Course Description

This course is an introduction to the ActionScript programming language. ActionScript is a programming language used to create graphical web applications that utilize the Flash Player. This course will focus on program structure, ActionScript language syntax, object-oriented and event driven programming, and the integration of audio, graphics and other interactive media in a programmatic way.

Course Objectives

Upon completion of the course, the student will be able to do the following:

Reading and Assignments to complete

Week Activitiy Assignment Due Date
Week 1
8/16-8/23
  • Read: Lesson 1 (Lessons - Week 1 folder)
    • Login to Virtual PC or Download & Install Flash Builder 4
    • View Adobe Videos
    • View Moock Video
  • Read: Chapter 1: Core Concepts (Mook textbook)
Post: Introduction to Discussion Board for Week 1 First post by 8/21 (6:00 P.M.) & two more posts by 8/23 (11:55 P.M.)
Week 2
8/24-8/30
  • Read: Chapter 27: Text Display and Input (Mook textbook)
  • Video: How to Locate and Use the AS3 Language Reference (Lessons - Week 2 folder)
  • Video: How to Complete Your First FB Project (Lessons - Week 2 folder)
Post: Lesson01 SWF to Discussion Board for Week 2 8/30

Week 3
8/31-9/6

  • Read: Chapter 4: Static Variables and Static Methods (Mook textbook)
Post: Reflections to Discussion Board for Week 3 First post by 9/4 (6:00 P.M.) & two more posts by 9/6 (11:55 P.M.)
Week 4
9/7-9/13
  • Read: Chapter 2: Conditionals and Loops (Mook textbook)
  • Video: Lesson02 Video Demonstration (Lessons - Week 4 folder)
Post: Lesson02 SWF to Discussion Board for Week 4 9/13
Week 5
9/14-9/20
  • Read: Chapter 5: Functions (Mook textbook)
  • Video: Lesson03 Video Demonstration (Lessons - Week 5 folder)
Post: Lesson03 SWF to Discussion Board for Week 5 9/20
Week 6
9/21-9/27
  • Read: Chapter 10: Statements and Operators (Mook textbook)
  • View: Mentoring List (Lessons - Week 6 folder)
Post: Missed assignments to Discussion Board for Week 6 & work with your mentor 9/24

Week 7
9/28-10/4

  • Read: Chapter 20: The Display API and the Display List
Mentoring Continued
Post: Completed SWF file to Discussion Board for Week 6
10/4
Week 8
10/5-10/11
  • Read: Chapter 25: Drawing with Vectors
  • Video: Lesson04 Video Demonstration (Lessons - Week 8 folder)
Post: Lesson04 SWF to Discussion Board for Week 8 10/11
Week 9
10/12-10/18
  • Read: Chapter 26: Bitmap Programming (Mook textbook)
  • Read: Chapter 28: Loading External Display Assets (Mook textbook)
Post: Proposal for Final Project to Discussion Board for Week 9 10/18
Week 10
10/19-10/25
  • Read: Chapter 12: Events and Event handling (Mook textbook)
  • Video: Lesson05 Video Demonstration (Lessons - Week 10 folder)
Post: Lesson05 SWF to Discussion Board for Week 10 10/25
Week 11
10/26-11/1
  • Read: Chapter 21: Events and Display Heirarchies (Mook textbook)
  • Video: Lesson06 Video Demonstration (Lessons - Week 11 folder)
Post: Lesson06 SWF to Discussion Board for Week 11 11/1
Week 12
11/2-11/8
  • Read: Chapter 11: Arrays (Mook textbook)
  • Video: Lesson07 Video Demonstration (Lessons - Week 12 folder)
Post: Lesson07 SWF to Discussion Board for Week 12 11/8
Week 13
11/9-11/15
  • Read: Chapter 6: Inheritance (Mook textbook)
  11/15
Week 14
11/16-11/22
  • Read: Chapter 22: Interactivity (Mook textbook)
  • Video: Lesson08 Video Demonstration (Lessons - Week 14 folder)
Post: Lesson08 SWF to Discussion Board for Week 13 11/22
Week 15
11/23-11/29
Post: 3 ActionScript Web Site Links to Discussion Board for Week 15 11/29
Week 16
11/30-12/6
Post: Final Project SWF to Discussion Board for Week 16 12/6

Instructor's Notes to Students:

This course has no formal exams and is based on cooperative and project oriented learning. Your participation is very important to everyone's success in this class. Please keep up with the reading assignments so that you can make intelligent posts in the discussion forums. It is very important that you particpate in all of the discussion forums in a timely manner by always posting your comments and replies by the deadlines stated for each forum. Your Discusison Board posts, Lesson SWFs and Final project must be posted by 11:55 P.M. of the assignment due date (listed in the right hand column for each project), there will be NO EXCEPTIONS and NO MAKEUPS!!! If you miss any three discussion posts or assignment posts, you will be dropped from the class.

Course Grading

3 Discussion Forums.............................................6 pts. ea. 8 Lesson Posts............................................6 pts. ea.
1 Final Project Proposal............................................6 pts. 1 Final Project...............................................28 pts.
Total points for course: 100   Letter grade: A > 89%    B > 79%    C > 69%    D > 59%    F < 60%

Instructor's Regular Effective Contact Policy

For quickest response to questions or problems regarding this course, students should always send me an email using the format specified in the CIS EMAIL POLICY to the email address listed in the instructor box at the top of the Syllabus.

When emailing me during my stated online office hours, which can be found by clicking on the “Hours” link within the Instructor's box of this course, I will usually respond within the same day - depending on my student case load for that particular day. Students are always responded to on a first come first served basis.

