Human-Computer Interaction Course Combines Theory and Practice

Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) is a multidisciplinary field situated at the intersection of computer science, design, and behavioral sciences among other areas of study.

As a student in the Special Topics course Applying Human-Computer Interaction Methods to Design for Societal Impact (CSC 395) you’ll explore the design and use of computer technology with a focus on the interfaces between people and topics computers. You’ll combine theory and practice while designing and evaluating systems to ensure they are successful, safe, helpful, and functional.

“HCI skills are essential in all product or system development phases,” says Priscilla Jimenez, assistant professor of computer science. “It’s applications, as technology, are seen in different domains and contexts. I think it is important for Grinnell students to get exposure to the variety of domains and applications so they can think about how to apply their computer science skills to serve their diverse interests.”

Special Topics courses such as this are offered each semester at Grinnell and cover a wide range of subjects based on timeliness, interest, and other factors. While the subject matter may change in a Special Topics course, this is a prime example of some the opportunities you’ll have access to in your studies at Grinnell.

In this course you’ll become familiar with the fundamental concepts of human-computer interaction; work collaboratively on designing, developing, and evaluating software artifacts to serve personal or community needs; and conduct research and present your findings.

Students in the HCI seminar have worked on projects like creating a website with digital resources to teach entrepreneurship to low-income woman in developing countries, and they became acquainted with applied research works that directly impact society by exploring things like digital games for children in rural areas, technology to support farmers or global development organizations, climate change applications, technology to support the visually impaired, and more.

Through the exploration of how humans interact with computers and the study of design technologies that allow humans and computers to interact in novel ways, you’ll gain increased awareness of human capabilities and limitations. You’ll develop a greater understanding of usability and accessibility guidelines, iterative design, contextual inquiry, task analysis, prototyping, and evaluation and gain the skills you need to continually adapt and stay current in an ever-evolving technological society.