Digital and Internet Communications

Code:

CC011

Acronym:

CDINT

Instance: 2011/2012 - 1S

Active?	Yes
Web Page:	http://www.fe.up.pt/~ssn/2011/cdi/
Responsible unit:	Department of Journalism and Communication Sciences
Course/CS Responsible:	Bachelor in Communication Sciences

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
CC	95	Plano Oficial a partir de 2008/2009	2	-	5	52	135

Teaching language

Portuguese

Objectives

This subject aims to provide students with:
(1) Knowledge about digital media, with particular emphasis on the Internet;
(2) Practical knowledge on the analysis, use and questioning relational databases;
(3) Practical knowledge on the analysis, design, architecture and production of websites;
(4) Knowledge on architecture and design of information, oriented to the development of web contents.

Program

Information and Digital Communication
Digital information: concept, features, technologies and production of digital contents.
Communication networks: concept, history, technologies and services.
Internet
The Internet: definition, historical perspective, statistical indicators, production of contents, availability of data and information, Access technologies, main services and security.

Databases
Database management systems: presentation, historical development, relational model, construction of questions and database design.

WorldWideWeb
WorldWideWeb: presentation, historical development, information research, structure of contents and main technologies (HTML and CSS). Critical analysis of contents in the WWW.

Interaction Design
Vector and/or matrix objects supporting online visual information.
Macrostructure of a website and the appropriate visual vocabulary.
Logic and coherent navigation on the WWW.
Organisation and hierarchy of contents on the WWW.
Static and dynamic infographics.

Mandatory literature

Lemos, Manuel ; Estar na Internet, McGraw-Hill
Elizabeth Castro; Creating a web page with HTML, Peachpit Press, 2005. ISBN: 0-321-27847-X
Roy Mckelvey; Hypermedia Graphics, Rotovision. ISBN: 2-88046-329-7
Edward Tufte; Envisioning Information, Graphics Pr, 1990. ISBN: 0961392118
Edward Tufte; Beautiful Evidence, Graphics Pr, 2006. ISBN: 0961392177

Complementary Bibliography

Gralla, Preston; How the Internet works, QUE
Comer, Douglas E; The Internet Book, Prentice Hall

Teaching methods and learning activities

Theory-practical classes are divided into two parts: (1) explanation of theory contents, using audiovisual aids, and (2) exercises done by the students on the programme topics. Tutorials will be used to supervise practical assignments.

Software

Macromedia Dreamweaver
Adobe Photoshop
Macromedia Freehand

keywords

Humanities > Arts > Visual arts > Graphic arts
Technological sciences > Technology > Internet technology

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

Description	Type	Time (hours)	Weight (%)	End date
Attendance (estimated)	Participação presencial	42,00
Essay on Information Design	Trabalho laboratorial	8,00
Web Site Analysis	Trabalho laboratorial	15,00
Final Project	Trabalho laboratorial	55,00
Exam	Exame	15,00
	Total:	-	0,00

Eligibility for exams

To pass the subject, students must achieve 40% in all assessment components.
Mandatory attendance of 75% of classes, unless established otherwise by general law and in the FLUP Assessment Regulations.

Calculation formula of final grade

Continuous assessment (Design) - 5%
Assignment 1 (Design) - 5%
Assignment 2 (Informatics) - 10%
Assignment 3 (Informatics) - 10%
Assignment 4 (Informatics + Design) - 50%
Exam (Informatics) - 20%

As this course unit is very practical, it cannot be assessed in one single test. The resit exam is, therefore, not possible.

Examinations or Special Assignments

Failure to attend 75% of classes, in the cases established by law, may require an oral discussion of the assessment items presented, to be indicated by the lecturer by the end of the respective semester, and a new written test on the subject contents.

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

As provided in the FLUP Assessment Regulations.

Classification improvement

Theory/practical assignments.

Observations

All assignments must be monitored by the lecturers in order to be considered for assessment.