Syllabus

About the Course

CSCI 185 is an introduction to web design and web development, and assumes no prior knowledge. In this course, you will gain experience with some of the skills and strategies of modern web design and development, including:

• Exploring some principles of web architecture.
• Learning the building blocks of programming – data types, variables, functions, control flow, and events.
• Writing a variety of interesting programs that a web browser can understand – using HTML, CSS, & JavaScript.
• Working with git and GitHub to publish and share files to the Internet.
• Using the fetch API to build “data-driven” web interfaces.
• Exploring some third-party JavaScript libraries and widgets (e.g. interactive maps, carousels, photo galleries, etc.).
• Learning some basic principles of interface design (UX/UI), including how to make websites accessible for people with disabilities.
• Considering some of the social, ethical, and legal implications of websites.

What this course does NOT cover

This course does not cover:

• Server-side programming (e.g., storing and retrieving custom datasets; authentication and security; using cloud-based tools like AWS, Heroku, etc.).
• Some of the popular web application frameworks that are widely used in industry (e.g., React, Vue, jQuery)
• Making native apps (iOS via Swift; Android via Java)
• SCSS and SASS (languages that transpile to CSS), CoffeeScript, TypeScript (languages that transpile to JavaScript)

About Web Design & Development

Websites are living documents that require multiple forms of expertise to design and build. Some of the most important considerations fall outside of what is typically considered computer science, such as understanding the needs of the users and organizations and the potential implications of design decisions; or crafting clean, engaging visual designs. Other, equally important considerations are much more technical – writing code with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, thinking about how information travels over the Internet, and learning new frameworks, architectural styles, and design patterns. Moreover, as web techniques/technologies continue to evolve, it is also import to “learn how to learn” about new technologies, including interpreting technical documentation, modifying and adapting sample code, and thinking about whether or not to use an external library (versus building something from scratch). Developing these competencies involves cultivating a variety of practices and dispositions (versus acquiring some fixed body of knowledge).

Taking this course means committing – for 17 weeks – to practicing your emergent coding skills, experimenting with how you want to convey information to make it engaging and digestable, turning in weekly assignments, committing to doing homework, being present in class for individual and group activities, and most importantly, persevering when things get confusing / difficult and asking questions. Your enjoyment and success in this course depends on your commitment to showing up, engaging, and practicing your developing skills and ideas.

Course Format

The course includes a mix of lectures, in-class activities, tutorials, quizzes, homework, and projects. It is your responsibility to keep up-to-date on class material and announcements, as the schedule is subject to change. This includes material presented and announcements made in class, via email, or on Moodle.

Class Meetings

We will use our scheduled class time to go over web design and development concepts, do practice problems together and make sure your questions get answered. Class meetings will be in person. Organizationally, some topics/modules span multiple lectures (see the course schedule). Most class sessions have accompanying readings.

Lecture

On Mondays and Wednesdays, we will cover new topics, discuss the readings, and complete short exercises to reinforce your understanding.

Tutorial Sessions (20%)

Every Friday, you will complete a coding / design “tutorial” (mandatory attendance). Tutorials are intended to help you:

1. Become familiar with the types of strategies you might use to approach problems (which will be closely related to the homework / projects).
2. Get comfortable writing lots of programs (practice makes perfect!)
3. Assess what you know and don’t know, so that you can make a plan to review various ideas and/or attend office hours.

Homework (40%)

You will be given 5 homework assignments that are intended to give you additional practice with the course ideas beyond the tutorials. They are each designed to take between 4-6 hours to complete, so leave yourself enough time!

Projects (30%)

This course has two projects. The intent of the first project is to help you master some ideas in programming (variables, data types, loops, conditionals, and functions) by making an interactive animation. The intent of the second project is to give you the time and space to make a website of your choosing. For your second project, you may work alone or in a group of up to three people. The evaluation criteria for your final project will be posted when the assignment is released.

Quizzes (10%)

There will also be 3 quizzes, which are intended to ensure that you understand some basic programming and web-related concepts. You may drop your lowest quiz score.

