Syllabus

Most course materials and announcements will be delivered through the TRACS site.

Required Textbook

No required textbook for purchase this semester. There will be online readings and handouts.

Optional books may be purchased as resources:
Duckett, Jon (2014). HTML/CSS: Design and Build Websites (Wiley).

Duckett, Jon (2011). JavaScript and JQuery: Interactive Front-End Web Development (Wiley).

Course Description
In this course, you’ll be to basic programming techniques. This course will review HTML/CSS and JavaScript and students will develop an interactive Web application.

Purpose
The purpose of this course is to introduce programming concepts in a communications context. In addition to gaining production skills, students will learn about features of the digital communication environment and develop an appreciation for the future of communication technology.

Email
You must use an active Texas State email account. Communication via TRACS uses your Texas State email, and the university is required to send grade information out only through the Texas State email system. Make sure you check your email on a regular basis, as schedule changes will be communicated there as well as on TRACS.

Course Requirements
The course website will include details of the assignments.

• Exercises and other assignments 30%
• Quizzes, 30%
• Web Application Project and final post, 40%

Late Assignments and Attendance
Attendance in the in-person segment is required. This happens on one, designated day. There is no ability to make up missed work. All online assignments must be completed before the in-person workshop. Assignments for the in-person workshop must be completed on site.

We will start class at the designated time. It is important that you show up on time and stay through the entire in-person session.

• Grade Scale
  90-100 A
  80-89 B
  70-79 C
  60-69 D
  <60 F

There is no extra credit available for this class. Please contact the instructor early in the semester if you are having problems with any of the course requirements.

Supplies and Equipment
You will need a USB storage device (Flash drive) to save a backup of your files. 
Students should also have a TX State email account that they check frequently. This will be the main method of course communication.

Equipment Checkout
Any usage of Texas State equipment requires students to treat it with respect and care. Equipment will be returned in the designated, reasonable timeframe, in complete, working order.

Use of School-Owned Equipment
This class may utilize the School of Journalism and Mass Communication Equipment Checkout Room. Use of equipment is a privilege earned through your respect of and cooperation with the checkout rules. These rules are put in place to ensure all students have a chance to use the equipment. If you are late returning a camera to the Equipment Checkout Room, you lose all checkout privileges. In addition, a return that is two days late may result in up to a letter deduction on your grade. If equipment is kept five days past the due date, it is considered stolen, and UPD will be notified.

Student Conduct
In this class, you should feel comfortable to participate and express opinions and ideas. Please respect the opinions of others and be considerate of their need to contribute and learn. Turn off cell phones before entering class, and do not take calls during class. Do not use your phone for text messaging during class. Browsing the Web, checking email, IMing or other non-related activities during class are not acceptable. Please do not have private conversations with your neighbors during class time, whether the instructor or other students are talking.

Any student who does not adhere to these conduct policies will be asked to leave the classroom. In general, please be respectful of others desire to learn and help to create a fun and beneficial classroom environment.

Student work may be displayed on the Web, which means that it will be available to anyone with Internet access and a browser. Please see the instructor if you have any concerns about posting your projects to the Web.

Dropping a Course
You can withdraw this or any course by Oct. 25 (Fall 2015) and receive an automatic W. After that date you cannot drop a single course. You must withdraw from all courses.

Academic Honesty
Students are required to submit original work in this course unless otherwise specified in the assignments. This includes text, content, graphics and photography. Students may use clip art from “free” clip art sites with appropriate credit and identification, but are encouraged to design their own artwork (grades will be higher for using original work as opposed to another’s artwork).

The School of Journalism and Mass Communication commits itself to the preparation of mass media professionals and scholars. Such a mission demands the highest standards of academic honesty and integrity. Violations of academic honesty, including but not limited to plagiarism, unauthorized collaboration, collusion, deception, conflict of interest and theft, are not tolerated and can lead to severe penalties. Disciplinary actions for violations of the standards for academic honesty are outlined in the Texas State Academic Honesty Statement, printed each year in the Student Handbook. The policy is also available at http://www.dos.txstate.edu/handbook/rules/honorcode.html.

Note to Students with Disabilities
Texas State University seeks to provide reasonable accommodations for all qualified individuals with disabilities. This university will adhere to all applicable federal, state, and local laws. Students with disabilities who need special accommodations should contact the Office of Disability Services (ODS) at (512) 245-3451, and register with that office. ODS is located in Suite 5-5.1 at the LBJ Student Center. If you are a student with a disability certified by ODS and you require accommodations in this class, it is your responsibility to notify the professor no later than the fifth class day of this semester so that accommodations can be discussed and promptly provided.

Instructor may notify you of changes or updates to policies in this syllabus throughout the semester.