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Course Overview

Welcome to CS 397, Human-Computer Interaction!

Catalog Description: Human-computer interaction (HCI) is a discipline concerned with the design, evaluation and implementation of interactive computing systems for human use. Beyond computer programming and design principles, HCI requires knowledge of applied psychology and organizational and social issues. Students will learn the fundamental concepts of human-computer interaction and user-centered design thinking. Students will also work on a research or development project to deepen their understanding of HCI issues.

Topics covered include

Structure
Classroom work will consist of lecture and discussion. Written work will consist of homework and programming assignments, readings, one exam, and a significant project.

Objectives
After taking this course, you should be able to

Instructional Staff

Sara Sprenkle
Office: Parmly Hall 410
Office Hours: TR (F) and by appointment
E-mail Address:
Phone Number: (540) 458-8309 (it is better to email me than to call)

Course Information

CS 397, Section 01
Lecture: MWF 1:25-2:20 p.m.

Textbook

Course Policies

Student Responsibilities

Instructor Responsibilities
I will try to make this course and its material as exciting for you as it is for me. I will be respectful of student questions and misunderstandings. I will give prompt, constructive feedback from assignments. I will be available during office hours and by appointment. I will do my best to respond to questions via email within 24 hours.

Honor System
You may discuss individual programming assignments informally with other students. However, sharing a solution, in the form of experimental results or the design or implementation of a program, is an honor violation. Students should know where to draw the line between getting legitimate outside assistance with course material and outright cheating. Students who obtain too much assistance without learning the material ultimately cheat themselves the most. If you have any uncertainty about what this means, consult with me before you collaborate. All written assignments should be done individually.

Participation and attendance
To receive full credit for class participation and attendance, you must have less than three unexcused absences from class and you must be actively engaged in the classroom by answering and asking questions each class when appropriate and by being respectful of other students. The average grade for participation is a B-.

The schedule, including important dates, is posted at the beginning of the semester. You should plan accordingly. If there are acceptable conflicts, tell me at the beginning of the semester and then remind me about a week in advance.

General grading policies
Programs turned in with syntax errors will receive no credit. "Roll back" your program (using version control management software) into a state where it does not have syntax errors.

Late policy
All assigned work is due on the date specified. Any assignment turned in after the due date/time but on the same day will be penalized 10%. Any assignment turned in after the day on which it is due will be paenalized an additional 10% for each late day. No assignment will be accepted that is more than three school days late. If you turn an assignment in late, you must indicate this somehow (in comments, on paper, etc.).

Grading

Grades for the course will be computed as follows:

Extra Credit Opportunity

Attend a Computer Science Lecture at VMI. Then, send me an email with the title of the talk, the name of the presenter, and three interesting things you learned.