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SYLLABUS – ONLINE and HYBRID COURSES

Instructor: Nathan Adam Phone: (C) 615.556.FourOneNineOne

Email: nadam@MTSU.Edu,

mtsudri@gmail.com

Skype: adanadam

AIM: neadam@mac.com
Office Hours: Posted on D2L Also available by appointment

Intermediate Pro Tools: RIM 4300
3 Credit Hours

Course Information

Course Description:

4300 is designed to further instruct students on the working of and application of DAWs in the production environment. Skills in editing, tuning, modern production techniques and A/V post-production will be taught as well as ways to streamline workflow and increase productivity.
Students will work as individuals and in virtual groups over the course of the class. A typical class will consist of viewing streaming audio and video lectures, notes and presentations, participating in discussion forums and chats, and completing labs with downloaded Pro Tools sessions and projects.

Course Objectives:

Objective1: The student will demonstrate proficiency in stereo music scoping techniques.

Objective 2: The student will demonstrate proficiency in creating a professional tracking session template.

Objective 3: The student will demonstrate proficiency in vocal comping and tuning.

Objective 4: The student will demonstrate proficiency in timing correction and tempo maping.
Objective 5: The student will demonstrate proficiency in basic music mixing and plug-ins.

Objective 6: The student will demonstrate proficiency in basic audio post production skills.

Prerequisites:

Recording Industry majors must be admitted to candidacy and must have completed RIM 4200. All others require department permission.

Course Topics:

See the “Assignments & Projects” section below for a sequence of Course Topics. This list will be updated regularly on the course D2L site.

Specific Course Requirements:

Let's be honest, some of you took the online class because you don't need my help learning Audio Fundamentals, or because it's flexible with your schedule.

The rest of you want face to face interaction and clear explanations of the topics in real time.

 

Our weekly webinars on www.dimdim.com will let you see and hear me, text chat your questions with me and other students, watch my screen, and get real time feedback and answers to your questions. Further instructions are on the classes D2L News board.

For our initial meeting (see the schedule at www.nathaneadam.com/classes/4300.html), point your browser to www.dimdim.com, click Join Meeting, and the meeting room name will be nadam.

Textbooks and Supplementary Materials

Required Textbooks:

Digidesign Pro Tools Manual v.8 (available online in pdf format)
RIM 4300- Online, Fall 2009, Adam
The Multi-Platinum 4300 Videos (in lieu of an expensive textbook) Brady Barnett & Nathan Adam.
Check the online class for instructions.

All of these materials are available in the campus bookstore.

7200 RPM FireWire Hard Drive (either FW400 or FW800) HFS+ Formatted

**Optional, however, it is advised that you have some form of device (thumb drive, recordable CD, etc.) to back-up your project and/or be able to begin a project and continue it at a later date.

 

Supplementary Materials:

An internet connection, modern browser (IE 8, Firefox 4, Safari 4 or newer), Quicktime 7.X or greater installed.

Hardware/Software Requirements/Browser Information

Hardware Requirements:

A reliable computer with a CD-ROM drive and Internet connection are necessary to successfully take an online or hybrid course. Students who do not have a computer may access their courses at the MTSU Walker Library (with an MTSU ID), MTSU open computer labs (see http://www.mtsu.edu/infotech/ for links to hours of operation) or at a local public library (Note: Some public libraries block certain web addresses; student should verify with the library’s IT support if unable to access.)

 

COMPUTER HARDWARE, SOFTWARE AND BROWSER REQUIREMENTS

FOR TAKING ONLINE AND HYBRID COURSES

 

Minimum System Requirements for PC Users:

 

These specifications are minimal, and more sophisticated systems are better.

Component

PC

Mac

Processor

• Pentium IV or higher

• PowerPC, preferably a G5 (iMacs are included) or Intel processor computer running

Mac10.4.x, or above

Memory

• 128 Megabytes of RAM or higher

• 128 MB RAM, preferably 256 with at least 25 MB assigned to browser**

Operating Systems

• Windows XP or better

• OS X, version 10.4 or later

Video

• Resolution of 1024x768 or greater

• Resolution of 1024x768 or greater

Internet Speed***

• DSL or cable modem

• DSL or cable modem

Browsers* (accessing courses via Pipeline and RaiderNet use)

Internet Explorer - 5.5 SP2 and 6.0 SP2
Netscape Communicator -
6.2.3 and 7.1

Internet Explorer - 5.1.7(OS 9) and 5.2.3 (OS X)

Netscape Communicator - 6.2.x for OS 9 and OS X

Browsers (accessing courses via D2L at https://elearn.mtsu.edu)

Internet Explorer - 5.5 SP2 and 6.0 SP2

Mozilla - 1.6, 1.7.3

• Firefox – 2.0 or higher

 

• Mozilla- 1.6, 1.7 for OS 10.3

• Firefox - 2.0 or higher

• Safari – 1.2

Audio

Sound card, speakers, headphones

Sound card, speakers, headphones

Internet Service Provider (ISP)

• To provide email account, access to World Wide Web, ease of making/maintaining a connection.

