{"id":6,"date":"2015-12-23T16:32:08","date_gmt":"2015-12-23T16:32:08","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.revolutionsincommunication.com\/viscomm\/?page_id=6"},"modified":"2026-08-31T17:52:55","modified_gmt":"2026-08-31T17:52:55","slug":"course","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/revolutionsincommunication.com\/viscomm\/course\/","title":{"rendered":"226 Course"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>Digital imaging<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Fall 2026 COMS 226 \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><em>\u00a0\u00a0T-Th 9:30 \u2013 10:45 \u00a0\u2013 \u00a0HH 1005 (Mac lab) <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Instructor: Prof. William (Bill) Kovarik,<br \/>\nSchool of Communication, Radford University<br \/>\nEmail: wkovarik@radford.edu<br \/>\nOffice hours:\u00a0 HH 2129, T-Th \u00a02 \u2013 3:15<\/p>\n<p>Textbook: <a href=\"https:\/\/revolutionsincommunication.com\/viscomm\">https:\/\/revolutionsincommunication.com\/viscomm<\/a><u>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/u><\/p>\n<p><strong>Catalog description of the course<\/strong>\u00a0\u2014 Four hours lecture and laboratory. Instruction in the technology of digital imaging and photojournalism. Practice in the creation, editing and processing of digital images for use in various media with some emphasis on the World Wide Web. Visual communication theories and history of photography are also covered. \u00a03.000 Credit hours<\/p>\n<p><strong>Welcome to Digital Imaging <\/strong><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-4440 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/revolutionsincommunication.com\/viscomm\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/KovarikByHarrington-210x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"165\" height=\"236\" srcset=\"https:\/\/revolutionsincommunication.com\/viscomm\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/KovarikByHarrington-210x300.jpg 210w, https:\/\/revolutionsincommunication.com\/viscomm\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/KovarikByHarrington-715x1024.jpg 715w, https:\/\/revolutionsincommunication.com\/viscomm\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/KovarikByHarrington-768x1100.jpg 768w, https:\/\/revolutionsincommunication.com\/viscomm\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/KovarikByHarrington-559x800.jpg 559w, https:\/\/revolutionsincommunication.com\/viscomm\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/KovarikByHarrington.jpg 894w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 165px) 100vw, 165px\" \/>Hello. I\u2019m <a href=\"https:\/\/www.billkovarik.com\/bio\">Professor Bill Kovarik<\/a>, your instructor for Digital Imaging.\u00a0 Contact me any time at <a href=\"mailto:wkovarik@radford.edu\">wkovarik@radford.edu<\/a>\u00a0 Also, I have regular office T-Th at 2 pm and zoom office hours Monday and Wednesday as needed.<\/p>\n<p>This syllabus will help you get started in the COMS 226 course, describing 1) How to get started and where resources are located; 2) our learning objectives;\u00a0 3)\u00a0 assessment methods, and 4) support and accessibility policies.<\/p>\n<p>COMS 226 course is an introduction to the how and why of visual communication &#8212; the methods as well as some historical context and aesthetic issues.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Getting started\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Textbook:\u00a0 This course has no required textbooks.\u00a0 Instructional materials are here: \u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/revolutionsincommunication.com\">https:\/\/revolutionsincommunication.com<\/a><u>\/viscomm<\/u><\/p>\n<p>Due dates and assignment information will come from <u>D2L Course Schedule <\/u>\u00a0It is accessed through a web browser (as you already know);\u00a0 Log in using your RU ID and Password at <a href=\"http:\/\/learn.radford.edu\">learn.radford.edu<\/a> If you are registered for the class, you will see COMS 226.<\/p>\n<p>Useful tools:\u00a0 Digital camera (or phone camera), headphones or earbuds, extra drive \/ cloud space for backups. For serious students, a digital SLR type camera is very helpful. These are also available for checkout from the Equipment Room, first floor HH or from the library.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>\u00a0\u00a0Learning objectives <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Create a professional web portfolio page using WordPress<\/li>\n<li>Create, edit, optimize, and display media on your web portfolio\n<ul>\n<li>Create:\u00a0 Shoot &amp; capture photo, audio and video files.<\/li>\n<li>Edit: Employ basic editing and formatting software<\/li>\n<li>Display: Upload and display photo, audio and video information on a web site<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Design a publication in InDesign, export as a pdf for web and for printing<\/li>\n<li>Create a simple animation, export and display as video<\/li>\n<li>Create a podcast, export and display as an audio file<\/li>\n<li>Understand principles of composition and visual communications.<\/li>\n<li>Understand the history and principles of photography<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>How this works <\/strong><\/p>\n<p>We\u2019ll start the week on Tuesdays with a zoom lecture and introduce a learning module about some key aspect of digital imaging.\u00a0 You\u2019ll also have some reading \/ watching to do each week, and a practical assignment or two.\u00a0 Thursdays we will refine the assignment or, later in the semester, leave some time for individual help and catching up.