OVERVIEW
NMIX 4110E / 6110E: New Media Production
Spring 2021
Instructor: John Weatherford
Class times: TR 9:35-10:50am, 11:10am-12:25pm, 2:20-3:35pm
Location: Online
Contact: 403G Journalism / johnweatherford@uga.edu
Office Hours: W 10:30am-12:30pm and by appointment
PREREQUISITES
Students must either have completed or be concurrently enrolled in NMIX 2020. Students must also have applied to the New Media Institute. Class is offered by POD only.
DESCRIPTION
This class provides a practical introduction to front-end web development, designed for students with no previous development experience.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
By the end of the semester, you’ll be able to:
- Purchase and configure domain names and web hosting.
- Create websites by hand with HTML and CSS.
- Design responsive websites with front-end frameworks like Bootstrap.
- Develop complex extensible sites powered by a content management system (CMS) like WordPress.
- Use fundamental programming concepts in JavaScript to enhance interactivity on web sites.
TOPICAL OUTLINE
- Hello world
- HTML & CSS
- Bootstrap
- WordPress
- JavaScript
INSTRUCCTOR PHILOSOPHY
More than being here to help you learn the subject material, I’m here to help you learn how to learn. I think the things we’re talking about in class are incredibly cool, exciting, and worthy of your time, thought, and energy. Hopefully, when you finish the class, you’ll have developed a really solid working knowledge of the field and know where and how to further your own knowledge and expertise.
We’re going to have a lot of fun, but I also expect you to work hard. Work hard at the assignments, sure, but more than that, work hard at understanding the stuff we’re talking about, why it matters, and what you can do with it—that’s what really matters.
CLASS CULTURE
While our first lesson will walk through many of the attitudes and practices each of you, individually, will need to cultivate to succeed in this class, it’s also worth taking some time to talk about what we all should expect from each other.
In short, we’ll work to cultivate an atmosphere of curiosity, fun, and professionalism. That means that you can expect me to:
- Create an atmosphere of curiosity and inclusion where everyone feels welcome to bring their authentic selves to class
- Communicate a clear direction for the course as a whole and for each class gathering, activity, and assignment
- Work diligently to make all assignments and activities of this class worthwhile
Similarly, I expect each of you to approach each component of the class with an open mind, a diligent work ethic, and respect for your peers and instructors. How? We’ll get into the particulars throughout the rest of the syllabus. 😉
📚 TEXTS AND TOOLS
COURSE SITE
All required course materials are available at newmediaproduction.mynmi.net.
CLASS EXPENSES
You’ll also need $45 to purchase a domain name and hosting at Reclaim Hosting.
FREECODECAMP
You’ll need to create an account at Free Code Camp to complete and track regular exercises for the course.
SLACK
After the first week or so of class, we’ll use Slack for all class communication.
You’ll receive an invite at your UGA email address; after you’ve created your account, please complete your profile so that we all know who we’re talking to. After you’ve joined the class Slack, use only Slack—not email—to contact me.
Checking Slack regularly is required for the course, so students are required to install the Slack app on your phone and on your desktop. (Slack provides excellent options for fine-tuning notifications to help ensure a healthy work-life balance.)
If you’ve never used Slack before, you can find a good overview of it here.
ZOOM
Zoom will be used for all remote synchronous meetings and for office hours. Be sure to sign in via UGA SSO and make sure that your full name is displayed to be correctly counted for attendance.
ELC
ELC will be used only to view your grades.
SUMMARY
- This site contains all course readings / videos
- Set aside $45 to cover registering your domain name and hosting
- You’ll do daily work at FreeCodeCamp
- Slack will be our course communication hub
- Zoom will be used for remote synchronous meetings and office hours
- ELC will be used only for posting grades
📓 ASSIGNMENTS + GRADING
Free Code Camp (FCC) assignments (25 points)
Completed throughout the semester, these assignments form the foundation of our technical learning.
Project 1: Artisanal hand-crafted small-batch locally-sourced bespoke website (10 points)
You’ll lovingly craft your first site by hand using the HTML & CSS skills you’ve learned so far.
Project 2: Bootstrap triptych (10 points)
You’ll take three separate passes at the same page to gain a deeper understanding of how to leverage Bootstrap to create beautiful responsive websites.
