Sparks Fly
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IT 323:  Web Design and Database Concepts

Instructor:  Dr. Cynthia Sparks

E-mail:  csparks@whro.net  (preferred method of communication)

Work:  547-0153

Home:  421-7346

Office Hours:  Before and after class or by appointment

Course Description:

This course will cover the basic aesthetic, business, and technical aspects of creating Web pages.  Pages containing graphics and other basic enhancements will be developed in both HTML and in a Web authoring program.  Database concepts as they relate to Web content will also be covered.

The course will discuss the use of advanced Web browser features for searches and home page construction.  Other topics will include converging and emerging digital technologies as well as trends and responsibilities related to Web usage and construction.

The syllabus will change each week to reflect and incorporate the concepts covered in the class lecture.  Links to additional Web based resources will also be included in the class each week.

Students should expect to spend approximately 5-7 hours per week outside of class on assignments.

Course Prerequisites:  None.  Familiarity with Windows strongly recommended.

Required Texts and Materials:

Required Text:  Creating Web Pages Simplified (3-D Visual Series), by Ruth Maran, Paul Whitehead, Maragraphics Inc., IDG Books, 1999.  ISBN:  0764560670

            http://www.half.com            as low as $2.00

Recommended text:  New Perspectives on Creating Web Pages with HTML—Comprehensive.  Patrick Carey.  Course Technology. 2000.  ISBN 0619019689

            http://www.varsitybooks.com              44.60

Link to comparative price shop for books if you know the ISBN number

            http://www.isbn.nu

Recommended Reading:

Weaving the Web:  The Original Design and Ultimate Destiny of the World Wide Web by Its Inventor.  Tim Berners-Lee with Mark Fischetti.  Harpers Collins, 1999.  ISBN 006251587X

            http://www.half.com                 as low as $7.50

Cutting Edge Web Design:  The Next Generation.  David Donnelly.  Rockport Publishers, 1998.  ISBN  15649642191.

            http://www.half.com            as low as $24.50

HTML Goodies.  Joe Burns.  Que, 1999.   ISBN 0789718235.

Software & Hardware Needs:

Because of the delivery and content of this course, it is necessary that the student begin the course with access to the following:

• A web-based e-mail account
• Internet access
• Netscape Communicator 4.0 or higher OR Internet Explorer 4.0 or higher
• A 486/66 PC (Pentium recommended) with at least 16 MB of RAM (more is better) and enough room on your hard drive for 40MB for a full installation of Netscape Communicator or Internet Explorer
• A monitor set up for at least 256 colors and 800 x 600

Student Objectives:

By the end of the semester, students will learn how to:

• View the web as a global communications tool
• Understand the importance of creating a web page with an audience in mind
• Effectively plan, design, execute, and evaluate a web site
• Use basic HTML coding in order to create and/or modify a page efficiently
• Advertise and establish a presence on the web
• Optimize the browser features of Netscape Communicator or Internet Explorer
• Evaluate software options available for the creation and enhancement of home pages
• Use different search engines to conduct research related to class topics
• Actively participate with other students in the class in order to demonstrate an understanding of the importance of collaborating with others in a web development team situation
• Create a business or personal home page with graphics, image maps, tables, and/or frames using a web authoring program such as Netscape Composer
• Work with multimedia plug-ins such as Acrobat Reader and Real Audio
• Select, modify, animate, and convert graphics
• Create and upload a home page to a remote server
• Incorporate the potential of video conferencing, streaming audio and video and other current changes in web content delivery
• Use the options available for using materials on the web and related social and copyright issues
• Identify effective used of e-commerce and e-business on the web
• Develop aesthetically pleasing design elements and effective web page content

Assignments

New material and techniques will be introduced at the beginning of each class session.  A new assignment will be given each session.  The assignment should be completed in the designated time and submitted to the instructor.  All assignments not completed in class may be completed at home.

In the case of absence, it is the student’s responsibility to get class notes and material/work assignments from someone other than the instructor.  It is important that you attend every class.  You will be responsible for all work assigned whether you are present or absent.

Grading Policy:

Your final grade will be calculated using the following percentages:

• Weekly site evaluation = 10%
• Class exercises = 5%
• Web site proposal = 5%
• Site plan = 10%
• Midterm = 15%
• Oral presentation of site = 10%
• Final web site = 30%
• Final = 15%

 Events of academic dishonesty will receive an automatic “0”.

 Assignment Summaries:

Weekly site evaluations

Each week, students will be required to evaluate a web site, based on a specific topic or genre selected by the instructor, according to a set of criteria provided by the instructor.

The evaluation will consist of no more than two, short paragraphs and must be e-mailed to the instructor along with the URL(s) of the evaluated site(s) prior to the next class session.

Class exercises

During class each week students will complete a technical, hands-on exercise based on lecture content.

Web site proposal

Every student will be required to submit a proposal for the final web site project.  The student must decide the subject matter of the site.  The instructor must approve the proposal before the student can begin work on the site.  Unapproved projects will receive a failing grade.

Site Plan

Upon approval of the web site proposal, each student will create a plan that will consist of a storyboard, content synopsis, competitive analysis, target audience analysis and marketing plan.

The instructor will explain the requirements of the site plan in detail during the opening weeks of the class.

Oral Presentation of final site

Each student will be required to provide an oral presentation of the final working web site to the class.  Classmates must respond with constructive criticism.

Final web site

Every student is required to publish a final working site on the Web.  The final site must demonstrate what the student has learned during the semester.  Failure to publish a final site on the web will result in a failing grade.

Policy on Academic Integrity:

Cheating, plagiarism, and/or other forms of academic dishonesty will not be tolerated.  The honor system will be adhered to for all assignments and class content.

Course Schedule

This syllabus is subject to change at the discretion of the instructor.  Students will be informed promptly of any changes to the class content or schedule.

***Please note—Monday NOT Tuesday.  Schedule change due to conflict in instructor’s schedule.