Course Materials & Resources

Software

As this is a programming course, you will be using the free software programs listed below. This software will take about 3GB of space to install. Installing and configuring programming software can be a hassle, but it is part of the process of developing your working computing knowledge. I will help you.

• Visual Studio Code
• Git and Github

This software is also installed on all of the classroom computers.

Course References

I have compiled a list of web-based reference materials on the course website:

• HTML Resources
• CSS Resources
• JavaScript Resources
• Design Resources
• Accessibility Resources

Before each class, you may be assigned some pre-recorded videos, readings, or tutorial links from this resource guide, which will cover specific concepts and ideas that we will be practicing during lecture. Please set aside time to review these materials, as they will make the assignments and projects easier!

Getting Questions Answered

Office Hours

My office hours are every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 5-6PM. All questions are welcomed, including (but are not limited to):

• I don’t know where to start in this week’s homework. Can you help?
• My GitHub page is broken – help!
• My code’s not working. How do I debug it.
• I didn’t understand X idea in lecture / tutorial this week. Can we discuss it?
• What courses should I take next after CSCI 185?
• What kinds of web-related careers and opportunities are out there?

You may also talk to me about concerns about your progress in the course, personal matters related to your participation in the course, larger grade concerns, advice about future courses, majors and internships, etc.

Grading

Your course grade is calculated based on 200 points as follows:

Final grades are assigned on a fixed scale: 93-100 is an A, 90-92.99 is an A-, 87-89.99 is a B+, etc. Some other logistics:

1. Final course grades will not be rounded or curved.
2. There will not be a final exam, but you will be presenting your final projects during exam time.

NOTE: Leniency is built into the course

Because there are unprecedented and uncertain times, I have built leniency into the design of the class. You will be able to:

• drop your lowest quiz score (best 2 of 3)
• Keep your best 10 tutorial scores (best 10 of 14)

Use this leniency wisely. In other words, skipping Quiz 1 and Tutorials 1-4 is an ill-advised approach. I will not grant additional exceptions unless the circumstances are exceptional, and this will need to be done in coordination with Dean of Student’s office.

Homework & Project Grading (Updated)

Homework will be due approximately every other week at 11:59pm on the specified date. Homework will be graded according to a published rubric that will be given when the assignment is released.

Late Policy

Homework and project assignments must be submitted before the due time, otherwise you will receive a 20% late penalty.

Resubmission Policy

If you did not successfully complete the objectives of the homework / project, you may correct your errors and resubmit. However, your grade will be penalized 10% with each subsequent attempt. Some example scenarios:

• Scenario 1: I earn 60% on my homework assignment and decide to resubmit. I earn a 90% on my second attempt. My final HW score is an 80%.
• Scenario 2: I earn an 80% on HW1 but turn it in late (so 20% late penalty applied = 60%). I decide to resubmit and earn an 100% on my second attempt. But, 20% penalty + 10% resubmit penalty applied, so I earn a 70%.

Tutorial Grading

Attendance is mandatory at all tutorial sessions. Tutorials will be graded pass / fail. You will earn a passing grade if all of the following conditions are met.

1. You attended the tutorial.
2. You put in a good faith effort.
3. You submitted your work to Moodle.

Tutorials are due by 11:59PM on Friday (but I recommend that you just submit them at the end of class). I do not accept late tutorials because I post the solutions right away. Even if you don’t get everything working perfectly, you will still get full credit if you demonstrate a good-faith effort. You must complete at least 10 tutorials, with a passing grade to get full credit for the tutorial portion of the class – but you are encouraged to complete them all.

Project Grading

Projects are each worth 30 points, and a rubric will be published to communicate how you will be evaluated. The second project will be broken up into a series of deliverables that will be due throughout the second half of the semester.

• Same late / resubmission policy as homework (see above).

Regrading Policy

I have been known to make the occasional grading error. If you have any grading questions/concerns, please email me within a week to resolve the issue.