Project 3: WordPress variety pack (10 points)
Create four separate installs of WordPress to explore the wide variety of sites you can make with the powerful, popular CMS.
Project 4: JavaScript arcade (10 points)
Test your newly-acquired programming skills by tackling these challenging but fun assignments.
NMI portfolio (10 points)
Create your NMI portfolio and build its first page—the one for this class!
Final project (25 points)
Choose from a menu of ambitious projects—or propose your own!—to show off all the skills you’ve gained in this class.
Summary (100 points total)
| Free Code Camp assignments | 25 |
| Project One: Artisanal hand-crafted small-batch locally-sourced bespoke website | 10 |
| Project Two: Bootstrap triptych | 10 |
| Project Three: WordPress variety pack | 10 |
| Project Four: JavaScript algorithm challenges | 10 |
| NMI portfolio | 10 |
| Final project | 25 |
| Total | 100 |
GRADING SCALE
| 95-100 | A |
| 90-94.99 | A- |
| 87-89.99 | B+ |
| 83-86.99 | B |
| 80-82.99 | B- |
| 77-79.99 | C+ |
| 73-76.99 | C |
| 70-72.99 | C- |
| 60-69.99 | D |
| 59.99 and below | F |
🗓 SCHEDULE
Note: the homework listed for a given day is due the following class period. Example: the homework listed for the first day of class (Create Free Code Camp (FCC) account; bring charged laptop to class; remember interview partner’s info) should be completed by the start of the second day of class.
| Date | Topic | Major Assignments + Dates | Homework |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week 0 | |||
| 1/14 Thurs. | Syllabus overview; getting to know you | First day of class | Create Free Code Camp (FCC) account; remember interview partner’s info; go ahead and have a go at installing the course software and setting up your Mac |
| Week 1 | |||
| 1/19 Tues. | Getting to know you wrap-up; computer and account set-up; HTML day one | FCC-1, FCC-2; think about the domain name you’d like to register | |
| 1/21 Thurs. | HTML day two | Configure Cyberduck on your laptop; FCC-3 | |
| Week 2 | |||
| 1/26 Tues. | CSS day one | FCC-4 | |
| 1/28 Thurs. | CSS day two | Complete form in class; FCC-5 and FCC-6; begin work on Project One | |
| Week 3 | |||
| 2/2 Tues. | Applied visual design day one | FCC-7 and FCC-8 | |
| 2/4 Thurs. | Applied visual design day two | FCC-9 | |
| Week 4 | |||
| 2/9 Tues. | Applied accessibility day one | FCC-10 and FCC-11 | |
| 2/11 Thurs. | Responsive web design principles | FCC-12 | |
| Week 5 | |||
| 2/16 Tues. | CSS Flexbox day one | Project One due | FCC-13 and FCC-14 |
| 2/18 Thurs. | Bootstrap day one | FCC-15 | |
| Week 6 | |||
| 2/23 Tues. | Bootstrap day two | FCC-16 | |
| 2/25 Thurs. | Work day | ||
| Week 7 | |||
| 3/2 Tues. | WordPress day one | Project Two – Panel One deadline | |
| 3/4 Thurs. | WordPress day two | ||
| Week 8 | |||
| 3/9 Tues. | WordPress day three | Midpoint of semester; Project Two – Panel Two deadline | |
| 3/11 Thurs. | Work day | ||
| Week 9 | |||
| 3/16 Tues. | Work day | Project Two due | |
| 3/18 Thurs. | Work day | ||
| Week 10 | |||
| 3/23 Tues. | JavaScript day one | Withdrawal deadline | |
| 3/25 Thurs. | JavaScript day two | ||
| Week 11 | |||
| 3/30 Tues. | JavaScript day three | ||
| 4/1 Thurs. | JavaScript day four | Project Three due | FCC-17 |
| Week 12 | |||
| 4/6 Tues. | Work day | ||
| 4/8 Thurs. | – | Instructional break | |
| Week 13 | |||
| 4/13 Tues. | Work day | FCC-18, FCC-19, and FCC-20 | |
| 4/15 Thurs. | Final project proposal presentations | Final Project Proposal due | |
| Week 14 | |||
| 4/20 Tues. | Work day | FCC-21 and FCC-22 | |
| 4/22 Thurs. | Portfolio rough draft presentations | Portfolio rough draft due | |
| Week 15 | |||
| 4/27 Tues. | Work day | ||
| 4/29 Thurs. | Final project rough draft presentations | Final project rough draft due | |
| Finals | |||
| 5/4 Tues. | – | Reading Day | – |
| 5/7 Fri. | – | Final Project + Portfolio Due |
💁♀️ POLICIES
ATTENDANCE AND PARTICIPATION
As you will with much in life, you’ll get out of this class what you put into it. You’re expected to attend all synchronous class meetings, whether remote/online or residential/in-person.
