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Fall 2025 Syllabus (Schedule) Classes meet T H 3:05 - 4:20pm in Kochel 77.

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This contains a detailed explanation of course policies and the basis for grades.

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Tools and Resources

Download and install the following software on your own personal computer(s) as we start the course. These software tools are also available in our campus computing labs.

  1. Jetbrain’s Webstorm: code editor optimized for working in JavaScript web development, has free access for students.
  2. <oXygen/>. The DIGIT program has purchased a site license for this software, which is installed in Kochel 77 and the Lilley Library computers. The license also permits students enrolled in the course to install the software on their home computers (for course-related use only). When installing this on your own computers, you will need the license key, which we have posted on our course Announcements section of Canvas.
  3. Zoom: Make sure your Zoom installation is up-to-date, and you are ready to connect. (We will use Zoom when we need it for office/project meetings.)
  4. Slack: https://slack.com/help/articles/218080037-Getting-started-for-new-members). Download and install the Slack chat client, configuring your account to use use your Penn State email address (the official address, which looks like xyz123@psu.edu, and not an alias based on your name that you may have set up), so you can join our Slack workspace: DIGIT-coders. When you receive an invitation to join this workspace you should accept.
  5. Be prepared to install other software as announced as we experiment with website infrastructures in this class
Resources for class:
Week 1 Class topics Do before class

T 08-26
  • First Day! Welcome and introduction to the course.
  • Overview of the kinds of projects (including Open Lab projects) that we’ll be working on and the first assignment on POUR principles.
  • Jetbrains Webstorm installation check in K-77.
  • Join the DIGIT 400 class Hypothes.is group (link posted in Canvas).
  • Introduce the first assignment on POUR principles.
  • Feature: Clay Shirky on Love, Internet Style on what lasts and matters in project design.
 ...

H 08-28

 POUR and user-experience (UX) design in-class discussion. Read and annotate with Hypothes.is WebAIM’s Constructing a POUR Website. Review a past student project and post your notes in the Canvas discussion, for a past project website (yours or anothers). This is meant to be educational! We produce semester projects in a rush and they provide good starting points for review and new development! What could be done to make a site better conform to POUR principles?
Week 2 Class topics Do before class

T 09-02

 Introduce Tech Issue research topics and Zotero Read / annotate: Lauren Goode, Why Did a $10 Billion Startup Let Me Vibe-Code for Them—and Why Did I Love It?, Wired (The Big Story) 21 August 2025.

H 09-04
  • Special Guest Presentation: Jule Gardner, Talent Acquisition Coordinator for WebFX
  • Introduce Portfolio/Résume Prep assignments
 Preview WebFX Careers page and post observations / questions.
Week 3 Class topics Do before class

T 09-09

 No class meeting. Dr. B is attending a University Senate meeting. Portfolio/Résumé preparation

H 09-11
  • Special guest: Samantha Moniot, Marketing Data Analyst at Essentra Components and Digit alumna (2025) discussing how to successfully navigate the Career Fair and seek jobs.
  • Round 1 review of résumés
 Milestone: Portfolio/Résumé preparation
Week 4 Class topics Do before class

T 09-16

 Special guest: Rebecca Maguda, Career Counselor (PSB Career Services) speaks on preparing for the Career Fair, developing powerful résumés. Online and paper résumés. Sending people quickly to your work. Dr. B is attending the TEI Conference in Kraków this week. Résume preparation assignment / Peer review

H 09-18
  • Special guest: Rebecca Maguda, Career Counselor (PSB Career Services) speaks on preparing for the Career Fair, developing powerful résumés. Résumé review. Your digital presence on social media.
  • Special guest: Lauren Liebe, Director of VARIA lab and Asst. Professor of Game Design introduces virtual interview prep experience!
Résume revision
Week 5 Class topics Do before class

T 09-23

 Interview prep for the career fair Job / Grad School application drafts

H 09-25
  • Discussion of Career Fair; next steps.
  • Tech Issue Research project: next steps / project design expectations.
 Go to the Penn State Behrend Career and Internship Fair (11am – 3pm, Erie Hall)
Week 6 Class topics Do before class

T 09-30

 Orientation to vanilla JavaScript. Newtfire introductory examples: Small JS files that work with HTML and CSS to control simple user interactions. Event listeners and functions. How to associate with HTML. Install IDE for JS work (TBD: either VSCode or Webstorm)

H 10-02

 Accessing HTML elements in the DOM. for and this in JavaScript. classList toggle
  • JavaScript Exercise 1
Week 7 Class topics Do before class

T 10-07
  • JavaScript show/hide, toggles
  • Web guide development work
  • JavaScript Exercise 2
  • Tech Issue Research Milestone: Zotero assignment due

H 10-09

 Tech Issue Research draft review / discussion Tech Issue Research Milestone: Webpage guide draft
Week 8 Class topics Do before class

T 10-14

 No class meeting. Dr. B is attending a University Senate meeting. Tech Issue Research Guide due on website

H 10-16
  • SVG animations / interactivity, with and without CSS
  • JavaScript interactions with SVG elements
 Mia Borgia’s SVG Animation Exercise: Apply SVG Animations tutorial to your own designs
Week 9 Class topics Do before class

T 10-21

 Introducing Node.js and things you can do with JavaScript libraries Node JS launch assignment

H 10-23
  • Node JS orientation project: Node with Three.JS for 3D animations in the browser
  • Past student ThreeJS projects:
Week 10 Class topics Do before class

T 10-28

 Installation / configuration prep

H 10-30
  • Three JS review
  • Launching a new Node.JS framework website: site structure/organization
 Complete Three.JS project
Week 11 Class topics Do before class

T 11-04
  • JavaScript Framework Project Options
  • Working with JSON structures to organize and deliver assets
 JS Framework Tutorial assignment

H 11-06
  • Data exploration and packaging with JSON
  • Troubleshooting / error-finding in JS Framework projects
 Framework components assignment
Week 12 Class topics Do before class

T 11-11

 JS Framework development workflows. Site navigation options Data exploration and packaging assignment

H 11-13
  • Interactivity / navigation / search features for project sites
  • Remixing components: user interface options
 Add site navigation in JS Framework site
Week 13 Class topics Do before class

T 11-18

 No class meeting. Dr. B is attending a University Senate meeting. ...

H 11-20

 Documenting the project workflow. Accessible Design check. JS Framework Site Milestone: data exploraration / packaging
Week 14 Class topics Do before class

Sun 11-23 – Sat 11-29

 Thanksgiving Holiday Have a peaceful and productive week!
Week 15 Class topics Do before class

T 12-02
  • Review professional portfolio websites.
  • Socio-Technical Sustainability Roadmap Discussion of project dependencies / updating
  • When are framework-based sites preferable? When are they not preferable?
 Read The Socio-Technical Sustainability Roadmap (especially Module B2)

H 12-04

 POUR principle review. Endings project principles
Week 16 Class topics Do before class

T 12-09

 Preparing to present the project! Project Sprint

H 12-11

 Project Sprinting toward DIGIT Works and Semester Project Submission Project Sprint
Finals Week: 12/15 – 12/19 Due

T 12-16

 Final project due by 11:59pm