INSC 589: WEB DESIGN

COURSE INFORMATION

INSC 589 WEB DESIGN, Spring 2022

University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Course Section:
Course Credit Hours: 3 hours
Lecture Time – 5:05 pm to 6:20 pm Monday
Zoom link available from Canvas

Faculty Contact Information

 Dr. Vandana Singh
 [email protected]
 453 Communications Building
 865-974-2785
 www.sis.utk.edu/vandana
 Office Hours by appointment via email

Instructor Availability
Please don’t hesitate to email me with updates, questions, or concerns. I will typically
respond within 24 hours during the week and 48 hours on the weekend. I will notify you if I
will be out of town and if connection issues may delay a response.

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Provides hands-on experience with creating websites using latest web site design tools and
techniques as well as a theoretical insight into emerging trends and techniques. Emphasizes
understanding the basics of web design, website creation and evaluation. Covers basics of
usability testing and search engine optimization.

Course Learning Outcomes (CLO)

At the end of the semester, based upon your personal experiences, class readings, lectures
discussions, and assignments students will be able to:

CLO # 1 - Apply Web design concepts and techniques to plan, create, test, publish, and
manage web sites.
CLO # 2 - Create websites using XHTML (Extensible Hypertext Markup Language) and CSS

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INSC 589 – WEB DESIGN SPRING 2022 – Dr. Vandana Singh
CLO # 3 - Compare various web development tools and discuss differences between hand
coding and visual development of websites.
CLO # 4 - Design and conduct simple usability tests for websites.
CLO # 5 - Define and discuss search engine optimization, web analytics and responsive web
design.

SIS Program Learning Outcomes Addressed in this Course

PLO # 3 - Apply the general principles, values, and ethical standards of providing
information services in a variety of settings and for diverse populations.

PLO # 4 - Comply with the changing responsibilities of the information professional in a

culturally diverse and networked global society.

PLO # 6 - Analyze and apply standards or policies related to the processes of creation,
organization, distribution, storage, access, retrieval, management, use or preservation of
information.

PLO # 8 - Assess and implement information technologies, systems, sources and services
that serve users effectively and efficiently.

PLO # 9 - Analyze research and apply it to information practice.

Assignment Points Type PLO CLO

Assignment 1 (Website Critique) 15 Individual 8 and 9 1
Assignment 2 (Create a Website) 25 Group 8, 9, and 3 2
Assignment 3 (Website Redesign) 15 Individual 8, 9, and 6 4
20 Individual 8, 9, and 4 3 and 5
Assignment 4 (ePortfolio)
Learning Summary 5 Individual
Activities - Workshops 20 Individual

LEARNING ENVIRONMENT

This is a fully online course, which means to complete this course you are not required to
travel to campus. You will participate in this course asynchronously and using Canvas, the
University of Tennessee’s Learning Management System. Synchronous sessions will be
conducted using Zoom [if applicable]. Additional Canvas and Zoom resources are available
for students unfamiliar with these online environments.

HOW TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN THIS COURSE

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Readings for each week will be given in advance and it will be the responsibility of the student
to complete the readings and contribute to the class discussions based on the readings. Read
the assigned materials prior to the class for which they are assigned, and be prepared to refer
to passages or issues of interest to you during our discussions
Your presence and participation is vital to the success of this class: attendance and class
participation are expected and do affect the "participation and attendance" portion of your
final grade. Class participation includes contributing during class discussions — sharing your
thoughts and experiences about lecture related topics — and monitoring and posting to the
asynchronous discussion boards (located on Canvas) each week. The quality of your
contributions is more important than the quantity of contributions.
This course adopts an active learning approach. Students are required to complete all
required readings, attend all class lectures, complete graded activities and assignments, and
participate in all class activities, including instructor-led and student-led discussions, and
small-group and individual activities. All recommended readings will be uploaded on the
course Canvas site.
If you have questions about the class, look at the "Questions About Class / General Discussion"
discussion board. Please post your questions first to the class discussion board unless the
question is of a confidential nature (e.g., grades). Sharing your questions is helpful because
(1) other people may have the same or similar questions and (2) you may get a faster or better
response from other people in the class. I will be reading the discussion boards almost daily.

For additional support, please review this page from UT’s Online Programs How to be
Successful in an Online Course.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

Texts/Resources/Materials
There is no specific textbook for this course. Instead, readings will be assigned each week.
Most will be available via the WWW, the UT library Web site, or the course Canvas site.
Some may also be available via course reserves.

Computer Requirements
The syllabus and other course-related information is available on the Canvas system. This
system provides support for asynchronous communications for the course. You will need
your NetID and password to access the materials at Online@UT. You will be asked to
download software from the UT Software Store.

Technical Support
For technical issues, contact the OIT HelpDesk by phone at (865) 974-9900 or at the Walk-in
HelpDesk,. For IT and Computing issues, use the online Contact Form.

