ENH 362: Digital Project Management in the Humanities and Arts

Policies

Instructor: Patricia Murphy

Course Description : This course prepares students to manage a digital project in the field of Humanities and Arts.

A Digital Project is a website or other electronic project that utilizes delivery methods other than print. Examples of Digital Projects are online magazines, websites devoted to the study of particular subjects, and informational websites developed by organizations or companies. For this class, the content of our digital projects will focus on the fields of Humanities and Arts.

Humanities is a term that applies to academic disciplines devoted to the critical study of fields such as anthropology, philosophy, religion, and cultural sciences. The National Endowment for the Humanities is the US agency that provides grants for people studying in the Humanities. In Arizona, the agency is the Arizona Humanities Council.

Arts is a term that applies to expressive disciplines such as writing, painting, dancing, acting, music, and literature. The National Endowment for the Arts is the US agency that provides grants for artists. In Arizona, the agency is the Arizona Commisssion on the Arts.

One good example of a digital project in the Humanities and Arts is the online literary and arts magazine Superstition Review. As the editor of that magazine, I have learned that managing a digital project takes as much organizational skill as it does creative energy. Therefore I have designed this course to give students first-hand managerial experience and workplace tools that will prepare them for employment in not only publishing but also in web design and management.

In this class students will learn techniques of project management that will allow them to plan for and produce Issue 5 of Superstition Review to be launched in April 2010.

This course is devoted to READING about how to manage digital projects, RESEARCH about the field of literary magazines in general and Superstition Review in particular, and PLANNING for the spring semester. Each student in this course will use techniqes described in our text and apply them to materials created by prior SR editors to plan tasks, timelines, and materials for fall semester interns. Successful completion of this course will include the close study of other online literary magazines and materials generated during the first 3 issues of SR

Course Outcomes : Students will

Required Course Textbook :

ISBN NUMBER
AUTHOR
TITLE
Est. Retail
Price
Pub Year
Publisher
321112555
Shelford and Remillard
Real Web Project Management: Case Studies and Best Practices from the Trenches
$44
2002
Addison-Wesley

Required Course Software :

Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Photoshop, Dreamweaver, and any audio and video software that may apply to individual projects.

Content and Readings : See Units in Blackboard for online readings

Required Work :

Reading - Worth 30% of your grade.

There are 5 reading assignments. You will compose a response to the reading and post it in the Reading Discussion Board. Reading Responses are graded on a pass/fail basis out of 5 total posts. In order to receive creditt:

• meet the word-length requirement of 300 words (or surpass it). This equals one double spaced page in 12 point times new roman.
• use short quotes to support your response

Research - Worth 30% of your grade.

There are 5 research assignments. In order to receive credit:

• meet the word-length requirement of 300 words (or surpass it). This equals one double spaced page in 12 point times new roman.
• use short quotes to support your response
• respond to one other student with a 150 word follow-up (choose a student whose response has no follow-up response yet)

Planning - Worth 40% of your grade.

There are 5 planning assignments. For each one you will be asked to produce a deliverable corresponding with your project. The deliverables will include items such as reports workflow charts, communication structures, site maps, mock-ups, style guides, project documentation, application manuals, glossaries, and training materials.

Grading Scale:

To determine your final grade for the course, multiply each of your Required Work percentages by its weighted percentage in this course and add these numbers equals your final grade.

Scale Lower Upper
A
93
100%
A-
90
92
B+
87
89
B
83
86
B-
80
82
C+
77
79
C
73
76
C-
70
72
D
60
69
E
Below 60

Final grades are available after the end of the semester at the Registrar's online site. I do not email final grades to individual students.

Important Dates: Point your browser to http://www.asu.edu/calendar/academic.html for semester dates.

Office Hours: Since this is an online course, I will not hold face to face office hours, but I am available by appointment. I check email once a day, Monday through Friday. I will answer questions through email usually within 48 hours except over weekends and on holidays. I am also happy to call you if you have a question. Simply email me your phone number and an appropriate time to call.

