COMPUTER 10
Textbooks
Platt, David. The Joy of UX. (2016). Addison-Wesley. ISBN: 9788-0-13-427671-7.
Chinnathambi, Kirupa. JavaScript Absolute Beginner’s Guide. (2016). (Basically)
available at: https://www.kirupa.com/html5/learn_javascript.htm
Lynch, Patrick J. and Horton, Sarah. Web Style Guide: Basic Design Principles for
Creating Web Sites; Fourth Edition. (2016). Available
at: https://webstyleguide.com/
Possibly Recommended (although much of this is online): HTML & CSS: Design
and Build Websites by Jon Duckett. Wiley. (2011). ISBN: 978-1-118-0081808.
Additional readings available online or on Blackboard (as indicated).
Learning Objectives
Course Objectives
Understand the principles of creating an effective web page, including an in-depth
consideration of information architecture.
Become familiar with graphic design principles that relate to web design and learn
how to implement theories into practice.
Develop skills in analyzing the usability of a web site.
Understand how to plan and conduct user research related to web usability.
Learn the language of the web: HTML and CSS.
Learn CSS grid layout and flexbox.
Learn techniques of responsive web design, including media queries.
Develop skills in digital imaging (Adobe Photoshop.)
Develop basic programming skills using Javascript and jQuery.
Be able to embed social media content into web pages.
Program Goals
(for Media Management, Media and Communication, Interactive Media)
1. Students will develop an understanding of the formalistic (aesthetic) aspects of
design and visual communication. [MM/MAC]
2. Students will demonstrate cross-platform (web, mobile, broadcast, print)
storytelling skills. [MM/MAC: 4.2]
3. Students will become familiar with graphic design and/or game theory and be able
to apply this theory to real world projects. [IM]
4. Students will develop and understanding of information design and usability as it
applies to interactive media projects. [IM]
5. Students will utilize coding and software tools to analyze and present data in a
professional manner that could be translated to web-based or app-based media.
[IM]
6. Students will write at a level suitable for a public audience in an area related to
interactive media (e.g., technical writing, game writing, writing for social media,
presentation of a CV) [IM]
Course Description
Students design and develop websites for a variety of devices. The course focuses on HTML, cascading
style sheets, and digital imaging with Adobe Photoshop. Students will also be introduced to
JavaScript. UX (interface) strategy, user research, design theory, information architecture, and
search engine optimization methods.
The class is taught in the Gladys Brooks Media Arts Lab (Basil 101); the software also is available on
the iMacs in Kearney, Lavery Library, and the TV studio (Basil 202).
COMM 269 is required for the Interactive Media major and is one of two options in the minor (DIGC
271 being the other one). The course fulfills the visual presentation requirement for the B.A. in Media
and Communication and the design requirement for the B.S. in Media Management. Minors in Media
and Communication may use the course as an elective. The course may also be used as an elective
both in the Information Technology and the Arts minor.
Expectations
The class is fast paced. Students should plan to be fully engaged in the lectures, labs, and discussions
that take place.
You are expected to:
Actively participate in all class activities.
Volunteer contributions on a regular basis.
Arrive to class on time. Bathroom breaks should be kept to a minimum, and should be taken
silently and without class interruption.
Respect the professor and other students, especially during student presentations.
Also…
Students should not be using their computers for e-mail, checking social media or
pursuing other activities not related to class. Students may use computers for note
taking. Note that information about much of the material are available online.
Powerpoint and demonstration code will be provided.
Students should not be texting. (Personal issues are certainly a part of life. An
emergency text requires that a student step out of class to handle such an emergency.
Such occurrences should be very rare.)
Students should refrain from eating in class.
The instructor reserves the right to require that a student leave who is causing a
disruption in class.
Grades will be posted on Blackboard within a week of submission. Please monitor your
grades regularly.
Assignments are due at the beginning of class on the due date. Students start the
semester with four virtual late tickets. For each class that an assignment is late, a
student may request to use one ticket.
To redeem the ticket, a student must e-mail the professor requesting that a ticket be
used prior to a class meeting. (e.g., for an assignment three classes late, e-mail the
professor three times, prior to each of the classes .) After the tickets are gone, late
assignments will not be accepted. It is recommended that students save tickets for
unavoidable situations, etc..
Without a ticket left (or if a student doesn’t ask to use a ticket), late assignments will
receive zero points.
No tickets may be redeemed after Thanksgiving. The last two assignments are due as
stated, no exceptions.
For each unredeemed ticket, a student will receive a bonus of five points at the end of
the semester.
Assignments are due whether or not you attend class (see Attendance Policy below).
In the unfortunate instances of severe illness, hospitalization, etc., please discuss
other arrangements with the professor.
All web assignments must be posted online and linked to the assignment page (or be the
assignment page) to be considered “handed in.” Papers will be submitted through
Blackboard.
All projects and exercises must be original work. While small snippets of code are often
taken from sites that produce such code for a particular effect, the overall project must
be the student’s own efforts.
Lost assignments are never a valid excuse for a late submission. Careful handling of files
and rigorous backup procedures should be followed.
Communication
Course information, schedules, and assignments will be on this website. Select readings
and grades will be posted on Blackboard.
