This intermediate-level course builds on the skills developed in MAT 125 and introduces students to WordPress and other content management systems (CMS). Students plan and design websites using UI/UX tools and gain skills authoring and implementing HTML, CSS, and JavaScript in hand-coded sites and within CMS platforms. Topics include site planning, content strategy, image preparation, web animation, responsive design, CMS solutions, hosting platforms, and site management.
Institutional Core Competencies are broad general education outcomes that demonstrate real-world skills that students should gain while progressing toward the completion of a degree, certificate, or educational goal. The core competencies emphasized in this course include Intellectual and Practical Skills including inquiry, analysis and independent thinking, critical thinking, creative thinking, problem solving, information literacy, and integration of knowledge as well as Personal and Social Responsibility and Efficacy Skills including goal setting, project planning, and completion.
Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) describe what students should be able to do upon successful completion of this course and apply directly to the high-level skills you are expected to possess in the workforce. You are expected to achieve competency in the following course-level Student Learning Outcomes, each of which help you achieve one or more of the above core competencies:
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to do the following:
Research, plan, and develop information architectures and content strategies that fulfill site objectives.
Compare and contrast the structure, capabilities, and hosting of static websites to those of web applications with dynamically generated database-driven content.
Identify the essential functions and capabilities of WordPress and other CMS for web design and development.
Create wireframes, style tiles, web graphics, design comps, and interactive prototypes.
Design effective user interfaces that apply design and usability principles.
Utilize industry-standard tools for web editing, image preparation, UI/UX design, server site management (cPanel), and WordPress site management.
Produce and author responsive web page designs using Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) and Cascading Style Sheets (CSS).
Evaluate and select appropriate WordPress themes and plugins for projects based on chosen content delivery strategies.
Create web-based animations.
Use JavaScript to add advanced functionality to web pages.
Connect to web servers to upload and manage content, backup sites, and migrate Wordpress sites.
Analyze and evaluate web designs for usability, quality, and effectiveness.
Design skills, design process, personal expression, content development, project management, and trends in visual communication as they relate to interactive media will be emphasized along with the learning of tools and techniques. Software to be used in the class includes: Dreamweaver, Photoshop, XD, Animate CC, and others as needed. Students will explore programming using HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and jQuery.
Class Websites (updated each Tuesday)
Required Software
Required Video Lectures
Required Reading
Recommended Reading
All recommended reading and much of the optional reading is available for free through Safari Books Online (https://library.miracosta.edu/safari) and this playlist.
Additional Optional Reading
The instructor can suggest other books and reference material.
Your final grade is based on your performance on class assignments, projects, and class participation in Canvas.
Grading Guidelines
A – Outstanding achievement; available only for the highest accomplishment.
B – Praiseworthy performance; definitely above average.
C – Average; awarded for satisfactory performance.
D – Minimally passing; less than average achievement for undergraduate students.
F – Failing.
An incomplete grade will only be granted for extenuating circumstances.
| Percentage | Points | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| 90 – 100% | 900 – 1,000 | A |
| 80 – 89% | 800 – 899 | B |
| 70 – 79% | 700 – 799 | C |
| 60 – 69% | 600 – 699 | D |
| 00 – 59% | 0 – 599 | F |
Project grades are based on the quality of your work in the following areas: content/concept, form, function, and technique. For information on the specific grading considerations related to each of these areas, see Making The Grade.
Homework, exercises, and design challenges will be assigned to provide hands-on experience with key concepts from course lectures and demonstrations. These assignments often combine technical and artistic explorations and provide you with the skills needed to complete the more complex projects in the class. These assignments typically don’t require more than one or two weeks of production time.
You are required to complete three website projects in this class including:
Full project details will be available on the projects page.
The design process for these projects will contribute to your course grade. You will be asked to respond to a RFP (Request for Proposal) for your final project website that will layout the specific details of your project (objectives, look and feel, content, flow-chart, etc.). The proposal will serve as your design plan, and will be graded and returned to you to help guide your project's development. You will also complete project research, client surveys, and design comps as part of the design process.
Project grades are based on the quality of your work in the following areas: content/concept, form, function, and technique. For information on the specific grading considerations related to each of these areas, see Making The Grade.
