CONTENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS

3 CREDIT HOURS

Purpose:
In a rapidly changing world, the need for content managers to keep up with the
needs and expectations of their site visitors is imperative. Today many publishers
use content management systems (CMS) to constantly update web pages and
properties with fresh content to engage web visitors. This course is designed to
manage a CMS site, or a section within one, to explore the use of web based content
management systems such as Drupal, WordPress, Joomla and others. Participants
learn the fundamentals of planning and coordinating a content calendar, using CMS,
publishing a mix of value driven digital content, implementing SEO best practices,
and integration with social media and internet marketing efforts.
.
Expected Learning Outcomes:
At the end of the course students should be able to:

Understand the difference between a CMS website, a static website, and

websites using other server-side technologies.

Understand the benefits of working with a server-side database and the power
it brings to creating and managing websites.

Understanding the role of content management technologies to acquire,

organize and present web content.

Understanding and exploring methods, tools and applications for content

management.

Understanding the knowledge cycle: acquisition, storing, application and

maintenance

Understanding key terms about semantic web, knowledge management and

content management technologies

Compare and contrast the three most popular open source CMS.

Create and deploy websites using CMS, including creating and editing
content, adding functionality, and creating custom templates and themes

Course Content:
The course provides both a survey of the currently most used content
management systems but also in-depth hands-on experience with one of the
most used environments (Joomla). The course provides the basics related to
content management and knowledge management on the web, and guides in
creating a personal web development project in an area of interest covering mostly
the design and content authoring but also installation and maintenance aspects.
Modes of Delivery

Lectures, tutorials, group discussion and group projects operation of applied

software packages, readings, and software demonstrations.
Instructional materials/Equipment:
Handouts, chalkboard, LCD projectors, computers and relevant software packages
Course Assessment:
Student performance
Continuous assessment tests (class assignments, group and individual research,
presentations, practical exercises), and end of trimester examinations. At least one
of the continuous assessment tests will be a research paper.
Academic Staff Performance
Student evaluation, HOD evaluation, self-evaluation, peer evaluation, informal
feedback from students
Textbooks and journals for the course
1. Hackos, Joann T (2002). Content Management for Dynamic Web Delivery.
New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons.
2. Mauthe, Andreas and Thomas, Peter (2004). Professional Content
Management Systems: Handling digital media assets. Chichester, UK: John
Wiley & Sons.
3. HTML and CSS Web Standards Solutions [electronic resource] : A Web
Standardized Approach / by Christopher Murphy, Nicklas Persson.
4. Joomla! 3 Beginner's Guide- A clear, hands-on guide to creating perfect
content managed websites with the free Joomla! CMS