Freelancing, Business Management and

Law MM 400
Course Outline

Course Number MM 400

Credit Hours 48
Prerequisite none
Developers R.A. McCormack
Development Date 02/28/2007

Description
National statistics are clear. About 10% - 25% of individuals working in multimedia are freelancers
(contractors) - some through choice, others as a temporary arrangement. Students will discover what it is
like to be a freelancer, what makes a freelancer successful and what the pros and cons are. Even
students with a future in a non-freelance situation will greatly benefit from the fundamentals of running a
small business. One third of the course will be devoted to copyright, contract and other legal issues facing
multimedia professionals each day.

Textbooks
None.

Other Resources
Learning package may be required.

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Competencies, Learning Objectives, Performance Standards, and
Linked Exit Learning Outcomes

1. Prepare a business plan.

Learning Objectives
What you will learn as you master this competency:
a. Describe the value of a proper business plan.
b. Explain the sections of a business plan.
c. Explain the need for an executive summary.
d. Explain the components the financial statements as part of the plan.
e. Recognize the different forms of a business plan.
f. Describe how a marketing plan fits into a business plan.
g. Identify how competition and market research are used in preparing a plan.
h. Explain the budget and forecasting features of a business plan.
i. Create a mission statement and vision statement for a business.
j. Identify how branding is important to a business.

Performance Standards
You will demonstrate your competence:
- in an online test
- in an assignment to create a business plan

Your performance will be successful when…

- you successfully complete the online test
- you successfully complete and submit your assignment according to the prescribed criteria

Linked Program Outcomes

- Compose harmonious artwork.
- Ensure quality standards.
- Manage projects.
- Develop entrepreneurial skills.

Linked Essential Employability Skills

- Apply a systematic approach to solve problems.
- Locate, select, organize, and document information using appropriate technology and
information systems.
- Analyze, evaluate, and apply relevant information from a variety of sources.

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2. Develop techniques to be a successful entrepreneur.

Learning Objectives
What you will learn as you master this competency:
a. Identify the process of securing work remotely on the Internet.
b. Classify the types of work that lend themselves to freelancing.
c. Explain why freelancers choose to be freelancers.
d. Use on-line accounting solutions to setup and run a company.
e. Identify the fundamentals of negotiating.
f. Access negotiating tutorial on-line.
g. Explain how to get paid for work online.
h. Access various freelance sites specific to Multimedia workers.
i. Compare the various legal forms of businesses in Canada.
j. Create a freelancing plan which fits your skill set.
k. Establish how a better memory can improve your business skills.

Performance Standards
You will demonstrate your competence:
- in an online test
- in an assignment to create a web site for profit

Your performance will be successful when…

- you successfully complete and submit your assignment according to the prescribed criteria

Linked Program Outcomes

- Manage projects.
- Develop entrepreneurial skills.

Linked Essential Employability Skills

- Apply a systematic approach to solve problems.
- Use a variety of thinking skills to anticipate and solve problems.

3. Examine freelancing.

Learning Objectives
What you will learn as you master this competency:
a. Plan a strategy to become a freelancer.
b. Develop a multimedia asset for profit.
c. Evaluate the asset for appearance and purpose.
d. Explore the pricing guidelines as stated in Graphics Artist Guild of America.
e. Formulate well written documentation pertaining to freelancers.
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 f. Evaluate how freelancers profit from the use of Open Source software.
g. Formulate rates per hour and rates per project for freelancing work.

Performance Standards
You will demonstrate your competence:
- in a group assignment to create a framework for freelancing

Your performance will be successful when…

- you successfully complete and submit the group assignment according to the prescribed
criteria

Linked Program Outcomes

- Compose harmonious artwork.
- Ensure quality standards.
- Manage projects.
- Develop entrepreneurial skills.

Linked Essential Employability Skills

- Apply a systematic approach to solve problems.
- Use a variety of thinking skills to anticipate and solve problems.
- Manage the use of time and other resources to complete projects.

4. Establish the principles of copyright and trademark law as they relate to

Multimedia.

Learning Objectives
What you will learn as you master this competency:
a. Explain trademark law.
b. Recognize the effects of trademark law.
c. Plan a multimedia application with 100% copyright cleared collateral.
d. Evaluate trademark law.
e. Evaluate copyright law.
f. Explain how the laws differ in Canada, the United States and worldwide.
g. Develop a strategy for documenting copyright permissions.

Performance Standards
You will demonstrate your competence:
- in a group assignment to develop a business plan

Your performance will be successful when…

- you successfully complete and submit your group assignment according to the prescribed
criteria

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 Linked Program Outcomes
- Compose harmonious artwork.
- Ensure quality standards.
- Manage projects.

Linked Essential Employability Skills

- Apply a systematic approach to solve problems.
- Use a variety of thinking skills to anticipate and solve problems.
- Manage the use of time and other resources to complete projects.

Grading Information
A 80.0 - 100%
B 70.0 - 79.9%
C 60.0 - 69.9%
D 50.0 - 59.9%
F Less than 50.0%

Student Assessment
30% Tests (2)
10% Google Document Assembly Assignment
20% Website for Profit Assignment
20% Freelance Framework Assignment
20% Group Project – Business Plan

College Policy

Tests/Assignments
All assignments are due on the assigned date. Any assignments received after that time will be subject to
a late grade penalty.
Students are to write tests on the dates and within the time lines specified by the professor.
Exceptions may be made at the discretion of the professor in extraordinary circumstances. The professor
may request medical certificates or appropriate documentation at the student's expense. Early
departures at semester end, March Break, or vacations planned during the academic semester will not be
considered as extraordinary circumstances.
The policies are meant to maintain consistent, clear, and appropriate adult expectations for all students,
thus creating an environment of choice and fairness in a postsecondary educational institution.

Note: Plagiarism is a serious academic offence and will result in a failure grade for the assignment. An
instructor may choose to allow the student to submit a new assignment for a reduced grade.

This course is available for challenge or assessment through Prior Learning Assessment and
Recognition (PLAR). Please contact your Program Coordinator for more information or look for PLAR on
the College website at http://www.confederationc.on.ca/plar/
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Services for Students with Disabilities
If you are a student with a disability who may require academic accommodation it is your responsibility to
register with the Learning Centre (Room 153 of the Shuniah Building) or call (807) 475-6618 and discuss
your needs with your faculty early in the semester. It is strongly recommended that students contact the
Learning Centre as early as possible in order to ensure that accommodations can be put in place in a
timely manner.

Dean, School of Business, Hospitality and Media Arts _________________________

Approved for use in academic semester(s): _________________________

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