Information Design & Technology -- Course Descriptions

IDT 501 Information Theory (3)
Examines the role of theory in effective communication and information design. Explores theoretical approaches and practices from several disciplines (communication, cognitive science, instructional design). Applies front-end analysis and information design strategies and practices. Students work on communication and design problems from instructional environments, business, or government, and present their findings orally, visually, and in writing.

IDT 507 Information Technologies (3)
Assesses the development and social impact of information and communication technologies. Focuses on emerging technologies of the 21st century and the convergence of traditional with new media. Examines the technical features and characteristics of information and communication technologies, and assesses the evidence for significant social impact associated with their diffusion.

IDT 534 Information Design (3)
Explores the theoretical and practical use of graphics as a form of visual communication. Topics include visual perception and forms, design theory, chart and graph theory, relationships between formatted text and graphics, and color and design concepts. Students will apply theory to the design of visuals in communication.

Core Courses | Research Method Courses | Electives

Research Method Courses

ANT 531 Methods of Research: Ethnographic Data Collection and Analysis (3)
Examines the epistemological presumptions and methodological strictures of field work/participant observation in the anthropological tradition. Compares this to Positivist and Postmodernist approaches. Trains students to use ethnographic methods and compares them with other qualitative methods informed by this perspective (i.e. in-depth interviewing and content analysis) in applied research and practice settings. Evaluates a range of contemporary appropriations of the ethnographic gaze from information systems development to evaluation.

CSC 507 Data Analysis (3)
A survey of research design and data analysis. Focus on the practical issues involved in carrying our research in a variety of settings. Sources of research questions, hypothesis formulation, research designs, strategies to control for extraneous influences, appropriate computerized statistical analyses (descriptive and inferential) drawing appropriate conclusions, and alternate explanations are considered.

SOC 532 Methods of Research: Survey and Experimental Design (3)
Places emphasis on positivist approaches to social research processes in applied settings. Applies hypothesis construction, research design, data collection and data analysis to needs assessment and evaluation requirements of organizations. Utilizes the SPSS to construct and analyze real world databases.

SOC 533 Methods of Research: Statistical Analysis (3)
Reviews casual logic and uses descriptive statistics, cross-tabulation and regression analysis, as well as other relevant inferential statistical techniques, to analyze social data with emphasis upon program outcome and evaluation data. Examines the significance of the requisite assumptions and interpretation of findings for specific statistical techniques. Relies on computer-based analysis using SPSS.

SOC 534 Methods of Research: Qualitative Research Techniques (3)
Explores qualitative research methods including in-depth interviewing, oral history, content analysis, historical research, narrative analysis, visual data, participant observation, case study research, and others within the context of community development. Reviews models and methods of participatory and collaborative research from fields including sociology, geography, planning, natural resources, anthropology, history, community and occupational health, and community, rural and urban development, among others.

Core Courses | Research Method Courses | Electives

Electives

IDT 503 Human Factors in Information Design (3)
Provides students with theoretical frameworks and background needed to analyze the relationship between computer environments and the people who use them. The factors that relate to the design and use of instructional media will be considered. Factors as diverse as ergonomics, software screen design, readability, usability, web testing, and user-centered and contextual analysis will be considered to optimize the effectiveness of information design and instructional media. Students will develop and build an interface designed to carry out a sequence of well-defined tasks based on user/system requirements and project methodology guidelines and research information.

IDT 505 Computing Environments (3)
An introduction to computer operating systems and computer networks for communication specialists. Contemporary operating systems will be examined including installation, the user interface, simple troubleshooting, networking and internetworking. Network design, architectures, administration, and support will be considered within the context of a variety of professional environments.

IDT 531 Technical Editing (3)
Focuses on editing in the context of rhetorical theory, analyzing the strategies and purposes of editing for various documents and audiences. Emphasis falls on the editor as supervisor and manager who must understand the design and production process of complete documents. A major component of the course addresses the skills and issues of editing for on-line communication and publication.

IDT 535 Typographic Design and Communication (3)
Investigates typographic variables and methods of organization. Verbal, visual and vocal message-making is explored through the marriage of meaning and form. This facilitates the development of an aesthetic vocabulary combined with an increased sensitivity to language. Issues of hierarchy, readability, and syntax will be examined through a series of projects. The assignments range from realistic, client-based problems to highly abstract, heuristic exercises.