• To provide email account, access to World Wide Web, ease of making/maintaining a connection.

Sun Java Runtime Environment (JRE)

• JRE v1.4.2.x (required to run LiveRoom 4.0, SCORM and Equation Editor)

• JRE v1.4.2.x (required to run LiveRoom 4.0, SCORM and Equation Editor)

Java Script

• Enabled

• Enabled

Cookies

• Enabled

• Enabled

 

Supported Browsers

*PipelineMT and RaiderNet will not work properly if one of these browsers is not used.   PipelineMT does not support AOL, Safari or other browsers.

 

To enable Java and JavaScript, checking a box or choosing this capacity in an options box under the tools or properties menu is usually required.

 

It is recommended that the “browser check” utility be completed (in its entirety) prior to accessing Desire2Learn (D2L) for the first time. The D2L browser check and upgrade links are accessed from the D2L login page. Note: If accessing D2L via Pipeline, click on the logout link in the upper right corner of the D2L MyHome page to go back to the D2L login page.

 

D2L Student Support

Students are encouraged to visit MTSU's D2L Student Support page for troubleshooting assistance.

Instructor Information

Instructor: Nathan Adam Phone: (C) 615.556.FourOneNineOne

Email: nadam@MTSU.Edu,

mtsudri@gmail.com

Skype: adanadam

AIM: neadam@mac.com
Office Hours: Posted on D2L Also available by appointment

Assessment and Grading

Testing Procedures:

All exams will be conducted online from the D2L site. See the site Content, Quizzes & News section for additional details. You should access D2L through MTSU eLearn instead of PipelineMT to prevent timing out during exams.

 

Lab Time:

Each student is allocated 32 hours of lab time in the DigiLab (AMG 120). Lab time can be booked in one-hour increments. Book your initial lab time during Piranha Hour on Friday, September 4 @ 4 PM. (Log on to McBook.MTSU.Edu). Additional walk-in hours are available in the DigiLab and MIDI Lab (if a station is open, you may use it until someone with reserved time arrives). Additionally, if you have your own Pro Tools LE system, feel free to use it. Make sure that your system is operating version 8.0 as the labs follow this version (which differs from prior versions).

Grading Scale:

90-100% =A
80-89% =B
70-79% =C

60-69% =D

Below 60% = F
The grading scale will emphasize assignments, projects, and student participation in the discussion forums as well as timed quizzes and the three exams.

This Scale and syllabus are subject to change. Changes will be anounced in class.

 

Attendance @ 8 online meetings (8 x 5 pts) 40
Notes for all online meetings (15 x 5 pts) 75
Discussion Questions (7 x 5pts) 35
Quizzes (7 x 5pts) 35
Exam 1 150
Exam 2 150
6 Lab Assignments (6 @ ~50pts each) 300
Hands on Proficiency Test 75
Final Exam 150
100% 1010

 

Assignments and Participation

Assignments and Projects:

See the Course site, schedule & links at

www.nathaneadam.com/4300/4300.html

Attendance & Participation:

Students must participate in all aspects of the course. Students must communicate with other students in the discussion forums, during the weekly Webinars (on Dimdim.com), and via email. Students are expected to communicate directly with me as a learning resource, and students must check the course news section as well as their email frequently for announcements.

 

Weekly DimDim MeetingAttendance:
One of the most important characteristics an employee of any industry, let alone the entertainment industry, can possess is punctuality. Truancy shows a lack of care for the time of colleagues and clients. Though this is an online class, we have found that student attendance at online meetings dramatically increases comprehension of the topics, as well as networking experience and online proficiency.

 

However, since many of the lectures will be available in streaming video format within 24 hours of the class, and can be done on your own time, you are only required to attend 8 meetings in real time over the course of the 15 weeks, THOUGH YOU MUST SUBMIT NOTES FOR EVERY CLASS BY FRIDAY OF THE WEEK ON D2L.

 

For additional information about academic responsibility, civil behavior and disciplinary action, please review the MTSU Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook.

 

Failing to submit notes for more than 3 weeks of class may equal failure for the course.

Assignment Labeling:


Please label your Pro Tools lab folders and sessions with the course number, lab number, First initial and your last name. My lab 2 Folder and Pro Tools session would read as: 4300Lab2NAdam. Disregard any other labeling methods. This will reduce the risk of misplacing files.

Course Ground Rules

Course participation is required, communication with other students in team projects is expected, learning how to navigate in the learning environment system is necessary, keeping abreast of course announcements, using the MTSU student email address as opposed to a personal email address, addressing technical problems immediately, and observing course netiquette at all times is expected by everyone. If I can do it, you most certainly can.

