MCCNM 132, Website Design & Development

Department of Mass Communications and Center for New Media
Colorado State University - Pueblo
2200 Bonforte Blvd.
Pueblo, CO 81004

Prerequisite: MCCNM 101 and basic computing skills

Instructor: Dr. Samuel Ebersole
Office location, hours, email, and phone: see link
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Description

Web Site Design and Development will provide an overview of the global communication system known as the World-Wide Web and the computer applications and languages/protocols used to create its content. The web has become an extremely important medium for both mass and interpersonal communication, and it is essential that the new media professional become familiar with the structural, organizational, and technical requirements of this new medium. The Mass Communications Department & Center for New Media offers web design instruction from a perspective that is a bit different from that taken by other departments that offer similar courses, e.g., CIS and Art. Our focus is on the web as a medium for mass and interpersonal communication. Mediated communication on the web is shaped by the social structures that have developed along with the technical infrastructure. With this in mind, we will study web site design focusing on standards for usability and accessibility in an attempt to maximize the effect of our web-mediated messages.

Students of the course should be able to demonstrate proficiency in basic computer skills; e.g., keyboarding, e-mail, and web browsing. These skills will be required in order to effectively participate in the course. Also, it is assumed that participants in the course have access to a computer with e-mail and web browsing software. The course will be taught in the computer laboratory located in the Buell Communications Center on the campus of CSU-Pueblo. This lab features computer workstations with the latest web design software. Additional access to the web and the University web server may be via your own personal computer and an account with an ISP, through any one of the public computer labs on campus utilizing your student account, or through facilities provided at your local public library. In any case it is important that you can access the World-Wide Web at a sufficient speed to view graphics and multimedia content. With regard to e-mail, you must have your own account with the ability to send and receive messages as well as attached files. I will send email messages to the class using the email feature in Blackboard, and the default address is your CSU-Pueblo address. Please make sure that the email address in Blackboard is the email address that you use on a daily basis.

All written assignments will be submitted as e-mail attached documents or through the "Course Folders" on the CSU-Pueblo network. This emphasis on email and electronic document delivery is not intended to discourage F2F (face-to-face) interaction, but rather to increase your proficiency with the tools used by new media professionals.

Objectives

1. to introduce students to the history and state-of-the-art of web-based communication systems
2. to acquaint students with the terminology of web design
3. to introduce students to web standards and the web design protocols, including XHTML and CSS, necessary to build an effective and functional web site
4. to introduce students to the hardware and software used for page and site design and development
5. to introduce students to the concepts of coordination and collaboration in the team approach to web site development
6. to introduce students to the concepts of accessibility, usability, and interface design as they pertain to the design of an effective and efficient web site
7. to develop an understanding of the social characteristics of this new medium

Resources

Required Text:

• Niederst, J. (2006). Web design in a nutshell: A desktop reference guide (3rd ed). Sebastopol, CA: O’Reilly & Associates. ISBN: 0-596-00987-9
  NOTE: this text is also available from the publisher in .pdf format at a reduced price.


• There are many excellent books about (X)HTML, web design, and building effective web sites. Just go to Amazon.com and type in web design.


• Also, numerous readings and tutorials available on the web will be assigned. See the course outline for specific references. Please read assignments before coming to class on the date assigned.

Websites

The quickest, cheapest, and often most convenient place to find information about web design is on the web. See the external links section of Blackboard for an extensive list of websites about web design.

Evaluation

There will be midterm and final examinations on the assigned readings and class discussion/presentations. Following is a breakdown of the 1000 points that can be earned during the course.

Policy Statements

Attendance
Because the class will be taught using a combination of lecture presentations and tutorials, punctual attendance at all class sessions is expected. Make-up of any quizzes, exams or other assignments missed due to an excused absence must be arranged with the professor before the next scheduled class meeting to avoid a grade of 0 being registered.

Academic dishonesty
Academic dishonesty in any form, including cheating on examinations, fictionalization, using another student's work as your own, plagiarism of written documents, whether covered by copyright protection or not, or falsely representing another's work as your own, is not tolerated in the professions of mass communications, nor in this department. Students found in violation of this policy will receive a grade of F or unsatisfactory for the course upon the instructor's findings and recommendations to the department chair. In extreme cases, such violations may also result in dropping such students from the department and their major or minor in mass communications.

Disability Statement
This University abides by the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which stipulates that no student shall be denied the benefits of an education "solely by reason of a handicap." If you have a documented disability that may impact your work in this class and for which you may require accommodations, please see the instructor as as soon as possible to arrange accommodations. In order to receive accommodations, you must be registered with and provided documentation of your disability to the Disability Resource office, which is located in the Psychology Building, Suite 232.

Computer Lab Etiquette
Use of the MCCNM computer lab in BCC is prioritized for MCCNM students currently enrolled in a MCCNM course. No food or open beverage containers are allowed. Downloading software and unauthorized content is not allowed, nor is any kind of illegal activity. Note: students are responsible to review and follow all CSU-Pueblo ITS policies . During class, attention is to be given to the instructional activities presented by the instructor. In other words, do not surf the web, check email, or work on assignments unless so directed. Remember to back up and save your work to your network drive...local files can and will be deleted.