Digital and Internet Communications

Code:

CC011

Acronym:

CDINT

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Communication Technology

Instance: 2021/2022 - 1S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Department of Communication and Information 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	103	CC - Study Plan	2	-	6	41	162

Teaching language

Suitable for English-speaking students

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, design, architecture and production of websites;
(3) Knowledge on architecture and design of information, oriented to the development of web content.

Learning outcomes and competences

At the end of this course, the student should be able to:

- Identify the characteristics of digital media.
- Understand how communication networks work.
- Know the history, architecture and services of the Internet.
- Know the origins and understand hof the World Wide Web works.
- Design, structure and produce content for the web using HTML and CSS.
- Understand the mechanisms that suport web search systems.
- Plan and execute advanced web searches.
- Understand the processes involved in information management and information design principles that are relevant for web content optimization.
- Plan the development of web content: from the macro structure to the final prototype.
- Apply graphic and aesthetic skills according to the specific nature of the web as an interactive and multimedia medium.
- Design and implement content for the web: from journalism infographies to website design.

Working method

Presencial

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.


World Wide Web

World Wide Web: presentation, historical development, information research, structure of contents and main technologies. Critical analysis of contents in the WWW.
HyperText Markup Language (HTML): oerview, document structuring, main elements and attributes.
Cascading Style Sheets (CSS): overview, CSS rules, selectors and properties.
Information search in the WWW: how search engines work, search techniques, content optimization.


Information Design

Logical and consistent navigation in the web context. Macro-structure and visual vocabulary appropriate to the planning and communication of the project.
Organization and prioritization of content on the web context. Wireframes and Mockups.
Visual Web site identity. Graphic design.
Infographics elements and chart types in the context of journalistic infographics.

Mandatory literature

Lemos, Manuel; Estar na internet. ISBN: 972-8298-94-3
Jennifer Niederst Robbins; Learning Web Design, Fourth Edition, O’Reilly Media, 2012. ISBN: 978-1-449-31927-4
Roy Mckelvey; Hypermedia Graphics, Rotovision. ISBN: 2-88046-329-7
Tufte, Edward R.; Envisioning information. ISBN: 0-9613921-1-8
Tufte, Edward R.; Beautiful evidence. ISBN: 0-9613921-7-7

Complementary Bibliography

Gralla, Preston; How the Internet works, QUE
Comer, Douglas E.; The^Internet book
Jon Duckett; HTML & CSS Design and Build Websites, John Wiley & Sons, 2011. ISBN: 978-1-118-00818-8
Elizabeth Castro and Bruce Hyslop; HTML and CSS, Eighth Edition, Peachpit Press, 2014. ISBN: 978-0-321-92883-2

Teaching methods and learning activities

Theory-practical classes divided into two parts:

(1) explanation of theory contents using audiovisual aids;
(2) exercises done by the students on the programme topics.

Classes will also be used to discuss and monitor the students' projects.

Software

Visual Studio Code
Software livre e Adobe Photoshop e Illustrator
TextWrangler (OSX)
Editor Web (HTML e CSS)
Notepad++ (Windows)
Programas de imagem raster e vetorial
Adobe XD

keywords

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

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Exame	35,00
Trabalho de campo	10,00
Trabalho laboratorial	55,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Designation	Time (hours)
Elaboração de projeto	55,00
Estudo autónomo	15,00
Frequência das aulas	42,00
Trabalho de campo	30,00
Trabalho laboratorial	20,00
Total:	162,00

Eligibility for exams

To obtain approval in the course, 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

Web Site Analysis (Informatics + Design) - 10%
Final Project (Informatics + Design) - 45%
Exam (Informatics + Design) - 35%
Weekly activities (Informatics) - 10%

The practical works are carried out in groups. The groups should be constituted by students from the same class. Groups should remain the same in the various works to be done.

The classification of the two practical works includes a component that results from the hetero-evaluation carried out by the students of each class (10%). The remaining 90% are obtained based on the teachers' evaluation.

Due to the strong practical nature of this course, students cannot be assessed by one single test. Thus, the evaluation cannot be replaced by one single test.

The rounding of the classification is done only at the end to obtain the final grade on the scale of 20 points.

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.

All students who meet the conditions for accessing the special period of completion of the course (September) should undertake two projects (analysis and production of a website) and a theoretical test.

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

Students enrolled in special regimes with waiver of class attendance must perform two individual practical works (analysis and production of a website) and a theoretical test.

Students in this regime should take the initiative to talk with the teacher in the beginning of the school year to define follow-up dates for the practical works.

Classification improvement

Only exam grades can be improved in the available seasons. Improving the grades for practical work requires a new enrollment in the course.

Observations

All assignments must be monitored by the lecturers in order to be considered for assessment. All group members must be present during the presentations of the practical works.