Course overview

This course focuses on the science and art of editing and design required in today's world of digital journalism. We will look at the growing field of online publishing. This class is intended for anyone who is interested in the process, design, presentation and implementation of message-making through text, images and computer screens/interfaces. Attendance and class participation will count greatly toward final grade. This class will be done in a hands-on workshop atmosphere.

Goals

To provide students with an overview of HTML, online journalism and desktop publishing. To enhance students’ editing, design and computer skills.

Grading

Each of three “final projects” – newspaper, magazine and Web design – is worth 30 percent of your final grade. The other 10 percent is based upon attendance. You are allowed one unexcused absence. Two absences will result in a loss of five points; three absences results in a loss of 10 points; more than three absences means you will struggle to achieve a passing grade and hurt your teammates in the workshop atmosphere. Please be considerate.

Text book

"HTML for the World Wide Web" by Elizabeth Castro.

WEEK 1 Monday, Jan. 22

Welcome and syllabus overview.
Guidelines for computer use and file storage.
Principles of print layout with attention to typography, graphics and headlines. We’ll look at layout and design rules, including modular design (think in terms of rectangles), use of headline sizes and fonts, use of boxes, use of rules and lines, use of multiple pictures on a page, package design (many elements for the same topic) and filling the space. Designing a page often can be like putting together a puzzle.
Assignment: Draw, with pencil or pen and paper, the general layout design of five newspaper front pages. Bring your drawings and newspaper clippings to class Jan. 29.

WEEK 2 Monday, Jan. 29

Turning thoughts into objects on the computer screen. We'll work on taking ideas and manipulating them, using QuarkXPress and PhotoShop. You'll learn how to layer objects, change sizes and change shapes to your advantage.
Assignment: How would you have designed the coverage of Super Bowl XXXV on the front page of your newspaper? Design -- on paper – two different front page options, either A1 or for sports, indicating what city your newspaper serves, for Jan. 29, 2001. Due Feb. 5.

WEEK 3 Monday, Feb. 5

CLASS CANCELLED – SNOWED OUT

WEEK 4 Monday, Feb. 12

Training on use of QuarkXPress. Review of Super Bowl assignment. Turn sketches into desktop reality.
Brief introduction to HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language), the standard language used for World Wide Web sites.
Assignment: Read chapters 1, 2, 3 of text.

Assignment: No class the next two Mondays. During that time, collect five (5) different newspapers and two (2) magazines that are examples of quality design work. Be prepared to discuss these in class March 12.

No class Feb. 19 -- University Holiday

No class Feb. 26 – Spring break

WEEK 5 Monday, March 5

CLASS CANCELLED – SNOWED OUT (AGAIN)

WEEK 6 Monday, March 12

First half of class: Discussion and display of magazines and newspapers you gathered during break. We’ll discuss elements of good design and try to replicate those elements in class. Learn how to use color (text, boxes and background) and “runaround” in Quark.

Announcement of partners for magazine assignment.
Second half of class: Discussion and work on newspaper final project, which is due March 19. Time to ask individual questions.

WEEK 7 Monday, March 19

Newspaper final project due. Share projects with classmates on the big screen.

Review content of chapters 1,2,3 of text. HTML introduction. Everyone will create a Web page individually.

Begin team work on magazine project.

Assignment: Read chapters 4 and 5 of text.

WEEK 8 Monday, March 26

PhotoShop for the Web – creating and using images online.

Add at least three images to your Web page. Create a second Web page with reciprocal links to each.
Second half of class: Team work on magazine project, which is due April 2. Time to ask questions.

Assignment: Read chapters 6, 7 and 9 of text.

Assignment: Choose your three favorite Web sites. Create an HTML page with the names of those sites, links to those sites and a description of what you like about each. Include images. Due April 2.

WEEK 9 Monday, April 2

Magazine final project due. Share projects with classmates on the big screen.

Roundtable discussion of "favorite" Web sites from last week’s assignment.

HTML: page layout and tables

In-class demonstration of how tables work and how to manipulate them.

Announcement of teams for online assignment. Discussion of possibilities and restrictions of this project.

Team building -- design the structure and goals of your Web site using sticky notes.

Assignment: Read chapter 8 of text.
Assignment: Begin brainstorming for your Web project. An executive summary with a “home page” sketch is due April 16.

No class April 9 –Easter/Passover break

WEEK 10 Monday, April 16

Analysis of local, national and international newspapers online. What works and what doesn’t. Discussion of how the World Wide Web has changed publishing and created a competitive career field. How newspapers, magazines, TV and radio have reacted. A discussion of the future of publishing, on paper and the Internet.

Continue team Web project.

Assignment: Use tables in your Web pages, either ones you have already designed or new ones. Turn the table borders on so that we can see them. Due April 23.
Assignment: Read chapter 10 of text.

WEEK 11 Monday, April 23

Continue team Web project.
In-class demonstration of effective uses of frames.
Assignment: Read chapter 18 of text.
Assignment: Implement lists and frames somewhere on your site. Due April 30.

WEEK 12 Monday, April 30

Continue team Web project.
In-class demonstration of JavaScript.
Assignment: Read chapters 11 and 19 of text.
Assignment: Implement JavaScript somewhere on your site.

WEEK 13 Monday, May 7

Team Web project due. Full demonstration by each team.

WEEK 14 Monday, May 14

Final exam: Good news -- no class, no final exam. Have a productive summer.