When you e-mail Professor Sarachan, use an appropriate subject and greeting
(“Professor Sarachan,”) to receive a timely response. It is strongly that you use your
Fisher e-mail to send the professor messages (so as to avoid getting your e-mail stuck in
the SPAM filter.) You will almost always receive a response within 24 hours. Do not
expect a response in the evening (if sent the same evening) or anytime Friday night or
Saturday.
Statement of Inclusion
I believe we should all be respectful and supportive of each other, regardless of race,
class, gender, national origin, sexual orientation, and gender identification.
Appreciation of diversity is a cornerstone of a college education.
In and out of class, I seek to create an inclusive environment where students are
encouraged to expand the boundaries of their knowledge and accept discomfort in the
pursuit of understanding. In order to achieve this, I encourage all members of the
class to develop habits of active listening, non-judgement, and curiosity.
We identify ourselves in all sorts of ways, including ways that go beyond traditional
gender designations of male and female. Some of us may, for whatever reason,
choose names and/or pronouns (e.g., she, he, they, ze) that differ from those on our
birth certificates or college records. All such choices are respected equally in this
class.
If you feel comfortable, please inform me (privately, if you wish) about your own
choice for how you wish to be referred to in class and in all our interactions, as well
as any other issues that you think may be relevant and you wish to bring to my
attention.
Attendance Policy
You will lose 15 points from your total grade out of 1000 after two (2) absences, and
then 15 additional points for each absence after that. After six (6) absences, you will
receive an FA for the class.
Serious Illness/jury duty, etc. should be discussed with the professor. Do not come to
class sick. Communication is the key to this policy. (Don’t just skip class.)
It is your responsibility to first contact another student (or the professor as necessary)
to find out what you have missed and make arrangements to make-up work.
Absences do not alter your responsibility to hand in assignments on time. (In cases
when this is impossible, you must contact the instructor ahead of time.)
If you will be unable to fulfill requirements, it is your responsibility to drop the class.
You may drop the class with no record on your transcript until Monday, September 30
at 4:30pm. That can be somewhat complicated with learning communities, so please
talk to the professor(s) first.
Given the fast pace of the class, missed classes harm students considerably in terms of being able to
complete assignments and follow along when they return. This is the “attendance policy” that you
should have the most concern.
College Policy Concerning Students with Disabilities
In compliance with St. John Fisher College policy and applicable laws, appropriate academic
accommodations are available to students with disabilities. All requests for accommodations must be
supported by appropriate documentation/diagnosis and determined reasonable by St. John Fisher
College. Students with documented disabilities (physical, learning, psychological) who may need
academic accommodations are advised to refer to the Disability Services website
http://home.sjfc.edu/AcademicAffairs/Disabilities/DisabilityOverview.asp
Questions should be directed to the Coordinator of Disability Services in the Disability Services Office
and Test Center, Kearny 300. Late notification will delay requested accommodations.
Professor Sarachan’s addendum: Please speak to me about any thing I can do to help your ability to
learn and be successful in class. Individuals learn differently and some methods of teaching can be
more or less effective for different people. I’d like to hear about and discuss what I can do to help
you achieve success, whether or not this is related to a documented issue.
Academic Honesty
The work that students submit must be 100 percent their own. Anything else is plagiarism, which is a
serious offense both academically and professionally. Communications professionals who plagiarize
the work of others are fired from their jobs; students can expect severe repercussions as well, starting
with a grade of ZERO on any assignment that the instructor discovers has been plagiarized.
(Plagiarism also is punishable by further sanctions, up to and including expulsion from school.) The
college’s academic honesty policy, which includes descriptions of problem practices, procedures for
addressing suspected plagiarism and potential sanctions for violating the policy, is posted
at http://www.sjfc.edu/PDFs/AcademicHonesty.pdf.
The professor will report all cases of plagiarism to the registrar’s office.
In web development and programming, plagiarism includes letting others complete your work for you
or using copyrighted images*. It does not include using snippets of code from various sites whose
purpose is to offer free code for use; all web developers/programmers do this. However, there is a
point where you are copying too much—if the program as used is noticeably similar to the original
program. (This includes copying the Professor’s examples.) In these cases, I will file (and have filed) a
plagiarism report with the college.
*Fair use may come into play for images. Talk to the professor.
Statement on Academic Integrity
“All students, regardless of level or school, are responsible for following the St. John Fisher College
Academic Integrity Policy in addition to any other individual school’s or program’s academic
expectations and/or professional standards. Every student is expected to demonstrate academic
integrity in all academic pursuits at all times. If a student suspects that another student has violated
the Academic Integrity Policy, he or she should contact the instructor for that course and provide
support for that suspicion. Any finding of responsibility and associated sanctions for a violation of the
Academic Integrity Policy is retained per the College records policy.
All students are expected to be familiar with the details of the Academic Honesty Policy (available
via http://catalog.sjfc.edu/undergraduate/2016-2017/academic-information/integrity.dot”
https://www.w3schools.com/html/default.asp
References:
LINK: https://medium.com/@Vincentxia77/beginners-guide-how-to-learn-web-designing-at-home-796c01b8c0c2
https://onedrive.live.com/?authkey=%21AI%5Fx8aSQrMN8BrU&id=E1D2EC1825026618%21210649&cid=E1D2EC1825026618
