MANSFIELD UNIVERSITY
CIS 420 COURSE SYLLABUS

revised 5/7/2002

GENERAL INFORMATION

Course number: CIS 420
Credit/Contact hours: 3
Term: Summer IA (extended), May 13 - August 2, 2002
Course title: Special Problems: JavaScript
College website: www.mansfield.edu

INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

Instructor name: John Phillips
Instructor office location: Elliott 205 A
Instructor office hours: to be announced
Instructor telephone: 570-662-4704
Instructor e-mail address: jphillip@mnsfld.edu
Instructor website: www.programbetter.com

COURSE INFORMATION

Course Description

Introduces client-side web-programming using the JavaScript programming language.

Prerequisite: previous programming experience (any language) and knowledge of HTML is strongly recommended.

Textbooks

JavaScript - Introductory, Don Gosselin, 2002, Course Technology, ISBN: 0-619-06333-5.

Course Websites

www.programbetter.com for the syllabus and course information.

www.coursenotebook.com for the class discussion board.

Course Outline

  1. Introduction to JavaScript
  2. Variables, Functions, Objects, and Events
  3. Data Types and Operators
  4. Decision Making with Control Structures and Statements
  5. Windows and Frames
  6. Forms
  7. Debugging JavaScript
  8. Dynamic HTML and Animation

Class Schedule

This is an on-line course.

Equipment and Supplies

Access to the Internet is required either using your own computer or by using a computer in the school's computer lab. You should keep a backup copy of all work you do on one or more diskettes.

Grading Scale and Policy

Work that meets the stated requirements will in general earn a C grade. Work that goes beyond the basic requirements will in general earn anywhere from a C+ to a B- grade. Work that is very good and exceeds the instructor's expectations will in general earn a B grade. Only the most outstanding work will earn an A grade.

(Refer to the Mansfield University Catalog for grades that can be awarded.)

A >= 90%
B >= 80%
C >= 70%
D >= 60%
F < 60%

In addition, the instructor may choose to further differentiate grades with plus and minus subdivisions as outlined in the catalog.

Course Grade
% of Grade
Assignments
25
Online quizzes
25
Final Project
50

Late Work Policy

Any work that is late will lose one letter grade for each day late. No excuses. Computer, server, ftp, and Internet problems will happen, therefore, make it a point to complete your work at least one day before the deadline.

Methods of Instruction

Typically, an assignment will be posted online at coursenotebook.com each week. The assignment will include reading the textbook and working out various problems. You will be asked to post some of your solutions online for peer review and online class discussion. Many weeks you will take an online quiz. The quiz will be open book, however, it will also be timed. Therefore, you will need to be very familiar with the material in order to complete the quizzes in the time allowed.

Academic Integrity

It may be tempting to cheat in this class. Do not do it! You will be posting some of your work for all to view. Feel free to browse other students' posted work, on-line web sites, and other books for ideas. However, if you copy that work and you do not give credit for it, that is plagiarism. Likewise, if you discuss a quiz you have taken with another student before they take it, that is cheating. You may not do anything that gives you or another student an unfair advantage. If you are in doubt then discuss the situation with your instructor.

Withdrawal Policy for Individual Courses

The last day to withdraw from a College course with a "W" grade is published in the Academic Calendar. It is the responsibility of the student to complete and submit the necessary forms to the Registrar's Office. An official withdrawal would entitle the student to a grade of "W" in the course.

Syllabus Change Policy

The instructor reserves the right to make changes to this syllabus as the course progresses.

COURSE TIMELINE

Week Week Of Topics
1 5/13 Ch 1 - Introduction to JavaScript
2 5/20 Ch 2 - Variables, Functions, Objects, and Events
3 5/27 Ch 3 - Data Types and Operators
4 6/3 Ch 4 - Decision Making with Control Structures and Statements
5 6/10 Ch 5 - Windows and Frames
6 6/17 Ch 6 - Forms
7 6/24 Ch 7 - Debugging JavaScript
8 7/1 Ch 8 - Dynamic HTML and Animation
9 7/8 Project
10 7/15 Peer project review
11 7/22 Project revisions
12 7/29 Instructor project review