Course Policies

General

• No food, no drinks, and no water inside the classroom. If you need to eat or drink, please step outside the classroom (away from the computers) to do so.
• Be respectful of others during classroom discussions and presentations.
• We may have the occasional remote class session. We can decide as a class how we want to do that.

COVID Policies

• Masking. Currently, there is no masking mandate at UNCA with the exception of healthcare settings and University shuttles. Please respect individuals’ personal decisions to either wear or not wear a mask in any given circumstance.
  • Note: I may require masks in my office. I may also request that students voluntarily continue wearing masks in class, with the understanding that masking cannot be required.
• Social distancing. There is no official policy regarding social distancing in the classroom. Please be sensitive to the fact that everyone’s comfort level will vary. Whenever possible, please keep several feet between yourself and a classmate. If a classmate requests more space, please do so kindly and without judgment or question.
• Illness policy. Please stay home if you are ill, and email me – I will let you know how you can catch up / participate remotely.

Academic Honesty

In the past, there have been a few unfortunate instances in which students have presented work other than their own. Here are some guidelines to help you understand what is and is not appropriate”

Tutorials

Helping other students with their in-class tutorial code is allowed and encouraged, but each student should type their own solution.

Homework and Project Work

You are allowed and encouraged to discuss general approaches to solving problems, but all work you submit must be your own. Working “together” and presenting variants of the same file is not acceptable. Here are some specific guidelines to make sure you don’t cross the line:

• Do not exchange programs or program fragments in any form – on paper, via e-mail, or by other means.
• While working with other students, it is perfectly acceptable to ‘look’ at each other’s code (perhaps while helping someone to debug), but you should NEVER be scribing (typing or writing) your own work while looking at someone else’s (on a computer screen, paper, whiteboard, etc.).
• Uploading materials from this course to websites that sell such content to students is prohibited by UNCA’s academic integrity policies, and may also put you at risk for violating copyright policies in UNCA’s Student Conduct Code.

Contact Sarah Van Wart if you have any questions about what is appropriate.

Using the Broader Web for Code and Ideas

In this class, I encourage you to explore the broader web for tutorials, code samples, new coding techniques, libraries, etc. After all, learning how to build websites is all about studying existing websites and how the work! That said, you must acknowledge all sources contributing to your work. If you receive any assistance from any source (Internet, peer, social media, etc.), please describe your source and that source’s contribution(s). If you have any questions about this, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Students violating the academic honesty policy on a test or exam will receive a grade of “F” in the course. Students violating the academic honesty policy on an assignment other than a test or exam will receive a grade of 0 on that assignment for the first offense, and will receive a grade of “F” in the course for the second offense. This will apply to all students involved in the violation, including both the source student and the copying student. It is your responsibility to ensure that your work is not used by other students.

All cases of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Assistant Provost.

Class Cancellation Policy

If a class meeting is canceled or due dates are moved due to inclement weather or any other reason, I will inform you via campus email (ending with unca.edu).

University Policies

Acknowledgement of the COVID-19 Pandemic

As a community in this time of uncertainty, we seek to uphold and embody our ideals of compassion, resilience, understanding, and flexibility for each other. With that understanding, here are a list of course policies active for this semester:

1. We all are expected to abide by our institution’s community expectations. If you are in a public space you are expected to wash your hands and maintain social distance from others.
2. COVID-19 vaccines are strongly encouraged for all students, faculty, and staff; surveillance testing is also available on campus.
3. If you become ill:
   • Do not physically attend any classes.
   • If emergency, dial 911. For non-emergency medical help contact UNC Asheville Health and Counseling Center at (828) 251-6520, Monday-Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm. After hours call MAHEC at (828)257-4740.
   • Reach out to your instructor as you are able.