Class conversations will be facilitated by the use of the Canvas learning management system. Canvas will provide the forum for class conversations, questions and answers, project critiques, and more. You can use Canvas to connect with your fellow students (and the instructor), ask questions, and get feedback. In the Q & A Forum, you will be able ask about questions you might have well as answer your fellow students' questions. The forums will also be used for critiques of class projects and for you to solicit feedback from your fellow students' on your work in development. Your participation in the Forum Discussions and Critiques on Canvas count towards your class "participation" grade in the class.
Grading Guidelines
Incomplete grades are not generally issued and will only be granted in extreme, extenuating circumstances, whereupon a contract of completion is drawn up and signed by the instructor, the department chair, and the student.
Class Participation
Participation in class will be considered as part of your course grade. Students are expected to frequently check the class website for new lecture material, meet project and exercise deadlines and join class conversations (discussions and critique postings) on Canvas. The instructor has the right to drop students from the class who fail to participate before census or in excess of two weeks. However, if you intend to drop the course, you must officially withdraw through SURF or the Admissions & Records office or risk receiving an “F” in the class.
Due Dates + Late Work
All work is expected to be submitted by the end of the day on the day that it is due. Late work is accepted but may be lowered by one letter grade for each week that it is late. However, I offer one ‘freebie’ and will not penalize students for missing a deadline provided it does not become habitual. The final project, however, will not be accepted late.
Prerequisites/Advisories
MAT 125 and considerable computer experience (and/or CSIT 100 and 105) are advised.
College Support Services
The college offers a wide variety of support services of which I encourage you to take advantage. These include health services and personal counseling, academic and career counseling, EOPS, veterans’ services, and more. See miracosta.edu/student-services/ for links and phone numbers.
MAT Tutoring
The Tutoring and Academic Support Center (TASC) and Writing Center (WC) assist students by providing free tutoring and appointments. For tutoring options and the drop-in tutoring schedule, see: mat.miracosta.edu/tutoring
Class Conduct + Culture
In this class, it is expected that we treat each other with professionalism and respect, are mindful and kind in our interactions, keep our community open and constructive, and foster a culture of support and guidance.
All students are expected to follow the rules and standards of conduct detailed in the college catalog. Students are expected to produce original work and not use pre-packaged templates or copy web designs or code that is not their own. Plagiarism may result in a failing grade and other consequences. A student may not use or copy by any means another's work (or portions of it) and represent it as their own. Quotations, photographs, or other artwork used by a student should be given appropriate credit or reference.
MiraCosta College - Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Statement
MiraCosta College is committed to providing a strong, supportive, and authentic environment where difference is valued, respected, encouraged, and honored; where all faculty, staff, and students experience a sense of belonging and the freedom to express themselves; and where their experiences are recognized and valued. For more information visit: miracosta.edu/dei/
Academic Accommodations
If you have a disability or medical condition impacting learning and have not yet been authorized to receive academic accommodations, you’re encouraged to contact the Student Accessibility Services (SAS) office (formerly known as Disabled Students Programs and Services or DSPS). The SAS office can be reached at (760) 795-6658, or sas@miracosta.edu. The SAS office will help you determine what accommodations are available for you. If you’re requesting my assistance utilizing any authorized accommodations, please contact me as soon as possible.
Accessibility Statement
If you encounter any accessibility-related difficulties with required or optional course materials, please contact the instructor as soon as possible so that we can investigate the matter further and provide effective alternatives, if needed.
LGBTQIA+ Resources
MiraCosta College has an expressed commitment to equity and inclusion for students, faculty, and staff who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex, and asexual. For information about LGBTQIA+ campus resources and services, visit: miracosta.edu/lgbt.
Instructor Contact
Regular effective contact and interaction with the instructor will be maintained through weekly instructor-prepared electronic lectures and updates to the class website, weekly email announcements, active online discussion and question and answer forums, weekly office hours, web conferencing or screen‐sharing sessions, instructor feedback on student work, and through responding to student emails, phone calls, and/or other questions or postings in a timely manner. Students can reasonably expect to hear back from the instructor within 48 hours (excluding weekends and holidays) for most inquiries. If the instructor expects to be absent and unable to post materials and/or respond to email or discussion forums in excess of three or four days, he will notify the class and make other accommodations. If you have concerns about instructor contact or any other regard, please refer to the section on Students Rights in the MiraCosta College catalog.
Administrative Dates
2/2 is the “Add” and “Drop” deadline (without a “W” recorded). 4/23 is the “Withdraw” deadline (with a “W”). 5/24 is the “Pass/No Pass” option deadline. 3/18 - 3/23 is Spring Break.