Syllabus 

Course Information

MDAR-281-81 Spring 2010, Elmwood
Monday evenings 6:00-8:40
Instructor John W. Schwartz
E-mail: jschwar@tulane.edu
Blackboard: http://mytulane.blackboard.com

Description (top)

This course introduces Web page design using standards-based (X)HTML (eXtensible HyperText Markup Language) and CSS (Cascading Style Sheets). Students semantically structure content with (X)HTML elements to add meaning to their pages and improve design capabilities. CSS, the formatting language of the Web, is applied to Web pages to control appearance.  In addition to mastering crucial Web design skills, students develop strong written content for Web pages through assignments meeting SCS Writing Across the Curriculum requirements. The course also explores how the Internet works, and what we can do with it.

Web Design I is a hands-on, project-based course. Assignments include a series of single page projects introducing basic Web page authoring techniques and concepts.  The semester culminates in a large-scale final project that requires planning, authoring, and publishing a five or more page Web site. Student assessment will primarily be based on single page assignments and the final project. This will be supplemented by class participation, quizzes on readings, and tests on basic terms, core (X)HTML elements, and a selection of CSS properties and values.

Course assignments include a series of short projects and readings covering basic Web page authoring techniques and concepts, including XHTML elements used for semantic content structuring and improved design capabilities. Appearance is controlled separately from content using Cascading Style Sheets, the formatting language of the Web. After completing introductory assignments and readings, students plan, author, and publish a five or more page Web site as a culminating project. There are short readings followed by quizzes, and a test on basic terms.

Web Design I is an introductory course; you do NOT need prior (X)HTML or CSS experience to successfully complete assignments.

Learning outcomes:

Student in this course will:

• Plan, author, and publish a five or more page Web site on the SCS student project server.
• Improve general and Web writing skills through assignments meeting SCS Writing Across the Curriculum requirements.
• Employ a user-centered approach to evaluation and design of Web pages.
• Utilize (X)HTML's inherent information structure when marking up content.
• Use Cascading Style Sheets for presentation of (X)HTML structured information.
• Recognize and employ successful Web site information architecture.
• Use free, open source tools, including the KompoZer Web page editor and Firefox Web Developer Toolbar to analyze and edit Web pages.
• Develop techniques for finding, retrieving, and evaluating Internet and Web resources related to course content.
• Define Web page authoring rights and responsibilities including copyright and fair use.
• Increase awareness of Internet and Web security issues.

Skills developed:

• Hand-coding and WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) editing of XHTML and CSS documents.
• Navigation of local and online file systems.
• Managing file formats used on the Internet and Web employing FTP (File Transfer Protocol) and SSH (Secure SHell) protocols.
• Effective procedures for planning and completing Web projects.

Readings (top)

Required text: Stephen Wilbers, Keys to Great Writing, Writer's Digest Books, ISBN-13:978-1-58297-492-7
Required text: Elizabeth Castro, HTML, XHTML, and CSS, Sixth Edition: Visual QuickStart Guide, Peachpit Press, ISBN: 0-321-43084-0

Additional readings provided by the instructor.

Student performance (top)

Students are expected to read all assignments prior to class and actively participate in class discussions. Class participation is 10% of your overall grade and is based on completing all class activities and labs along with contributing at least one comment or question per class. 

File storage and transfer (top)

USB flash drive

Student Performance (top)

Students are expected to read all assignments prior to class and actively participate in class discussions.

Attendance (top)

Students are expected to attend every class. Absences will be excused only upon presentation of documentation for an emergency (i.e. medical emergency, emergency involving legal authorities).

Emergencies (top)

Only one incidence of transportation emergency or crashed computer will be excused. Only one job related emergency will be excused.

Late work (top)

Assignments must be turned in on the date that they are due. Unless a student can show substantial reason for not having the work to turn in on time, the grade on late assignments will be dropped one letter grade.

Make Up Work (top)

If a student has missed an assignment due to an excused absence, he/she must present the assignment at the next class. A missed project is recorded as a zero.

Disability Services (top)

Students requesting accommodations should contact the Center for Educational Resources & Counseling (ERC). http://erc.tulane.edu/

Plagiarism Policy (top)

All students are expected to produce their own work. Only copyright-free work is allowed in course in-class and homework assignments. Plagiarism and other forms of academic dishonesty will not be tolerated; students are expected to be familiar with the Code of Academic Conduct (Honor Code) and its provisions. http://college.tulane.edu/code.htm

Grading Scale (top)

A=100-96 A-=90-95 B+=89-87
B=86-84 B-=83-80 C+=79-77
C=76-74 C-=73-70 D+=69-67
D=66-64 D-=63-60 F=59-0

Grading (top)

Class participation (includes labs) 10%
Quizzes and tests 5%
Single page assignments 30%
Web site project 35%
Writing Across the Curriculum component 20%
TOTAL 100%

Outline/Calendar