User-centered design approaches are concerned with how designers (of texts, websites, and other technologies) understand and design for their readers. These approaches give us important tools in investigating audiences and their activities -- but they also lead us to understand audiences in certain ways, opening some lines of inquiry while shutting others.
In this class, we will learn about some of the major approaches to audience analysis used in user-centered design approaches, including participatory design and contextual design. We will examine and critique the rhetorical assumptions of these major movements, including how they position their audiences. We will use participatory design techniques to investigate a particular audience and to design prototypes and specifications for a web application meant for that audience. And we will use these experiences to reflect on the rhetorical implications of user-centered design approaches.
Instructor: Clay Spinuzzi, clay.spinuzzi@mail.utexas.edu
Hours: TR 12:30-2 or by appointment
Texts:
Class location and hours: FAC 9, TR 2-3:30
RHE 330c/TLC 331 will meet in a computer lab. You will be expected to use the following programs:
Many of these programs are available in a variety of labs across campus, as well as our classroom. You will be expected to spend out-of-class time learning to use these programs, if necessary. Although it is beyond the scope of this class to teach you these programs, I will be happy to provide help and will spend time in class helping you to become familiar with them. You may also check out the free short courses provided by ITS Training Services.
Since we meet in a computer lab, students will be asked to use computers frequently. But students will need to adhere to certain guidelines in addition to the university's code of computer conduct:
If you violate these guidelines, you may be asked to leave the classroom and your participation grade may be negatively affected
Each component of each project is worth a certain percentage of points. See the table below for the overall project breakdown.
Here is a list of assignments, their percentages, and due dates.
Project |
Percentage |
Date |
|
10% |
||
|
Project 1: Preliminary investigation of existing website, uses, and users (4pp report) |
15% |
2/13 |
|
Project 2: Developing and administering an organizational game (6pp report plus collateral materials) |
20% |
3/25 |
Project 3: Developing and administering prototypes (5pp report plus collateral materials) |
25% |
4/17 |
|
Project 4: Detailed report of specifications for the web application (5pp report) |
30% |
5/1 |
|
Total |
100% |
|
|
|
|
|
You are allowed five unexcused absences. The sixth absence will cause you to fail the course. Excused absences include religious holidays, family emergencies, and illnesses. If you need an absence to be excused, contact me before the absence or as soon as possible afterwards with appropriate documentation.
You will get half credit for classes in which you attend only partially. For instance, if you come to class late or leave early, I'll count it as half an absence unless you have cleared it with me beforehand.
Hand in each project by the beginning of the class period that it is due. If a project is late, I will lower it one letter grade for each class day that it is late. Short, out-of-class assignments are not accepted late. You can not make up in-class work.
Grades will be computed on a 4-point scale: A=4.0, A-=3.7, B+=3.3, . . .
F=0.
Students who violate University rules on scholastic dishonesty are subject to disciplinary penalties, including the possibility of failure in the course and/or dismissal from the university. Since such dishonesty harms the individual, all students, and the integrity of the University, policies on scholastic dishonesty will be strictly enforced. For further information, please visit the Student Judicial Services website.
Here's what you can do to cover yourself against plaigiarism or collusion:
The University of Texas at Austin provides upon request appropriate academic accommodations for qualified students with disabilities. To determine if you qualify, please contact the Dean of Students at 512.471.6259; 512.471.4641 TTY; or <http://www.utexas.edu/depts/dos/ssd>. If they certify your needs, I will work with you to make appropriate arrangements.
Copyright 2003 Clay Spinuzzi, clay.spinuzzi@mail.utexas.edu.