Syllabus
Course Overview
The Web can no longer be thought of as something we interact with solely at our desks in our homes or offices. Instead, we are constantly shifting how and why we access the web. By the end of 2016, 77% of Americans had smartphones while 51% had tablet computers (PEW Research Center). Worldwide, mobile usage has actually overtaken desktop usage (StatCounter). The mobile adoption is growing at a breakneck speed and is not expected to slow down any time soon.
Because of these changes we must build our websites with an eye toward the future and let go of the antiquated notion that we might know what type of device or screen size they will be viewed on. We must strive to create websites that adapt to a wide variety of devices. We must also create websites that will continue to work into the future, even as the web technologies we use everyday continue to change.
In this course you will build upon your previous knowledge in web design and learn to think of websites as moving pieces that should respond to the user. We will also take a closer look at how websites function as complex design systems and must adhere to common usability guidlines.
Office Hours
If you would like to see me outside of class, please email me to set up an appointment. I work full-time for Simmons and am generally on campus Monday–Friday between 11am–7pm.
Texts
There are no required textbooks to purchase for this course. Most readings will be freely available online or distributed to you at the time it is assigned.
Recommended Text
Learning Web Design, 4th Edition
by Jennifer Niederst Robbins
ISBN: 9781449319274
Class Website
All homework and project descriptions will be posted on the class website at: http://www.simmons.edu/~grovesd/comm333
Attendance & Grading
We will cover a lot of information in this course. The good news is that you will learn something new each class. The “bad” news is that you will really need to come to class, and by “coming to class” I mean, coming to class prepared, having done your reading and homework, ready to ask questions, present your work, and critique the work of others.
If you know you will absent from class, I appreciate notice ahead of time so I can plan accordingly. Whether excused or unexcused, absences will affect your coursework. We will meet 14 times this semester. I expect you to attend each session. You will receive a zero for your participation grade for each missed class.
Given the importance of your active participation in class not only for yourself, but for your classmates, more than three absences will result in the reduction of your final grade by one full letter grade.
Your grade will be determined by a combination of marks received for homework assignments, quizzes, projects, and participation throughout the semester. You may use the following as a rough guide for your final grade:
- Homework: 15%
- Quizes: 5%
- Projects (3 total): 65%
- Participation: 10%
- My Discretion 5%
Weekly Website Updates
For this course you will be expected to keep your own class website up to date. You should create a web page for each week of class. Each class page should contain the following information:
- Summary of topics we covered
- Links to any demonstration files you created during class or relevant class notes
- Links to any assignments done for homework
- Summary (~450 words) of reading from previous week with citations or links to reading included.
You should think of your class website as a process book for your journey in the course. Create it as a reference for your future self.
All of your site content should be well-written and thoroughly edited. It should not contain typos or misspellings. If you use other sources or websites, make sure to credit them.
If you reference a website or article, it’s proper web etiquette to include a link to the source website or article. If you do include a link, check to make sure it works!
Intellectual Honesty
You’re in school to learn, and to improve yourself. Don’t take the work of others and present it as your own. Don’t let a friend who already knows this stuff do your work for you. You (and they) might be well-meaning, but you need to use your judgment about when someone is helping, and when they are doing your work (and in effect, getting your grade) for you.
If you have questions, ask. If you need help, seek it in class or during of ce hours. Don’t let yourself fall into the trap of getting so focused on the destination, that you miss out on the journey. Perfect grades gained through deceit just aren’t worth it in the long run if you didn’t learn, and grow, and achieve.
Accommodations for Students
Students with documented disabilities are entitled to appropriate and reasonable accommodations. If you have not already done so, contact the Disabilities Services Office located on the third floor of the Palace Road Building, P304 or via phone at 617-521-2472, or via email at ada@simmons.edu and speak with your instructors.