Attendance : This class meets online using myASU. The class asks you to complete the same work as other sections, but it has the added benefit of teaching you to communicate electronically with your teacher and classmates. This is an integral part of your grade. Since this is an 8 week 3 credit hour course, expect to spend twice as much time per week as you would in a regular 3 hour 16 week course. You will have 2 due dates each week, so please get in the habit early of turning in your work on time.

This course is not self-paced. There are set due dates. Work submitted after the due dates will not receive credit. Each missed assignment will result in an absence, and each absence will negatively affect your grade. If you miss more than 2 class assignments you will automatically fail the course. THERE ARE NO EXCUSED ABSENCES, even for emergencies or school activities. You have 2 absences to use for emergencies.

Protecting Work: While there are many benefits that come with using technology to conduct the course, there can also be drawbacks such as system outages, hardware and software failures, and inexperience with systems. Technology failures are NOT an excuse for late or missing work. I do not expect you to be an expert with technology, but I do expect you to observe some common sense practices. I also recommend that if you are new to online courses or if you are unfamiliar with the software I suggest you view the online tutorials available through asuonline. Here are some other tips:

. Never type directly into myASU. Type in Word and then cut and paste your work.

. Ctrl-S is your best friend. The more you save the less you lose. Make a habit of saving your work several times as you write.

. My degree is in English, not Computers, so there are many technical questions I am too dumb to answer. If you get stuck with a technical issue, call the computer help desk at 480-965-6500.

Late Work : Other students depend on you to post your work on time, and we often cannot proceed until all the work is complete. For that reason, the policies on late work are very strict. Late work will not receive credit unless you email me in advance of the deadline.

Plagiarism : To plagiarize is to present as your own any work that is not exclusively your own. Plagiarism of all or a portion of any assignment will be strictly penalized. Penalties can range from no credit for the assignment to failing the course. Repeated offenses can lead to your expulsion from the university.

Online Environment : You will need to pay attention to a few details in order for your work to be counted. For example, when you post your work online, you have to ensure that it shows up and we can access it or else you won't get credit. Always check your work to make sure it shows up as you intended. Also, be aware of how the things you're posting in online discussions come across--it's easy for something you meant humorously to be taken seriously in an online environment, so be careful. Above all, be kind towards and respectful of your fellow students. Any material that is viewed as obscene or profane will be removed from the board and you will not receive credit. Consider the class to be an academic audience.

The Public Nature of Writing and Confidentiality Issues : Part of becoming a good writer is learning to appreciate the ideas and criticisms of others, and in this course our purpose is to come together as a community of writers. Remember that this is a workshop, and you will be getting feedback from others. Avoid writing about things you may not be prepared to subject to public scrutiny or that you feel so strongly about that you are unable or unwilling to listen to perspectives other than your own. This class is about discussing the writing, not the subject of the writing. I have had several problems in the past with students posting obscene work. Please be sensitive to the needs of your peers, and treat our classroom with respect by refraining from posting explicit matierial.

Incomplete Grades : I do not offer incomplete grades.

Accommodations for Disabilities : ADA Statement The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal antidiscrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. One element of this legislation requires that all qualified students with documented disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation please contact the Disability Resource Center at ASU Polytechnic located in Student Affairs Quad # 4 or call 480-727-1039 / TTY: 480-727-1009.  Eligibility and documentation policies online: http://www.asu.edu/studentaffairs/ed/drc/

Student Conduct: Students are required to adhere to the behavior standards listed in Arizona Board of Regents Policy Manual Chapter V – Campus and Student Affairs: Code of Conduct), ACD 125: Computer, Internet, and Electronic Communications, and the ASU Student Academic Integrity Policy.

Students are entitled to receive instruction free from interference by other members of the class. If a student is disruptive, an instructor may ask the student to stop the disruptive behavior and warn the student that such disruptive behavior can result in withdrawal from the course. An instructor may withdraw a student from a course when the student's behavior disrupts the educational process under USI 201-10 http://www.asu.edu/aad/manuals/usi/usi201-10.html.

