JOU 3363 Introduction to Web Apps / f2024

“The professor provided as many resources as she could to enhance our learning. She was very clear in her directions and expectations for each assignment. Her feedback in class and out was always constructive and helped me understand the material better.”
— Student comment on course evaluation, fall 2022

“I feel confident with the basics of HTML, CSS and JavaScript, as well as certain design and accessibility features.”
— Student comment on course evaluation, fall 2022

“I find all the lessons taught in this class to be incredibly helpful and important to the point where even if I didn’t finish an assignment on time, I would still work on it in my free time because I thought it was still very important for me to know the material.”
— Student comment on course evaluation, fall 2022

Class #13786, section 07D7
Meets in Weimer 2056, twice a week
Tues. and Thurs., periods 8–9 (3–4:55 p.m.)

THIS IS AN UNDERGRADUATE COURSE. Graduate students may not enroll in this course without permission from the instructor.

THIS IS A SKILLS COURSE. You will complete coding assignments every week. Skills are learned by doing!

PREREQUISITES: None. Students in this course must be enrolled in the College of Journalism and Communications.

Required book: Learning Web Design: A Beginner’s Guide to HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and Web Graphics, 5th edition (available at Amazon). NOTE: Reading this book really is necessary to success in this course. You are expected to buy it. The 4th edition (published in 2012) is NOT ACCEPTABLE.

Description: Learn how to create and deploy simple, functional web apps that include user interaction using HTML, CSS and JavaScript.

The course meets twice a week, for two periods each day.

Students who complete this course will be able to:

Name, list, and use common HTML and CSS syntax and structures to create stand-alone web and mobile apps that are standards-compliant.
Use GitHub to set up and collaborate on multiple web and mobile projects.
Apply algorithmic thinking to analyze a problem and construct a solution. Break down a problem into all possible normal and special cases.
Name, list, and use common JavaScript syntax and structures.
Create interactive web and mobile quiz applications using JavaScript and HTML forms.
Create interactive web and mobile charts and graphs.
Create interactive image displays and menus using JavaScript.
Use and adapt a framework (Bootstrap) to create fully responsive apps that work across a variety of devices.

Students who enroll in this course must be comfortable with files and folder management on their own computer. You are your own tech support. A laptop is required (Mac OS preferred, but Windows is fine), and you must bring it with you to class every week. Familiarity with various standard applications such as Photoshop is preferred. Success in this course depends on your ability to stay focused, not give up easily, and solve puzzles.

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