Students who miss classes or other assignments due to their religious observance will be provided with a fair opportunity to complete their academic responsibilities. However, students must provide us with notice at the start of the semester of the dates of religious holidays on which they plan to be absent.
You’re expected to be present in class both mentally and physically.
Ask questions. Take good notes. Don’t screw around on your devices. When you work in pairs or in groups, work eagerly and enthusiastically. In short, be the sort of person you’d want to be in class with.
MAKE-UP WORK
You are expected to complete and turn in your work by the due date, and late work is accepted only at the discretion of the instructor. If late work is accepted, the minimum penalty for the first assignment you turn in late is 10% of its total value per day late (ex: 10-point exam turned in two days late will be penalized a minimum of 2 points). After your first late assignment, each subsequent late assignment will be penalized a minimum of 20% of its total value per day (ex: 10-point exam turned in two days late will be penalized a minimum of 4 points).
EMAIL/DIRECT MESSAGE
As I’ve already mentioned, we’re using Slack as the sole tool for our class communication. So, instead of emailing me, direct message me via Slack.
So that I can most quickly help those in need of assistance, take the following steps before messaging me:
- Check the syllabus, eLC, previous Slack conversations, the class site, etc. to see if the answer’s posted there
- Spend 5-15 minutes (but not any more time than that) trying to solve the problem on your own (via Google, asking a classmate, etc.)
- Ask yourself if the question might be one other students are having, and if so, post it to #slack-overflow on Slack
If you do all of those and still have a question just for me, then by all means direct message me! I’ll respond to your questions as quickly as possible, but please allow a reasonable amount of time (generally under 24 hours; 2 business days max) for a response.
Slack allows for communication to be informal and fun, which is great! But, don’t forget to communicate professionally, even while having fun.
NMIXPERTS
From the NMI:
You know our motto — “Make something work. Then make it work better.” While we’re learning how to make it work on our journey to becoming technowledgeable, there are a select few of us specially equipped to make it work even better. These incredible individuals are NMIXperts. From development to design, NMIXperts have displayed an outstanding aptitude for a specialized skill throughout their NMIX classes. Now, they’re ready to help you make it work even better. Whether you need help troubleshooting your website, debugging an app, navigating Adobe CC, or anything in between, our NMIXperts are ready to help you tackle the challenge! Seeking their assistance is easy:
- Navigate to mynmi.net/nmixperts.
- Find an NMIXpert whose talent(s) align with your needs.
- Check out their available Xpert Hours and jump in the following Zoom channel during that time – 932 5007 2656 | bit.ly/xperthours
- Hang out in the Waiting Room, and you’ll be admitted once they become available. Easy as that!
OFFICE HOURS
This semester, I’ll be holding office hours via Zoom only. In addition to the times posted at the top of the syllabus when I’ll be holding open office hours, I’m also available by appointment—just send me a DM on Slack to set up a mutually convenient time to talk.
ACCESS POLICY
If you have a disability and require accommodations, please see me after class or make an appointment during office hours. If you plan to request accommodations for a disability, visit the Disability Resource Center website or call 706-542-8719.
SERVICE ANIMALS IN CLASS
Students who train or use service animals should be aware of UGA policy. More info is available here.
NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY
I do not engage in or tolerate discrimination or harassment on the basis of race/ethnicity, religion, national origin, sex/gender, sexual orientation, age, physical or mental disability, or veteran status. In addition, I do not discriminate on the basis of class, income, or political views. If there is something I can do to make the class more hospitable, please let me know.
