TL 110, New Media Web Design
Spring 2009, Wednesdays 11:00 am to 1:30 pm, Xavier 15 - RCADE lab,
Instructor: Steve Evans, office hours by appointment, telephone: 254-4000 x2651, email: sevans@mail.fairfield.edu
Course Description
This is a project-based course that is designed to teach the fundamental concepts and skills essential to designing professional websites. Students will explore how information architecture and graphic design theories apply to the web medium, learn how to best utilize the tools of the trade (Photoshop, Dreamweaver and Flash) to create production-ready website designs and receive an overview of how to plan and execute successful web design projects as an independent producer or member of a team. The integration of audio, video and animation into the web medium will also be explored.
Course Goals
Through a formal introduction to authoring software applications, basic Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) and Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), students will create well designed and properly functional web page projects.
Text Books and Readings
The required textbook is Adobe Dreamweaver CS3: Classroom in a Book (with included DVD), Adobe Press. There will also be online readings assigned, both from this site and external sources. URLs will be provided in the Assignments and Resources sections of this site. Tutorials are provided in the Study Guides section. Optional textbooks, Adobe Photoshop CS3: Visual QuickStart Guide, Adobe Flash CS3 Professional: Classroom in a Book (with included DVD), Adobe Press and The CSS Anthology (Rachel Andrew): Sitepoint are recommended if students are looking for a reference book to further their knowledge in the additional software covered in this course (Photoshop and Flash) and the use of Cascading Style Sheets.
Grades
Grade evaluation is based on weekly quizzes on readings (20%), class presentation assignments (20%) and three web design projects (60%). The description, requirements and percentage value of these projects are located in the Student Projects page. Here are the grading guidelines that will be used to evaluate your performance in class:
A – Outstanding achievement. Excellent response to assignments. Shows superior command of software skills, design concepts, organization, and authoring. Shows leadership in class participation.
B – Superior level of achievement. Handles most assignments very well. Often excellent in one area, but needs some work in other areas. Often good class participation, but short of a leadership role.
C – Acceptable level of achievement. Does not meet some of the guidelines for the assignments. Often average level of class participation.
D - Minimal level of achievement, but passing.. Minimal class participation.
F - Failure to complete the class requirements at a university level.
Class participation
Participating in class is a given; you are expected to come to class well prepared, having completed all assignments and be ready to respond to questions and discussion opened in class.
Attendance
Attendance is desired based on the theory that you learn more when you are in class. Because this class only meets once a week, you are expected to attend every class; no absences are allowed. If you are ill or have unavoidable circumstances, you must call or e-mail me ahead of class and tell me not to expect you there. I can then make arrangements for you to make up the work missed. I reserve the right to adjust your grade due to absences.
Individual meetings
I will meet with you early in the semester to discuss your expectations and background, then again later in the semester and at the end to discuss your major individual projects progress.
I check my e-mail all during the work day. It is the best way to communicate with me. I expect you to check your own regularly. Don't hesitate to call me in my office (254-4000 x2651) if you have a more immediate need.
Learning disabilities
If you have a diagnosed learning disability, please bring me an information sheet from university administrators so I can accommodate your needs. If you have informal learning problems, please meet with me privately.
Academic honesty
"All members of the Fairfield University Community share responsibility for establishing and maintaining appropriate standards for academic honesty and integrity. As such, faculty members have an obligation to set high standards of honesty and integrity through personal example and the learning communities they create. Such integrity is fundamental to, and an inherent part of, a Jesuit education, in which teaching and learning are based on mutual respect. It is further expected that students will follow these standards and encourage others to do so… Students are sometimes unsure about what constitutes academic dishonesty. In all academic work, students are expected to submit materials that are their own and are to include attribution for any ideas or language that are not their own." Examples of academic dishonesty can be found in the Course Catalog and the Student Handbook. In the event of dishonesty, "professors are to award a grade of zero for the project, paper, or examination in question, and may record an F for the course itself. When appropriate, expulsion may be recommended. A notation of the event is made in the student’s file in the academic dean’s office. The student will receive a copy." (from Academic Policies, Fairfield University Undergraduate Course Catalog)
Make yourself known
One research study showed a strong correlation between how quickly a professor learns a student's name and what grade the professor gives the student in a course. While I will try to get to know all of you as quickly as possible, I invite you to meet with me whenever you can to speed up the process. The New Media Program allows easy access to your professors. I urge you to avail yourselves of it.