HCDE 501: Theoretical Foundations
Class Description & Policies
Instructor
Texts and
Supplies
Name
Mark Zachry, PhD
Email
Office
Telephone
zachry@uw.edu
408 Sieg Hall
(206) 616-7936
Office Hours
By appointment
During this course, you will need access to
course e-reserves
http://catalog.lib.washington.edu/search/r?SEARCH=zachry
HCI Theory, Yvonne Rogers
http://www.morganclaypool.com/doi/pdf/10.2200/S00418ED1V01Y201205HCI014
The Encyclopedia of Human-Computer Interaction (2 ed),
http://www.interaction-design.org/books/hci.html
Course Goals
This course will introduce you to major theoretical perspectives from our
field. By reading and writing about this material, you will have an
opportunity to explore the complexities of interaction, communication, and
technology as they are considered in influential theoretical frameworks.
This exploration will include how interaction has been differently defined
and why these differences matter to people who study and produce work.
By the end of the course, you should be able to

Define and map differences among some of the major theories that are
currently most influential within the community of scholars in our field.

Explain and illustrate the implications of some of these theories on our
perceptions of what texts, interfaces, and other designed artifacts are and how
they function in human activity, organizations, and society at large: for
example, to transfer information, construct reality, regulate conduct, and
create identity.

Explain and illustrate the implications of some of these theories for people
conducting research.

Explain and illustrate the implications of some of these theories for
professionals.
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HCDE 501: Class Description & Policies
Attendance
Contributing to class discussions regularly will help you succeed in this course.
In class, we will discuss texts that will help you complete the major assignments
for this class. In online discussion forums, you will interact with others in the
class to advance your mutual understanding of ideas introduced in the assigned
readings. If you must miss class due to illness, please contact the instructor
prior to or as soon as possible after your absence.
Late
Assignments
You should not turn in your assignments late. If you do not turn in your
assignments by the dates indicated in the class schedule and on assignment
sheets, they are late. For every day an assignment is late (without specific
arrangements made with the instructor), it is worth ten percent less than the
original total point value. Work more than 8 days late will receive zero credit.
Participation
On several occasions you will be responsible for reporting information to the
class. You will also be participating in class workshops, during which you
should make a contribution to your peers’ efforts. Active participation in class
discussions will help you develop the knowledge you will need to successfully
complete this course.
Assignment
Quality
As a graduate student, you should produce polished documents for the major
assignments that reflect the highest standards of professional writing.
You should produce final documents with few errors (grammar, mechanics,
etc.). The standard for the final version of major assignments in this class is no
more than one error per 100 words.
Reading
You are responsible for reading all of the material identified on the course
schedule plus the additional readings assigned during the quarter. Record
questions you have about the material and discuss them with the instructor or
the class as needed.
Collaboration
This quarter, you will be asked to contribute to the success of your colleagues’
projects by providing them with feedback on their works-in-progress. You will
also be collaborating with colleagues on some assignment work.
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Zachry HCDE 501 / Winter 2013
HCDE 501: Class Description & Policies
Plagiarism
Grades
The assignments you complete for this class should represent your own, original
scholarly work. Please consult the related department guidelines for additional
information about academic conduct and plagiarism.
Final grades for this course will be reported using the standard grading system
of the University of Washington. Numerical grades are equivalent to letter
grades as shown below. You must satisfactorily complete all assignments to
earn a passing grade in this course.
3.9 - 4.0
A
3.5 – 3.8
A-
3.2 – 3.4
B+
2.9 – 3.1
B
2.5 – 2.8
B-
2.2 – 2.4
C+
1.9 – 2.1
C
1.5 – 1.8
C-
1.2 – 1.4
D+
0.9 – 1.1
D
0.7 – 0.8
D-
0.0
E
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Zachry HCDE 501 / Winter 2013
HCDE 501: Class Description & Policies
Assignments
Students with
Accommodation
Needs
The assignments for this class and their related percentage values for
calculating final grades are shown in the table below.
Assignments
Percentage
Participation (reading journal and in the classroom)
10%
Major Figure (Presentation with Summary)
15%
Theory Connection (Short Paper and Presentation)
15%
Group Web
25%
Final Paper
35%
Please talk to the instructor immediately if you have a need for unique
arrangements to support your learning in this class.
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Zachry HCDE 501 / Winter 2013