Course Syllabus

DCP6931 Interpretive and Graphic Design for Heritage Sites

For questions about course content, your grade, or other personal issues, use the Canvas mail tool.  Expect a response within 24 hours during weekdays.

 

Course Information

Heritage Design Communication is a hands-on, digital public humanities course focused on preservation advocacy. Students learn to translate place-based research into accessible, public-facing stories for diverse audiences, grounded in ethics, rights, and community voice. Centered on the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation’s 2025 “11 to Save,” each student produces two ArcGIS StoryMaps, builds small digital collections, and crafts concise advocacy materials for real stakeholders. Along the way, we practice audience analysis, visual and information design, metadata and provenance, oral history workflows, and responsible use of AI. The semester culminates in a shared StoryMaps Collection that brings together all projects, with students presenting their work to peers and partners.

Canvas

It is your responsibility to regularly check this course’s Canvas site. Course readings, any lecture slides, other materials (e.g., assignment instructions), and important announcements will be provided via Canvas. All work must be submitted via Canvas unless otherwise specified during class. Grades will be posted via Canvas.

In the case you have technical difficulties with Canvas, please contact the UF Help Desk at learning- support@ufl.edu, or (352) 392-4357 - select option 2, or go to the Ground floor of the Hub. If your technical difficulties will cause you to miss a due date, you MUST report the problem to UF Help Desk before the due date/time. Include the ticket number that you are given in an e-mail to the instructor to explain the late assignment due to problem with Canvas.

Types of questions that should be directed to the Help Desk:

• I cannot log into Canvas
• I have clicked on the "submit" button for my assignment and nothing is happening
• I cannot upload an assignment
• Canvas has given me an error message and I cannot submit my assignment.
• Poor internet connections cannot be accommodated with a ticket from the UF Helpdesk.
• The instructor reserves the right to accept or decline tickets from the UF Helpdesk based on individual circumstances.
• An introduction and support for the E-Learning in Canvas system can be found at: https://lss.at.ufl.edu/help/Student_Faq

Assignment Submissions in Canvas

Anytime you submit an assignment, presentation, or homework please name it as follows: mylast-name_myfirstname_assignmentname.docx or .pdf or .pptx. Assignments must be submitted online through Canvas by 11:59pm on the due date as the file type specified. Please note: only the latest attempt will be graded.

Course Requirements

Required textbooks and trips

• There are no required textbooks for this course.
• Course material will be on e-learning/Canvas, including readings, lecture slides, assignments, announcements, and grades.
• The course may include on-campus or local field trips during or outside of class hours. This will be discussed with the class beforehand.

Software Requirements and Access

It is not expected that you purchase programs for this course. Lab time in the classroom will provide access to the Adobe suite. If you require extra time outside of class, you can purchase the discounted subscription or visit the open labs on campus. Additional programs used in this course are free and web-based.

Optional Software

Access to Adobe Creative Cloud Discounted for Students (Adobe offers Creative Cloud for $77 for 6 months for students) To get started, visit: https://software.ufl.edu/software-listings/adobe-discounted-for-students.html

Open Labs on Campus

If at any point you are having issues or need more time with Adobe CC outside of class, you should plan to use the open labs on campus. Issues with programs accessed on your personal computer will not be accepted as an excuse for late or missing assignments. The Adobe Creative CC Suite is on all Academic Technology computers. All computers in the Architecture, Marston, CSE, HUB, Norman, and Weil computer labs are equipped with this software. https://labs.at.ufl.edu/

Materials/Supply Fees

Material and supply fees (M&S) are assessed for certain courses to offset the cost of materials or supply items consumed during instruction. A list of approved courses and fee information is available from the academic departments or the Schedule of Courses (UF-3.0374 Regulations of the University of Florida; Florida Statutes 1009.24). You can find more information at https://registrar.ufl.edu/soc/.

There is no supply fee for this course. 

Course Presentation and Requirements

Course contents are presented in PowerPoint presentations, class discussions, guest speakers, and computer lab training sessions, among others. Course requirements include participation in class discussions and training and the completion of assignments and presentations on time.

Work Product

All work produced in class is property of the University of Florida Historic Preservation Program. The instructor will keep copies of all participants’ work product.

A Note on Team Work

For team assignments, you are expected to abide by the Honor Code, plus conduct yourself in the following manner:

• Be a good team member.
  • Be on time. Be respectful. Be responsive with group communication.
• Participate and contribute equally in each assignment.
  • If there are problems with group dynamics or participation/effort levels, please talk to the instructor.

  

Academic Policies and Resources

The most up-to-date information on University-wide policies can be found here: https://go.ufl.edu/syllabuspolicies

Grading Policy

I will make every effort to have each assignment graded and posted within one week of the due date.  

 

Course Grading Policy

Assignment	Points	Percentage of Final Grade
StoryMap A	200	20%
StoryMap B	120	12%
Airtable collections + metadata	120	12%
TimelineJS	80	8%
Voyant analysis + methods note	60	6%
StoryMaps Briefing	100	10%
Advocacy brief (InDesign, 1-2pages)	120	12%
Collection landing assets + QA	50	5%
Final Presentation	100	10%
Course Contribution	50	5%
Total	1000	100%

 

Grading Scale

Percent	Grade	Grade Points
93 – 100.0	A	4.00
90.0 – 92.9	A-	3.67
87.0 – 89.9	B+	3.33
83.0 – 86.9	B	3.00
80.0 – 82.9	B-	2.67
77.0 – 79.9	C+	2.33
73.0 – 76.9	C	2.00
70.0 – 72.9	C-	1.67
67.0 – 69.9	D+	1.33
63.0 – 66.9	D	1.00
60.0 – 62.9	D-	0.67
0 – 59.9	E	0.00

See the current UF grading policies for more information.

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The syllabus and the details of the course schedule are subject to change as the need arises. All changes will be notified during class times and through email and Canvas announcements.