INTRODUCTION TO NEW MEDIA

COM 110 -001

Fall 2016
Department of Communication Studies
State University of New York Cortland
Class: Tuesday & Thursday 11:40 a.m. -12:55 p.m., Cornish Hall 1310
Instructor: Sung Woo Yoo, Ph.D.
Office: Van Hoesen B-125E, (607) 753-5425
Email: sung.yoo@cortland.edu
Office Hours: MW 9:00 a.m.-11:30 p.m. and by appointment
Class blog: newmedia-cortland.tumblr.com
Teaching Assistant: Owen Parseghian
Email: owen.parseghian@cortland.edu
Course Description
This course is designed to introduce students to the rapidly changing scope of
media, equipping them with knowledge and skill to explore the full range of
possibilities as professional communicators. Along with the understanding of
historic and theoretical context of new media, students are expected to learn
and demonstrate basic digital storytelling technique in different platforms. Also,
this course serves as a gateway to a more specialized communication activities
in PR/Advertisement, Journalism and other communication majors.
Course Objectives
The key objectives for Introduction to New Media are:
1. To gain an appreciation of the historical complexities associated with the
development of new media
2. To learn how to create quality visual communication products by shooting
photo and video
3. To understand the narrative style of digital storytelling
4. To become familiar with multimedia editing software packages such as
Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Premiere, Adobe Audition
5. Understand the importance of personal branding in digital age, set up and
maintain a professional digital portfolio
6. To contemplate some of the ethical dilemmas associated with new media
development.
Attendance and Participation
Students are required to actively participate in the classroom. The instructor
evaluates participation in classroom activities. Note that active participation

does NOT imply domination of a given exchange. Rather it involves the

articulation of thoughtful reflection on ideas and concepts presented in the
text, by the instructor, or by fellow students. Students are expected to be on
time, to be prepared, and to be civil in their dealing with the instructor and
classmates.

At t e n d a
nce

In c o m p le t e /
Un a c c e p t a b l
e
3 or more
absences

Ac t i v e
Pa r t i c i p
ation

No unsolicited
participation in
class or small
groups.
Resistance to
solicited
participation.
Qu a l i t y No
Pa r t i c i p participation
or
ation
participation
that is not
related to the
topic. NonPr o f es s i Disrespect
for
other students
o na l /
or professor
Mo r a l
Et i q u e t t (e.g. head on
desk,
e
disruptive, late
arrival)

Unsatisfactor
y/
Unacceptable
2 absences
Work is not madeup
Minimal

Satisfactory/
Acceptable
1 or 2 absences
Missed work is madeup
Unsolicited

participation in
class and in
small groups.
Participate only
when solicited.
No questions
Participation
does not
respond to other
students,
professor, or
topic. Reveals
lack of
Passive/apathetic
disposition.
Responds to
disagreement
with
aggression or
resentment.

participation in
small group or class
discussion.
Asks questions.
Participation is clear
and is relevant to
topic and the flow
of discussion.
Demonstrates
understanding and
reflection.to
Responds
conflict/disagreeme
nt constructively
w/ respect. Appears
focused

Exce l l e n t
/ Ta r g et
No absences
No missed work

Active,
unsolicited
participation in
class and group
discussions.
Demonstrates
leadership.
Satisfactory
and shows
insight/interest
and develops
discussion.
Inspires others.
Offers
constructive
suggestions.
Energetic
participation.

Assignments
Visual Storytelling Project: Develop an integrated project that tells a
story using elements of text, color, sound, and motion. Components of
the project are detailed below.
a. Project development: After two weeks of learning new media
theories and storytelling basics, develop a theme or storyline of
your own. This storyline will drive the development of all future class
projects such as audio and video story assignments. You will be
provided with a list of story types suggested by the instructor. Once
you set up your storyline, create a one-page synopsis of your project
for use during your pitch (presentation).
b. Project pitch: Create a 3-minute formal presentation in which you
will sell your idea to your instructor and classmates. In the real

