Course Syllabus

Contact Information

This table includes information about how to contact your instructor and other important details about your class

Tess Elliot

Assistant Professor

OU School of Visual Arts

Office Hours: Zoom Meetings By Email Appointment

Email: tesselliot@ou.edu

 

Course Details

For a list of course activities, scroll to the bottom of this page.

Course Prerequisites 

There are no prerequisites for this course. Having previous experience using Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, & Premiere is helpful but not required.

Course Materials

Required Course Materials

  • Video tutorials created by instructor (provided in Modules)
  • Additional support and learning from Adobe
  • Additional tutorials available on LinkedIn Learning

Technology Requirements

Suggested Additional Technologies

Grades

Breakdown

Course activities and grades listed for each activity
Activity Description Points
Assignment 1 Creating Compositions 10
Assignment 2 Keyframe Animation 10
Assignment 3 Masks and Expressions 10
Assignment 4 Effects! 10
Assignment 5 After Effects 3D 10
Assignment 6 Final Project 30
Participation

20

Total  100

Scale

Grade Scale
Percentage Letter Grade
90–100% A
80–89% B
70–79% C
60–69% D
Below 60% F

Course Components

Video Tutorials

Each week is broken down into individual modules in Canvas and will feature a series of video tutorials demonstrating tools and techniques for each weekly topic. Individual video tutorials range from 3 to 15 minutes in length. It is recommended to open After Effects after each video and practice what was demonstrated.

Weekly Help Boards

Weekly help boards are the central location to ask questions about using the software and for troubleshooting specific tools and techniques covered in the weekly topic. You are encouraged to ask about additional tools and techniques that interest you which may or may not have been covered in the tutorials. 

Additional Resources

Each week's module will include additional resources, featuring an Artist to Watch and links to relevant Adobe After Effects support documentation.

Weekly Assignments

Weekly assignments allow you to practice what you've learned each week and keep track of your progress, are worth 10 points each, and will be awarded full points upon submission. The Final Project will be worth 30 points and will be assessed based on merit. The rubric can be found on the Final Project assignment page.

Peer Review Discussion Boards

Your work is also expected to be shared with the class on peer review boards. Upload the requested file type to the board and provide commentary on each other's work and progress. Participation in these forums throughout the semester will account for the final 20% of your grade.

Course Policies

Communication

The best way to reach me is through email. If you'd like to schedule an individual Zoom meeting we can arrange through email to do so. If you have specific questions about using the software, you can also post to the weekly help boards, as other students may have similar inquiries.

Late Policy

I will accept late work up until the final week of class, although it is discouraged to submit late assignments.


University Academic Policies and Student Support

Land Acknowledgement

Long before the University of Oklahoma was established, the land on which the University now resides was the traditional home of the “Hasinais” Caddo Nation and “Kirikirʔi:s” Wichita & Affiliated Tribes.

We acknowledge this territory once also served as a hunting ground, trade exchange point, and migration route for the Apache, Comanche, Kiowa and Osage nations. Today, 39 tribal nations dwell in the state of Oklahoma as a result of settler and colonial policies that were designed to assimilate Native people.

The University of Oklahoma recognizes the historical connection our university has with its indigenous community. We acknowledge, honor and respect the diverse Indigenous peoples connected to this land. We fully recognize, support and advocate for the sovereign rights of all of Oklahoma’s 39 tribal nations. This acknowledgment is aligned with our university’s core value of creating a diverse and inclusive community. It is an institutional responsibility to recognize and acknowledge the people, culture and history that make up our entire OU Community.

Course Catalog 

Search the OU Course Catalog.

Student Handbook

Please familiarize yourself with the OU Student Handbook.

Student Support Services

OU offers a variety of services to support students. For more information, please refer to the Student Support Module in your Orientation course.

Online Library

Access digital materials and other resources at OU Libraries.

Copyright Statement and Privacy Information

Sessions of this course may be recorded or live-streamed. These recordings are the intellectual property of the individual faculty member and may not be shared or reproduced without the explicit, written consent of the faculty member. In addition, privacy rights of others such as students, guest lecturers, and providers of copyrighted material displayed in the recording may be of concern. Students may not share any course recordings with individuals not enrolled in the class or upload them to any other online environment.

Academic Integrity

As a member of the OU community, it is your responsibility to protect your educational investment by knowing and following the rules. The Student Code is available from the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs, and is contained in the Student's Guide to Academic Integrity

Academic honesty is incredibly important within this course. Cheating is strictly prohibited at the University of Oklahoma, because it devalues the degree you are working hard to get. Should you know of someone else engaging in academic misconduct, please report it to your instructor or directly to the Office of Academic Integrity. Your instructor has a professional obligation to report academic misconduct. 

In addition to the course conduct policies outlined by your professor in the Course Syllabus in the online classroom, please review the Graduate Student Handbook. 

