Lecture 2 hours/week
Lab 2 hours/week
This course will use a combination of teaching methods including lecture, demonstration, group discussion, analysis of samples, and in-class and home exercises and projects. The emphasis will be on learning by analysis reinforced with hands-on practice wherever possible. Students will be required to prepare, write, and produce all, or portions of, a client-based website during the course. Students will be required to work collaboratively on selected assignments.
1. Introduction to Designing and Writing Websites
- learn what makes a good website and a bad website
- analyze the writer’s role in the collaborative-team approach
- complete a cognitive analysis of how users move through information
- examine the ethical issues involved in generating web content (for example, copyright, surveillance, freedom of speech and the use of communication technologies such as AI)
- learn basic storyboarding skills for websites
- practise minimalist writing
- study screen design
- learn how to construct an audience analysis for a website
- analyze end-user information needs
- use project-management skills for website development
- use basic html and image manipulation using a suitable software program
- learn how to manage, convert, and transfer files for websites
2. Basic Website Production
- learn webpage software programs
- create and maintain a blog
- write, design, and produce a professional website
- develop a concept for a client-based website (for example, product or event promotion, informational, services)
- understand the various roles within a website development team
- plan for content development/acquisition
- plan and implement the structure of the website
- plan a promotional strategy for the site (including social media)
- test and debug the website
- document the style and conventions used in the website
- identify strategies for ensuring the website content remains up-to-date
Students who successfully complete this course will
- learn effective communication strategies for developing a client-based website
- understand and know when and how to use appropriate writing and formatting conventions
- learn how to use industry-standard software to produce a website
- understand the writer’s role in the team approach to web-based communication projects
- be familiar with key trends, issues, and developments in the field of web-based communication
- understand the impact of technological change on the role and responsibilities of the professional communicator working in this area
Students are expected to be self-motivated and to demonstrate professionalism, which includes active participation, good attendance, punctuality, effective collaboration, ability to meet deadlines, presentation skills, and accurate self-evaluation.
Instructors may use a student's record of attendance and/or level of active participation in the course as part of the student's graded performance. Where this occurs, expectations and grade calculations regarding class attendance and participation will be clearly defined in the Instructor Course Outline.
Assessment will be based on course objectives and will be carried out in accordance with the ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵ Evaluation Policy. An evaluation schedule is presented at the beginning of the course. This is a graded course.
Example evaluation schedule:
| Short assignments (4 to 6) | 65% |
| Website project | 30% |
| Professionalism/participation | 5% |
| Total | 100% |
A list of required textbooks and materials is provided for students at the beginning of the semester. Example texts include:
- Crawford Kilian, Writing for the Web (current edition)
- Janice Redish, Letting Go of the Words: Writing Web Content That Works
Acceptance into the Post-Degree Diploma in Professional Communication
OR
Acceptance into the Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in Digital Marketing
OR
A minimum of 45 credit hours including a university-transfer course in English, Communications, or Creative Writing with a grade of B or higher
OR
Permission of the Professional Communication Program Coordinator
None
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