HCI 201 Section 301
Multimedia and the World Wide Web

Section 301: T-TH 11:20-12:50pm LPC STDCT 363
Instructor: Gary F. Andrus
Office: 474 CDM (Loop), Phone: (312) 362-8719
E-mail: gandrus@cdm.depaul.edu
Web: http://condor.depaul.edu/~gandrus
Office Hours

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Summary of the course

An introduction to the World Wide Web and web development for non-technical majors. Students will create web pages using a WYSIWYG editor. Students will evaluate web sites using a variety of analytical and empirical methods. Students will conduct technology-related experiments following the principles of the scientific method and use technology to analyze their results. Topics include web-based technology, creating content for distribution on the web, and design principles for web sites. Students will develop an appreciation for the connections among science, mathematics, and technology in modern society, as well as for the principles guiding advances in science and technology.

Textbook

Learning Web Design, Jennifer Niedherst Robbinss
O'Reilly & Associates; 3rd edition (June 2007),
http://www.learningwebdesign.com/.

Optional (reference):
HTML & XHTML:The Definitive Guide, Chuck Musciano, Bill Kennedy
O'Reilly & Associates; 6th edition (October 2006), http://oreilly.com/catalog/9780596527327/.
CSS: The Definitive Guide, Eric A. Meyer
O'Reilly & Associates; 3rd edition (November 2006), http://oreilly.com/catalog/9780596527334/.

Prerequisites

NONE. Basic computer literacy is recommended. Note that this course meets the Liberal Studies requirement for Scientific Inquiry. Accordingly, student learning objectives include those for an SI course.

Grading

• Homework 45%
• Midterm 25%
• Final project 30%

Technology-related Learning Goals

1. Understand how the Internet differs from the World Wide Web.
2. Understand the difference between client and server computers in terms of the Web.
3. Understand the distinct roles of ISPs and Web hosts and the processes involved in selecting them both.
4. Understand the structure of Domain Names.
5. Understand the role of templates in Website development.
6. Be able to use a WYSIWYG editor to build a one-page Website.
7. Be able to build simple XHTML pages that employ links, images, lists, and a simple one-row table for a menu
8. Be able to edit images appropriately for the Web (primarily resizing and cropping)
9. Understand the basic copyright and legal issues relating to the Web, particularly to images and multi-media formats, and to follow these principles on ones own Websites.
10. Understand the benefits of using CSS.
11. Be able to employ an external style sheet to control font and color on a multiple-page Website.
12. Understand the principles of and be able to evaluate a Website for usability, navigability, accessibility, and content quality.

Science-related Learning Goals

13. Understand the origins, application, limitations, and criticisms of the Scientific Method.
14. Understand the difference between good science and pseudo-science and be able to recognize pseudo-science on the Web.
15. Be able to conduct a simple Information Technology (IT)-related study or experiment employing the principles of the Scientific Method.
16. Understand the differences among and be able to use appropriately the terms hypotheses, theory, and law.
17. Understand the conditional nature of science, and the difference between evidence and inference.
18. Be able to conduct background library and Web research for an IT-related study or experiment employing the Scientific Method.
19. Be able to construct falsifiable hypotheses for a technology-related study or experiment.
20. Be able to develop a sound proposal for an IT-related study or experiment.
21. Be able to protect the rights of human subjects in IT-related research.
22. Be able to employ Web-based technology to collect, analyze, and disseminate study results.
23. Be able to appropriately apply APA style to an IT-related study or experiment report.

School policies

Online Instructor Evaluation
Evaluations are a way for students to provide valuable feedback regarding their instructor and the course. Detailed feedback will enable the instructor to continuously tailor teaching methods and course content to meet the learning goals of the course and the academic needs of the students. They are a requirement of the course and are key to continue to provide you with the highest quality of teaching. The evaluations are anonymous; the instructor and administration do not track who entered what responses. A program is used to check if the student completed the evaluations, but the evaluation is completely separate from the student’s identity. Since 100% participation is our goal, students are sent periodic reminders over two weeks. Students do not receive reminders once they complete the evaluation. Students complete the evaluation online at https://mycdm.cdm.depaul.edu/mycdm.

Email
Email is the primary means of communication between faculty and students enrolled in this course outside of class time. Students should be sure their email listed under "demographic information" at http://campusconnect.depaul.edu is correct.

Academic Integrity Policy
Each student in this course is expected to abide by the DePaul University Code of Academic Integrity.  Also, see DePaul's Academic Integrity homepage. Any work submitted by a student in this course for academic credit must be the student's own work.

You are encouraged to study together and to discuss information and concepts covered in lecture and the textbook with other students. You can give "consulting" help to or receive "consulting" help from such students. However, this permissible cooperation should never involve one student having possession of or access to a copy of all or part of work done by someone else.   Unless an assignment is designated as a group project, one student should never submit a copy (or near copy) of another student's work.

Should copying occur, both the student who copied work from another student and the student who gave material to be copied will both automatically receive a zero for the assignment. Penalty for violation of this Code can also be extended to include failure of the course and University disciplinary action.

If you have any questions or doubts about what plagiarism entails or how to properly acknowledge source materials be sure to consult with your instructor.

Incomplete
An incomplete grade is given only for an exceptional reason such as a death in the family, a serious illness, etc. Any such reason must be documented. Any incomplete request must be made at least two weeks before the final, and approved by the Dean of the College of Computing and Digital Media. Any consequences resulting from a poor grade for the course will not be considered as valid reasons for such a request.