Introduction to Web Design —
Course Lecture Notes
1. Introduction
2. Publishing web content
3. HTML syntax
Course Syllabus
Website Design
Fall 2012 • University of Alaska Fairbanks Journalism &
Broadcasting
JRN F250 TE1 • 3.0 credits
Thursdays, 6–9 p.m. • 126
Bunnell Bldg
Instructor
Dave Partee
Phone: 474-2432
E-mail:
webclass@sleddogstudio.com
Instant message (GoogleTalk):
dmpartee@alaska.edu (don't use this address for e-mail)
Office
hours: by appointment
Overview
This class is an introduction to designing web pages and websites,
using Adobe Dreamweaver. In this class you will learn the concepts
and computer code you will need to build quality web pages and
websites. Students will learn a variety of concepts and skills involved
in creating websites, including HTML, Cascading Style Sheets (CSS),
graphic file types and optimization, web forms, and embedding
multimedia. Students will also learn the fundamentals of design,
managing bandwidth, navigation, balancing style vs. function,
accessibility, and usability. This course also includes a brief
introduction to advanced web technology, including client-side
scripting and server-side scripting, as a path for continuing coursework
or self study.
After completing this course, students will have the knowledge and
skill to create, organize, and maintain quality multi-page websites; to
troubleshoot and fix problems in design and coding in their own and
others’ websites; to modify and customize templates; and to perform
routine web-related tasks that many organizations and businesses
delegate to non-expert staff. Students will gain the fundamental
knowledge needed to pursue more advanced web technology and
development, either through structured or self-directed learning.
Weekly classes will begin with a lecture presenting new material,
which may include students performing directed tasks on their
computers. The lecture will normally be followed by assigned exercises
to practice the new skills and put concepts into practice, with time at
the end for students to work on homework assignments, ask
questions, or get one-on-one help. Exams and quizzes will test
students’ understanding of concepts presented during lectures, and
knowledge of HTML and CSS syntax. Assignments and a final project
will allow students to demonstrate practical ability in designing and
coding websites.
Computers and Software
The class is held in a lab with Macintosh computers. Students may be
able to use their own laptops (Mac or PC) in the classroom, if they
have Dreamweaver installed, although they may need to occasionally
access files and take exams using the lab computers.
The university does not provide copies of Dreamweaver that can be
installed on students' personal computers. Students can use labs on
campus that have Dreamweaver installed to complete assignments,
including the classroom (when not in use by another class). Students
can purchase their own copies of Dreamweaver or the Adobe Creative
Suite, although the software is fairly expensive even with the
education discount. Adobe makes available a 30-day free trial of
Dreamweaver through their website, but this will only cover a fraction
of the semester timeframe. Adobe also has a new monthly software
rental program, but they do not have an educational discount
currently.
Required and Recommended Textbooks
This class meets only once a week but still needs to cover a full
semester of material, and so there is a lot of new material presented
in a single class—more than most can absorb from a lecture alone. It
is therefore particularly important that you prepare for class by
studying the assigned readings in advance, gaining some familiarity
and comfort with the week's topics before coming to class.
Required
Sams Teach Yourself HTML and CSS in 24 Hours,
Eighth Edition. Julie Meloni, Michael Morrison, Sams Publishing,
2010.
Dreamweaver CS6 for Windows and Macintosh (Visual
QuickStart Guide). Tom Nigrino, Dori Smith, Peachpit Press, 2012.
Other readings as assigned, available via web or by handout.
Evaluation and Grades
Students will receive a numerical score on each assignment and test.
Final letter grades are determined by scores (as a percentage of total
possible points) in the following weighted areas:
10
%
15
Midterm
%
Assignme 35
nts %
Final 20
project %
Final 20
exam %
Final letter grades are assigned using the percentage scale: A+ (100–
97), A (96–93), A- (92–90), B+ (89–87), B (86–83), B- (82–80), C+
(79–77), C (76–73), C- (72–70), D+ (69–67), D (66–63), D- (62–60),
F (59–0).
Quizzes
Assignments should be turned in on time. There will be a 20%
deduction for assignments submitted after the due date.
Prerequisites
There are no required course prerequisites. However, students should
have familiarity with the World Wide Web, Internet browsers, and the
Macintosh or Windows operating system. For those without these
skills, it is recommended that you first take CIOS F146 (Using Internet
Tools and Technology) or similar.
Blackboard
This class will use the web-based Blackboard system for assignments,
quizzes and parts of exams. Every student needs to have access to the
course via Blackboard. Students can also monitor their assignments
and grades via Blackboard.
