SCILS: Web Design 04:547:320
Syllabus
Instructor Contact and Office Hours
- Name: Steve Garwood
- Bio (some other details)
- Email is best: librarysteve@yahoo.com
- Office Phone: 732.932.7500 x8276
- Office:
- Location: SCILS Annex Rm. 101
- Hours: Tues/Thurs 5-5:45 or by appt.
Statement about Learning Disabilities
Dean Karen Novick (knovick@scils.rutgers.edu) should be notified if students need any special accommodation due to learning disabilities or physical disabilities.
Catalog Description
This course focuses on the role that web pages play in an organization's public profile, and on establishing linkages between specific content and organizational and client needs in a web-based environment. It addresses principles and skills of web design using current W3C standards, website access, usability and evaluation. It also addresses developing website content tailored to specific audiences.
Pre-Requisite(s)/Co-Requisite(s)
04:547:202 Object-Oriented Programming (Co-Requisite)
Instructional Objectives
-
In this course we will:
- Introduce specific techniques to create usable, audience focused web sites
- Discuss the particulars of web site design for various platforms, browsers, media (screen, print, handheld, aural), connection speeds, and user preferences/types
- Learn simple layout and design techniques to facilitate the transfer of information, keep the viewer/reader interested, and clearly identify the producer of the information
- Explore the role of the web design/production person in an organization and/or as a freelancer
Learning Objectives
- Students will demonstrate the knowledge gained in the course by being able to:
- identify and apply basic and advanced principles and techniques of web design standards
- publish documents on the World Wide Web using XHTML, CSS, Javascript, and various styling languages and tools, and with content tailored to a target audience
- apply principles of web site access and usability
- discuss the varying roles of web pages and web page design/production staff in organizations
- explain the implications of web design, usability and information networking for organizational and client needs.
My personal goals for this class:
- You can walk into a job interview, say you know xhtml/css and basic web design...and actually mean it
- You can work with an organization/department and help support what they want to accomplish on the web (whether you're doing the design or helping someone who is)
- You can move on to classes like Special Topics (XML and/or Database Driven...), Information Visualization, etc. and be ready for them (and be ready to get the most out of them)
- You can take on clients and create web sites for them. Restaurants, Bars, and other small businesses need to be on the web...nothing fancy, they don't need CMS or lots of Flash...they just need a presence...go, help them, and make a little $$
Organization of the Course
- Each class we'll start with a "lecture" where you'll follow along with me as we design something, we'll then turn to a lab where you'll have to design something on your own using my directions/examples.
- Homeworks and Assignments are given to reinforce that skills learned can be applied outside of the classroom.
Topic/Themess to be covered:
- Basic
- xhtml structure, File Transfer (SFTP), CSS formatting, Image/Color manipulation
- Layout
- Image Slicing/Mapping, Tables, CSS Layout
- Interaction
- CSS and JavaScript Interaction
- Topical/Popular
- Multimedia/Podcasting (n/a for summer)
- Web Design in the Work World
- Roles and responsibilities of Web Design/Production in business/freelance work environments
See the course schedule for details
Assignments and Criteria of Assessment
- Grade Points:
- A = 92-100; Outstanding
- B+ = 89-91;
- B = 82-88; Good
- C+ = 79-81;
- C = 72-78; Satisfactory
- D= 62-71
- F = 61 and below
- Grade Breakdown:
- Assignments (60pts)
- Attendance/Participation (10pts)
- Labs (Generally 1per class)(10pts)
- Homeworks (Generally 1per class)(20pts)
- Grading Process:
- Assignments will be graded as due
- Successful completion of items on checklist get you to B+
- From there I review for errors and extra to bring your grade down or up
- Attendance/Participation
- By the end of the class I should be able to match your name to your face in a positive way
- See attendance/participation section below for more detail
- If you expect to do well, you'll be here
- Labs and Homeworks will be graded each week
- Grade Symbols
- x = successful completion
- 0* = not done or inadequate
- p = done late or submitted for partial credit
- 1 week will be allowed from initial grade post to raise any 0 grades to a p or p to X (where possible)...no grades will go from 0 to x
- Grade Symbols
- Assignments will be graded as due
*if your lab/homework/assignment isn't available from your Assignment Management page...I'll assume it's not completed
Major Course Readings (Books/Gear)
Books:
(All books available at the Rutgers University Bookstore in the Ferren Mall or from: bn.com)
- Castro, Elizabeth. HTML for the World Wide Web with XHTML and CSS: Visual QuickStart Guide. 6th Edition, 2006
- Meyer, Eric. CSS Pocket Reference. 3rd Edition, 2007
- Williams, Robin & Tollet, John. The Non-Designer's Web Book. 3rd Edition, 2005
- Various articles and websites selected based on content covered
Readings assigned as per the course schedule
Gear:
- Flash Drive
Attendance Policy
Learning strategies for this course focus on interactive, constructive learning. Each session will provide a range of learning experiences that will integrate formal input, personal and professional experiences, understandings developed through required reading and other homework exercises, discussion, reflection and action. Class activities during class time will provide opportunities for students to develop a range of intellectual abilities, such as analyzing, synthesizing, evaluating, critiquing and reflecting on ideas and viewpoints. Students are also required to actively engage with the literature of the field, both in preparation for and reflection on each session, and as part of the assessment process.