Religious Observance

It is the policy of the University to excuse the absences of students that result from religious observances and to reschedule examinations and additional required classwork that may fall on religious holidays, without penalty. [See Faculty Handbook 3.15.2].

Reasonable Accommodation for Disabilities

The Accessibility and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) is committed to supporting students with disabilities to ensure that they are able to enjoy equal access to all components of their education. This includes your academics, housing, and community events. Please review OU's Accessibility Policy.

If you are experiencing a disability, a mental/medical health condition that has a significant impact on one or more life functions, you can receive accommodations to provide equal access. Possible disabilities include but are not limited to learning disabilities, AD(H)D, mental health, and chronic health. Additionally, we support students with temporary medical conditions (broken wrist, shoulder surgery, etc.) and pregnancy.

To discuss potential accommodations, please contact the ADRC at 730 College Avenue, (phone) 405-325-3852, or adrc@ou.edu.

Title IX Resources  

Anyone who has been impacted by gender-based violence, including dating violence, domestic violence, stalking, harassment, and sexual assault, deserves access to resources so that they are supported personally and academically.

The University of Oklahoma is committed to offering resources to those impacted, including: speaking with someone confidentially about your options, medical attention, counseling, reporting, academic support, and safety plans. If you would like to speak with someone confidentially, please contact OU Advocates (available 24/7 at 405-615-0013) or another confidential resource (see "Can I make an anonymous report?").

You may also choose to report gender-based violence and discrimination through other means, including by contacting the Institutional Equity Office (ieo@ou.edu, 405-325-3546) or the police (911).

Because the University of Oklahoma is committed to the safety of you and other students, I, as well as other faculty, Graduate Assistants, and Teaching Assistants, are mandatory reporters. This means that we are obligated to report gender-based violence that has been disclosed to us to the Institutional Equity Office. This includes disclosures that occur in class discussions, writing assignments, discussion boards, emails, and during Student/Office Hours.

For more information, please visit the Institutional Equity Office.

Adjustments for Pregnancy/Childbirth Related Issues

Should you need modifications or adjustments to your course requirements because of documented pregnancy-related or childbirth-related issues, please contact me as soon as possible to discuss your options. Generally, modifications will be made where medically necessary and similar in scope to accommodations based on temporary disability. Learn more about the rights of pregnant and parenting students by consulting the FAQ sheets provided by the Institutional Equity Office.

Mental Health Support Services

If you are experiencing any mental health issues that are impacting your academic performance, counseling is available at the University Counseling Center (UCC). The Center is located on the second floor of the Goddard Health Center, at 620 Elm Rm. 201, Norman, OK 73019. To schedule an appointment, call 405-325-2911. For more information, please visit the University Counseling Center.

Final Exam Preparation Period

Pre-finals week will be defined as the seven calendar days before the first day of finals. Faculty may cover new course material throughout this week. For specific provisions of the policy please refer to OU's Final Exam Preparation Period policy.

Required Policies for Students On Campus

Emergency Protocol

During an emergency, there are official university procedures that will maximize your safety.

Severe Weather: If you receive an OU Alert to seek refuge or hear a tornado siren that signals severe weather:

  1. Look for severe weather refuge location maps located inside most OU buildings near the entrances
  2. Seek refuge inside a building. Do not leave one building to seek shelter in another building that you deem safer. If outside, get into the nearest building.
  3. Go to the building’s severe weather refuge location. If you do not know where that is, go to the lowest level possible and seek refuge in an innermost room. Avoid outside doors and windows.
  4. Get in, Get Down, Cover Up.
  5. Wait for official notice to resume normal activities.

Additional Weather Safety Information is available through the Department of Campus Safety.

Severe Weather Refuge Areas

Severe Weather Preparedness Video

Armed Subject/Campus Intruder

If you receive an OU Alert to shelter-in-place due to an active shooter or armed intruder situation or you hear what you perceive to be gunshots:

  1. Avoid: If you believe you can get out of the area without encountering the armed individual, move quickly towards the nearest building exit, move away from the building, and call 911.
  2. Deny: If you cannot flee, move to an area that can be locked or barricaded, turn off lights, silence devices, spread out, and formulate a plan of attack if the shooter enters the room.
  3. Defend: As a last resort fight to defend yourself. For more information, visit:

OU's Emergency Preparedness site

Shots Fire on Campus Procedure

Fire Alarm/General Emergency

If you receive an OU Alert that there is danger inside or near the building, or the fire alarm inside the building activates:

  1. Leave the building. Do not use the elevators.
  2. Know at least two building exits
  3. Assist those that may need help
  4. Proceed to the emergency assembly area
  5. Once safely outside, Notify first responders of anyone that may still be inside the building due to mobility issues.
  6. Wait for official notice before attempting to re-enter the building.

OU Fire Safety on Campus Video

Course Summary:

Course Summary
Date Details Due