SAS 145 Digital Communications in Agricultural, Environmental, and Human Sciences
(taught as SAS 190X in Fall 2018)
Course Objectives/Learning outcomes:
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
- Converse with key advisors in your academic field of study
- Describe the value of your selected academic field of study
- Recognize appropriate multimedia strategies to effectively communicate
- Become aware of Creative Commons licenses and the appropriate use of sources
- Produce a media-rich video to effectively convey an intended message
Instructional Strategies:
The instructional strategy for this course is highly interactive and student-centered. The course consists of a mixture of lecture, discussion, demonstration, and hands-on interactive activities. To ensure appropriate student support in this active learning environment, the course is taught by two instructors to assist students as needed with navigating technologies and reaching academic success.
- The UC Davis Canvas course management system is used to post assignments, course content, and grades. It is expected that students regularly check their UC Davis email and have appropriate software and hardware to fully participate in class. Canvas and email are the primary modes of communication outside of class time.
- If a student experiences initial academic difficulty on the first graded assignment, please meet with course instructors to discuss the work and suggest strategies to assist with your academic success.
Grading: Letter grade only
| Scale | Grade | Description |
| 485 – 500 484 – 470 469 – 450 |
A+ A A– |
Advanced, exceeds standards |
| 449 – 435 434 – 420 419 – 400 |
B+ B B– |
Meets standards |
| 399 – 385 384 – 370 360 – 350 |
C+ C C– |
Partially proficient |
| 349 – 300 | D | Not proficient |
| <299 | F | Failed |
Faculty Expectations and Policies
- Attendance: Class attendance and participation is essential for success. When you are absent, it is your responsibility to clarify missed assignments with classmates or with course instructors prior to the next class.
- Late Work: Your success in this class is important to us. Turning in assignments on time ensures you will not fall behind. Please speak with course instructors early to resolve any problems you encounter. Five points will be deducted for each day that an assignment is overdue.
- Tests: Make-up tests must be taken within a week. Arrangements will be made with the Campus Testing Center to administer this test.
Academic Honesty:
- Plagiarism is the use of another person’s words or ideas without crediting that person. Plagiarism and cheating will not be tolerated and may lead to failure on an assignment, in the class, and dismissal from the University. View the campus policy on Code of Academic Conduct athttp://sja.ucdavis.edu/cac.html.
- Students are responsible for being attentive to and observant of campus policies about academic honesty as stated in the University’s Code of Academic Conduct, Responsibility of Students.
- If you know academic dishonesty is happening, please bring it to the attention of the instructors immediately.
Civility:
- Turn off cell phones during class. Adherence to the Student Code of Conduct is expected.
- Our commitment is to create a climate for learning characterized by intellectual diversity and a respect for each other and the contributions each person makes to class. We ask that you make a similar commitment.
- It is vitally important that our classroom environment promote the respectful exchange of ideas. This entails being sensitive to the views and beliefs expressed during class discussions.
Access, Disability, Communication:
- Students requiring academic accommodations should meet with us during office hours so that we can discuss how to meet your needs. Prior to our meeting, be sure you have met with someone in the Student Disability Center: https://sdc.ucdavis.edu/.
Please make an appointment to discuss with the course instructors any requests for exceptions to these policies.
Disclaimer:This is a plan for the quarter; details may change as class needs develop.
Calendar of Assignments/Due Dates: (Five points will be deducted for each day that an assignment is overdue).
| Week / Date | In Class | Assignment | Due Date |
| Wk 1
September 28 & October 1 |
Friday, 9/28 Introduce the course and each other Explore course Canvas site Introduce the video research assignment Monday 10/1 View sample videos Discuss elements of an effective video Begin to plan a video project Create a video self introduction |
Complete the course Orientation Module, including the Orientation Quiz (10 pts).