<\/p>\n<p>All of the readings and assignments will be organized through D2L, so if you\u2019re not sure of what you need to do for that week, just go to the D2L class page and look for the course schedule.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Submitting Assignments and Projects:<\/strong>\u00a0All assignments and projects will placed on your own WordPress content management system web site, but quizzes and written exercises will be taken through the class D2L site.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Artificial intelligence <\/strong>\u2013 AI is no substitute for thinking. In this class you may use AI tools for research. However, AI cannot \u00a0replace your analysis, reasoning, source evaluation, or composition of a final assignment or law brief. When AI contributes to your work, you must describe how you used it and how your creative analysis can lead to independent action.<\/p>\n<p><strong>\u00a0\u00a0Assessment\u00a0 <\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>4.1 Grading criteria for individual assignments\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Technical issues:\n<ul>\n<li>Files optimized for web display with correct format<\/li>\n<li>Light and colors are level and balanced<\/li>\n<li>Pixel depth is 72 ppi for web<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Aesthetic issues:\n<ul>\n<li>Your own original work is required for all assignments, except practice assignments when we specify public domain images, audio or video<\/li>\n<li>All work for credit must be done this semester<\/li>\n<li>Subjects should be ethical and appropriate<\/li>\n<li>Human subjects should be close to the camera.<\/li>\n<li>Theme is emphasized within the frame<\/li>\n<li>Composition is balanced and proportional<\/li>\n<li>Eye travel, sequence and rule of thirds are considered<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>4.2\u00a0 Overall course grading assessment<\/strong>\u00a0\u2014 Course grades will be based on a combination of participation, written research, and performance on quizzes and exams. To earn an A in the class, score at least 1,000 possible points in these categories:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Section 1 \u2013 WordPress site; Four parts, 50 points each (200 overall)\n<ul>\n<li>Establish site, Display images, Organize menus, header and theme<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Section 2 \u2013 Ten Photoshop \/ Gimp exercises, 20 points each (200 overall)<\/li>\n<li>Section 3 \u2013 Photography\n<ul>\n<li>Photography exercise with DSLR cameras\u00a0 (100 overall)<\/li>\n<li>Three personal photo galleries, five photos each, (150 overall)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Sections 4 \u2013 8 &#8212; Two projects of your choice from the following sections:\n<ul>\n<li>Section 4 \u2013 Graphics \/ InDesign (pdf), 100 points<\/li>\n<li>Section 5 \u2013 Audio project \/ Audacity podcast (m4a, mp3), 100 points<\/li>\n<li>Section 6 \u2013 Video project \/ Adobe Premier (H264, mp4), 100 points<\/li>\n<li>Section 7 \u2013 Animation project, Photoshop, After Effects, etc. (gif) 100 points<\/li>\n<li>Section 8 \u2013 Optional open project, (drone, livestream, etc) 100 points<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Six Quizzes \u2014 25 points each\u00a0(150 0verall)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ol start=\"4\">\n<li><strong> Class\u00a0 Policies\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><strong>Attendance \u2013 <\/strong>If you mis\u00e7 ten percent of the classes your grade starts to drop proportionally.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Learning club atmosphere &#8212; <\/strong>\u00a0This is a little different from the routine. During lab hours we want to have an open and innovative atmosphere in the classroom.<\/p>\n<p>For example, as you work in the lab, you may find that you need help and the instructor is helping someone else.\u00a0 In that situation, please ask a friend or classmate for assistance. By the same token, if you are further ahead than other students, it is part of your responsibility in a community of scholars to turn around and help others.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Zoom protocols<\/strong> \u2013 We may have at least some zoom classes.\u00a0 We want the video to be on for both presenters and listeners. The chat should also be on, and microphones off, unless you are talking.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Incomplete grades<\/strong> \u2013 Students with personal or medical issues should talk with the Dean of Students office. They, in turn, can advise faculty about a need for leniency in grading. You may ask that a grade of Incomplete be assigned at the end of the semester so that you might finish the course by the end of next semester and earn your best possible\u00a0grade despite personal or medical issues. This is not recommended except for emergency situations, since it is harder to keep up with the assignments.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Free speech and communication <\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Please feel free to speak up and ask questions, either in class or in private, via zoom or in person office conferences.<\/p>\n<p>Naturally, you are free to say what you think about the course topics or the course itself. Your opinions will be respected, especially insofar as they reflect reasoned arguments and efforts to clarify or improve.\u00a0 We will not tolerate bias against conservatives, liberals, Whigs or Tories. All reasonable views are welcome, especially if what you say is guided by a sense of ethics, consideration for others, and respect for diversity of citizenship and scholarship.