world The Pitch is your one chance to make your case as to why a
producer should pick up your project. Evaluation based on ability to
communicate idea, organization, delivery, attitude, and effort.
c. Images on social media: Shoot a series of photo images that
relate to your storyline and post to a professional social media
account. Students are asked to set up at least three social media
accounts which include Instagram, Twitter and Tumblr. During the
assignment weeks, you must post at least 15 images on social
media. Edit them using Adobe Photoshop based on the rules for
good photos we discuss in class. Provide strong captions that let the
viewer know what is happening in the photo. Send links to five
images for grading. They will be evaluated on the basis of: story
development, technical competency, originality, composition, visual
interest, color, lighting.
d. Audio-slide show project: Using images you have, create an
original audio-slide story. Standard time is 1:30 to 2 minutes. Edit
and enhance a minimum of five still images and three audio files
using Adobe Photoshop, Premiere and Audition. Examples of audio
files are narration, interview, music, natural sound, and media
sound track. The project is expected to have good movements of
images, title and captions.
e. Interview/bio video clip: As a preparation for a full video story,
create a video clip that introduces you or other characters. Use
tripod. You can use smartphone for this project but microphone use
is recommended. Post them on youtube and snapchat. Send to the
instructor.
f. Video story project: Using field video cameras and/or DSLRs,
acquire audio and visual elements needed to create a video story.
Plan a field work and create a storyboard for the instructors
approval. Downloadable templates for storyboard will be provided
by the instructor. In-class discussion and critique of professional
video stories will be held prior to the project. Standard time is less
than 3 minutes. This project will be the main story in your digital
portfolio.. Elements of these components will be evaluated on the
basis of: story development, technical competency, creativity,
originality, composition, visual interest, audio interest, color,
lighting, audio depth, audio levels, color levels, and timing.
Digital portfolio website: Author a personal website to promote
yourself professionally. Using Adobe Muse, create an interactive,
responsive website that highlights your skills and abilities. This of this as

Activity
Visual storytelling
Synopsis
Project pitch
Images
Audio slideshow script
Audio slideshow project
Video interview on
Youtube and Snapchat
Video scripts/storyboard
Video story
Digital portfolio
Website writing and
design
Portfolio website
Formal project presentation
Quiz and software knowledge
Participation

Point
s

Due Date

50
50
100
50
200
150

15
20
29
06
20
27

100
250

01 November
19 November

50

22 November

300
100
200
200

08 December
08-12 December
4 times
In-class
discussion

September
September
September
October
October
October

Total points
1800
an online resumeone that allows you to use images, video, audio and
text to tell your story. You need to ensure that the site works as a
cohesive whole and all the visual elements support the final product. All
your decisions should be audience driven. This element will be evaluated
on the basis of: design integrity, creativity, originality, story
development, navigational structure, visual aesthetics, audio interest,
and responsive nature of the site.
Quiz and software knowledge: This course is mostly learn-by-doing
course of digital storytelling. However, theoretical instructions will be
given on each sections. Also, this courses requires knowledge of four
Adobe Creative software: Adobe Photoshop, Premiere, Audition, and
Muse. Students level of knowledge will be tested at the end of
each section.
Points and due dates:
Grading
A = exceptional: work exhibits essential elements of professional design and
production expectations
B = work which exceeds minimal standards in terms of analytical
sophistication, presentation, and technical competency.
C = all work complete on time and to a level of sophistication indicative of

course numbering.
A+ (>98) B+ (>88) C+
A
(>94) B
(>84) C
A(>90) B(>80) C-

(>78) D+
(>74) D
(>70) D-

(>68)
(>64)
(>60)

Disability
If you are a student with a disability and wish to request accommodations,
please contact the Office of Student Disability Services located in B-1 Van
Hoesen Hall or call 753-2066. Information regarding your disability will be
treated in a confidential manner. Because many accommodations require
early planning, requests for accommodations should be made as early as
possible. No late work or incompletes will be accepted. Be sure that all
materials prepared for this course conform to contemporary professional and
academic ethical standards. When you incorporate existing materials into
your work, be sure to cite the source; where needed, you should gain the
consent of the author or copyright holder.
Course Schedule
Below is a projected schedule of the lecture, lab lessons, readings and
assignments for the course. I encourage you to keep up with the reading
and practice software skills ahead if your workload permits. You can find
all of the listed materials on the class blog and the blackboard.
<Week 1>
August 30. Overview of the course.
PPT: What are new media? What do you mean?
September 1. Characteristics of new media, key terms and
definitions.
Lecture file: Characteristics of new media
Reading: Lister, M. (2009). New media: A critical introduction. Taylor &
Francis.
pp. 13-44.
Listed on Blackboard. Or link:
http://www.philol.msu.ru/~discours/images/stories/speckurs/New_
media.pdf
New media on Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_media
<Week 2>
September 6. Basics of digital storytelling.
Lecture PPT file: Storytelling basics, structure and narratives
Reading: Tips for writing synopsis
The center for digital storytelling, 7 elements of digital
storytelling
September 8. Photo and image, basics

