syllabus

2. Evaluation:

Grades are based on an individual project, a group project, and class participation. Unless otherwise indicated, assignments are to be composed for web viewing (HTML).

A. Individual Assignment, 40%
The theme for these projects is Change.

Students will create a website on their UW student server (Dante). The instructor will provide one or more templates.

Students will first prepare a textual "story" -- this is due Week 5. It can be any genre, but should be multiple web pages and have illustrations of some sort (graphs, photos, images). The pages should reflect principles of design, usability.

The second part of this project is to tell the same "story" in images and sound (with minimal text). Again, the instructor will provide a template that incorporates Flash for a still-image slide show with sound.Students will write a script and record (or have someone else record) the script. This is due finals week. The student website on Dante should provide links to each of these projects.

(Students who wish to shoot video or produce more advanced projects are free to do so.)

B. Group Project, 40%
Students will form content development teams of 4-5 persons each. We will discuss team formation the first night of class.

The teams are charged with developing content to support the project from Winter 2006 . For the purposes of this assignment, a "story" is more than a one-page document or a single issue paper; it is a communication package. Stories should be multi-media -- text and still images are the minimum. Moving images are a bonus.

Each student should explore three roles:

1. Copy Editor
   At least one per team.
   Edits submittals from team members and ensures that text has one voice and is grammatically correct.
2. Photographer
   At least one per team.
   Works with web designer and writer/storyteller to design parts of stories using still photos.
3. Project Manager
   One per team.
   This is the person who organizes the group, ensures that members meet tasks. Leads the development of team learning, shared vision, etc.
4. Researcher
   At least one per team.
   Does background research to develop stories.
5. Video editor
   One per team.
   Works with writer/storyteller and camera person to edit video pictures.
6. Web Designer
   At least one per team.
   Designs and builds the sectional site, conforming with Winter preliminary designs (if you want to alter the design -- appeal to me).
7. Writer/Storyteller
   At least one per team.
   Leads storytelling - helps develop concept, focus and treatment. Writes copy and/or scripts. Works with researcher, copy editor, photographer, camera person. Decides on interviews.

Deliverables
Each content development team will develop a minimum set of deliverables as negotiated/determined by the teams.

The first "story" that will be produced is a student profile. We will 'pair up' - and interview one-another. The profile shall include a photo, textal information, and an audio clip. A representative from each content team will meet with the instructor to determine format of the bios.

Teams will determine the scope of the content that they plan to develop for the site, ExploreSeattle. The two primary content buckets are "Ballard" and "independent coffee shops."

Story content creation:

• Process
  1. Concept/focus
  2. Data gathering
  3. Story creation (storyboard/text/script)
  4. Web production
• All stories
  • Judged on breadth and depth
  • Must consist of text, links, still photos
  • May contain moving images (video, flash) and sound
• Team members will evaluate member performance and discuss their roles/learnings via a WebQ survey per Winter quarter
• Project deliverables document with sign-off sheet available for download as Word Doc and PDF

Due date: presented in class on 30 May - final deliverables due on 7 June.
Preferred digital formats: native web (please provide me with files on CD-ROM)

* The definition of "what constitutes a story" is going to differ for each team because the projects are not homogeneous. One of the team tasks is defining the stories for the quarter.

D. Class Participation, 20%
These points will be based both on participation in the classroom, both lab and lecture/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 student blog. Blog postings will be evaluated based on creativity, thoroughness and grammar.

The reading assignment reviews begin with the readings assigned Week 1 for Week 2 and are due Monday evening; they end at Week 8. You are allowed to "miss" one week's postings without penalty.

Occasionally, the instructor may pose a question or problem to the class and offer participation points for e-mail responses and discussion.

There will be no midterm or final exams.