HONOR CODE AND ACADEMIC HONESTY
As a University of Georgia Student, you have agreed to abide by the University’s academic honesty policy, “A Culture of Honesty”, and the Student Honor Code (“I will be academically honest in all of my academic work and will not tolerate academic dishonesty of others.”). All academic work must meet the standards described in “A Culture of Honesty” found at honesty.uga.edu. Lack of knowledge of the academic honesty policy is not a reasonable explanation for a violation.
Read the entire policy online, but the short story is: don’t cheat—the punishments for violations of the Academic Honesty Policy are severe. You are expected to do your own work and to report individuals who do not do their own work. As nearly all of the class materials and assignments are online, you may find the temptation to cheat (cheating includes unauthorized sharing of class materials, using unauthorized sources during assessments, and more—seriously, read thisnow to get a full sense of what all constitutes academic dishonesty) even greater than usual. Resist that temptation. Questions related to course assignments and the academic honesty policy should be directed to the instructor.
NEW MEDIA INSTITUTE POLICIES
New Media Institute students are responsible for knowing and abiding by all NMI policies. You agreed to these policies upon applying to NMIX courses and will be held accountable for following them. For a refresher on these policies, visit mynmi.net/certificate/.
NMI PORTFOLIO ASSIGNMENT
Throughout your academic journey, you’ll create many things you want to show off to the world. Through your NMI classes, you’ll develop and build on the skills to create a digital portfolio to do so. See below to find your portfolio assignment.
- New Media Certificate: mynmi.net/cert-portfolio
- Emerging Media Masters: mynmi.net/em-portfolio
- Not a certificate or masters student? Don’t worry! We have you covered with this Alternative Portfolio assignment: mynmi.net/alt-portfolio
- Earning both the certificate and masters? Oh, you overachiever you! Check out both portfolio details above.
NMI SOCIAL MEDIA
From the NMI:
No matter which social media platforms you’re active on, the NMI is there. The NMI posts student highlights, important timely announcements, details about upcoming events, job opportunities, and other content you won’t want to miss. No Tik Tok dancing involved.
Why keep up with the Kardashians when you can keep up with the NMI?
• Join the New Media Institute Job Board on LinkedIn
• Like the New Media Institute on Facebook
• Follow @nmiuga (and, optionally, @JohnWeatherford) on Twitter
• Follow @nmiuga on Instagram
STUDENT SERVICES
As a student at the University of Georgia, you have access to a wide variety of services to help you succeed. Click here to view a description of services along with links and contact information if you wish to learn more about these topics. Of course, you’re also welcome to talk with me if I can help in any way, too.
MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS RESOURCES
If you or someone you know needs assistance, you are encouraged to contact Student Care and Outreach in the Division of Student Affairs at 706-542-7774 or visit https://sco.uga.edu. They will help you navigate any difficult circumstances you may be facing by connecting you with the appropriate resources or services.
UGA has several resources for a student seeking mental health services (https://www.uhs.uga.edu/bewelluga/bewelluga) or crisis support (https://www.uhs.uga.edu/info/emergencies).
If you need help managing stress anxiety, relationships, etc., please visit BeWellUGA (https://www.uhs.uga.edu/bewelluga/bewelluga) for a list of FREE workshops, classes, mentoring, and health coaching led by licensed clinicians and health educators in the University Health Center.
Additional resources can be accessed through the UGA App.
COUNSELING AND PSYCHIATRIC SERVICES (CAPS)
College can be stressful. Life has difficult stretches. If you need help, get it. CAPS provides short-term individual counseling, group counseling, couples counseling, crisis intervention, psychiatric evaluation and medication monitoring, psychological testing, and makes referrals to campus and community resources when appropriate.
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS
Verify that your emergency contact information is correct at ugaalert.uga.edu and add 706-542-0111 as “UGAAlert” in your contacts. We will discuss emergency exit routes the first day of class.
- If the fire alarm sounds, we will evacuate the building and reassemble outside of the Journalism building on Sanford Drive to make sure that everyone exited safely. Quickly move away from the entrances so as not to hinder first responders.
