HTML & CSS 1 - Syllabus (Online)

Welcome!

This course is designed for the beginning student who wants to learn to create web pages. To be successful in the class you need to be familiar with the basics of computer usage, be reasonably proficient in file management, and feel comfortable using the Internet. In these first eight weeks you will learn both how to structure information on a web page with HTML, hypertext markup language, and how to style that information using CSS, cascading style sheets.

There's a lot to learn. You should expect to invest AT LEAST 8 hours a week in reading and homework, and possibly much more than that. We have an excellent book to work with, plus I will be recording lectures so that you can use them online - almost as if you are in the classroom. If you enjoy what you've learned and are ready for more, this first eight-week class is followed by CS 50.11B, another eight-week class in which you will learn even more about developing web pages.

Most of our communication will be via email. You should get in the habit of checking your email at least 3 times per week if you want to succeed in this class. Online classes demand more regular attention from students than face-to-face classes.

Texts and Materials:

Required Text: Head First HTML with CSS & XHTML by Freeman and Freeman, published by O'Reilly. The ISBN is 0-596-10197-X. You may purchase the book at the SRJC bookstores or online.

Required Online Lectures: I will record lectures and demonstrations of the material we cover and make them available to you on the Internet. You may access these recordings at any time and view them as many times as you wish. I have been doing this for two years now, and most students say the recordings are indespensible. I have found that many students just don't take the time to read the online materials thoroughly. As a result, they fall behind in class and/or struggle through the assignments without really understanding what they are doing. These lectures will TELL you and SHOW you, in a couple of hours a week, what you are supposed to be doing. No excuses!

Required Tools: You'll need a computer, a browser, email, and access to the Internet. Many PC people will use Internet Explorer as their browser, but, in addition, I highly recommend Mozilla/Firefox, since Internet Explorer sometimes displays our code inappropriately. Mac users will probably use Safari, but I would also like you to download a second browser to be sure your code is displaying properly. Mozilla/Firefox, Chrome, and Opera are all acceptable.If you are an AOL user, however, you must download and install one of the recommended browsers for use in this class. The AOL browser is problematic.

You are required to use a simple text editor to create your files in this class - Notepad (Windows) or TextEdit (Mac). These are applications that are already on your computer if you are using Windows or MacOS. The use of Dreamweaver, Frontpage, or any other WYSIWYG HTML tool is not allowed.

Later in the course you'll be required to use a simple image editor, such as Photoshop Elements or iPhoto. Don't worry about this now, I'm just giving you a heads-up. Most modern computers come with some sort of photo editor, and there are free ones available. More on this when we get to the relevant lesson.

Note: my handouts and PowerPoint presentations have been converted to PDFs so that everyone can easily view them. If the link does not automatically open the file for you, you should download the most recent version of the free Adobe Reader. Click here to be connected to the download site.

Getting Help:

My job is to help you learn. I expect that most of our communication outside of class will be via email, but you can also come to see me in person during my office hours or by appointment. (You don't need an appointment to drop in during office hours.) You can also call my office, but, unless I'm in office hours, you'll probably have to leave a message. For the record, I check my email much more often than I check my voice mail.

You are not required to do any of your work in the computer lab at school, but, if you are having trouble, that's the place to go. If I am not available, most of the other instructors and lab assistants will be able to answer your questions.

Grades:

There will be assignments each week and four online quizzes given throughout the class. I use a standard grading scale: 90% for an "A", 80% for a "B", 70% for a "C", and 60% for a "D". The class may be taken Pass/No Pass for those who don't need the grade and/or don't want the pressure.

Late Policy:

You will learn and retain more if you keep current with your assignments. I strongly encourage you to get started on them as soon as you can so that you can get help if you need it before the due date.

If your work is late, I take off 20%. If your work is not submitted within the next week, I take off another 20%. If your work is more than two weeks late, I will not accept it. I will usually grant an extension (no points off) for illness or a family emergency, but you must contact me ahead of time if you want your situation to be considered.

As you will see when you read the assignments, you have to notify me via email that your assignment is ready to grade. Quiz results are sent to me automatically, so you don't need to send a separate email for them. Since our week starts on a Monday, here are the rules:

- All quizzes and other assignments are due the following Sunday evening by midnight, unless stated otherwise.
- I use the datestamp of your email (or the quiz notification) to determine if your work is on time.

Assignment Calendar:

Week	Assignment Due	Topic
1	1/23	getting organized
2	1/30	first web page, Quiz 1
3	2/6	links
4	2/13	more HTML, Quiz 2
5	2/21	images, Quiz 3
6	2/27	CSS - 1
7	3/6	CSS - 2, Quiz 4
8	3/11	final projects

Important Dates:

Class begins - January 18
Presidents' Day Holiday - February 17-21
Class ends - March 13

Refunds are given if class is dropped by 1/23
No "W" on record if class is dropped by 1/28
Pass/No Pass allowed if opted by 2/2
"W" on record if class is dropped by 2/28

Getting Started

Everything you need to know about what is expected of you is contained in the assignment for the week. You will find the textbook reading assignment, online lecture availability, quizzes, coding or other writing assignments, etc. Let the assignment be your guide as you approach each week's work. When class begins there will be a navigation bar at the top of this and every other page of the class web site that will include links to the assignments for each week.

Conduct

Students will adhere to the rules and regulations regarding Academic Integrity.

Cells phones must be turned off or to vibrate only in the classroom and if you decide to use the SRJC computer lab.

Health

Tobacco use including smoking is prohibited on all property and in all indoor and outdoor spaces owned, leased, licensed, or otherwise controlled by the District. See http://www.santarosa.edu/for_students/rules-regulations/.

Return to Top