Course Syllabus

Instructor: Dr. Vina           

Room: 136

Email: vinae@wellesleyps.org 

COURSE DESCRIPTION

The yearbook course has been designed to provide students with the journalism skills and the
ability to apply those skills to the actual production of the yearbook. Units of study include
teamwork, responsibility, brainstorming, content, coverage, concept, reporting, writing, headlines,
captions, editing, photography, typography, design, graphics, finances, yearbook campaigns,
advertising and distribution.  Actual work results in the current volume of the school’s yearbook. The publication strives to maintain a tradition of excellence in which the school and the community can take pride.
Mastery of the goals and objectives fully verse staff members in all areas of publication production
and students should be able to pursue journalism with a strong background either in their
advanced studies or in a career.

Instructional Philosophy: Students will be given challenging real world projects and assignments typical of the graphic design and publishing industries. High quality work is expected and students will be given opportunities to redo work until it meets standards specified during instruction. Classroom activities will include reading, research, projects, and problem solving. Students will often work in teams, but will be expected to complete individual assignments in relation to the team's work. Assessment methods will include reviews, oral and/or written work; reading assignments; and projects.

Course Goals:

  1. Students will learn publishing industry terminology and become familiar with publishing software.
  2. Students will learn copywriting techniques.
  3. Students will work with various types of print production equipment including digital cameras, computers, and scanners.
  4. Students will apply computer skills and design principles to the production of yearbook pages. 

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Course Outline:

Program Area 1: Introduction to Graphic Design and Publishing Industries

Students will be introduced to the graphic design and publishing industry through magazines, internet, etc. 

 

Program Area 2: Introduction to Content Management

Students will use multimedia elements to create the yearbook with graphic design software. Students will be introduced to each piece of equipment tied to page production: computer, scanner, printer, camera, etc.

 

Program Area 3: Elements and Principles of Design

Students will learn about design elements through production of a finished yearbook. Students will learn about color, shape, space, balance, eyelines, contrast, variety, emphasis/dominance, harmony, repetition/pattern, and unity.

 

Program Area 4: Journalistic Writing

Students will learn about journalistic writing (story and caption writing) through the production of a finished yearbook.

 

Program Area 5: Typography

Students will maintain a consistent typographic theme throughout the yearbook production process. Students will learn about typefaces, typographic measurement, typographic standards, typographic guidelines.

 

Program Area 6: Creating and Editing Images for Print

Students will learn when to use particular image formats for yearbook. Students will learn about formats, resolution, ethics, and copyright laws.

 

Program Area 7: Leadership

Students will participate in leadership activities such as: good attendance, school involvement, time management and organization, and will perform other leadership tasks within the classroom and school.

 

Text & Materials: Students will work extensively with an online publication site by Jostens called Yearbook Avenue (YBA) that utilizes the Adobe Creative Suite design applications.

  

Work Expectations

  • Students are expected to work on yearbook assignments during class time. You should leave this class at the end of the year with marketing and production skills. There is always something to do.
  • Deadlines are non-negotiable. If you repeatedly miss deadlines, it will impact your grade.
  • Yearbook is a research & development, marketing and production class and we want to create and sell the best product. It is your responsibility to make certain that you have put every effort forward to create and sell the best quality product we can create. As such, students will:
    • Complete all assigned pages.
    • Include names of every person on every photo.
    • Design to the proper specifications.
    • Follow the correct theme.
    • Take pictures as assigned in a variety of activities during and beyond the school day.
    • Complete all miscellaneous assignments and projects.
  • Work doesn’t stop when class ends. Students are expected to participate in outside-of-class activities. To produce a complete yearbook, students will be required to attend school activities to take photographs and gather information to be used in the yearbook. Due to the nature of publishing deadlines, students will be expected to work periodically on their own time to meet publishing deadlines.

  

Quarter/Semester Assessment                                       Production 50%, Participation 50%

 

Production Items Include:

❏     yearbook spreads                               

 

Participation Items Include:

❏     weekly participation grades

❏     photography assignments

❏     quizzes, tests, reviews

❏     design assignments

What does a letter grade actually mean?

Below C (1 pt):             Fails to meet the minimal expectations of the assignment.

C Grade (2 pts):           Meets the minimal expectations of the assignment.

B Grade (3 pts):           Exceeds the minimal expectations of the assignment.

A Grade (4 pts):           Exceeds the minimal expectations of the assignment and demonstrates superior journalistic skills.

 

Expected Behaviors:

❏     On time daily.

❏     Cooperate with others.

❏     Follow rules and procedures.

❏     Use appropriate language and behaviors.

❏     Show respect and courtesy toward all students, staff and guests.

❏     Participate and complete classroom activities.

❏     Participate in all out of class activities and assignments.