ENGH 375/507: __Web Authorship & Design

Monday (05/22): Introduction to the Course

In today's class we will do the following:

• Go over the 'syllabus,' which is spread across this website and introduce ourselves to one another.
• Learn how to log in to Lynda with our George Mason credentials.
• Learn how to set up a personal site on George Mason's servers.
• Install a basic text editor for creating and editing HTML and CSS documents. I recommend TextWrangler for OSX users and Notepad++ for Windows users.
• Set up a basic FTP Client to upload files to George Mason's servers. I recommend GMU's SSH Client for Windows users and Cyberduck for Mac users, but there are large number of equivalent options.

For next class you need to:

• Work through Parts 1, 2 and 3 of the HTML Essential Training tutorial series on Lynda.
• Read the following short articles:
  • Cameron Chapman's "History of the Internet in a Nutshell"
  • Dave Raggett's "The History of HTML (1989–1997)"
  • Ross Shannon's "The History of HTML (1997–2009)"
  • Matt Silverman's "The History of HTML5"

Wednesday (05/24): Introduction to HTML5

In today's class we will do the following:

• Review of the history of HTML specifications.
• Review the tutorial materials and lessons from the previous class, and begin to apply that content to basic HTML5 documents.
• Overview of project proposals and workshops, as well as workshop sign ups.
• Begin work on Module 1.

For next class you need to:

• Work through Parts 4, 5, and 6 of the HTML Essential Training tutorial series on Lynda.
• Work through Part 7 of the HTML Essential Training tutorial series on Lynda.
• Complete Module 1 and upload it to the server before our next class.
• Complete a draft of your project proposal and bring it to our next class for peer review.
• Recommended: Read chapters 3 and 4 of Beginning HTML5 and CSS3.

Monday (05/29): No Class

No class today for Memorial Day.

Wednesday (05/31): From HTML5 to CSS3

In today's class we will do the following:

• Review the tutorial materials and lessons from the previous class, and begin to apply that content to HTML5 documents.
• Introduction to the DOM and CSS.
• Sign up for Workshop Dates & Topics.
• Download and complete a Peer Review Form for two of your peers' project proposals. Email a copy to both me and your peers.
• Begin work on Module 2.

For next class you need to:

• Submit a final draft of your project proposal to me via email no later than Friday (06/02).
• Complete Module 2 and upload it to the server before our next class.
• Work through Parts 1, 2, and 3 of the HTML: Structure, Syntax, and Semantics tutorial series on Lynda.
• Work through Parts 1 and 2 of CSS: Selectors tutorial series on Lynda.
• Recommended: Read chapters 7 and 8 of Beginning HTML5 and CSS3.

Monday (06/05): Finishing up with HTML5

In today's class we will do the following:

• Overview of design process from Elements of User Experience
• Overview of our course Resources page.
• Presentation Materials for Rachel & Ramy's Workshop on Fair Use, Images, and Multimedia Content
• Fill out Peer Evaluation Forms for Rachel & Ramy.
• Review the tutorial materials and lessons from the previous class, and begin to apply that content to HTML5 documents.
• Overview of the box model and introduction to padding, borders, and margins.
• Begin work on final projects if your proposal was approved.

For next class you need to:

• Work through Part 4 of CSS: Selectors tutorial series on Lynda.

Wednesday (06/07): Introduction to CSS3

In today's class we will do the following:

• Review the tutorial materials and lessons from the previous class, and begin to apply that content to CSS3 documents.
• Read this short article about how HTML & CSS work together.
• Presentation / workshop by Shawnna Reed on Outlining a Website and Rhetoric & Writing for the Web.
• Fill out Peer Evaluation Forms for Shawnna.
• Also check out this online Mind Mapping tool via Beth.
• Review how colors are assigned in CSS.
• Begin work on Module 3.

For next class you need to:

• Work through Parts 1 and 2 of the CSS Page Layouts tutorial series on Lynda.
• Complete Module 3 and upload it to the server before our next class.

Monday (06/12): Working with CSS3 Selectors

In today's class we will do the following:

• Review the tutorial materials and lessons from the previous class, and begin to apply that content to CSS3 documents.
• Presentation / workshop from Beth Bennett & Mitch Hartigan on Typography & Fonts.
• Fill out Peer Evaluation Forms for Beth & Mitch.
• You can choose to spend the bulk of our course time on one of the following options:
  • Complete the homework for next course (working through the Lynda tutorial and its accompanying exercises).
  • Continue working on your final projects and ask for help troubleshooting anything you are having difficulty with.

For next class you need to:

• Work through Part 3 of the CSS Page Layouts tutorial series on Lynda.
• Complete the tutorial's accompanying exercises for Part 1's "Normal Document Flow," and Part 3's "Floating Inline Elements," "Two-Column Floated Layouts," and "Three-Column Layouts".

Wednesday (06/14): Introduction to CSS3 Layouts

In today's class we will do the following:

• Review the tutorial materials and lessons from the previous class, and begin to apply that content to CSS3 documents.
• Presentation / workshop from Rachel Stierle & Natalie Petretti on Color Theory, Textures, Backgrounds, Shadows, Highlights & Gradients.
• Fill out Peer Evaluation Forms for Rachel & Natalie.
• Go through a quick tutorial in class on CSS Layouts found here.
• Begin work on Module 4.

For next class you need to:

• Work through Parts 4, 5, and 6 of the CSS Page Layouts tutorial series on Lynda.
• Complete Module 4 and upload it to the server before our class next Wednesday.

Monday (06/19): Continuing with CSS3 Layouts

In today's class we will do the following:

• Review the tutorial materials and lessons from the previous class, and begin to apply that content to CSS3 documents.
• Presentation / workshop from Aleda Weathers & Stefan Lopez on Layouts & Usability (here are their Slides and Google Doc).
• Fill out Peer Evaluation Forms for Aleda & Stefan.
• Continue working on Module 4 and check your work against mine.

For next class you need to:

• Work through Parts 7 and 8 of the CSS Page Layouts tutorial series on Lynda.
• Complete Module 4 and upload it to the server before our next class.

Wednesday (06/21): Intermediate work with CSS3 Layouts

In today's class we will do the following:

• Review the tutorial materials and lessons from the previous class, and begin to apply that content to CSS3 documents.
• Presentation / workshop from Dani Sevel & Luana Shafer on Embedding Content, Cross Platform Content, and Social Media. Here are some examples of embedded content.
• Fill out Peer Evaluation Forms for Dani & Luana.
• Work on your final projects in class.

For next class you need to:

• Complete a functional website and prepare to demo it for the class during our exam period. You will have time afterward to revise your site based upon the feedback your receive.