Course Syllabus
Course Description
This course explores the creation of effective websites and pages. Topics include application of website development tools, and managing site content, site presentation, and site behaviors. Students explore and modify Hypertext Markup Language (HTML), Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), and use JavaScript code. Students manage a website's associated files and folders, web publishing client/server process, and administration of a website.
Essential Objectives
By the end of the course, students will be able to:
1. Evaluate a variety of websites for content, style and functionality.
2. Analyze how web-based media can perpetuate systems of inequality or promote social change.
3. Identify current trends in web design and development including content management systems, build tools, and version control.
4. Describe accessibility, copyright, security, and other legal and ethical considerations in Web design.
5. Explain the differences between HTML and XHTML and the importance of semantic HTML 5.
6. Create a web page in both an Integrated Development Environment (IDE) and a WYSIWYG editor.
7. Use a variety of media file formats and describe the characteristics of each format and their effect on quality and speed.
8. Demonstrate the appropriate and effective use of HTML tags in web page design.
9. Demonstrate the effective use of inline, internal, and external CSS for style and positioning HTML elements.
10. Compare PHP and JavaScript as they relate to the construction and interactivity of a web page.
11. Create a form to collect data and understand the options for processing and storing that data.
12. Describe logistics and costs involved in planning, implementing, hosting, and maintaining a website.
13. Design and build a multi-page website that includes internal navigation, consistent style, and interactive elements, and effectively convey information, thoughts, and ideas.
14. Design a portfolio of work that demonstrates web development skills and explore ways to share the information with potential employers.
Textbooks & Technology
Required Textbooks:
Robson, E., & Freeman, E. (2012). Head First HTML and CSS. O'Reilly. Available as a free eBook through the Hartness Library.
Technology Requirements:
You will want to use a graphical HTML editor: Notepad ++ for PC or BBedit or Brackets for Mac (free version is fine)
Weekly Topics
- Module 1: The History of HTML
- Module 2: HTML and the W3C
- Module 3: What makes a good website?
- Module 4: The W3C Validator
- Module 5: Adding some style with CSS
- Module 6: Accessibility and security standards
- Module 7: Website planning to avoid common website mistakes
- Module 8: Website layout
- Module 9: Intellectual property, copyright and ethical considerations
- Module 10: JavaScript and PHP
- Module 11: Beyond Text - Photos, Media and Interactive elements
- Module 12: Understanding forms
- Module 13: Content management systems
- Module 14: Website hosting
- Module 15: Final Projects
Grading
Your final grade will be based on the following assessments:
| Assignment Category | Grade Weight Percentage |
|---|---|
| Demonstrate Your Learning Forums | 30% |
| Assignments | 40% |
| Try It Yourself Activities | 10% |
| Final Project | 20% |
| Total | 100% |
Assignments Overview
Your learning modules will consist of learning resources, demonstrate your learning forums, assignments, and Try It Yourself Activities. You will also be working towards a final website development project throughout the course. Please review all of the assignment rubrics for details on grading.
Demonstrate Your Learning forums are a part of every learning module.
This is where the majority of your written work will be posted. Please check in early and often for new posts, comments and suggestions. There will sometimes be multiple discussions posted, where I expect you to be engaged in a conversation with your classmates. Participating in the discussion forum is imperative for your attendance to be registered. You are considered to be present in class if you post before the 11:59 p.m. on Monday, before the conclusion of the week.
Here's how it works:
1. Write a substantive answer to the question(s) of the week. Your answer to the question is due by midnight on Thursday.
2. Read all of the responses from your fellow classmates.
3. Respond to a minimum of two of your classmates posts. These can be responses directed toward student's original posts or part of an ongoing discussion.
| Exceeds Expectations | Meets Expectations | Approaching Expectations | Does Not Meet Expectations | Points | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Knowledge | Comprehensive, in-depth and wide-ranging (5 points) |
Up to date and relevant (4 points) |
Relevant but not comprehensive (3 points) |
Limited superficial knowledge/response (2 points) |
5 points |
| Understanding | Outstanding ability to grasp concepts and relate theory to practice (5 points) |
High level of ability to conceptualize essential ideas and relate theory to practice (4 points) |
Some ability to conceptualize essential ideas and relate theory to practice (3 points) |
Limited ability to draw out concepts and relate theory to practice (2 points) |
5 points |
| Writing Skills | Excellent mechanics, sentence structure, and organization (5 points) |
Significant mechanics, structure and organization (4 points) |
Some grammatical lapses, uses emotional response in lieu of relevant points (3 points) |
Poor grammar, weak communication (2 points) |
5 points |
| Application & Analysis | Grasps inner relationship of concepts. Excellent use of a wide range of supporting material (5 points) |
Demonstrates the ability to analyze and synthesize, independent analysis, good use of a range of supportive material (4 points) |
Informed commentary with some evidence of genuine analysis; some supportive materials used (3 points) |
Lacks evidence of critical analysis, poor use of supportive evidence (2 points) |
5 points |
| Total Points: | 20 points |
Late assignments/Attendance
Regular attendance and participation in class is an essential component of a student's success in this course and is a completion requirement. Attendance is taken in the Demonstrate Your Knowledge Discussion each week.
Three or more absences will result in a non-passing grade. All assignments are expected to be completed and turned in on time. A late assignment will result in a full letter grade deduction for each day late.
Our weeks will run beginning Tuesday morning and end at midnight Monday. Assignments must be submitted by midnight Monday for full credit.
Student Support & Policies
Please review the following policies and support services:
Course Summary:
| Date | Details | Due |
|---|---|---|