Credit Hours: 3 credits
Meetings: Asynchronous online through Blackboard
Prerequisites: LSC255/LSC555 Information Systems in Libraries and Information Centers
Office: CSL 422A
Phone: 202-319-6277
Email: syn [at] cua [dot] edu
Office Hour: by appointment
This course is designed for students interested in developing skills for web site and web page design. It will cover search engine architecture, evaluation of information resources and applications of information architecture to web site design. Through exercises, discussions, lectures, projects and presentations students will learn the principles of information architecture and user-centered web design. In addition, students will have hands-on practices with web site and web page design with HTML and CSS.
This course is designed to:
Develop students' understanding of information architecture, usability, and their importance to information professionals
Develop web design and evaluation skills
Promote critical thinking, problem solving and collaborative teamwork abilities for working with information technology
At the conclusion of this course, students will be able to:
Explain the role of information architecture principles in the design and use of websites
Evaluate and design web sites and web resources using information architecture, usability and accessibility principles
Create simple webpages using HTML and CSS
Create and edit webpages using a commercial or open source web editor such as Dreamweaver, Kompozer or NotePad++
Add graphics and dynamic elements in webpages
Explain challenges and opportunities posed by the changing information environment to information professionals
Required Text: Rosenfeld, L., Morville, P. & Arango, J. (2015). Information Architecture: For the Web and Beyond. 4th Ed. Sebastopol, CA: O'Reilly. ISBN: 9781491911686.
Recommended Text: Casabona, J. (2021). HTML and CSS: Visual Quickstart Guide. 9th Ed. San Francisco, CA: Peachpit Press. ISBN: 9780136702566.
* If you already have 8th Ed. of this book from LSC555, you can use it for this class.
* This is a reference book for HTML and CSS. If you prefer using other resources such as web references or other books, you can use them instead of purchasing this book.
Texbooks are available at the CUA bookstore.
Reading materials: Additional readings are assigned as necessary for each week's topic.
The following capabilities are required for course delivery:
LSC255/LSC555 is the prerequisite of this course. Therefore, you are expected to be familiar with basic HTML and CSS, and capable of publishing web pages.
Course communications will be done mainly through the Blackboard. Make sure you get familiar with Blackboard features.
For course preparation, you should be able to find assigned reading articles from the CUA library catalog system. Make sure you know how to search and find articles and books from library system and databases.
The following technologies are taught as essential parts of this course or required for course delivery:
Web page design: HTML, CSS
Tools for IA and web design, e.g. Justinmind, figma, sketch, Dreamweaver, Kompozer, Notepad++
Creating dynamic webpages: CSS
Students are expected to read the assigned readings and review lecture materials every week.
Students are expected to participate online discussion and complete required class activities every week.
Students are expected to submit each assignment by 11:59pm on the submission date. If the assignment is submitted late, your grade will be reduced by 10%. Each day it is late thereafter you will lose an additional 5% point (e.g., submitting one day late would reduce your grade by 15%).
When sending an email to your instructor, put [LSC610] in front of your subject. It will alert your instructor of your message and help your instructor to response to your questions quickly.
Each exercise assignment contributes to your final grade. All assignments are individual exercise (no group work). Follow the Assignments and Project Submission Instruction or Instructions of each assignment. Detailed description of each assignment will be provided when the assignment is given.
Assignment 1: Information Architecture Components Analysis (20%)
Assignment 2: Tool Introduction (25%)
This project is to research, evaluate and propose a design for a web site. The project will include phases such as research, evaluation, site redesign, key page mockups, and architecture style guide. On the last day of the term, you will present the final project product in class. The presentation will provide an opportunity to introduce your project and discuss your product with classmates. The presentation should be prepared with slides and/or demonstration, and if necessary handouts, for a better discussion in class. You needs to submit the final report for your redesign suggestions as you would present to the clients and programmers, including all the design process and rationales. Depending on the needs of the project, you may develop a testing/prototyping site for the project and provide a demo for the presentation.
This course includes hands-on activities and practical discussion which will contribute a lot to your learning experience. Thus, your participation is critical for your learning goals for this course. Class participation includes class attendance, completion of in-class activities, and participation of class discussion. These will altogether contribute 15% of your final grade.
This course requires 2 major assignments, one final group project, and class participation for the assessment. Each of these contributes towards your final grade. The individual contributions are as below.
Assignment 1: Information Architecture Components Analysis (20%)
Assignment 2: Tool Introduction (25%)
Final Project (35%)
Class Participation (20%)
Final grades will be assigned as follows:
A: 94-100
A-: 90-93.99
B+: 86-89.99
B: 82-85.99
B-: 78-81.99
C: 70-77.99
F: Below 70
The University grading system is available at http://policies.cua.edu/academicundergrad/gradesfull.cfm#II for undergraduates and http://policies.cua.edu/academicgrad//gradesfull.cfm#iii for graduate students. Reports of grades in courses are available at the end of each term on http://cardinalstation.cua.edu.
Academic dishonesty at The Catholic University of America is not tolerated (https://policies.catholic.edu/students/academicundergrad/integrityfull.html and
https://policies.catholic.edu/students/academicundergrad/integrityprocedures.html)
As such, academic integrity is not merely avoiding plagiarism or cheating, but it certainly includes those things. Academic integrity means, above all else, taking responsibility for your work, your ideas, and your effort, and giving credit to others for their work, ideas, and effort. If you submit work that is not your own – whether test answers, whole papers, or something in-between – that is considered to be academic dishonesty. University procedures related to academic dishonesty are conducted with respect and dignity, while also preserving accountability, and they presuppose that all participants will treat each other with respect and dignity.
The following sanctions are presented in the University procedures related to Student Academic Dishonesty:
“The presumed sanction for undergraduate students for academic dishonesty will be failure for the course. In the context of graduate studies, the expectations for academic honesty are greater, and therefore the presumed sanction for dishonesty is likely to be more severe, e.g., expulsion. ...In the more unusual case, mitigating circumstances may exist that would warrant a lesser sanction than the presumed sanction.”
At times, you may do group work for an in-class presentation or group project. For that specific assignment, you are allowed to share material, ideas and information; however, for any related work that is to be submitted on an individual basis, your submission is expected to be your own in its entirety. If there is no group work in the class you should not collaborate with classmates on work that is to be submitted for an individual grade.
For more information about what academic integrity means at CUA, including your responsibilities and rights, visit https://integrity.catholic.edu/index.html.
Any student with a disability that will require accommodation under the terms of federal regulations should present a written accommodation request to the instructor by the second week of classes meeting. The law includes accommodation for learning disabilities, Attention Deficient Disorder and anxiety disorders. It is also recommended that the student contact the Office of Disability Support Services (202-319-5211) located in suite 207 in the Pryzbyla Center. To read about the services and policies, please visit the website: http://dss.cua.edu/
A Guide for services and accommodations for students with disabilities can be found at: http://counsel.cua.edu/ADA/publications/disbro/contents.cfm
Some basic guidelines and links to other information may be found at: http://counsel.cua.edu/ADA/clicks/
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Analysis methods including usability testing
Content, Context, and User Analysis
Evaluation of Web resources (content and structure)
Organization systems
Search systems
Navigation systems
Labeling systems
Use of controlled vocabularies
Research & Site Analysis
High Level and Page Level IA