Communication Courses

COMM 3450: Human-Computer Interaction Design

Gives students insight into the design of computer interfaces and software from the user's point of view. Students come to understand how hardware and software design influence the interaction between people and computers. Using assigned readings, demonstrations, and projects, students examine issues and trade-offs in interaction design and invent and evaluate alternative solutions. This class is also cross-listed as INFO 3450.

COMM 3560: Computing Culture

As part of broader course on cultural and historical context of computing teaches critical approaches to design and introduces basic ethnography of computing. This class is also cross-listed as INFO/STS/VISST 3560

COMM 4400/6400: Advanced Human-Computer Interaction Design

Focuses on the design of computer interfaces and software from the user's point of view. The goal is to teach user interface designs that serve human needs while building feelings of competence, confidence, and satisfaction. Topics include formal models of people and interactions, collaborative design issues, psychological and philosophical design considerations, and cultural and social issues. Lectures concurrent with COMM 6400; graduate students should enroll in COMM 6400. This class is also cross-listed as INFO 4400/6400

COMM 4450: Seminar in Computer-Mediated Communication - Theory and Practice

Focuses on reading and evaluating the theories and research methodologies used to investigate communication via computer systems. Assignments include student collaborations using electronic conferencing and other advanced communication technologies, as well as reflections on and evaluations of these collaborations in light of current theories and research findings. Topics include virtual teams, videoconferencing, and others as they emerge. This class is also cross-listed as INFO 4450.

Computer Science Courses

CS 1302: Introduction to Designing Web Applications

Teaches basic user-centered design principles, visual design, evaluation in the context of hands-on building of web applications. Requires CS/INFO 1301 Introduction to Programming Web Applications or programming experience as a prerequisite. This class is also cross-listed as INFO 1302.

Information Science Courses

INFO 3870: The Automatic Lifestyle - Consumer Culture and Technology

A topical seminar that looks critically at how interactive technologies are being designed for the home and personal life. Course includes substantial critical design component but does not require any technical skills. This class is also cross-listed as STS 3870.

INFO 4150: Environmental Interventions

This course looks at how to design interventions into public debates around the environment. It has a core focus on the information systems that artists build to encourage public awareness and discussion of environmental issues. Students taking the course under the INFO number are required to have a strong IT component to their course final project. This class is also cross-listed as S HUM/VISST 4150.

INFO 6340: Information Technology in Sociocultural Context

Course introduces students at a graduate level to humanistic approaches to thinking about, designing, and evaluating IT. The course includes sophisticated humanities content which is tied directly to case studies in building and studying IT systems. Course also includes basic training in ethnographic analysis of IT. This class is also cross-listed as STS 6340.

INFO 6510: Critical Technical Practices

Course looks at works at intersections of technical work in HCI and CS with arts/humanities work which throws a critical eye on IT. Course includes substantial content in ubiquitous computing, tangible computing, participatory design, and ethnographic approaches to HCI, as well as tactical media and critical and conceptual design.