Human-Computer Interaction Syllabus [Work in progress]

Description: this course offers a broad introduction to Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) - a discipline concerned with design, evaluation, and implementation of computer systems for human use. Course materials will cover key theories and concepts through topics such as information visualization, social media, collective intelligence, value-sensitive design, affective computing, security interactions, and more.

Supporting books for this course:

With thanks to:

Course objectives

Students in this 14-week course will:

  • Learn fundamental principles of human-computer interaction and design, especially the ability to empathize and advocate for user needs
  • Practice applying HCI theory and principles to create interfaces
  • Practice using common metrics and methods to evaluate interfaces
  • Practice collaborating effectively in HCI-related projects
  • Practice communicating with other stakeholders in projects related to human-computer interaction and design
  • in-progress

Foundations of HCI (Part 1 of 3)

Week 1: Introduction and Key Definitions

  • What is a computer?
  • What is a human?
  • What is interaction?
  • What is an affordance?

Week 2: Guiding Theories

Week 3: The Graphical User Interface

  • in-progress

Week 4: Ethics and Values in HCI

Design and Evaluation in HCI (Part 2 of 3)

Week 5: Designing Systems

  • in-progress

Week 6: Evaluating Systems

  • in-progress

Week 7: Practice, Catch Up, and Halfway Check-in

  • in-progress

Applied HCI (Part 3 of 3)

Weeks 8-9: Information Visualization (2 weeks)

Week 10: Designing for Accessibility

  • in-progress

Week 11: Security Interactions

  • in-progress

Week 12: Social Media

  • in-progress

Week 13: Collective Intelligence

  • in-progress

Conclusion

Week 14: The Future of HCI and Design