IDT 536 Graphic Design (3)
An advanced exploration of the theoretical and practical application of consumer, trade and public service graphic design. Students will study the contemporary history and evolution of advertising’s use of graphics as a means of visual communication. Students will create at least seven promotional pieces with emphasis on presentation and professional work. An introduction to the theory of computer-based imaging and the exploration of a variety of hands-on techniques pertaining to design creation, manipulation, and construction. Students should have a general understanding of Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, and Adobe InDesign.

IDT 541 Instructional Design (3)
Students will learn about the fundamentals of instructional design, its variations and impact on learning outcomes. Several contemporary ID models will be examined. Students will ultimately adopt a personal approach to instructional design.

IDT 545 Change Theory and Information Technology (3)
Examines the theoretical framework of change theory and research in various fields and issues facing individuals or institutions engaged in change. Students will discuss the elements of the change process, the roles of participants in the process and implications for change agents or agencies. Students will apply knowledge of diffusion and diffusion research to a planned, ongoing or past diffusion effort, preparing recommendations or post-mortem analysis of the process. Desirability and unintended consequences of innovations will also be discussed. Non-matriculated students need permission of dean to enroll.

IDT 551 Evaluating Technology (3)
Addresses issues that information technology professionals face in selecting technology (both hardware and software) to meet desired goals. Topics include technology classification, evaluation criteria and software and hardware considerations, including the Internet and intranets. Will examine how information is shaped and modified by the technologies that are selected.

IDT 553 Principles of Design for Desktop and Electronic Publishing (3)
An advanced consideration of communication theory as it relates to visual language and the ways designers use and readers process such information. Analyzes the strengths and limits of various media and applies design principles applicable to each medium and to the integration of visuals with language and sound. Students analyze and evaluate selected readings and examples and use publishing techniques to design and produce printed material and they design a Web site.

IDT 554 Advanced Web Development and Design (3)
Considers advanced aspects of web system design and development. Issues covered include server-site application development, client-side application development, and web graphics. The user-machine interaction will be considered with a focus on user interface design principles, guidelines and standards. The advantages and disadvantages of various graphical user interfaces and object-oriented user interfaces will be discussed.

IDT 555 Ethical and Legal Issues of the Information Age (3)
Analyzes ethical and legal issues related to information technologies. Examines the ways that technology challenges traditional ethical and legal concepts and raises old issues in new ways. Topics reflect recent patterns and developments, with particular emphasis on how technological developments shape, and are shaped by, the economic and political structure and organization of communication systems. Examines the role ethical and legal factors play in the day-to-day work of designers, producers and consumers using a series of contemporary issues as case studies.

IDT 585 Seminar in Emerging Information Technologies (3)
Takes an in-depth look at emerging technologies including but not limited to multimedia, distance learning, networking and the Internet. Reviews technical, social, economic and political factors associated with new and emerging information technologies. Examines trends in the development and diffusion of emerging information technologies. Explores, through practical application, use of emerging information technologies in educational settings.

IDT 590 Selected Topics in Information Design and Technology (3)
Provides students with the opportunity to investigate selected topics in information and design technology. Topics will typically illustrate the application of theory and research. Students may receive credit in a future semester for different topic areas.

IDT 591 Independent Study (1-3)

IDT 592 Internship (3)
Application of theory to real-life situations through placement in an appropriate work-related setting. Requires completion of assigned projects under the joint supervision of a faculty member and a professional supervisor. Prerequisite: Faculty will determine on a case-by-case basis if student is adequately prepared for an internship. The student will be required to make a proposal for an internship and IDT faculty will review each request.

IDT 599 Thesis/Project (3)
Students complete as in-depth quantitative or qualitative empirical study of a topic chosen by the student from the area of information design and technology. Students will work individually on projects and will act as a resource for other students working on their thesis, reviewing their work, offering comments and suggestions, and sharing ideas. At the completion of the course, students will present their final paper to the college community. This is a capstone course for students who are close to graduation in Information Design and Technology. Students must have already taken or are currently taking a research methods course. They should take the course after taking all core courses. Permission of the instructor is required for admission to the class.

CMT 600 Continuous Registration (1)
Maintaining continuous registration is a requirement for all graduate degrees. Students who have completed most course requirements but are finishing projects, capstone experiences, thesis or are satisfying Incomplete or In-Progress grades must register to maintain continuous matriculation. Course may be taken up to 6 semesters at which time it is expected that all program requirements will have been met. Credit is not used toward program completion requirements. Only S/U grades are awarded for this course.

Core Courses | Research Method Courses | Electives