Creating a comprehensive Django curriculum requires a structured approach to ensure learners build foundational knowledge before tackling advanced
topics. Below
is a step-by-step curriculum organized into 12 modules, each focusing on key concepts with hands-on projects and resources.
Django Framework Curriculum
Prerequisite: Basic Python knowledge (data structures, OOP, modules, and packages).
Module 1: Introduction to Django
Week 1: Setup & Core Concepts
Install Python and set up a virtual environment.
Install Django and create your first project.
Understand the Django project structure: settings.py , urls.py , wsgi.py , etc.
Create your first app and explore the app structure ( models.py , views.py , admin.py ).
Project: Build a "Hello World" app with a basic view and URL mapping.
Module 2: Models & Databases
Week 2: Django ORM
Define models (fields, relationships: ForeignKey , ManyToManyField ).
Run migrations and use the Django shell to interact with the database.
Basic CRUD operations using Django ORM.
Project: Create a simple blog with Post and Comment models.
Module 3: Views & Templates
Week 3: Function-Based Views (FBVs)
Create views to render data.
URL routing with urls.py .
Use Django templates for dynamic HTML (template tags, filters, inheritance).
Serve static files (CSS, JS) and media uploads.
Project: Add a blog homepage displaying posts.
Module 4: Forms & User Input
Week 4: Handling Data
Create forms using django.forms .
Validate data and handle form submissions.
Use ModelForm for model-backed forms.
Project: Add a form to create/edit blog posts.
Module 5: Authentication & Authorization
Week 5: User Management
Implement login, logout, and registration with Django’s built-in auth system.
Restrict views with decorators (e.g., @login_required ).
Customize user models (e.g., add profile fields).
Project: Add user accounts to the blog.
Module 6: Django Admin
Week 6: Admin Customization
Register models in the admin panel.
Customize admin interfaces (list displays, search, filters).
Add permissions and user roles.
Project: Customize the blog’s admin panel.
Module 7: Class-Based Views (CBVs)
Week 7: Advanced Views
Convert FBVs to CBVs (e.g., ListView , DetailView , CreateView ).
Use mixins for reusable logic.
Project: Refactor blog views using CBVs.
Module 8: Testing & Debugging
Week 8: Ensure Code Quality
Write unit tests with Django’s TestCase .
Use the Django debug toolbar.
Test forms, models, and views.
Project: Add tests to the blog app.
Module 9: REST APIs with Django REST Framework (DRF)
Week 9: API Development
Create serializers and viewsets.
Use DRF’s ModelViewSet and routers.
Add token-based authentication.
Project: Build a REST API for the blog.
Module 10: Deployment & Production
Week 10: Go Live
Configure production settings (DEBUG=False, ALLOWED_HOSTS).
Serve static files with WhiteNoise.
Deploy to Heroku/AWS/PythonAnywhere.
Project: Deploy the blog to a cloud platform.
Module 11: Advanced Topics
Week 11: Optimization & Scaling
Database optimization ( select_related , prefetch_related ).
Add caching with Django’s cache framework.
Use Celery + Redis for async tasks.
Project: Add caching to the blog’s homepage.
Module 12: Security & Best Practices
Week 12: Secure Your App
Prevent common vulnerabilities (XSS, CSRF, SQL injection).
Use HTTPS and secure cookies.
Follow Django’s deployment checklist.
Project: Audit and secure the blog app.
Final Projects
E-commerce Platform: Include product catalog, cart, and payment integration.
Social Media App: User profiles, posts, comments, and real-time updates with Django Channels.
Portfolio Website: Showcase projects with a blog and contact form.
Resources
Official Docs: Django Documentation
Books: Two Scoops of Django, Django for Beginners
Courses: Coursera’s Web Applications for Everybody , MDN Django Tutorial
Community: Django Forum, Stack Overflow, Django Girls.
Tips for Success
Build projects incrementally; start small and add complexity.
Read and contribute to open-source Django projects.
Stay updated with Django releases (e.g., async support in Django 4.x).
This curriculum balances theory and practice, ensuring learners can confidently build and deploy robust Django applications.
