speaking, to listen intently.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)
This class is focused on developing your critical media literacy and technical abilities. Submitting work that is primarily or entirely generated by AI will be considered a failure to complete the assignment. If AI is used to create an entire assignment or project, the result will be an automatic 0. Repeated misuse of AI will result in a failing grade for the course.
Safety and Inclusivity
In this classroom, which includes the virtual spaces and communication we share, there is zero-tolerance from any or of harassment and/or discriminatory, oppressive, suppressive, or violent behavior.
I commit to creating an environment free of harassment and intimidation for everyone in this course — regardless of socioeconomic privilege and status, gender identity and expression, age, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, ethnicity, nationality, religion (or lack thereof), or technology choices.
Harassment can include, but is not limited to, offensive verbal comments, deliberate intimidation, stalking, following, harassing photography or recording, sustained disruption, inappropriate or non-consensual physical contact, unwelcome attention, and/or refusing to accept the limits or boundaries set by another participant in our classroom. These expectations are inclusive of everyone, including me, the instructor.
If you experience or witness harassment, threatening behavior, suppressive behavior, or have any other concerns, I encourage you to speak up, say something, and/or let me know immediately.
NO Meta Glasses
For the safety of our students, especially those targeted by ICE, no META glasses are allowed in any New Media Technology space. It does not matter if they are recording or not. They are physically NOT allowed inside any of our classrooms, labs, or offices. Nearby Glasses is an app that alerts you if there are smart glasses in the vicinity, and I encourage you to use it.
Inclusivity
Students from all diverse backgrounds and perspectives should be well served by this course. The diversity that students bring to this class be viewed as a resource, strength and benefit. It is our intent to present activities that accommodate and value a diversity of gender, sexuality, disability, age, socioeconomic status, ethnicity, race, and culture. I will gladly respect your request to address you by the pronouns and name you specify, in accordance with the New York City and State laws regarding the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act and the Gender Recognition act.
Accommodations
I commit to make individual arrangements to address disabilities, and religious needs (e.g. religious events in conflict with class meetings).
If you have a disability and have an accommodation letter, you are encouraged to discuss your accommodations and needs with me as early in the semester as possible; I will work with you to ensure that accommodations are provided as best I can.
Student Resources
LaGuardia CARES (College Access for Retention and Economic Success) connects students with resources, referrals and local community services to overcome financial barriers, stay in school and graduate. LaGuardia CARES provides resources for daily living expenses, including food, healthcare, rent, utilities, childcare, emergency transportation and more! All of our services are free for LaGuardia students and their immediate family members.
The Women’s Center & LGBTQ+ Hub is a space open to all students, providing resources and programs to learn more about women’s & LGBTQ+ rights, equity, and gender & sexuality expressions. We offer opportunities for mentoring, mindfulness, creativity, advocacy and volunteering during affinity months, such as, Women’s History Month and Pride Month. We are also committed to providing a range of information and connecting students to on and off campus resources, to address issues such as, women’s reproductive health, Domestic Violence (DV) and Intimate Partner Violence (IPV), mental health services, LGBTQ+ services, and housing or food insecurity. Our goals are to raise awareness about issues affecting women, LGBTQ+ populations and intersections, share resources, provide space for dialogue, connection, and empowerment, and celebrate the experiences of all identities.
Accredited by the International Association of Counseling Services, the Wellness Center provides counseling and wellness services that support and assist you in your intellectual, emotional, psychological, and social development while coping with the challenges of college and life stressors. The Wellness Center offers free and confidential counseling in a safe environment where individual and cultural differences are valued and respected. Our services include: short-term individual counseling, crisis intervention, workshops, outreach and referrals to college community resources.