Video research assignment (due 10/1) What are other universities/organizations doing? Post your links and comments in the Canvas Course Discussions area. (20 pts) Discussion: Video Introductions (due 10/5) Introduce yourself in canvas discussions using the video and audio feature. (10 pts) Video Project Planning Template Begin first sections of the template to describe your central message. |
Oct. 1 or Oct. 5 |
| Wk 2
October 5 & 8 |
Friday, 10/5
View and discuss video research projects Introduce storyboarding and scripting Discuss interview requirements Monday 10/5 View and discuss video introductions |
Storyboard and Script Begin first draft of storyboard and script using provided template or one of your own design Video Project Planning Template Identify who you will seek to interview, and begin to write interview questions. |
|
| Wk 3
October 13 & 16 |
Friday, 10/12
Provide and receive peer feedback on scoreboards and scripts Monday, 10/15 Discuss how to obtain media assets and give credit to authors Examine Creative Commons licensing Explore media search engines Guest Lecturer: Alesia McManus, Environmental Sciences Librarian, Shields Library, 388. |
Bring work-in-progress storyboard / script for peer feedback (due 10/12)
Storyboard and Script Rough Draft (due 10/15) Submit rough drafts after peer review, and continue working on storyboard and narration script rough drafts. Submit to Storyboard / Script Rough Draft for instructor feedback (50 pts). Quiz Take the Citing your sources quiz (10 pts.) Video Project Planning Template Revise interview questions and begin to schedule interviews. |
Oct. 12 and 15 |
| Wk 4
October 19 & 22 |
Friday, 10/19
Provide and receive peer feedback on video scripts and storyboards Finalize written Scripts Monday, 10/22 Video equipment orientation Explore filming techniques. Apply filming strategies to your video project Guest Lecturer: Jeremy Poulos, Video Producer/Director, ATS |
Storyboard and Script Revised Draft (due 10/22)
Submit revised drafts to Storyboard / Script Final Draft (50 pts). Video Project Planning Template Finalize interview questions and schedule remaining interviews. |
Oct. 22 |
| Wk 5
October 26 & 29 |
Friday, 10/26
Share video production experiences – successes and challenges Discuss strategies for interviewing a human subject Plan for studio filming days Monday, 10/29 Learn to use basic video editing tools Practice interview techniques Plan for studio filming days Guest Lecturer: Jeremy Poulos, Video Producer/Director, ATS |
Bring interview questions to class for mock interview activity (due 10/26)
Sign up for one of the studio recording sessions, either 11/2 or 11/5 |
Oct. 26 |
| Wk 6
November 2 & 5 |
Friday, 11/2
Studio video production Monday, 11/5 Studio video production Guest Lecturer: Jeremy Poulos, Video Producer/Director, ATS |
Meet at Surge II, ATS Video Studio (allow enough time to find the location and arrive on time) | Nov. 2 and 5 |
| Wk 7
November 9 & 11 |
Friday, 11/9
Review video rough drafts Monday 11/12 Continue revising rough draft videos for panel presentation |
No class Friday November 12.
Video rough draft (due 11/9) Submit link to Video Rough Draft (100 pts) for in-class peer feedback. Veteran’s Day – no class Monday, November 12. |
Nov. 12 |
| Wk 8
November 16 & 19 |
Friday, 11/16
Share video rough drafts for panel feedback Monday 11/19 Revise final videos |
Video Rough Draft Showcase
Share video drafts for feedback from a panel of communications and media experts. |
Nov. 16 and 19 |
| Wk 9
November 23 & 26
|
Friday, 11/23
Revise final videos Monday 11/26 Revise final videos |
No Class Friday November 23
Continue finalizing video projects |
Nov. 27 |
| Wk 10
November 30 & December 3 |
Friday, 11/30
Wrap up video final drafts Monday, 12/3 Submit completed video projects |
Video Project Final Draft (due 12/3)
Submit completed Project Planning Template to Final Video Project Submission (200 pts) |
Dec. 3 |
| Final Project | Friday, 12/7
Share completed videos |
Film Festival (100 pts)
Share your completed video projects with peers, advisors, professors, and others from the UC Davis community. Location: Plant Environmental Science 3001, 3:10pm |
Dec. 7 |