| During Fall 2006, we have several special topics courses planned for DMAT. Below is a list of the offerings. TC848s are graduate level, however undergraduates will be allowed in as space allows. TC448s are undergraduate level, however graduate students are welcome.
If you are interested in taking one of these special topics courses, please fill out the late application form.
TC448s
TC448 (Section 001): Alternate Reality Games
| Area: |
Games, Interactive Media |
| Instructor: |
Ethan Watrall |
| Credits: |
3 |
| Format: |
Meeting and Production |
| Time: |
Wednesday 12:40pm - 2:30pm |
| Location: |
Room 236 Comm Arts (New DMAT Lab) |
| Description: |
Alternate Reality Games (ARGs) are a new kind of entertainment experience that reach into player's lives using everyday technologies like websites, blogs, email, and mobile devices, blurring the line between the in-game and out-of-game experiences. While Alternate Reality Games started out being used as marketing tools for a products or services, they have evolved into a rich and compelling entertainment environment for telling incredibly engaging and immersive stories.
TC448: Alternate Reality Game Design is a very hands on class that will explore the nature and structure of ARGs (through the study of previous successful ARGs), as well as the production of ARGs. The class will culminate in the production of a professional quality ARG.
Prerequisite: TC346 or significant demonstrated experience with web design and development. |
TC448 (Section 002): Machinima
| Area: |
Film, Games |
| Instructor: |
Ben Medler (with Brian Magerko) |
| Credits: |
3 |
| Format: |
Meetings and Production |
| Time: |
Fridays, from 10:20-12:10 + 1 hour arranged |
| Location: |
Room 242 - PC Lab |
| Description: |
Two things that add time to making a film are setting the scenery and directing actors. What if the scenery was already made for you and the actors were just puppets that did exactly what you told them to do. This is what Machinima gives to a filmmaker. Machinima is a filming technique that uses video game graphic engines to provide the scenery and actors for a film. By capturing the animations of in-game characters a Machinima producer can then add their own sounds and effects to create a unique film experience. This special topics course will allow a group of students to study the techniques of Machinima. Through out the semester students will look at filming and story creation techniques that apply to traditional film, look at how these can correlate to Machinima, and critique current examples of Machinima films. Outside of class students will collaborate, putting forth a large amount of effort to write and produce their very own Machinima.
If you are interested in learning more about this special topics course please contact Ben Medler |
TC448 (Section 003): Making the Independent Film
| Area: |
Film, Video |
| Instructor: |
Robert Albers and Jeff Wray |
| Credits: |
4 |
| Format: |
Meetings and Production |
| Time: |
Monday and Wednesday 10:20am-12:10pm |
| Location: |
Room 134D - DMAT Video Studios |
| Description: |
Creation of an independent Film from idea to distribution. Examines the theory, process, history and aesthetics of independent filmmaking by making a short film. Taught by Jeff Wray of Film Studies, and Bob Albers of Telecommunication, Information Studies, and Media. |
TC848s
TC848 (Section 001): Design of Games for Learning
| Area: |
Games, Interactive Media |
| Instructor: |
Brian Winn |
| Credits: |
3 |
| Format: |
Seminar and Production |
| Time: |
Wednesday 5:00-6:50 + arranged time |
| Location: |
242 Comm Arts |
| Description: |
Through the process of play, we (humans) can learn and problem solve. Further, play invokes powerful emotions in players that provide incentive, motivation, and engagement not found in most other forms of learning. While many prescribe play as solely a childhood activity, it has powerful application for learning well into adulthood. This notion can be found in the recent "serious games" movement.
In this course, students will explore the potential spectrum of games for learning, from mini-games to massively multi-learner simulations to principles for the integration of game-like features into online learning ecologies.
Course objectives include:
- To apply pedagogical principles and research findings to design and evaluation of games, simulations, and other high impact learning objects, including embedding assessment, scaffolding and distributed cognition.
- To accommodate context-appropriate audience characteristics while consider issues such as age, gender, digital divide, and accessibility considerations.
- To explore different approaches to designing elements of gaming in interactive learning experiences.
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TC848 (Section 002): Designing Experience: Experimental Physical Interfaces
| Area: |
Games, Interactive Media |
| Instructor: |
Dan Marsh (danielmarsh@gmail.com) |
| Credits: |
3 |
| Format: |
Seminar and Production |
| Time: |
Wednesday 12:40-3:30 |
| Location: |
242 Comm Arts |
| Description: |
This course involves a rigorous, hands-on approach to developing a thorough understanding of interaction design as it applies to physical and computational media. Through building and prototyping alternative computer interfaces, students are introduced to a core set of methodologies and technologies for developing projects. From basic electronics and programming to installation, lessons encourage students to break comfort zones and practice through experimentation. Core topics include digital and analog input and output for desktop computers as well as simple sketching and fabrication strategies. Creative work is complemented with readings and discussion surrounding the design of experience. (Please email instructor for an override).)
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