An inquiring mind, a critical spirit, looking for the interconnectedness of ideas, taking risks, appreciating diversity of background and experience are part of this development.
Accordingly, attendance and participation in each class session is an important requirement as they provide indicators of engagement with the course, learning needs, and important foundations for all class assignments. The availability of course material and notes online does not represent a replacement of class attendance. Your instructor has the discretion to lower grades based on excessive absences or late attendance. Students should inform the instructor, in advance when possible, of conditions warranting absence from class. University regulations identify five recognized grounds for absences. These are:
- Illness requiring medical attention;
- Curricular or extracurricular activities approved by the School;
- Personal obligations claimed by the student and recognized as valid (for example, death / serious illness of relative or family member);
- Recognized religious holidays (the university posts official dates in the various Catalogs);
- Severe inclement weather causing dangerous travel conditions; (note that the university formally advises via the Rutgers Web site if classes are cancelled doe to weather)
Written documentation is strongly recommended for absenteeism. The course instructor will determine if an absence is excused or unexcused.
Academic integrity and Student Support Services
Students are expected to take the initiative to become aware of university policies and services that will help them succeed in their academic work. They are responsible for following the guidelines specified in the university’s academic integrity policy, procuring information literacy skills needed to succeed in academics, seeking advisement when needed, and taking advantage of support services. The following websites are recommended for these purposes:
Rutgers’ Policy on Academic Integrity Policy for Undergraduate and Graduate
Students
http://teachx.rutgers.edu/integrity/policy.html
Guidelines for the university’s policy are explained, along with explicit information on
violations of policy, consequences of infractions, and administration of the Academic
Integrity Policy.
Paul Robeson Library - Provost Video on Plagiarism
http://library.camden.rutgers.edu/EducationalModule/Plagiarism/
Fun and informational video on Plagiarism and Academic Honesty
Plagiarism and Academic Integrity
http://www.scc.rutgers.edu/douglass/sal/plagiarism/intro.html
Rutgers University Libraries provide an interactive lesson designed to teach students about avoiding infractions of academic integrity policies.
Rutgers University Libraries and Information Literacy Instruction
http://www.libraries.rutgers.edu/
The library website provides informal instruction through the How do I? link as well as a Library Instruction link to support services such as customized classes, research guides,
learning tools, and workshops.
Training for e-companion Courseware
https://ecompanion.rutgers.edu/
When a face-to-face course is also delivered through the e-companion website students
can access a Flash demo as well as email assistance requests.
Disability Support Services
http://studentaffairs.rutgers.edu/disability/
The Office of Disability Services provides links to information about services that are in
compliance with ADA and Section 504.
School of Communication, Information and Library Studies
http://www.scils.rutgers.edu/
SCILS website provides news and information about events, academic programs, courses, and faculty/staff
Course Calendar
See course schedule for detailed calendar
Ground Rules
- Ban "my bad" from your vocabulary when in this class...to me it means "I don't take responsibility for my mistakes"
- "I didn't know" is never an excuse...when in doubt ask. I'll be acting as a Client for most of your assignments...it's your job to ascertain what I want and how I want it
- Remember that since I'm the Client you have to communicate with me in a way that's clear to me
- I'm going to want to know the answer to the question - Why?
- Please ask questions of others in class when working on labs/assignments (but write your own code)
- If I can turn my cell phone off so can you, if you don't the class as a whole will participate in your call :)
- When in doubt...ASK
[If printing this document also print the Assignments page]