This course is offered entirely on the web EXCEPT for optional help sessions announced and offered throughout the semester. They will be scheduled as needed. If you have any questions , please e-mail the instructor. Remember your section number as there may be more than one instructor per semester.

There are several links that you will need. Please refer to the syllabus regarding course information and due dates. Before getting started, read the orientation notes for your section. Finally, access all semester materials and notes and "Schedule & Assignments" in the syllabus. Read the details of the projects and assignments for directions .

Course Goals
At the end of the course, students should be able to:

• understand and effectively use the most current versions of HTML, XHTML, and CSS languages in order to produce basic Web pages.
• understand and effectively use structure tags, format tags, hypertext links, graphics, image maps, tables, forms, and other concepts in the creation of Web pages.
• be able to critically evaluate the design and effectiveness of Web pages.
• design attractive, dynamic, and effective Web sites.
• efficiently announce and promote their Web sites.

Note: Some topics may not be covered in this course that the student would like to use in developing their web pages. Students are encouraged to study these topics on their own according to their own interests. However, resources may be provided to assist the student in their individual interests, but are not guaranteed to be available.

Required textbook/readings

This semester we will be using the following text. For cost savings I suggest you order it from Amazon.com (search http://www.amazon.com) or a similar retail book outlet.
Head First HTML with CSS & XHTML (Head First) (Paperback)
by Eric Freeman, Elisabeth Freeman
Publisher: O'Reilly Media, Inc. (December 8, 2005)
ISBN: 059610197X

General grading policies

This class will use the plus-minus grading system for the purpose of assigning final grades.
This course involves the following assignments, activities, and quizzes:

• Projects (see schedule for due dates)
• 20% - Web Page Project 1
• 20% - Web Page Project 2
• 20% - Web Page Project 3
• 3 Quizzes and 4 Assignments (see schedule for dates)
• 20% for 4 Assignments Combined
• 10% for Quizzes Combined
• 10% for Participation - activities if assigned by the instructor throughout the semester. There is no other extra credit.
• Reflections - The student will be asked to reflect during the class. Each assignment or project will require the submission of the reflective piece for that particular part.

NOTE: Assignments are due no later than midnight Eastern Time on the scheduled due date. Assignments received after this time may receive a grade penalty, at the discretion of the instructor.
S/U Grading Policy

This course has S/U grading as an option. The S/U option must be requested via e-mail to the instructor within the first three (3) weeks of the term.
Plagiarism

Plagiarism is a serious offense. The copying of all or a portion of another Web page, either from another student or from anywhere on the Internet, and representing the work as your own work will be considered plagiarism. Anyone caught plagiarizing will receive a zero (0) for the assignment and may be disciplined under the academic dishonesty policies outlined in the USF undergraduate catalog. All content and images used in assignments must be appropriately credited or permission obtained from the source.
Incomplete Grade Policy

For this course, a final grade of incomplete (I) will be awarded only if no more than one (1) of the student's assignments is missing or incomplete, and only if the student is otherwise earning a passing grade. An incomplete grade will not be awarded unless the student requests it at least 48 hours prior to the time at which the instructor must submit final grades to his department.
Participation policies

Students have the responsibility of observing the class schedule and any changes made thereto, and keeping up with all readings, assignments, and quizzes. Students are strongly encouraged to visit the Blackboard site at least twice per week in order not to miss timely announcements and additional course information.

Religious Preferences

All students, faculty, and staff at the University of South Florida have a right to expect that the University will reasonably accommodate their religious observances, practices and beliefs. Students who anticipate the necessity of being absent from class due to the observation of a major religious observance must provide notice of the date(s) to the instructor, in writing, by the second class meeting.

Students are expected to attend classes and take examinations as determined by the University. The University will, at the beginning of each academic term, provide written notice of the class schedule and formal examination periods. The University, through its faculty, will make every attempt to schedule required classes and examinations in view of customarily observed religious holidays of those religious groups or communities comprising the University's constituency. No student shall be compelled to attend class or sit for an examination at a day or time prohibited by his or her religious belief. Students are expected to notify their instructors if they intend to be absent for a class or announced examination, in accordance with this policy, prior to the scheduled meeting. Students absent for religious reasons will be given reasonable opportunities to make up any work missed. In the event that a student is absent for religious reasons on a day when the instructor collects work for purposes of grading (homework, pop quiz, etc.), the student shall be given a reasonable opportunity to make up such work or shall not have that work averaged into the student's grade at the discretion of the instructor.

