A. Book Review, 20%
Select a book from the list below that is of particular interest to you. This is an opportunity to provide a focus for your explorations this quarter. If you do not see a book that fits your overall interests, please advise me immediately so that we can secure a book that will do so.

* The Art and Science of Web Design
* The Design of Everyday Things
* The Deadline: A Novel About Project Management
* The Humane Interface
* Information Architecture: 
  Blueprints for the Web, Christina Wodtke
* The Inmates Are Running the Asylum
* Pattern Approach to Interactive Design

Prepare a cogent review that includes arguments in support of or against the theories and positions take by the author(s). Would you or would you not recommend this book to your fellow students; why?

The report should be delivered in both paper and digital format (the digital version will be shared on the class web site). There is no "number of pages" requirement, except to be thorough (1,000 - 1,200 words is a reasonable goal, however). Presentation (such as page layout and intelligent use of the return key) and spelling/punctuation/grammar are also considered in evaluating the report.

Due 2 March
There will be a group activity where students will share their thoughts about the books.

Preferred digital formats: HTML and PDF; use Word Doc if you want detailed editorial comment (comments will be turned "on").

B. Design Analysis, 20%
Analyze the design of three of the following:

an e-commerce web site (must have online ordering)
a government web site
a media web site
an entertainment web site (such as for a movie)
a personal web site.

In your analysis (three sites, three categories), include the following information:

Site name and URL
Your name
Subject: (from above list)
Audience (your deduction)
Goals (your deduction)
Site description
Content type (static, dynamic, both)
Three user tasks (your deduction)
Dates viewed

You are "reversing engineering" design goals. Determine at least three user tasks that should have been considered in the design and analyze site effectiveness at meeting those tasks. What are the major differences between the sites and why?

Due date: 9 March

C. Team Project, 40%
The class will be divided into teams (the number will depend on the number of students enrolled). Each team will be presented with a project outline and statement of deliverables. The teams will make presentations/reports to the class as the quarter progresses, culminating in a final presentation, which will include storyboards. Team members will summarize their lessons learned, which will include an analysis of each team member's contributions to the project.

Due date: 16 March 2004
Preferred digital formats: TBD

D. Class Participation, 20%
These points will be based both on participation in the classroom and through e-mail. Occasionally, the instructor may pose a question or problem to the class and offer participation points for e-mail responses and discussion. Students may also suggest questions for class discussion and receive participation credit. There may be discussion leaders selected for in-class reading discussion.

Students are to write a short (two-four paragraph) review of assigned readings or response to questions about the readings. Post those comments to the class ePost board; students are required to respond to at least one other student comment each week. The reading assignment reviews begin with the readings assigned Week 1 for Week 2 and are due Monday evening; they end at Week 9. You are allowed to "miss" one week's postings - either summary or comments - without penalty.

There will be no midterm or final exams.

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Electronic Version

An electronic (printable) version is archived as a PDF.

HTML Version