Student Support Services
Polytechnic campus site: http://www.poly.asu.edu/students/services/

The Writing Center at the Polytechnic Campus: The Polytechnic Writing Center offers tutoring services to all students on any sort of writing project. Writing tutors can help with any stage of the writing process, including choosing a topic, brainstorming, clarifying a thesis, organization of ideas or paragraphs, grammar, citation styles, and more. The Center is located in the Academic Center Building on the Lower Level and will be open for the Fall 2008 semester beginning Tuesday, September 2. Tutors' availability will be posted on our website at http://studentsuccess.asu.edu/polytechnic/writingschedule . Although walk-ins are accepted, it is strongly recommended that you make an appointment. Please call (480) 727-1452 to schedule an appointment. Online tutoring is also available if you cannot come in. Visit the Writing Center 's website (http://studentsuccess.asu.edu/polytechnic /writing ) for more information.

ASU Libraries - offers 24/7 access to librarians through "Ask a Librarian" online chat and help by librarians in person at the Reference Desk during most hours the libraries are open. www.asu.edu/lib/ Polytechnic campus link: http://library.poly.asu.edu/

Counseling and Consultation – provides confidential mental health and career counseling services for all ASU students. http://www.asu.edu/studentaffairs/counseling/ Polytechnic campus site: http://www.poly.asu.edu/students/counseling/

Learning Resource Center – provides students with academic support services such as tutoring, peer advising, computer assisted instruction, and supplemental instruction. The LRC offers both free and fee-based services. www.asu.edu/vpsa/lrc/ Polytechnic campus site: http://www.poly.asu.edu/learningcenter/

Writing Center – provides on-site tutors to help students increase their confidence as writers and improve writing skills free of charge. www.asu.edu/duas/wcenter/ Polytechnic campus site: http://www.poly.asu.edu/learningcenter/WritingServices.htm

Career Services – offers assistance to students in choosing a major, setting career goals, interviewing and job hunting strategies. http://career.asu.edu/ Polytechnic campus site: http://www.poly.asu.edu/students/career/

Student Financial Aid Office – offers information and applications for student funding such as grants, loans, scholarships and student employment. www.asu.edu/fa/ Polytechnic campus site: http://www.asu.edu/fa/ (same as general ASU site)

Student Health and Wellness Center – provides non-emergency medical health care to all ASU students regardless of insurance status. Most visits with a physician or nurse practitioner are free of charge, but fees will be incurred for x-rays, lab results, etc., www.asu.edu/health/ Polytechnic campus site: http://www.poly.asu.edu/students/health/

Student Recreational Center – offers individual and group fitness opportunities, as well as information on nutrition and wellness, and massages. Use of the general facilities (weights, circuit training and cardio machines) are free, other services (yoga classes, massages) are fee-based. www.asu.edu/src/ Polytechnic campus site: http://www.poly.asu.edu/pac/

Student Legal Assistance – provides legal advice and counsel free of charge to all ASU students in areas such as landlord-tenant law, credit reports and collection issues, taxability of scholarships and grants, etc. Notary service is also available at no charge. http://www.asu.edu/mu/legal/

Help Wiki – provides a frequently asked questions resource for technology users at ASU. http://wiki.asu.edu/help/

Information Technology on the Polytechnic campus: http://www.poly.asu.edu/it/

EMPACT Crisis Hotline – offers free 24-hour support for mental health crises. Call (480) 784-1500 in the Phoenix area, (866) 205-5229 for the toll-free number outside of Phoenix, and (480) 736-4949 for the sexual assault hotline. All services are free and confidential. http://www.empact-spc.com/

Patricia Colleen Murphy, MFA * Arizona State University * 240M * Santa Catalina Hall * 7271 E Sonoran Arroyo Mall * Mesa, AZ 85212