Students with Disabilities

If you are a student with any type of disability, it is your responsibility to make this known to the USF Student Disabilities Office in order to receive any type of accommodation in this course. If you have such paperwork and need an accommodation, please fax me a copy of the paperwork at 813-974-6840.

Please notify the instructor within the first week if a reasonable accommodation for a disability is needed for this course. A letter from the Student Disability Services Office must accompany the request. Information for the USF Student Disability Services Office is at http://www.sa.usf.edu/sds/.

LIS3361 Web Page Design and Management
Getting Started - Course Orientation

Instructor: Chuck Griess

• Hint: Check your email and Blackboard Announcements frequently.
• Hint: Check the Schedule & Assignments tab in the syllabus (read book and do assigned exercises; be aware of project due dates and details; submit in Blackboard when instructed)
• Hint: Complete the assigned readings before you attempt the Quiz and the Assignments.
• Hint: Complete the Project for the Module.

myUSF portal/Blackboard - https://my.usf.edu

Required Book:
Head First HTML with CSS & XHTML (Head First) (Paperback)
by Eric Freeman, Elisabeth Freeman
Publisher: O'Reilly Media, Inc. (December 8, 2005)
ISBN: 059610197X

Orientation to the course:

Let me welcome you all to LIS 3361 Web Page Design and Management. Taking web classes can be challenging. You must stay on pace and not let your work fall behind, for it can be hard to catch up. However, web classes can be flexible to your schedule, especially if you want to travel or participate in other activities. Therefore, if you can be flexible with me as a teacher, I can be flexible with you as learners and we will all enjoy this course together! The one thing to remember is that communication is key, so always let me know if you are having any issues understanding material or keeping up with the class. Help can be arranged at any time.

This course is offered entirely on the web. That can be a blessing and a curse. As I mentioned, it gives you a great deal of flexibility: allowing you to work at your own time, space and pace. However, it can be challenging if you function better in a face-to-face classroom format, don't like to learn independently, frustrate easily, and require substantial or immediate feedback. My advice to you is this: drop/add into a face-to-face section of this course in another semester, or take advantage of any optional help sessions that I set up, or email me directly. I will try to schedule help sessions to help on very specific topics so you can ask for help. We have students who have all different levels of experience and knowledge in technological, design, information and other areas. E-mail me if issues are of a personal nature, such as about grades or special situations.

Basic way to operate in a Nutshell:
The semester is divided into four Modules. Each Module is comprised of assigned readings, a quiz, activities, and a project. In the syllabus for the course the click on the schedule tab to view the modules.

How to complete a Module in the course:

1. Read your book and any other assigned readings
2. Complete the quiz
3. Complete any activities assigned
4. Complete the Project (read the project details)
5. All of the proceeding tasks must be complete before the final day the module.

Check your USF email for instructions, updates, changes, other info.

Contact your instructor with any questions.

If you have an urgent need or want to discuss a personal situation, please e-mail your instructor. I will respond as quickly as I can.

If you would like to speak to me directly, I will announce and hold virtual office hours (by appt. or TBA throughout the semester). We will also be holding scheduled help sessions throughout the semester at various times (to accommodate different school and work schedules) and I will gladly "meet" you by phone or in-person, by appointment.

All new information about the course will be posted to the "Announcements" page AND will come to you regularly in e-mails. Make sure to check your USF e-mail regularly or forward it to an e-mail you check regularly...instructions below). The Announcements page is the first page you come to after you enter the course in Blackboard. You should check into the course at E-mail least a couple of times per week. I am in it and posting announcements frequently. Please glance through them to make sure you have not missed anything new. I will e-mail you and post an announcement in Blackboard if any material has changed or is added.