For help accessing or using Blackboard, look for the "Blackboard
Resources" area of the Blackboard home page.
Attendance
Attendance and participation in class is important. If you have a
planned absence, let me know in advance. If you have an emergency
absence, let me know as soon as you are able.
Computer Support
I will provide computer support during class, and provide help outside
of class on software problems related to the course and course
material, including Dreamweaver and Photoshop. For general
computer support outside of class (hardware or operating system
troubleshooting and support for your personal computer, or in a
University lab), students should contact the UAF Help Desk at
helpdesk@alaska.edu or 450-8300, or the support personnel for the
lab.
E-mail will be a primary mode of communication outside of class
during the semester. You need to regularly check your university
@alaska.edu e-mail account, or set it to forward to your preferred email account. To contact me, use my dedicated class account
(webclass@sleddogstudio.com), instead of my university account.
Data Loss
Students are responsible for making sure their computer work is
safeguarded. That means keeping a backup of files on CD, ZIP, Flash
drives, etc. Students should not assume that their data will be saved
from week to week on classroom computers. A USB flash drive (a.k.a.
"jump drive" or "thumb drive") is highly recommended for use during
the course (anything greater than 512MB is sufficient), and can be
purchased for as little as $15. You can get these at the UAF bookstore,
most department stores, or online (e.g., Amazon).
Withdrawal and Drops
The last day for student-initiated drop (course does not appear on
academic record) is Friday, September 14. The deadline for studentinitiated withdrawal (W grade appears on transcript) is Friday, October
26.
Additional Fees
This course does not have a separate lab fee. You will need to register
your own web domain name, which should cost no more than $15.
Disabilities Services
The Office of Disability Services implements the Americans with
Disabilities Act (ADA) and ensures that UAF students have equal
access to the campus and course materials. I will work with the Office
of Disabilities Services to provide reasonable accommodation to
students with disabilities.
Schedule (subject to change)
The reading listed for each week should be completed prior to that
week's class, not after.
Week 1 Aug 30
• Course introduction
• How the web works
• Introduction to (X)HTML syntax
Week 2 Sep 6
• Creating and publishing web content
reading
• HTML and CSS: Chapter 1, 2
• Dreamweaver.: Chapter 1, 2, 3
Week 3 Sep 13
• HTML syntax
• Validating code
reading
• HTML and CSS: Chapter 3
• Dreamweaver: Chapter 4, 17
Week 4 Sep 20
• Basics of CSS
reading
• HTML and CSS: Chapter 4
• Dreamweaver: Chapter 7, 9
Quiz #1
Week 5 Sep 27
• Formatting text
• Lists
reading
• HTML and CSS: Chapter 5, 6
• Dreamweaver: Chapter 18 (site management)
Week 6 Oct 4
• Tables
• Links
• Colors
reading
• HTML and CSS: Chapter 7, 8, 9
• Dreamweaver: Chapter 6, 10
Quiz #2
Week 7 Oct 11
• Images
reading
• HTML and CSS: Chapter 10, 11
• Dreamweaver: Chapter 5, through p. 157
Week 8 Oct 18
• Images, continued
Midterm Exam
Week 9 Oct 25
• Embedding multimedia
reading
• HTML and CSS: Chapter 12
• Dreamweaver: Chapter 5, pp. 158-164
Week 10 Nov 1
• Advanced CSS
reading
• HTML and CSS: Chapter 14, 15
• Dreamweaver: Chapter 8
Quiz #3
Week 11 Nov 8
• List formatting basics
• Formatting lists as navigation
reading
• HTML and CSS: Chapter 16, 17
• Dreamweaver: Chapter 16 (Library items, templates)
Week 12 Nov 15
• Forms
reading
• HTML and CSS: Chapter 22
• Dreamweaver: Chapter 11
Quiz #4
Week 13 Nov 29
• Advanced CSS techniques
reading
• HTML and CSS: Chapter 18
• Dreamweaver: Chapter 13
Week 14 Dec 6
• Intro to server-side web programming
• Intro to client-side web programming
reading
• HTML and CSS: Chapter 21
Final Project due Dec 10 (Monday) 11:59 PM
Final Exam Dec 13 (Thursday)
8:00 – 10:00 PM
• All material from the course
/webdesign/syllabus/syllabus-jrn250f12.php was last modified 3
September 2012.
For comments or questions, contact Dave Partee.
Validation: XHTML 1.0 • CSS v3 • WCAG 2.0/AA