When emailing me outside of my posted office hours, when posting to a discussion thread, or when submitting an assignment, students can expect that they will receive an appropriate response, when required, within 48 hours of the post or submission (Monday thru Thursday at 5:00 P.M.). Emails received after Thursday at 5:00 P.M. will be responded to on the following Monday.

To schedule a face-to-face meeting during the posted face-to-face office hours or to request synchronous contact via: virtual office, by telephone, or IM (Instant Messaging); please email your request so that we can schedule a mutually convenient meeting time.

From time to time, as it is deemed necessary, contact will be initiated with you, individually or jointly, via: email, Canvas Announcements, or Discussion Board posts to help keep you informed and up-to-date regarding your progress or status in this course. Be sure that you read all Announcements I post on Canvas and check your MSJC email on a daily basis. Please click "Reply" when responding to an email I send you so that my email message is included in your email response. That way I can easily keep track of what our discussion thread pertains to.

⇑ Table of Contents

BBennett@msjc.edu -- be sure that “CSIS 119A” is the Subject of your email so that it won't get lost amongst my spam mail and always be sure to include your first and last name somwhere in the body of the email.

Plagiarism, Cheating, and Stealing Policies (Academic Integrity)

For more details on plagiarism and cheating, please review the MSJC Student Conduct Web Resources page.

⇑ Table of Contents

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy

It is my view that Artificial Intelligence is on its way to becoming just as ubiquitous as is the Internet. Meaning that in order to be successful in life you will need to know how and when to use it. Whereas I will not tolerate you plagiarizing copyrighted material or stealing content created by others in any shape or form, I do not have a problem with you using AI to the extent you feel is helpful for completing your assignments. However, keep in mind that one of the best techniques for learning new material is elaboration. Explaining what you are learning to others goes a long way in helping you to sort out and better retain in your grey matter the content you are learning in this class.

What I am saying is, learning to use AI is a good thing, but be careful that you don't rely on so much as to be a deterrent to your learning experience. It is a slippery slope for sure, but I will leave it up to you to metacognitively evaluate what works best for you as far as your learning is concerned. Keep in mind you paid to be here to learn and understand the subject matter being presented, don't let the lure of AI override your desire to learn this subject matter to the best of your ability.

⇑ Table of Contents

Learning Environment

All students are entitled to an environment that encourages learning. If a student behaves in a manner that negatively affects other class members, he or she is guilty of disruptive behavior. Such behavior will be addressed in a manner consistent with school policy.

In a face-to-face class students should turn off cell phones and refrain from speaking when others are already talking.

In an online class students should follow the rules of netiquette when posting to discussion forums or communicating via Canvas Messaging.

⇑ Table of Contents

Need Tutoring?

Tutoring for some Business & CIS classes including Internet Authoring, Programming, Networking and Microsoft Office applications is available online.

  1. Lab/tutor schedules and access can be found by clicking on the Help button "?" in Canvas.
  2. Under the Other Resources heading click on the Get Tutor Help link.
  3. On the screen that appears click the link in the Pisces (MSJC Peer Tutoring) box. It reads: "There is # groups with faculty or staff available."
  4. On the next screen, click on the link for MSJC LRC Online Tutor.
  5. Read the instructions on the Welcome to MSJC's LRC Online Tutoring! screen.

For help getting tutoring, contact the MSJC Learning Resource Center.

⇑ Table of Contents

MSJC Learning Resource Centers

Check out the MSJC Learning Resource Centers! Academic Support is available for all students through the services provided in the Learning Resource Centers on each campus. Inquire at each center regarding hours of operations and specific subjects for which tutors are available. In addition, some subject area specialist tutors are available for courses through specific departments. Ask your instructor if specialized tutors are available for your individual course.

⇑ Table of Contents

 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusiveness

Mt. San Jacinto College is committed to supporting the diversity of its students and communities and as such, this virtual classroom will be a space committed to anti-racism, anti-sexism, and anti-homophobia. I believe it is important that our class is a space where we can work to understand ourselves and others better. To do this, we must have respect for each other and treat each other with dignity, which requires that we value and affirm each other’s experiences. We, the Mt. San Jacinto College Faculty, Classified Professionals, and Administrators, acknowledge there are systemic barriers that have historically excluded and prevented equal outcomes for students on the basis of:

Therefore, we define equity as an investment and commitment to achieving parity in academic outcomes by removing institutional barriers and creating an inclusive and culturally affirming learning environment. As such, we are dedicated to challenging our perceptions, biases, and blind spots through self-reflection and constant inquiry to identify and eliminate equity gaps and reinvest in our communities. Our purpose is to celebrate diversity, instill hope, and empower our students to transform their lives and those around them.

 Student Support Hub

For more information about MSJC's dedication to student success see the Student Support Hub.

Disability Statement

Mt. San Jacinto College abides by the American with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 that prohibits federal and state agencies or programs from discriminating against qualified individuals with disabilities. Students in this course who have a documented disability, that limits a major life activity which may have some impact on your work in this class and for which you may require accommodations should meet with a Accommodation Service Center facilitator as soon as possible.

⇑ Table of Contents

Satisfactory Academic Progress

Federal and State regulations require that students seeking financial aid must demonstrate Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) toward a published degree objective and ensure progress toward the degree for all periods of enrollment whether or not the student has received financial aid. There is a minimum unit and a maximum unit requirement. Withdrawing from a course may have serious impacts on your financial aid eligibility. If a student drops units after receiving a grant disbursement, the student MAY be required to repay a portion or all of the grant. Students are encouraged to review the MSJC SAP policy at: and consult with a financial aid representative before dropping course(s). An SAP appeal is available on StudentForms for all extenuating circumstances.

⇑ Table of Contents