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INSC 589 – WEB DESIGN SPRING 2022 – Dr. Vandana Singh
COURSE SCHEDULE

Date Topic Assignment

Due
Jan 24 Introduction to Web Design
Jan 31 Design Critique; Planning for Good Website Design
Feb 07 Page Layout Techniques
Feb 14 Information Architecture, IA Methods A1
Feb 21 Cascading Style Sheets (CSS)
Feb 28 Content Creation for the Web (Graphics)
Mar 7 Writing for the Web
Mar 14 Spring Break
Mar 21 A2 Presentation A2
Mar 28 Responsive Web Design; Mobile First Design
Apr 4 Tools for Web Development - ePortfolio
Apr 11 Usability Testing and Website Assessment A3
Apr 18 Website Visibility; SEO and Google Analytics
Apr 25 Future Trends in Web Design
May 2 TBA
May 9 ePortfolio Presentations A4

COURSE COMMUNICATIONS POLICY

 The course instructor is required to communicate with students through UTK email address.
When you send me an email please make sure you are using your UTK email and
have INSC 589 in the subject line. If you use a non UTK email id, there is a high
chance that it will be filtered to my spam folder and hence be missed.
 Feel free to contact me for questions or to share ideas! To ensure quick response, start your
message subject line with INSC 589. I will reply to your messages within 48 hours.
 This course is offered in a virtual mode using Canvas & Zoom. The delivery of the course
content will include lectures, videos, discussions, live demonstrations, and hands-on training
activities.
 All lecture slides will be posted on Canvas. Read the class announcement posted on Canvas to
stay current with course matters.
 Submit assignments on Canvas. Do not email them to the instructor.

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INSC 589 – WEB DESIGN SPRING 2022 – Dr. Vandana Singh
COURSE ATTENDANCE AND PARTICIPATION POLICY

Campus Closures
Online, distance, and hybrid courses follow the same academic calendar and semester
schedule as on campus courses. If the university closes campus for any reason, including
inclement weather, instructors teaching online should not penalize students who are unable
to attend, submit assignments, or otherwise participate in an online, distance, or hybrid
class session.

UNIVERSITY POLICIES

CCI Diversity Statement (College of Communication and Information Bylaws, Section

II-C)

The College of Communication and Information recognizes that a college diverse in its
people, curricula, scholarship, research, and creative activities expands opportunities for
intellectual inquiry and engagement, helps students develop critical thinking skills, and
prepares students for social and civic responsibilities. All members of the College benefit
from diversity and the quality of learning, research, scholarship and creative activities is
enhanced by a climate of inclusion, understanding and appreciation of differences and the
full range of human experience. As a result, the College is committed to diversity and equal
opportunity and it recognizes that it must represent the diversity inherent in American
society. The College is acutely aware that diversity and fairness are foundations that unite
the College’s faculty, staff, students, and the larger communication and information
community (see http://www.cci.utk.edu/diversity-statement for CCI’s full Diversity
Statement).
Disability Statement:
Any student who feels s/he may need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability
should contact me privately to discuss your specific needs. Please contact the Office of
Disability Services at 865-974-6087 in 2227 Dunford Hall to coordinate reasonable
accommodations for students with documented disabilities.
http://ods.utk.edu/faculty/students.php

Academic Integrity

University of Tennessee Policy: "The responsibility for learning is an individual matter.

Study, preparation and presentation should involve at all times the student's own work,
unless it has been clearly specified that work is to be a team effort. Academic honesty
requires that all work presented be the student's own work, not only on tests, but in themes,
papers, homework, and class presentation. There is a clear distinction between learning
new ideas and presenting them as facts or as answers, and presenting them as one's own
ideas. It is part of the learning process to incorporate the thoughts or ideas of others into
one's own mind and presentations with the purpose of learning and enlarging on personal

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INSC 589 – WEB DESIGN SPRING 2022 – Dr. Vandana Singh
boundaries of knowledge." (Hilltopics: Student Handbook, 2006-2007, p. 40. Available at
http://web.utk.edu/~homepage/hilltopics/HILLTOPICS2006-07.pdf)). "The University
expects that all academic work will provide an honest reflection of the knowledge and
abilities of both students and faculty. Cheating, plagiarism, fabrication of data, providing
unauthorized help, and other acts of academic dishonesty are abhorrent to the purposes for
which the University exists. In support of its commitment to academic integrity, the
University has adopted an Honor Statement (see page 11)." (Hilltopics: Student Handbook,
2006-2007, p. 41. Available at
http://web.utk.edu/~homepage/hilltopics/HILLTOPICS2006-07.pdf).

University Civility Statement

“Civility is genuine respect and regard for others: politeness, consideration, tact, good
manners, graciousness, cordiality, affability, amiability and courteousness. Civility enhances
academic freedom and integrity, and is a prerequisite to the free exchange of ideas and
knowledge in the learning community. Our community consists of students, faculty, staff,
alumni, and campus visitors. Community members affect each other’s well-being and have a
shared interest in creating and sustaining an environment where all community members
and their points of view are valued and respected. Affirming the value of each member of
the university community, the campus asks that all its members adhere to the principles of
civility and community adopted by the campus.” See the UT Principles of Civility and
Community.

Disability Services
Any student who feels s/he may need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability
should contact Student Disability Services in Dunford Hall, at 865-974-6087, or by video
relay at, 865-622-6566, to coordinate reasonable academic accommodations.

Key Campus Resources for Students

 Center for Career Development (Career counseling and resources; HIRE-A-VOL job
search system)
 Course Catalogs (Listing of academic programs, courses, and policies)
 Hilltopics (Campus and academic policies, procedures and standards of conduct)
 OIT HelpDesk (865) 974-9900
 Schedule of Classes/Timetable
 Student Health Center (visit the site for a list of services)
 Student Success Center (Academic support resources)
 Undergraduate Academic Advising (Advising resources, course requirements, and
major guides)
 University Libraries (Access to library resources, databases, course reserves, and
services)

*Please note: The instructor reserves the right to revise, alter or amend this syllabus as
necessary. Students will be notified in writing/email of any such changes.

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INSC 589 – WEB DESIGN SPRING 2022 – Dr. Vandana Singh