Lecture PPT file: Photo and image: Composition, framing and lighting.
Key terms of image and color
<Week 3>
September 13. Photo and image, how to shoot.
*Introduction to photo editing (Photoshop)
Lecture file: Types of camera shots, the five-shot rule
How to shoot, edit and share image with Instagram
Photoshop tutorial 1
Watch: Photoshop essential 12 skills

http://www.diyphotography.net/12-essential-photoshop-skills-every-photographerknow-video/

*Quiz (Characteristics of new media, Storytelling basics, Key terms of

image & color)
September 15. Photo and image, editing and sharing.
Lecture file: Photoshop tutorial continued.
Reading: 10 Instagram examples and why they work
Editing with Instagram
This photographer used Instagram to return to Vietnam
http://www.poynter.org/2015/the-napalm-girl-photographerreturned-to-vietnam-this-time-on-aps-instagram/349845/
*Synopsis assignment due
<Week 4>
September 20. Project pitch. In-class presentation of story
September 22. Image editing continued.
Lecture file: Photoshop tutorial 2, retouching
Watch: Mashable, 9 photo composition tips
http://mashable.com/2015/03/17/photo-composition-tips/?
utm_cid=mash-com-fb-main-link#c.mzBgDa15qn
<Week 5>
September 27. Audio
Lecture file: Recording sound and interviews
Where to get sound tracks online
*Quiz
September 29. Audio slide story project, combining audio and
stills
Lecture file: Audio slide story project
Read: Knneth Kobre, Chapter 9, Combining audio and stills, Video
journalism and multimedia storytelling. Assigned as PDF.
*5 image assignment due
<Week 6>

October 4. Introducing Adobe Premier

Lecture file: Tutorial- Adobe Premier
Read: Relinking missing data
October 6. Adobe Premier continued
*Audio slide story script due
<Week 7>
October 11. Copyright, fair use and ethical issues
Lecture file: Getting free sources for your story
Read: Copyright and fair use, how it works online
http://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/copyright-fair-use-and-how-itworks-for-online-images/
October 13. Audio retouching, introducing Adobe Audition
Lecture file: Audio slide story editing, final tips. Adjusting voice and noise.
Tutorial editing with Adobe Audition
Read: MediaStorm guide to cropping stills in Adobe Premiere
*Quiz
<Week 8>
October 18. Fall Break
October 20. Planning and shooting video story
Lecture file: Planning a video story (storyboard templates)
Successful video stories, types and examples
*Audio slideshow assignment due
<Week 9>
October 25.
Conducting interviews, mobile video
Lecture file: Conducting interviews
Read: Video shooting tips in the field by Jeff Sengstack
October 27.
Shooting a sequence
*Video Snapchat and Youtube assignment due
<Week 10>
November 1. Video story production
*Storyboard due
November 3.
Workday - video
<Week 11>
November 8.
Building personal brand
Lecture file: Digital portfolio, steps and examples
Read: Personal branding tips: How to create your online identity
http://www.branddrivendigital.com/personal-branding-tips/
November 19. Digital portfolio examples
Read: How to make websites & influence people
http://holykaw.alltop.com/how-to-make-websites-influence-peopleinfographic?gk4
Video story project

<Week 12>
November 15. Introducing Adobe Muse
Lecture PPT file: Navigation, widgets & html on Muse
Read: For a digital resume, type font matters
http://www.npr.org/2015/04/28/402736024/for-a-resume-type-fontmatters?sc=tw
*Website design due
November 17. Adobe Muse
Lecture file: Organizing and uploading files to your website
Create a contact page
Publishing your website
Read: Create a lightbox slideshow in Adobe Muse
https://helpx.adobe.com/muse/how-to/muse-create-lightboxslideshow.html
*Quiz
<Week 13>
November 22. Portfolio production
*Website writings due
November 24. Thanksgiving Break
<Week 14>
December 6.
Data visualization
December 8.
Portfolio presentation
Final Presentation TBA