Journalism 414 Syllabus
Mass Media, Communication, & Theatre
Texas A&M University-Commerce
Updated 8/27/07
Office Hours:
Appointments can be made for before classes. Please call or email to schedule an appointment.
Course Description:
Journalism 414 introduces students to HTML, web page development software, graphic software, and web site management. Course emphasizes effective presentation of content, and explores the broader social, political and philosophical implications of the Internet and World Wide Web.
Prerequisites:
Junior or senior standing, or consent of instructor.
Texts:
Krug, Steve. (2006). Don't Make Me Think! A common sense approach to Web Usability, Second Addition. Indianapolis, IN: New Riders Publishing.
Goals:
This course is an introduction to Web Design. As an introduction, students will learn basic to intermediate html, design and usability concepts, including technology issues and concerns. Students will also evaluate the social, political, and economic implications of the internet. Production and design of pieces including graphics, images, animations, and html will be included throughout the course. Students will complete the course with the design and development of a web site using the tools and concepts learned.
Evaluation:
Your Grade will be based on the following components.
| Activity | Points |
| Class Exercises | 50 |
| Tests | 50 |
| Class Project | 75 |
| Journal Articles | 50 |
| Quizzes | 75 |
| Total | 300 |
| Scale | Grade |
| 90% - 100% (270-300) | A |
| 80% - 89% (240-269) | B |
| 70% - 79% (210-239) | C |
| 60% - 69% (180 - 209) | D |
| Below 60% | F |
Class Attendance Rule:
Students are expected to attend each class. Assignments are due as assigned in the class schedule unless authorized by the instructor. Assignments may not be made up or turned in late for unexcused absences. EVERY UNEXCUSED ABSENCE WILL LOWER YOUR CLASS EXERCISE POINTS BY 5 POINTS.
Excusable absences:
1. Participation in a required/authorized university activity;
2. Verified illness;
3. Death in a student's immediate family;
4. Obligation of a student at legal proceedings in fulfilling responsibility as a citizen; and
5. Others determined by individual faculty to be excusable (e.g. elective university activities, etc.)
It is the prerogative of the faculty to drop students from courses in which they have accrued excessive absences as defined in the course syllabus.
Journal Articles:
Journal articles should come from either a printed or online magazine or newspaper. Articles should address political, social, or economical implications of the internet. Papers should be from one to two pages in length double spaced and include:
1. Journal and author information - APA Style http://www.lib.usm.edu/~instruct/guides/apa.html
Ex: Kawasaki, J. L., & Raven, M.R. (1995). Computer-administered surveys in extension. Journal of Extension, 33, 252-255. Retrieved June 2, 1999, from http://joe.org/joe/index.html
Ex: Chandler-Crisp, S. (1988, May) "Aerobic writing": a writing practice model. Writing Lab Newsletter, pp. 9-11.
2. A brief description of the article.
3. Your reactions to what you read.