<\/p>\n<p>However, we will not tolerate hate speech, obscenity, threats of violence or other forms of expression not protected under the First Amendment.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>University policies\u00a0 <\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Academic integrity<\/strong>, as pointed out in the Standards of Student Conduct, prohibits falsification, cheating, forgery and other dishonest academic practices. Students who have problems in this area will fail the course and be reported to the dean\u2019s office.<\/p>\n<p><em>Honor Code: By accepting admission to this university, each student makes a commitment to understand, support and abide by the honor code without compromise or exception.\u00a0 <\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong>Confidentiality<\/strong> \u2014 Discussions about your grade or other aspects of your life at RU are kept in strict confidence by the instructor under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) (20 U.S.C. \u00a7 1232g; 34 CFR Part 99). This means the instructor will be happy to talk with your mom or dad, but only with your permission.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Disabilities \u2014<\/strong>If you are seeking academic accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act at Radford University, you are required to register with the Disability Resource Office (DRO).\u00a0\u00a0 To receive academic accommodations for this class, please submit your documentation to the DRO in the lower level of Tyler Hall Suites 54-69, by fax to 540-831-6525, by email to dro@radford.edu. After submitting documentation to the DRO, you will set up an interview with a Disability Services Specialist to discuss accommodations. You will be notified via email once your accommodation package is complete and ready to be picked up. Once you have picked up your accommodation package, you will need to meet with each course professor during their office hours to review and discuss your package.\u00a0 For more information and\/or for documentation guidelines, visit www.radford.edu\/dro or call 540-831-6350.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Calendar Fall 2026\u00a0 <\/strong><\/p>\n<p>(Sections refer to top menu items: <a href=\"https:\/\/revolutionsincommunication.com\/viscomm\/\">https:\/\/revolutionsincommunication.com\/viscomm\/<\/a> )<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Aug 25 \u2013 27 \u00a0\u00a0 Introduction \/ Section 1 build a web site<\/p>\n<p>Sept 1 \u2013 3 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Section 2 \u2013 File formats \/ Photoshop tools<\/p>\n<p>Sept 8 \u2013 10 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Section 2 \u2013 Perspective, layers, gradients,<\/p>\n<p>Sept 15 \u2013 17\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Open<\/p>\n<p>Sept 22 \u2013 24\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Section 2 \u2013 Text effects, clipping masks<\/p>\n<p>Sept 29\u2013Oct1\u00a0 Section 3 &#8212; Photography<\/p>\n<p>Oct 6 \u2013 8 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Section 3 \u2013 What makes a great photo?<br \/>\nMid term<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Oct 13 \u2013 15\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 Section 4 \u2013 Graphics and InDesign<\/p>\n<p>Oct 20 \u2013 22 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Section 4 \u2013 InDesign<\/p>\n<p>Oct 27 \u2013 29 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Section 5 \u2013 Audio and podcasting<\/p>\n<p>Nov 3 \u2013 5 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Section 6 \u2013 Video<\/p>\n<p>Nov 10 \u2013 12 \u00a0\u00a0 Section 7 \u2013 Animation<\/p>\n<p>Nov 17 \u2013 19 \u00a0\u00a0 Section 8 \u2013 Projects<\/p>\n<p>Nov 24 &#8211; 26\u00a0\u00a0 THANKSGIVING<\/p>\n<p>Dec 1 \u2013 Dec 3\u00a0 Project presentations<\/p>\n<p>Dec 4 \u2013 10\u00a0 Exam week<\/p>\n<p>Dec 11 class ends<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Digital imaging Fall 2026 COMS 226 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0T-Th 9:30 \u2013 10:45 \u00a0\u2013 \u00a0HH 1005 (Mac lab) Instructor: Prof. William (Bill) Kovarik, School of Communication, Radford University Email: wkovarik@radford.edu Office hours:\u00a0 HH 2129, T-Th \u00a02 \u2013 3:15 Textbook: https:\/\/revolutionsincommunication.com\/viscomm\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Catalog description &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/revolutionsincommunication.com\/viscomm\/course\/\">Continue reading <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":1,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"full-width-page.php","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-6","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/revolutionsincommunication.com\/viscomm\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/6","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/revolutionsincommunication.com\/viscomm\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/revolutionsincommunication.com\/viscomm\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/revolutionsincommunication.com\/viscomm\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/revolutionsincommunication.com\/viscomm\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/revolutionsincommunication.com\/viscomm\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/6\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4441,"href":"https:\/\/revolutionsincommunication.com\/viscomm\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/6\/revisions\/4441"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/revolutionsincommunication.com\/viscomm\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}