syllabus

This course is designed to instruct students in Web site construction and design. Students will learn HTML/CSS/JQuery coding and then be introduced to popular Web design and graphics programs including Dreamweaver, Photoshop and iMovie, as well as the content management system WordPress. The course will cover the usage of graphics, sound and video and discuss the appropriateness of multimedia on Web sites for journalism, advertising, public relations, and e-commerce. Students will work on several small Web projects that will lead to a final multimedia project. The goal is to emphasize more than just the skills associated with individual programs, but the integration of several programs into designing effective and attractive Web sites.

In addition, the class will address social and theoretical implications of technology, such as the digital divide, cyberlaw, e-commerce, and Web content credibility and accessibility.

Upon completion of this course, students will possess:

      • an understanding of HTML, CSS, JQuery and other Web design technologies
      • an understanding of the role of content management systems
      • a broad perspective on the interactive, multimedia, Web 2.0, and communication environments, including issues of diversity and inclusiveness
      • the ability to create Web sites that are functional and well designed
      • the ability to produce engaging multimedia to accompany sites

This class is taught as a lecture/lab combination. Online tutorials, blog discussion, and self-help will also be used to accomplish some of the assignments and exercises. Students are expected to participate in news and current event discussions, providing topics that are of interest to them. The instructor will cover skills session in class as a group, and students will practice skills both in and out of class in order to complete projects. Assistance is available at designated times. OM212 is also available as an open lab for project work when it is not being used for a class. The course Web site provides a variety of resources for reinforcement of learning, including downloadable handouts and video tutorials. Students will also participate in online discussions and a blogging activity that will further provide an opportunity to communicate and contribute.

Late Assignments and Attendance
Assignments for this course are challenging and fun, but the class moves very quickly, so you will not want to fall behind. Missed assignments will receive a grade of F. A student may turn in one (1) assignment late during the semester, if there is an excused reason with prior arrangement with professor. Any other late assignments will receive a grade of F.

Attendance is required in this course. You may have two absences without penalty throughout the semester. For the third and fourth absence, your final course grade will be reduced by 10% each. After the fourth absence, you will be encouraged to drop the course or you will receive an F. In addition, your overall participation grade will suffer, because you can’t participate if you are not in class. There are no excused absences, sickness and work-related absences must be covered within the policy above. Because we cover so much ground in this class, it is no coincidence that the best projects historically have been turned in by the students with the best attendance. For ANY absence students will be expected to catch up on their own (with online materials, tutorials and by asking fellow students) and ask only specific questions to either the instructor or TA about what they missed (don’t ask “What did I miss?” or “Did I miss anything?” or “I’m lost” – which is not a question at all).

If you do miss a class, you are required to catch up on your own and be prepared for any material that you missed on the next class day you attend.

  • Projects (3) – 30%
    • Student Bio Website (10%)
    • Student Bio Website Redesign (10%)
    • Bootstrap Hobby/Organization Site (10%)
  • Exercises (3) – 15%
    • Responsive Exercise (5%)
    • Slideshow/Carousel Exercise (5%)
    • iMovie Exercise (5%)
  • Troubleshooting Assessment – 5%
  • Class Discussion Blog & Current Events – 10%
  • Attendance – 10%
  • Final Project – 30%

You will need a USB storage device (e.g., flash drive, external hard drive) to save a backup of your files.

There are no required textbooks this semester. However, we will be reading some excerpts from Robin Williams and John Tollett, The Non-Designer’s Web Book. 3rd Edition. Berkeley, Calif.: Peachpit Press, 2005 and Design for Hackers. You will also be asked to do online or handout readings from time to time.

Instead of purchasing a textbook, you are required to purchase a self-hosted domain through BlueHost. You can use other hosting companies, but we have a special deal through BlueHost that provides inexpensive plans for what we get. We will discuss rates and more in class.

Students should also have a TX State email account that they check frequently and are encouraged to have a twitter account. These will be the main methods of communication for the course.

Equipment Checkout – We have several digital still cameras and DV camcorders assigned to this class. Please contact me in advance if you want to check one out. You will be allowed to keep it from one class period to the next (i.e. checkout on Mon, return on Wed), so plan your shoots accordingly. On the day you return a still camera, you must download your photos and delete them from the memory stick at the first available lab time and return the camera to the Instructor (n/a for camcorders, as you will be using your own tape). To reserve a camera for a specific date, email me.

You MUST return the camera(s) in full working order on the following class period. It is important to respect other classmates’ needs to use the equipment. No Excuses will be accepted. Failure to return the equipment on the next class period will result in an automatic reduction of 10% from your final course grade, and your equipment checkout privilege will be revoked for the remainder of the semester.

You are responsible for the equipment that you checkout. Failure to return any equipment due to loss, damage, theft or any other reason will result in the replacement value of that equipment being charged to your TX State account.

Use of School-Owned Camera Equipment
This class may utilize the School of Journalism and Mass Communication Equipment Checkout Room. Use of equipment is a privilege earned through your respect of and cooperation with the checkout rules. These rules are put in place to ensure all students have a chance to use the equipment. If you are late returning a camera to the Equipment Checkout Room, you lose all checkout privileges. In addition, a return that is two days late may result in up to a letter deduction on your grade. If equipment is kept five days past the due date, it is considered stolen, and UPD will be notified.

In this class, you should feel comfortable to participate and express opinions and ideas. Please respect the opinions of others and be considerate of their need to contribute and learn. Turn off cell phones before entering class, and do not take calls during class. Do not use your phone for text messaging during class. Browsing the Web, checking email, IMing, Twitter, Facebook or other non-related activities during class are not acceptable.   Please do not have private conversations with your neighbors during class time, whether the instructor or other students are talking.

Any student who does not adhere to these conduct policies will be asked to leave the classroom. In general, please be respectful of others desire to learn and help to create a fun and beneficial classroom environment.

Student work will be displayed on the Web, which means that it will be available to anyone with Internet access and a browser. Please see the instructor if you have any concerns about posting your projects to the Web.

Academic Honesty 
Students are required to submit original work in this course unless otherwise specified in the assignments. This includes text, content, graphics and photography. Students may use art from “free” sites with appropriate credit and identification, but are encouraged to design their own artwork (grades will be higher for using original work as opposed to another’s artwork).

The School of Journalism and Mass Communication commits itself to the preparation of mass media professionals and scholars. Such a mission demands the highest standards of academic honesty and integrity. Violations of academic honesty, including but not limited to plagiarism, unauthorized collaboration, collusion, deception, conflict of interest and theft, are not tolerated and can lead to severe penalties. Disciplinary actions for violations of the standards for academic honesty are outlined in the Texas State Academic Honesty Statement, printed each year in the Student Handbook. The policy is also available athttp://www.dos.txstate.edu/handbook/rules/honorcode.html.

Texas State University seeks to provide reasonable accommodations for all qualified individuals with disabilities. This university will adhere to all applicable federal, state, and local laws.    Students with disabilities who need special accommodations should contact the Office of Disability Services (ODS) at (512) 245-3451, and register with that office. ODS is located in Suite 5-5.1 at the LBJ Student Center. If you are a student with a disability certified by ODS and you require accommodations in this class, it is your responsibility to notify the professor no later than the fifth class day of this semester so that accommodations can be discussed and promptly provided.