Communication Guidelines

Email:

  • Always include a subject line with your Course (4300, 4300, etc) and FULL NAME. If you don't include these, I won't know what class you're in just by looking at your xyz2B@mtsu.edu email address.
  • Remember that without facial expressions some comments may be misinterpreted. Choose your words carefully when writing your emails. Use of emoticons might be helpful in some cases.
  • Use standard fonts.
  • Do not send large attachments without asking.
  • Special formatting such as centering, audio messages, tables, html, etc. should be avoided unless necessary to complete an assignment or other communication.
  • Respect the privacy of other class members

Discussion Groups:

  • Review the discussion threads thoroughly before entering the discussion. Be a lurker then a discussant.
  • Try to maintain threads by using the "Reply" button rather starting a new topic.
  • Do not make insulting or inflammatory statements to other members of the discussion group. Be respectful of other’s ideas.
  • Be patient and read the comments of other group members thoroughly before entering your remarks.
  • Be cooperative with group leaders in completing assigned tasks.
  • Be positive and constructive in group discussions.
  • Respond in a thoughtful and timely manner.

Chat:

  • Introduce yourself to the other learners in the chat session.
  • Be polite. Choose your words carefully. Do not use derogatory statements.
  • Be concise in responding to others in the chat session.
  • Be prepared to open the chat session at the scheduled time.
  • Be constructive in your comments and suggestion

Web Resources:

·      Citation Style Guides

·      United States Copyright Office

·      TBR Copyright Issues in Digital Distance Education

·      TBR Copyright Basics

·      TBR Guideline 075 – Distance Education and Intellectual Property

·      The Digital Millennium Copyright Act of 1998

·      The TEACH Act

·      Copyright Website

·      Fair Use Guidelines

Library

Here are links to MTSU’s various libraries and to the Walker Library’s Distance Learning site. Links to library materials (such as electronic journals, databases, interlibrary loans, digital reserves, dictionaries, encyclopedias, maps, and librarian support) and Internet resources needed by students to complete their assignments can be found at Research Guide video tutorials, including Citation Style Guides.

 

University Writing Center

 

Writing Center

Phone Number

Web Site

Email

 

 

Peck Hall 325

904-8237

www.mtsu.edu/~uwcenter

uwcenter@mtsu.edu

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                        

The University Writing Center (UWC) offers free writing assistance for any writing assignment in any class. The UWC staff, comprised of English graduate assistants, work with students to develop the skills necessary to become a confident, competent writer by providing one-to-one consultations and helpful handouts. The Writing Center offers many online services as well, including a Grammar hotline for quick questions, a learning environment system (LES) email drop box and chat room, and a website filled with helpful handouts, exercises, and resource links for individual work. Check the Center website for hours. Access to online services is available 24/7.

                                                                                                                                                                                                              

SMARTHINKING Online Tutoring Service

                                                                                                                                                                                        

SMARTHINKING is a virtual learning assistance center and is the leading provider of online tutoring. Students connect to live tutors from any computer that has Internet access 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. To access the site use the following Username and Password:

Username: full MTSU email address (example lmm2r@mtsu.edu)
Password: MTSU

 

Students With Disabilities

Qualified students with disabilities will be provided reasonable and necessary academic accommodations if determined eligible by the Office of Disabled Student Services (DSS). Prior to granting disability accommodations in this course, the instructor must receive written verification of a student's eligibility from the Office of Disabled Student Services. It is the student's responsibility to initiate contact with the DSS staff and to follow the established procedures for having the accommodation notice sent to the instructor.

Syllabus Changes

The instructor reserves the right to make changes as necessary to this syllabus. If changes are necessary during the term of the course, the instructor will immediately notify students of such changes both by individual email communication and posting both notification and nature of change(s) on the course bulletin board.

Technical Support

Students who experience problems logging into their course, timing out of their course, using the course web site tools or experience other technical problems, should be encouraged to contact the MTSU Help Desk online (24/7) or at 1-615/898-5345.otheproblems,4/7) 1

Academic Misconduct

The use of a third party to submit a student's work is only allowed when accommodations are approved by the Disabled Student Services Office. Students found to be in violation of this policy will be reported to the faculty member and Dean of Student Affairs.

 

Students should be familiar with the MTSU Students Rights and Responsibilities handbook which outlines academic misconduct Defined as plagiarism, cheating, fabrication or facilitating any such act,” a statement of community standards of civil behavior, and code of computer use.

Hope (Lottery) Scholarship Information

Tennessee Education Lottery Scholarship eligibility requirements and scholarship rules are available on the MTSU Financial Aid website and the lottery Statement of Understanding form. Students may also contact the MTSU financial aid office at 615/898-2830 for additional information.

Revised November 17, 2009

Distance Learning Faculty Services Office

Academic Outreach and Distance Learning Department

College of Continuing Education and Distance Learning