IMPORTANT: Make sure to use your official USF e-mail account (that you received when activating your NetID) or forward it to a preferred e-mail! When I e-mail you, I will use the internal course e-mail, which automatically goes to your official USF e-mail (usually helios, mail, or a staff account). You can manage your e-mail at https://una.acomp.usf.edu. Login with your NetID user name and password. Choose "mail" or relevant e-mail account name from the "Accounts" menu on the left; choose "Edit Mail Account Options" at the top right of the page. Select the "Forward e-mail to the address below:" option and type your preferred address in the text box and choose OK. It is crucial that you keep this up to date. If you change your e-mail or want to go back to checking USF mail, make sure that you remember to update it in the UNA management system. Contact USF Academic Computing if you need help. Contact info is in Blackboard.

If you e-mail me from an account other than from within myUSF/Blackboard make sure to put LIS3361 in the subject line. I get lots of junk mail and our e-mail server filters our mail, so I want to make sure I get your messages. Also, sign your name at the end of your message. If I get a message from HelloKitty@aol.com I may not know it is you and not be able to fully answer your question or I may not read your message if it gets caught by the SPAM filter.

For all readings, assignments, quiz information and due dates, check the course schedule.

Success: There are success strategies to getting through your web-based class, so your individual weekly "to do" list should look something like this:

1. Login in at least once a week, and hopefully several times per week.
2. Check your USF e-mail frequently or forward it to an e-mail you check frequently.
3. Check Announcements each time you login. If there are any major changes to the calendar or assignments, they will be announced.
4. Make sure to check assignment, activity, or quiz due dates. Changes, though infrequent, may occur, especially if we experience any technological problems or we need to spend more time than planned on a topic (just as if we were taking the course in a face-to-face classroom that met weekly). Changes will be announced and emailed to you.
5. Have fun, ask questions, attend help sessions if you feel the need, and DON'T PANIC!

Quizzes, Activities and Projects:
Quizzes will be open book and relate specifically to the readings or other materials we cover. Please read the book before taking the quizzes. Quizzes questions are directly related to concepts located in the book.

Project details and examples will be posted in Blackboard. Make sure to read them before turning in projects. Directions will be provided for you to submit your project URL. Do not attach project documents and send them to me through email. Projects MUST be successfully posted on the web and have a reflection submitted to receive a grade. At the end of the course we may be sharing our web sites with the class and reflecting upon the process and experience.

Readings:
Check the syllabus and the course schedule. Supplementary readings may be announced anytime throughout the semester and will typically be available through the web or the USF virtual library. I always try to look for relevant, up-to-date information to share. I also encourage you to send me links to course relevant information.

Conclusion:
I will post guided notes as needed. It will help clarify topics and guide you through the materials. Please do not skip them! They will help you understand materials, assignments, readings, what is important or not crucial in your readings to save you time and effort, concepts; what will be on quizzes, hints for doing projects, and more!

I will e-mail you when and where I post interim notes or activities, so again, check your USF (or forwarded) e-mail regularly.

Biggest things to remember are:

• Do complete all readings, activities, and projects. Also, read announcements, weekly notes, and course materials. These things represent the information you would be getting in class during lectures! You may miss important instructions, content, or announcements if you skip or ignore something.
• Don't panic about ANYTHING. You are not out there alone. Ask questions. Let me know if you do not understand something or need help.
• Don't get frustrated. Ask a question before you spend hours on a concept. That is why it is important to start projects early and not wait until just before a due date.
• Do be patient when it comes to getting responses or help with technological problems. "STUFF" happens. I'll understand when it happens to you, and please understand when it happens to me (or others).
• Do keep up with the course. All the work is quite do-able if you read, practice the activities, ask questions, and give yourself enough time for project work. Pace yourself and plan for times you know you have other commitments.
• Do ask questions (I know, enough already with nagging about asking questions). I can't see your faces, so I don't know when you are looking perplexed. I can't repeat the information or explain a concept again unless I get feedback from you. Contact me directly! But note that I may not respond directly to your inquiry, but post it in course notes or send an answer to the whole class so that all may benefit.
• Do attend optional help sessions held in Elluminate when you can. Meeting face-to-face could clear things up.