- If there is a tornado warning, we will move to the first floor and account for everyone.
- In the event of a medical emergency, I will ask one of you to meet EMS responders and bring them to our classroom.
If you have concerns about other emergencies or if you have special circumstances that I need to know about in case of an emergency, please speak to us after class.
COVID-19 INFORMATION
- Attendance: Attendance will be tracked in all New Media Institute courses and may be reported to Grady College Leadership.
- Mask Requirements: As with the rest of the University, masks are required in all New Media Institute classes, lab spaces, conference spaces, co-working spaces, and faculty offices. Eating and drinking is also prohibited in these spaces. Masks are to be properly worn, covering both nose and chin.
- Cleaning Procedures: All students must clean their workstation upon arrival. Sanitize the desk surface in all rooms and the mouse and keyboard in labs.
- NMI Doors: To increase airflow and reduce contact, doors must remain open to all New Media Institute classrooms, lab spaces, conference spaces, and co-working spaces. Some doors will be single directional. Please use each door appropriately.
- Assigned Seating: Assigned seating will be required in all New Media Institute classes. Your permanent seat will be assigned during the first week.
- DawgCheck: Please perform a quick symptom check each weekday on DawgCheck—on the UGA app or website—whether you feel sick or not. It will help health providers monitor the health situation on campus: https://dawgcheck.uga.edu/
- What do I do if I have symptoms? Students showing symptoms should self-isolate and schedule an appointment with the University Health Center by calling 706-542-1162 (Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.). Please DO NOT walk-in. For emergencies and after-hours care, see https://www.uhs.uga.edu/info/emergencies.
- What do I do if I am notified that I have been exposed? Revised Guidelines for COVID-19 Quarantine Period: Effective Jan. 4, 2021, students who learn they have been directly exposed to COVID-19 but are not showing symptoms should self-quarantine for 10 days (consistent with updated Department of Public Health (DPH) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines). Those quarantining for 10 days must have been symptom-free throughout the monitoring period. Please correspond with your instructor via email, with a cc: to Student Care & Outreach at sco@uga.edu, to coordinate continuing your coursework while self-quarantined. We strongly encourage students to voluntarily take a COVID-19 test within 48 hours of the end of the 10-day quarantine period (test to be administered between days 8 and 10). Students may obtain these tests at Legion Field (https://clia.vetview.vet.uga.edu/) or at the University Health Center by calling 706-542-1162 (Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.). Please DO NOT walk-in the University Health Center without an appointment. For emergencies and after-hours care, see https://www.uhs.uga.edu/info/emergencies If the test is negative, the individual may return to campus, but MUST continue to closely monitor for any new COVID-19 symptoms through 14 days. DawgCheck is the best method for monitoring these symptoms. If new symptoms occur, the individual must not come to campus and must seek further testing/evaluation. If the test is positive at the end of the 10-day period, the individual must begin a 10-day isolation period from the date of the test.
- How do I get a test if I have symptoms? Students who are demonstrating symptoms of COVID-19 should call the University Health Center. UHC is offering testing by appointment for students; appointments may be booked by calling 706-542-1162.
- How do I participate in surveillance testing if I have no symptoms? We strongly encourage you to take advantage of the expanded surveillance testing that is being offered from January 4 – 22: up to 1,500 free tests per day at Legion Field and pop-up locations. Testing at Legion Field can be scheduled at https://clia.vetview.vet.uga.edu/. Walk-up appointments can usually be accommodated at Legion Field, and pop-up saliva testing does not require pre-registration. For planning purposes, precise sites and schedules for the pop-up clinics are published on the UHC’s website and its social media as they are secured: https://www.uhs.uga.edu/healthtopics/covid-surveillance-testing.
- What do I do if I test positive? Any student with a positive COVID-19 test is required to report the test in DawgCheck and should self-isolate immediately. Students should not attend classes in-person until the isolation period is completed and should contact their instructor and discussion leader immediately to make plans for participating in in-person class activities as possible. Once you report the positive test through DawgCheck, UGA Student Care and Outreach will follow up with you.
CHANGES TO COURSE SYLLABUS
The course syllabus is a general plan; deviations announced to the class by the instructor may be necessary.