Django Takeoff: Developing Modern Applications Course Syllabus

Overview: This hands-on course guides beginners through building and deploying modern web applications with Django. Over approximately 15 hours, you'll progress from setup to a full capstone project, mastering core backend development skills. Each module combines concise theory with interactive coding exercises, culminating in a production-ready application you can showcase. Lifetime access ensures you can revisit concepts anytime.

Module 1: Getting Started with Django

Estimated time: 1.5 hours

• Project setup and directory structure
• Configuring Django settings
• Running the development server
• Exploring the Django admin interface

Module 2: Models and Databases

Estimated time: 2 hours

• Defining models in Django
• Creating and applying migrations
• Model relationships (foreign keys, one-to-one, many-to-many)
• Querying data using Django ORM

Module 3: Views and Templates

Estimated time: 2 hours

• Function-based and class-based views
• URL routing and URL patterns
• Template inheritance and layout structure
• Passing context data to templates

Module 4: Forms and User Input

Estimated time: 1.5 hours

• Creating Django forms
• Using ModelForms for database integration
• Validating user input
• Handling form errors in templates

Module 5: Authentication and Authorization

Estimated time: 2 hours

• Working with Django's User model
• Implementing login and logout workflows
• Managing user permissions and roles
• Using decorators for access control

Module 6: Building REST APIs

Estimated time: 2.5 hours

• Setting up Django REST Framework
• Creating serializers for model data
• Building API views with ViewSets
• Configuring routers for URL endpoints

Module 7: Deployment and Security

Estimated time: 2 hours

• Preparing for production with WSGI/ASGI
• Serving static and media files
• Managing environment variables and secrets
• Securing Django settings and enabling HTTPS

Module 8: Capstone Project – Real-World App

Estimated time: 3 hours

• Designing a blog or e-commerce application
• Integrating models, views, and forms
• Implementing user authentication and APIs
• Deploying the final application

Prerequisites

• Basic understanding of Python programming
• Familiarity with command-line interface
• Knowledge of HTTP fundamentals (recommended)

What You'll Be Able to Do After

• Architect and build full-featured Django web applications
• Design relational databases using Django ORM
• Create dynamic user interfaces with templates and views
• Handle user input securely using Django forms and validation
• Deploy secure, production-ready Django applications