Human-Computer Interaction

Informatics 231B

Course Overview	[top]

With the emergence of the "personal computing" paradigm in the 1970s, computers moved out of the machine room and became devices with which end-users would interact directly. The field of HCI grew up in response to the engineering and cognitive challenges of building systems that fit with user needs. The field of HCI has broadened considerably since then, reflecting the influence of new disciplines (e.g. sociology, anthropology, cultural studies, communication, design) and the emergence of new areas of interest (e.g. physical and tangible computing, mobile and ubiquitous systems).

In previous years, we have taught a single graduate HCI class. We found, though, that there are two broad constituencies for this class -- those who wish to understand design fundamentals and methods that they can apply in their own work (at UCI or beyond), and those who intend to conduct doctoral research in HCI. Accordingly, this year, we have split the class into 231A, for people with a practical interest, and 231B, for people with a theoretical interest.

In this class, we will examine current research issues in Human-Computer Interaction, largely through reading current research papers. A familiarity with the basic topics and techniques of HCI will be assumed. You will also undertake a research project connected to a topic of the class, which will be the primary basis for evaluation. The class is organized with two primary goals. The first is to make students familiar with the current range of problems and questions being addressed in HCI research. The second is to look at how HCI research proceeds -- how HCI approaches its topic and how HCI research is conducted.

Grades will be based on participation in online and in-class discussion, and on a quarter-long project to be conducted in groups of two or three.

Instructor	[top]

• Office: Donald Bren Hall, 5072
• Phone: 949-824-1483
• Email: gillianrh [at] ics [dot] uci [dot] edu
• Office Hours: TBD or by appointment