Improving TheHub

Improving TheHub is a Cognitive Science class taught by Chris Perry and Jeff Butera.

This course requires prerequisites. This course requires instructor permission.

Course Description
TheHub is a critical online tool supporting the academic program at Hampshire. Not only is it the primary mechanism by which our Divisional contracts and narrative evaluations are created, edited, and shared, but it is also where important aspects of registration and advising take place. Despite its ubiquity and importance, however, TheHub can be frustrating for many to use. This course seeks to improve TheHub through a unique collaboration between students, faculty, and staff. In addition to learning how TheHub is currently implemented, students will be tasked to identify areas of TheHub most in need of improvement and to propose, design, implement, and test new interfaces for these areas. Ideal candidates for this one-of-a-kind course will have a background in design (color theory, graphic design, HTML, studio arts, etc.) or programming (PHP, Perl, AJAX, Javascript, etc.) or both. For programmers, concurrent enrollment in CS 272 (Advanced Web Design) will satisfy the programming pre-requisites for this course. Prospective students should bring a current resume and a portfolio of their relevant work to Professor Perry no later than the first class meeting.

Policies in Regards to Illness, Epidemic, or Pandemic
This course will run regardless of an H1N1 pandemic. Where possible, assignments will be deliverable electronically and options for online critique and feedback will be provided.

If you have a fever, please stay home and take good care of yourself.

If you cannot meet the class deadlines due to a documented illness, you will be given extra time to make up assignments. This time is to be negotiated directly with Professor Perry. We will determine a route that will allow you to finish the course during the semester or with a very brief extension. Be prepared to use the week after classes end (exam week at the other colleges) for make-up work.

Texts
Cooper, Alan. The Inmates Are Running The Asylum. Indianapolis: Sams, 2004. ISBN 0672316498

Class Members

 * Tamar Braun (in-between)
 * Jeff Butera (programming)
 * Dillon Compton (programming)
 * Aaron Engelman (design)
 * Madeleine Hahn (design)
 * Patricia Hernandez-Ramos (design)
 * Rob Liota (programming)
 * Ian McEwen (programming/in-between)
 * Molly McLeod (design)
 * Chris Perry (design)
 * Parimal Satyal (in-between)
 * Evan Silberman (programming)
 * Arielle Soutar (in-between)
 * Bobbie Stuart (central records)
 * David Warshow (programming)
 * Nicholas (from Amherst) (programming)