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XHTML and CSS for Information Specialists, ETWR 2473
Course Master Syllabus
Business & Technical Communications Department


CIP CODE Area 23.1101

Course Level Sophomore Level

Course Number ETWR 2374

Course Title XHTML and CSS for Information Specialists

Hours Credit: 4
Lecture Hours: 4
Lab Hours: 0

Prerequisite Strong writing and computer skills; strong familiarity with the Internet.

Method Four-hour lecture/discussion each week

Description ETWR 2473: XHTML and CSS for Information Specialists Workshop-style course in which students study the concept of hypertext; learn structuring principles and navigation tools common in online information; create web pages using XHTML and CSS; get an introduction to web-page development tools such as Dreamweaver; and overview documentation trends such as structured authoring, single-sourcing, and XML.

Textbooks ETWR 2473 instructors will chose textbooks from the DataTel inventory for this course.



Instructional
Methodology
See specific instructor’s syllabus


Course Rationale This course provides training and practice in the structural creation of well-formed web pages using XHTML and the formatting of those pages with CSS. The course provides some background in the evolution of HTML from SGML, XHTML and CSS from HTML, and the rise of XML. Students are introduced to the notion of hypertext as a theoretical method for structuring online information for maximum effective use. The course includes an introduction to popular software applications for the creation of web pages and web sites.

Primary Learning Outcomes All sections of ETWR 2473 will include some combination of the following:
  • Audience: Identifies audience characteristics and writes the instructions accordingly.
  • Writing style: Employs appropriate writing style, given audience and purpose as well as correct use of conventions of formal standard written English.
  • Headings: Uses headings effectively and according to the guidelines.
  • Vertical lists: Uses vertical lists effectively and according to the guidelines.
  • Notices: Uses notices effectively and according to the guidelines.
  • Tables and graphics: Uses tables and graphics effectively and according to the guidelines.
Secondary Learning Outcomes Sections of ETWR 2473 will include some combination of the following:
  • Demonstrate a basic understanding of the concept of hypertext.
  • Segment, or “chunk,” a body of information for online delivery.
  • Apply navigation tools for designing a hypertext.
  • Design and create a website for business, government, or technical information.
  • Use an application like Dreamweaver to design and write web pages.
  • Demonstrate a basic understanding of HTML and XHMTL.
  • Competently revise legacy HTML documents.
  • Format web documents with Cascading Style Sheets (CSS).

Grading System Your instructor will provide specific information about how you will be graded in this course.

Course Policies Departmental policies for Incompletes, Attendance, and Withdrawal are as follows:

Incomplete Policy: An incomplete (I) will be granted to a student in rare circumstances. Generally, to receive a grade of I, a student must have completed all examinations and assignments to date, be passing, and have personal circumstances that prevent course completion that occur after the deadline to withdraw with a grade of W.

Attendance Policy: All students are expected to attend classes. Non-attendance will have an impact on the student’s grade.

Withdrawal Policy: It is the student’s responsibility to withdraw from a course. Instructors are allowed to withdraw students but students must not rely on their instructor to withdraw them if they wish to withdraw.

Austin Community College policies for Academic Freedom, Scholastic Dishonesty, Student Discipline, and Students with Disabilities are as follows:

Academic Freedom Statement: Each student is strongly encouraged to participate in class. In any classroom situation that includes discussion and critical thinking, there are bound to be many differing viewpoints. These differences enhance the learning experience and create an atmosphere where students and instructors alike will be encouraged to think and learn. On sensitive and volatile topics, students may sometimes disagree not only with each other but also with the instructor. It is expected that faculty and students will respect the views of others when expressed in classroom discussions.

Scholastic Dishonesty Statement: Acts prohibited by the College for which discipline may be administered include scholastic dishonesty, including but not limited to cheating on an exam or quiz, plagiarizing, and unauthorized collaboration with another in preparing outside work. Academic work submitted by students shall be the result of their thought, research or self-expression. Academic work is defined as, but not limited to tests, quizzes, whether taken electronically or on paper; projects, either individual or group; classroom presentations, and homework. (See the Student Handbook.) Penalties for scholastic dishonesty will depend upon the nature of the violation and may range from lowering a grade on one assignment to an F in the course and/or expulsion from this institution.

Student Discipline Statement: Classroom behavior should support and enhance learning. Behavior that disrupts the learning process will be dealt with appropriately, which may include having the student leave class for the rest of that day. In serious cases, disruptive behavior may lead to a student being withdrawn from the class. ACC's policy on student discipline can be found in the Student Handbook.

Students with Disabilities Statement: Each ACC campus offers support services for students with documented physical or psychological disabilities. Students with disabilities must request reasonable accommodations through the Office for Students with Disabilities on the campus where they expect to take the majority of their classes. Students are encouraged to do this three weeks before the start of the semester. (See the Student Handbook.)