I think the issue is how to approach these subjects at a graduate level. Graduate studies are meant to be much more in depth and research-oriented than undergraduate studies, and are often preparatory for PhD studies. Courses at this level should address more the why of things than the how - unless this is meant to be a practical master's degree in which case I would question the purpose of offering it at a graduate level unless it will be highly specialised. An MA should look at the theories behind the web, web technologies, web design, etc as well as concrete issues in the web today and have students engage with those theories and issues through research to try to find better solutions to problems.
A suggestion would be to offer courses in how to conduct research related to web design issues - for example, a course in designing, implementing and evaluating usability and accessibility tests. Is this going to be a thesis-based program, or a project-oriented program? I believe MAs in the UK are the opposite of those in Canada, which are by thesis. This would also affect the orientation of the program and its courses. You should probably seek feedback from people who have actually undertaken post-graduate studies in related fields. Those with bachelor degrees or no tertiary education will have a poor idea of what graduate studies are about. Jason On Thu, Jun 12, 2008 at 10:40 PM, Joseph Ortenzi <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > I agree TW. > A good course teaches you to fish, to borrow from the ancient adage. > therefore html 4/5 is a non-issue. > > Therefore any current course would include the complete understanding of > BOTH current and emerging standards and any good student and practitioner > will constantly be remaining aware of progress. > > As for web _design_, this ALREADY includes: information architecture, > wireframing, user-centred design research and implementation, prototyping > accessibility and usability, as well as colour, layout, aesthetics..... > > design is not just appearance, it is also engineering, architecture and > usability. > > > On Jun 12, 2008, at 11:10, Theresa Weber wrote: > > I disagree - all knowledge that you learn in a course becomes outdated > but you gain skills that allow you to continue to learn. Learning how to > write valid and accessible HTML is a skill that can be taught and the > graduate will then continue to improve and upgrade those skills as newer > standards standards are released. > > I liked the list that Andreas suggested. > > ------------------------------ > *From:* [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]<[EMAIL PROTECTED]>] > *On Behalf Of *James Jeffery > *Sent:* Thursday, 12 June 2008 5:30 PM > *To:* wsg@webstandardsgroup.org > *Subject:* Re: [WSG] MA in web development > > Personally I would see a course in Web Design pointless. > > I am doing Computer Science, but with Computer Science the foundations tend > to rarley change. If you set up a Masters in Web Design it's likley it would > become invalid after a while, especially when HTML 5 and CSS 3 replace the > current HTML and CSS. > > If it's purley in design then it should cover usability, accessiblity, > aesthetics, design blah blah. The stuff that is unlikley to change. > > Personally though I would focus on Computer Science and if i wanted to be > good at design take up a course in Art or Graphic Design. At least that way > you can use your skills more widely. > > James > > On Thu, Jun 12, 2008 at 7:48 AM, Kevin Lennon < > [EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > >> aboehmer wrote: >> >> It could contain a pile of subjects, depending on how far you want to take >> it. Here just some ideas: >> >> HTML/CSS >> Multimedia (Video, Flash, Podcasts, etc) >> Basics in Programming (PHP/VB, etc) >> Usability >> Accessibility >> Search Engine Optimisation >> Basics in Graphic Design (Photoshop, Illustrator, etc) >> Introduction to Networks/Hosting environments >> >> You could even chuck in some electives of Business subjects. Masters >> students would probably want to get their head around Project Management as >> well...? >> >> Hope this helps. >> >> Andreas. >> >> >> -----Original message----- >> From: "Jason Grant" [EMAIL PROTECTED] >> Date: Thu, 12 Jun 2008 09:30:36 +1000 >> To: wsg wsg@webstandardsgroup.org >> Subject: [WSG] MA in web development >> >> >> >> Hello everyone, >> >> Last night a proposal has been hinted at me to put together an MA course in >> web development for a UK University. That's all I have been told so far. >> >> I was wondering what people were feeling such a course ought to contain. >> >> I have my views of course, but would not like to influence the feedback at >> this point. >> >> All suggestions are very much appreciated. >> >> Regards, >> >> Jason Grantwww.flexewebs.com/semantix >> >> >> ************************************************************ >> ******* >> List Guidelines: http://webstandardsgroup.org/mail/guidelines.cfm >> Unsubscribe: http://webstandardsgroup.org/join/unsubscribe.cfm >> Help: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >> ******************************************************************* >> >> >> >> Andreas Boehmer >> User Experience Consultant >> >> Addictive Media >> Phone: (03) 9386 8907 >> Mobile: 0411 097 038http://www.addictivemedia.com.au >> Consulting | Accessibility | Usability | Development >> >> >> >> ************************************************************ >> ******* >> List Guidelines: http://webstandardsgroup.org/mail/guidelines.cfm >> Unsubscribe: http://webstandardsgroup.org/join/unsubscribe.cfm >> Help: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >> ******************************************************************* >> >> >> >> >> >> I am currently enrolled in a Web Design and Interactive Media BS degree >> program. I have been teaching myself for almost 4 years at home intensively >> prior to going into this venture. I have to say that is offering this degree >> is teaching its students many things that are not compliant with the >> international standards in general. >> >> The fact of the matter is that I believe that the entire school is in it >> for the money more thne teaching the students the right and professional >> way to be a web designer and developer. As far as curriculum goes be sure >> they teach the standards or dont get involved at all.First off. Secondly I >> would suggest that you include a few server side programming languages like >> PHP and JSP. Be sure to also cover in depth DBMS as well. >> >> Other universities such as the University of Scranton offer MS degrees in >> Software Engineering which you may get some ideas from as well. >> >> http://academic.scranton.edu/department/gradsch/gsofteng.htm >> >> Hope that helps. I know after reading that I have decided to quit my >> current college and go to the University of Scranton as I believe I will >> actually learn things there unlike at my current accredited college. >> >> ******************************************************************* >> List Guidelines: http://webstandardsgroup.org/mail/guidelines.cfm >> Unsubscribe: http://webstandardsgroup.org/join/unsubscribe.cfm >> Help: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >> ******************************************************************* >> > > > ******************************************************************* > List Guidelines: http://webstandardsgroup.org/mail/guidelines.cfm > Unsubscribe: http://webstandardsgroup.org/join/unsubscribe.cfm > Help: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > ******************************************************************* > > ******************************************************************* > List Guidelines: http://webstandardsgroup.org/mail/guidelines.cfm > Unsubscribe: http://webstandardsgroup.org/join/unsubscribe.cfm > Help: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > ******************************************************************* > > > ========== > Joe Ortenzi > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > > > ******************************************************************* > > List Guidelines: http://webstandardsgroup.org/mail/guidelines.cfm > Unsubscribe: http://webstandardsgroup.org/join/unsubscribe.cfm > Help: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > ******************************************************************* > ******************************************************************* List Guidelines: http://webstandardsgroup.org/mail/guidelines.cfm Unsubscribe: http://webstandardsgroup.org/join/unsubscribe.cfm Help: [EMAIL PROTECTED] *******************************************************************