Office of Academic Accessibility

UNC-Asheville values the diversity of our student body as a strength and a critical component of our dynamic community. Students with disabilities or temporary injuries/conditions may require accommodations due to barriers in the structure of facilities, course design, technology used for curricular purposes, or other campus resources. Students who experience a barrier to full access to this class should let the professor know, and/or make an appointment to meet with the Office of Academic Accessibility as soon as possible. To make an appointment, call 828.232.5050; email academicaccess@unca.edu; visit https://oaa.unca.edu/ and click on “Schedule an Appointment”; or drop by the Academic Accessibility Office, room 008 in the One Stop suite (lower level of Ramsey Library). Learn more about the process of registering, and the services available through the Office of Academic Accessibility here: https://oaa.unca.edu/

While students may disclose disability at any point in the semester, students who receive Letters of Accommodation are strongly encouraged to request, obtain and present these to their professors as early in the semester as possible so that accommodations can be made in a timely manner. It is the student’s responsibility to follow this process each semester.

Promoting Gender Equity, Addressing Sexual Misconduct

UNC Asheville is dedicated to cultivating and maintaining a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment, free from harassment and discrimination. We strive to ensure that all have equal access to the educational and employment opportunities the University provides. If you or someone you know has been affected by sexual misconduct, including sexual or gender-based harassment, sexual assault, dating or domestic violence, or stalking, please know that help and support are available. UNC Asheville strongly encourages all members of the community to take action, seek support, and report incidents of sexual harassment to the Title IX Office. You may contact the Title IX Office or Heather Lindkvist, the Title IX Coordinator, directly at 828.232.5658 or at titleix@unca.edu. Learn more by visiting titleix.unca.edu.

As a faculty member, I am a “responsible employee” and private resource. This means that if you share any information or discuss an incident with me regarding sexual or gender-based harassment, I must disclose this information to the Title IX Coordinator. Our goal is to ensure you are aware of the range of options available to you and have access to the resources you may need.

If you wish to speak with a confidential resource, contact University Health and Counseling Services at 828.251.6520. Off-campus confidential resources include Our Voice (24-Hour Hotline at 828.255.7576) and HelpMate (24-Hour Hotline at 828.254.0516).

Academic Indicators

Faculty at UNC Asheville are required to use the university’s Academic Indicators system. The purpose of this system is to communicate with students about their progress in courses. Academic Indicators can reflect that a student’s performance is satisfactory at the time it is submitted, or they can indicate concerns (e.g., academic difficulty, attendance problems, or other concerns). Professors use this system because they are invested in student success and want to encourage open conversations about how students can improve their performance. When a faculty member submits an indicator that expresses a concern, the student receives an email from Academic Advising notifying them of the indicator and subsequent registration hold on their account. To clear the hold, the student must complete an online Response Form included in the alert e-mail.

The student’s responses will be shared with the instructor and advising staff. If a student receives three or more indicators that show problems, they will need to meet with an advisor by scheduling an appointment using the online appointment service at advising.unca.edu and select ‘Academic Alert Appointment’ as the type of appointment. The professor may also request to meet with the student to discuss the indicator. It is in the student’s best interest to complete the process quickly, as students who do so are more likely to earn credit for the course. Failure to complete the process means the student won’t be able to register for the next semester’s classes until they have submitted the required form and completed any requested meeting requirements. Questions about the indicator system can be directed to Anne Marie Roberts (amrober1@unca.edu) in the Academic Success Center.

Mental Health Support

As a student, you may experience a range of challenges that can interfere with learning, such as stressful life events, experiences of anxiety and/or depression, self-harm, substance use, and/or unusual difficulty with ordinary life activities. The increased stress of school can also make existing mental health struggles more difficult to manage. Support is available and treatment can help. Learn more about the confidential mental health services UNC Asheville provides to support student success at https://www.unca.edu/life/health-counseling/

The Health and Counseling Center is located at 118 W.T. Weaver Boulevard. Appointments can be made by calling 828-251-6520. A UNC Asheville counselor on call is available after 5 p.m. and on weekends; the counselor on call can be accessed by calling the UNCA Campus Police dispatcher at 828-251-6710. Additionally available after hours and on weekends, call the Bulldog Health Link at 1-888-267-3675, where you can get immediate support for mental health, medical consultation, concern for a friend, and/or community resources. In case of an emergency, you can also call RHA’s Mental Health Mobile Crisis Unit at 1-888-573-1006.