Writing for the Web

Curriculum Guideline

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Course
PRFU 2340
Discontinued
Yes
Course Code
PRFU 2340
Descriptive
Writing for the Web
Department
Print Futures
Faculty
Language, Literature & Performing Arts
Credits
3.00
Start Date
End Term
201710
PLAR
Yes
Semester Length
15 weeks
Max Class Size
30
Contact Hours
2 hours lecture per week 2 hours laboratory per week
Method(s) Of Instruction
Lecture
Lab
Learning Activities

The course will include a combination of lecture and laboratory classes.  The emphasis will be on learning by doing.

Course Description
This course provides an overview of the context and practices of writing, designing, and producing sites for the Web. Students will gain an understanding of the writer’s role in the collaborative-team approach to website development.
Course Content
  1. Basic Website Development Skills
    Successful students will:
    • complete a cognitive analysis of how users move through information
    • analyze the writer’s role in the collaborative team approach
    • examine the ethical issues of writing for the Web (e.g., copyright, surveillance, freedom of speech)
    • learn basic storyboarding skills for websites
    • practise the skills of minimalist writing
    • study screen design
    • learn how to construct an audience analysis for a website
    • analyze end-user information needs
    • learn project management for websites
    • learn basic html and image manipulation using a suitable software program
    • learn file management, conversion, transferring, handling graphics and text
  2. Individual Website Production
    Successful students will:
    • create and maintain a web log
    • learn what makes a good/bad website
    • write, design, and produce a personal website
    • learn a web page software program (e.g., Dreamweaver)
  3. Collaborative Website Production
    Successful students will:
    • develop a concept for a website (e.g., product or event promotion, informational, services)
    • understand the roles within a website development team
    • examine additional uses of hypertext/linking for the Web
    • plan for content development/acquisition
    • plan and implement the structure of the site
    • plan a promotional strategy for the site
    • test and debug the site
Learning Outcomes

Students will learn how to write, design, and produce websites. They will also be introduced to key trends and issues (e.g., ethical, cultural, technological, economic) in writing for the Web.

Means of Assessment

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.

Evaluation will be based on this general format:

Dreamweaver exercises 10%
Web log 30%
Individual website project 20%
Group website project 30%
Professionalism (as defined) 10%
  100%
Textbook Materials

Textbooks and Materials to be Purchased by Students

Textbooks may include:

  • Kilian, Crawford. Writing for the Web: Geeks’ Edition. Self-Counsel Press, 2000.
  • Kilian, Crawford. Writing for the Web: Writers’ Edition. Self-Counsel Press, 1999.
  • Towers, J. Macromedia Dreamweaver Visual QuickStart Guide. Peachpit Press, 2002.

Software may include:

  • Macromedia Dreamweaver
  • Adobe Photoshop
  • Adobe Acrobat
Prerequisites

PRFU 1350 or permission of the coordinator