IT 411/Scripting for Interactive Systems
Syllabus
Course description
From the course catalog: "Introductory scripting for developing interactive web pages. Overview of HTML and CSS. Elementary programming concepts using JavaScript for learning control structures, functions, arrays, and object use. User interface development concepts include event handling and use of JavaScript libraries such as jQuery. Review of web clients, servers and architecture. Prerequisite: None"
More specifically, we will discuss client-side scripting using the JavaScript language. Client-side scripting works in the context of documents whose structure is created with HTML and whose appearance is managed by CSS. Because all three of these languages are supported directly by browsers there will be no need to download any software.
Course web site
All course materials will be available on DePaul's D2L web site. If you are not registered in the course you will not be able to see them but you may write to me to request them at my CDM email address.
Textbook
The required textbook is “JavaScript & jQuery: The Missing Manual (2nd edition)”, David Sawyer McFarland, O'Reilly, 2012 (ISBN: 978-1449399023).
To read an electronic copy of the book, please go to the DePaul library web site. On that page, find the heading "Library Tools" and beneath it click on the link "A-Z Databases and Journals". On the page that comes up click on the link "A-Z Database List". Next click on the letter "S" and finally on the link "Safari Books Online". In the search box appearing on the page that now loads type in "JavaScript & jQuery" and you should see a short list appear on which you will find the title of our text. Click on that. At some point in this process you may be asked to log in with your Campus Connect username and password.
Learning outcomes
By the end of this course students should be able to:
- develop interactive web pages using JavaScript
- make use of common control structures for developing simple programs
- use an API (application program interface) to create well-designed and responsive web pages
- generate layouts for an indeterminate number of display elements
Schedule of topics
This is an approximate version of the order of topics.
| Week | Topic | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (1/9) | Overview of HTML and CSS; Introduction to programming and JavaScript; the DOM |
|
| 2 (1/16) | The grammar and semantics of JavaScript; basic jQuery |
|
| 3 (1/23) | Adding logic and control | Chapter 3 |
| 4 (1/30) | Deeper into jQuery | Chapter 4 |
| 5 (2/6) | Event programming with jQuery | Chapter 5 |
| 6 (2/13) | Animation and effects | Chapter 6 |
| 7 (2/20) | Improving images and navigation | Chapters 7 and 8 |
| 8 (2/27) | Enhancing web forms | Chapter 9 |
| 9 (3/6) | Expanding the interface | Chapter 10 |
| 10 (3/13) | Introducing Ajax; Overview of server-side scripting | Chapter 11 |
Important dates
Our class meets every Thursday, 5:45pm to 9pm, with a 15-minute break at 7:15. At the moment the class is listed as meeting in room 228 of the CDM building (243 S. Wabash) but please check that shortly before the first class as room assignments sometimes change at the last minute.
- First class: Thursday, January 9th
- Last class: Thursday, March 13th
- Final exam: Due 11:59pm CT, Thursday, March 20th
Assignments and grading
There will be weekly programming assignments and a take-home final exam. There will not be a midterm. The final will be made available on Thursday, March 13th, and will be due Thursday, March 20th.
The homework assignments will comprise 80% of the grade and the final exam the other 20%. The resulting percentage will be translated into a letter grade as follows:
| Letter | Percentage range |
|---|---|
| A | 95-100 |
| A- | 90 - <95 |
| B+ | 87 - <90 |
| B | 83 - <87 |
| B- | 80 - <83 |
| C+ | 77 - <80 |
| C | 73 - <77 |
| C- | 70 - <73 |
| D+ | 65 - <70 |
| D | 60 - <65 |
| F | <60 |
Participation policy
For students in the in-class section, attending every class is required. Missing class may drop your final grade by a full letter.
Academic Integrity Policy
This course will be subject to the academic integrity policy passed by faculty. More information can be found at http://academicintegrity.depaul.edu/. I strongly recommend that you read this! It explains both your rights and your responsibilities as a student on matters of academic integrity.
Communication
All communication will be done in one of three ways:
- Announcements in class. You are responsible for anything and everything I say in class.
- Email from me. You can send email to me at jrogers@cs.depaul.edu.
- Announcements on the D2L web site.
Office location and hours
My office is room 747 in the CDM building, 243 S. Wabash. My office hours can be found on my CDM homepage. My phone number is 312-362-8334 (dial 2-8334 from the 7th floor lobby phone).
Plagiarism
The university and school policy on plagiarism can be summarized as follows: Students in this course should be aware of the strong sanctions that can be imposed against someone guilty of plagiarism. If proven, a charge of plagiarism could result in an automatic F in the course and possible expulsion. The strongest of sanctions will be imposed on anyone who submits as his/her own work any assignment which has been prepared by someone else. If you have any questions or doubts about what plagiarism entails or how to properly acknowledge source materials consult the instructor.
Incomplete
An incomplete grade is given only for an exceptional reason such as, for example, a death in the family or a serious illness. Any such reason must be documented. Any incomplete request must be made at least two weeks before the final and approved by the Dean of the College of Computing and Digital Media. Any consequences resulting from a poor grade for the course will not be considered as valid reasons for such a request.
Resources for Students with Disabilities
Students who feel they may need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact the instructor privately to discuss their specific needs. All discussions will remain confidential.
To ensure that you receive the most appropriate accommodation based on your needs, contact the instructor as early as possible in the quarter (preferably within the first week of class) and make sure that you have contacted either the PLuS Program, for Learning Disabilities and/or AD/HD, or the Office for Students with Disabilities, for all other disabilities, at:
Student Center, LPC, Suite #370
Phone number: (773) 325-1677
Fax: (773) 325-3720
TTY: (773) 325-7296