Butte College

Course Outline

2026-2027 Catalog

MSP 5 - Introduction to Interactive Web Design and Authoring

Catalog Description

Transfer Status
CSU
Unit(s)
3.00
  • Lecture: 34.00 Contact hours/68.00 Out of class hours/102.00 Total hours/2.00 Unit(s)
  • Lab: 51.00 Contact hours/0.00 Out of class hours/51.00 Total hours/1.00 Unit(s)
  • Total: 85.00 Contact hours/68.00 Out of class hours/153.00 Total hours/3.00 Unit(s)

Course Description: This course is an introduction to developing interactive content for the World Wide Web. Students will survey online content to gain an understanding of effective Web design principles. Students will learn how to produce interactive content using a variety of programs to create and process text, sound, graphics and video. As a final project, students will design and produce an interactive Website.

Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, the student should be able to:

  1. Demonstrate online research techniques
  2. Evaluate interactive Websites for user experience and interface design
  3. Describe principals and technologies of Web authoring and implement in a Website design.
  4. Identify and use computer applications to process, edit and produce graphics, text, audio and video files
  5. Describe ethical codes including copyright, privacy and censorship laws governing the use of publishable materials

Course Content

Topic Titles / Suggested Time Topic

Lecture

Lecture topics and suggested hours
TopicsLec Hrs

Introduction to the Internet

1.00
Internet Research Technique, using Search Engines1.00
Ethical issues on using the Internet2.00
Evolving Technologies4.00
Analysis and Critique of Online Content4.00
Design for Online Publishing2.00
Basic Page Creation2.00

Multimedia Software

6.00
Adding Interactivity and Scripts6.00
Site Management and Trouble Shooting4.00
Advanced Authoring2.00
Total Hours:34.00

Lab

Lab topics and suggested hours
TopicsLab Hrs

Introduction to the Internet

1.50
Internet Research Technique, using Search Engines1.50

Ethical issues on using the Internet

3.00
Evolving Technologies6.00
Analysis and Critique of Online Content6.00
Design for Online Publishing3.00
Basic Page Creation3.00

Multimedia Software

9.00
Adding Interactivity and Scripts9.00
Site Management and Trouble Shooting6.00
Advanced Authoring3.00
Total Hours:51.00

Methods of Instruction

  1. Homework: Students are required to complete two hours of outside-of-class homework for each hour of lecture
  2. Lecture
  3. Showcase and discussion of professionally created Websites

Methods of Evaluation

  1. Critique, Handouts, Web Design projects

Examples of Assignments

Reading Assignments

  1. Read the handout on user interface design. Be prepared to discuss in class.
  2. Research and read an article relating to new advances in web technologies. Share with the class.

Writing Assignments

  1. Create a three-page Website on a subject of your choice, and write the content for all three pages. Each page should include a minimum of 250 words.
  2. Research a web design agency and write a one page overview of the agency.

Out-of-Class Assignments

  1. Visit a local design firm and interview the owner about their web design processes. Share with class.
  2. Research and review four Websites, list the good and bad elements of each site and share your findings with the class.

Recommended Materials of Instruction

Other Learning Materials

Instructional Website

Handouts

Minimum Qualifications

Art (Masters Required)

Computer Science (Masters Required)

Graphic Arts

Media Production

Multimedia

Telecommunication Technology