Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Unit Convenor
Alex Mesker
Contact via alex.mesker@mq.edu.au
193K Y3A
Email for appointment
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Credit points |
Credit points
4
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Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
Admission to MIntComm or MIntRel or MIntCommMIntRel or MIntBusMIntComm or MA in Media Law and Culture or MCrMedia or MFJ
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Corequisites |
Corequisites
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Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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Unit description |
Unit description
This unit is concerned with web design and reaching new media audiences. It offers practical as well as theoretical instruction on web design and international audience research. The unit includes a practical component during which students will learn Web design skills to build their own site for the purpose of audience research. The theoretical components will study the multidimensional impact of new media on audiences in the context of international communication. Students are encouraged to bring their experiences with new media and their multidisciplinary knowledge learned in their previous studies to the class and contribute to the critical discussions in studying this unit.
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Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
Name | Weighting | Due |
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In-class practical tasks | 20% | Ongoing |
Interactive comm. analysis | 20% | Week 6 |
Project proposal | 20% | Week 8 |
Website production | 30% | Week 13 |
Class participation | 10% | Ongoing |
Due: Ongoing
Weighting: 20%
There will be 4 coding/practical tasks throughout the semester that will encourage students to implement content and concepts discussed in lectures and practical tutorials.
These will be small projects to complete in class time and are designed to get students to concentrate on process, technique, form, and function.
Due: Week 6
Weighting: 20%
Students must analyse a website/web presence and articulate why it is an effective example of interactive communication.
In particular, they should explain how the technologies used facilitate the communication of media content, identity, product, and usability.
Your writing should entail a technical discussion as well as a design/usability appraisal focussing on communication across devices, audiences, and purpose.
This should be submitted as a rich-text document. Submission details will be explained prior to due date.
(1200–1500 words)
Due: Week 8
Weighting: 20%
Students will write a proposal for their intended final website project. The proposal should:
Subject matter: websites can be on any topic but should be discussed/checked with teaching staff. Students should treat this project as though they are proposing a standalone site for a particular purpose or real client.
(1500–1800 words)
Due: Week 13
Weighting: 30%
Students should produce a website based on their project proposal. Websites will be assessed based on the following:
This can be done individually or in pairs, subject to discussion with teaching staff.
Due: Ongoing
Weighting: 10%
Each week, a couple of students will be individually asked to identify two websites (either bring the URL to class the week before, or post it on the forum prior to the class). One should be an example of a well-constructed website, and the other an example of a poorly constructed website. We will discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the sites in class.
Pay particular attention to content, layout, user-interface design, and user interaction, identify a number of positives or negatives about the site, including thoughts on usability, colour scheme, standardisation of layout, information/content, and writing style. Try to be objective. With regard to usability, if it a site that you regularly visit, try to view it as if you were a new visitor to the site.
Consider the reading/s for that week when analysing the webpage.
As we start to learn more about 'coding' webpages, we'll start taking a look at the HTML behind the pages.
ICOM897 Website & iLearn | Content (such as links, references, readings, assessment tasks) will be available from either http://media.mq.edu.au/icom897 or http://ilearn.mq.edu.au
Required Equipment | No equipment is needed for ICOM897. While use of your own equipment is not discouraged, the Computer Lab has direct access to a web server where your work should be saved. All software is available on the Lab machines, and free software alternatives are available (if students wish to work off-campus). Mac-compatible USB memory sticks (4GB or more) are handy for additionally backing up projects from the server.
Media Lab | You may make use of the Y3A Media Labs at any time when there are no classes taking place. The opening hours for the Labs will be 9–5 on weekdays, with possible extensions; this will be discussed in lectures/tutorials.
Software Compatibility/Assignment Submission | While there should be reason for document incompatibility (as documents work cross platform). It is your own responsibility however to ensure that any work undertaken outside of the Media Computer Labs is fully functional within the Lab (ie. ensure that all assets are copied to the server).
Attendance | Students are required to attend all lectures and tutorials for this unit. Lecture and tutorial attendance is compulsory, and missing more than two tutorials without medical certification or evidence of disruption will result in failure of the 10% ‘Participation’ component. To avoid being penalised for missing a tutorial, medical certification or other evidence of disruption must be provided. A roll will be taken in the first 10 minutes of every tutorial; students entering late are responsible for making themselves known to the tutor so they can be marked as in attendance.
Written Assignment Submission | Written assignments can be handed directly to your tutor in class time. This will be further explained in tutorials.
Return of marked work | Marked work will be returned to students in tutorials. For assessments submitted in Week 13, e-mail your tutor for feedback.
Extensions and special consideration | Assessments submitted after the due date and time will automatically be deducted 10% per day (weekends included) unless medical certification or evidence of serious and unavoidable disruption is provided. For extensions, contact the course convenor well in advance if you may be unable to submit an assessment on time. Extensions will only be granted on grounds of illness or misadventure, where appropriate supporting documentation is submitted, and are awarded at the discretion of the course convenor.
Referencing style | Preferred referencing styles include Harvard http://libweb.anglia.ac.uk/referencing/harvard.htm?harvard_id=24#24 and APA http://www.usq.edu.au/library/help/referencing/apa.htm. Either or any style may be used as long as all necessary information is provided and a consistent approach is taken.
Recommended reading and research | The weekly recommended readings/resources for this unit are intended to supplement your core work, as well as enhance students' understanding of concepts taught throughout the course. Readings will not be objectively assessed from week to week, however it is strongly advised that students broaden their understanding of concepts and practices relating to the web, content delivery, HTML, CSS and JavaScript/jQuery by completing all relevant recommended readings.
Changes made to previous offerings of this unit | Minor revisions to learning outcomes and assessment weighting.
The following is an indication of the content that will be covered in the unit. Week to week structure may change according to existing competencies.
In a broad sense, the unit comprises:
Week 1
Week 2
Week 3
Week 4
Week 5
Week 6
Mid-Semester Break
Week 7
Week 8
Week 9
Week 10
Week 11
Week 12
Week 13
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central. Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
Academic Honesty Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html
Assessment Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy.html
Grading Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grading/policy.html
Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html
Grievance Management Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grievance_management/policy.html
Disruption to Studies Policy http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html The Disruption to Studies Policy is effective from March 3 2014 and replaces the Special Consideration Policy.
In addition, a number of other policies can be found in the Learning and Teaching Category of Policy Central.
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au
For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://informatics.mq.edu.au/help/.
When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.
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