Where is communication in web development?: And why is web development in communication?

Abstract

Due to the unique history of web development, related training is scattered throughout the university. As the profession's requirements have become increasingly complex and interdisciplinary, however, it is unlikely that students in any unit attain professional-level skills. For these reasons, more work is needed to usefully articulate the relationship between web development topics and core disciplinary theories and perspectives. This report focuses on web development in communication programs. Pointing specifically to the growing prominence of JavaScript frameworks such as React and of the role of the full-stack developer, I raise concerns related to agency and the extent to which communication students can contribute to shaping online content and suggest that a focus on document genres and content modeling might usefully bridge the core concerns of communication scholars with the professional activities of web developers.