Syllabus

Course Info

Professor: Dr Eren Gultepe
Class Times: MW, 3:00 pm - 4:15 pm
Lecture Location: Engineering Building 0140

Office Hours: Immediately after lecture or by appointment
Office: EB 3071
Email: egultep@siue.edu
Phone: (618) 650-2389

Course Description

This course provides an introduction to human-computer interaction and the design process. Students will learn methods and skills for designing and prototyping interactive systems. The course covers a design process from the initial formulation of a design problem to creation of digital prototypes. The course is mainly organized around a group project.

Course Objectives

The following are the key objectives of this course:

Process-Focused Perspective on Interaction Design
Design Research Methods and Skills
Task-Focused Scenario Development, Sketching, and Storyboarding
Rapid Prototyping and Iteration
Critical Perspective on Design Solutions

Assessment Criteria

The total grade is broken-down as:

Group Project (60%): 4 main components
- Part 1: Project Proposal (5pts)
- Part 2: Getting the Right Design (20pts)
- Part 3: Getting the Design Right (20pts)
- Part 4: Communicating the Design (15pts)
Homework (15%): 3 reading assignments
Final Exam (25%)

Grading Scale

The grading scale for the course is:

A ≥ 90%; B ≥ 80%; C ≥ 70%; D ≥ 60%

However, the actual cutoffs may vary slightly depending on the overall class performance.

Topics Covered

History and State of the Art in HCI
Designing Critique
Design of Everyday Things
Design Process
User Research
Human Performance
Personas
Task Analysis
Scenarios and Storyboarding
Paper Prototyping
Usability Testing
Heuristic Evaluation
Digital Mockups
Statistical Analysis

Late or missed assignments/exams

No makeup exams or assignments will be given. If you miss an exam or assignment, there must be documentation in writing, provided to me or to the department administrative assistant. I will still review whether you have exercised due diligence. Otherwise, you will receive 0 points for the missed exam or assignment.

References and Textbooks

For this course, there are two main references for which we will use as a primary source for our reading homeworks and as a reference for HCI topics covered in lectures:

For most, if not all, topics covered in this course, relevent information can be from these two websites.

Due to the everchanging nature of HCI, there is no required textbook for the course. However, the following is a recommended (i.e., not necessary to own or purchase) textbook that can be used as general reference for this course:

Rogers, Y., Sharp, H., Preece, J. (2019). Interaction Design: Beyond Human-Computer Interaction (5th ed.). West Sussex, UK: Wiley.

This textbook will not be used to assign homework.

Academic Honesty

Plagiarism is the use of another person’s words or ideas without crediting that person. Plagiarism and cheating will not be tolerated and may lead to failure on an assignment, in the class, or dismissal from the University, per the SIUE academic dishonesty policy. Students are responsible for complying with University policies about academic honesty as stated in the University’s Student Academic Conduct Code.

Academic Integrity

Students are reminded that the expectations and academic standards outlined in the Student Academic Code (3C2) apply to all courses, field experiences and educational experiences at the University, regardless of modality or location. The full text of the policy can be found here: Student Academic Code.

Diversity and Inclusion

SIUE is committed to respecting everyone’s dignity at all times. In order to learn, exchange ideas, and support one another, our virtual and physical classrooms must be places where students and teachers feel safe and supported. Systems of oppression permeate our institutions and our classrooms. All students and faculty have the responsibility to co-create a classroom that affirms inclusion, equity, and social justice, where racism, sexism, classism, ableism, heterosexism, xenophobia, and other social pathologies are not tolerated. Violations of this policy will be enforced in line with the SIUE Student Conduct Code.

The Hub is an excellent resource for students for support and community. Any person who believes they have experienced or witnessed discrimination or harassment can contact Ms. Jamie Ball, Director in the Office of Equal Opportunity, Access and Title IX Coordination at (618) 650-2333 or jball@siue.edu. There is also an online form for reporting bias incidents here.

Recordings of Class Content

Faculty recordings of lectures and/or other course materials are meant to facilitate student learning and to help facilitate a student catching up who has missed class due to illness. As such, students are reminded that the recording, as well as replicating or sharing of any course content and/or course materials without the express permission of the instructor of record, is not permitted, and may be considered a violation of the University’s Student Conduct Code (3C1), linked here: Student Conduct Code.

Accessibility or Accommodations

Students needing accommodations because of medical diagnosis or major life impairment will need to register with Accessible Campus Community & Equitable Student Support (ACCESS) and complete an intake process before accommodations will be given. Students who believe they have a diagnosis, but do not have documentation, should contact ACCESS for assistance and/or appropriate referral. The ACCESS office is located in the Student Success Center, Room 1203. You can also reach the office by emailing us at myaccess@siue.edu or by calling (618) 650-3726. For more information on policies, procedures, or necessary forms, please visit the ACCESS website at www.siue.edu/access.

If you feel you would need additional help in the event of an emergency situation, please notify your instructor to be shown the evacuation route and discuss specific needs for assistance.

COVID-19 Policies

The following docunment contains SIUE’s current policies regarding classroom instruction: SIUE COVID Policies PDF
Further information regarding SIUE’s COVID policies can be found here: Policies & Procedures
SIUE follows the CDC’s COVID guidelines for isolation and precautions. They can be found here.

Absences

Throughout the semester, all lectures slides, course assignments, and due dates will be posted on the course website. Also, all relevant course communications will be made through email and Blackboard announcements. Thus, no recordings or Zoom links of the lectures will be provided since all relevant course material will be available online.

The course is designed around the group project (see Assessment Criteria). In the second week of the semester, you will be put into your course project groups (consisting of four members). With your group members, you will work closely for the rest semester.

For any short unplanned absences, with my guidance to help balance the circumstances regarding the absence, the group members will be a vaulable resource (e.g., for obtaining any class notes or work load management of project components). This will ensure a students’ continued progress in the course.

In case of accommodations requested by the ACCESS office for medical diagonsis or major life impairment, the student’s absence will be accomadated on a case-by-case basis. Please see Accessibility or Accommodations)

At the discretion of the instructor, all material, assignments, and deadlines are subject to change with prior notice. It is your responsibility to stay in touch with your instructor, review the course site regularly, or communicate with other students, to adjust as needed if assignments or due dates change.