Syllabus

=**__Fall 2010 Syllabus__**=

=Lehigh Carbon Community College= = CIS 114 = = Introduction to Game Design - Syllabus=


 * ===Professor’s Name: === || Professor Steven Weitz ||
 * ===Course Title and Number: === ||< CIS 114 – Intro to Game Design ||
 * ===Catalog Description: === ||< This course is a survey on the origins and progression of the video game field, from its humble beginnings to its current status as multi-billion dollar industry. In addition to learning about the origins of the electronic games, students will analyze games and game-play elements, examine genres and trends in games, and formulate their own proposal for an original game. The course will also give students hands-on experience with many games from earlier eras, and will encourage students to discuss the current state of the video game industry, as well as possible future developments. ||
 * ===Semester: === ||< Fall 2010 ||
 * ===Office Location: === ||< Technology Center Room 223 ||
 * ===Phone Number: === ||< 610-799-1077 ||
 * ===E-Mail Address: === ||< sweitz@lccc.edu - **PREFERRED METHOD OF CONTACT** ||
 * ===Office Hours: === ||< **Tuesday – 12:30PM-1:30PM**
 * 5:00PM - 5:30PM**


 * Thursday - 12:00PM - 1:30PM**
 * 5:00PM-5:30PM**


 * NOTE:** This semester I will be off-campus more than usual due to an NSF grant funding the development of a new Gaming and Simulation degree. **__STUDENTS CAN STILL REACH ME VIA THE EMAIL ADDRESS LISTED ABOVE.__**

In addition to my office hours, I am available at certain other times by __appointment only__ to meet with students. This is ONLY if my office hours are not convenient. You may contact me to make arrangements. ||
 * ===Required Text and Other Materials: ===

||< __The Ultimate History of Video Games__, by Steven L. Kent Three Rivers Press – ISBN#: 978-0761-53643-7

__Challenges for Game Designers: Non-Digital Exercises for Video Game Designers__, by Brenda Brathwaite and Ian Schreiber Cengage Learning - ISBN#: 978-1-58459-580-8

Access to the internet for online discussions, and a regularly checked email address for site announcements. ||
 * ===Course Learning Outcomes/Objectives: === ||< Upon completion of this course the student will demonstrate the ability to:


 * •** Compare historical events/periods with types of games played in that time.


 * •** Explain various recurring strategy elements common to all game-play.

• Describe various video game platforms.


 * •** Recognize and the basic types and genres of games and classify games accordingly.


 * •** Demonstrate a working knowledge of game history, identifying and relating the history of a game to its development.

2. Participate cooperatively within a team. ||
 * •** Critically evaluate a game based on historical importance, effectiveness of strategy, genre, and game theory ||
 *  ===General Education Goals Addressed in the Course: === ||< 1. To develop the ability to communicate effectively through reading, listening, speaking and writing.
 * ===Course Standards: === ||< **__Assignments:__**

All assignments will be due on time, within 10 minutes of the start of the class when the assignment is due. __Unles otherwise specified__, after this 10-minute grace period, the assignment will be considered 1 day late. It is at my discretion whether an assignment will be accepted late. If a student is permitted to submit their assignment late their grade for that assignment will be affected as follows:


 * •** 1 day late: 10 points deducted from assignment grade.
 * •** 2 days late: 20 points deducted from assignment grade.
 * •** 3 days late: 30 points deducted from assignment grade.
 * •** More than 3 days late: assignments will not be accepted and the student will receive a 0 for that assignment.


 * __Class Participation:__**

Class participation is required of all students. The more participation, the more fun the class becomes! Student’s class participation will be noted, and taken into consideration for the final grade. In addition to class participation, students will receive a separate grade for participation in online discussions and accessing online materials.


 * __Online Material:__**

Class notes, assignments, and other materials will be placed online for students to access. Students are **REQUIRED** to access the online material for this class in order to read posted articles and participate in discussions. Students are highly encouraged to post links to articles that they find related to this course, as well as start discussions of their own.

Participation in the online section of this course WILL count towards a student’s final grade.

The web-address for this class is: introtogamedesign.wikispaces.com

Students will have to become members of this Wiki to access the class content and to earn credit towards the participation grade. As the Wiki administrator, I have the right to approve or disapprove of all requests. I will approve all requests from students in this class, however, I reserve the right to remove any student if he or she is causing a disruption on the web site.

When creating a user name for Wikispaces, and thus the class site, it would be preferable for students to choose a user-name that reflects their real name. Regardless of the user-name chosen, however, it is required that the student send me an email with their chosen user-name, as well as their real name, so that I know who is who on the Wikispace site. ||
 * ===Attendance Policy: === ||< The student is expected to attend every class. If you must be absent, it is **__required__** that you email me to let me know (preferred), or call and leave me a message on my voice mail, otherwise the absence will be unexcused. Three unexcused absences and the student will either be withdrawn or failed, at my option. Repeated, successive absences will also result in a non-attendance failure, as dictated by LCCC school policy.

If a student is absent, it is the responsibility of the student to make up any missed work or assignments, get any notes, and to be prepared for any announced exams or assignments.

If a student misses a testing class for any reason, or is not in class on the day an assignment is due, the student will **not** be given a make up exam, the assignment will **not** be accepted, and **the student will be assigned a grade of “0” for the missed test or assignment**. The only exception to this rule is if PRIOR arrangements have been made with me, or if a student faces a sudden and dehabilitating illness or accident. Any student who experiences a sudden illnesses or accident must supply a doctor's note, police report, or other relevant proof that such an event did occur. Any grade of “0” resulting from unexcused absences on a test or assignment day will not be dropped, and will be averaged in with the other test and assignment grades to define the final grade for the student (as described below under Student Evaluation). || B - 80-89 C - 70-79 D - 65-69 F - Below 65
 * ===Grading Scale: === ||< A - 90-100


 * Withdrawal (W)** - A withdrawal will only be given if the student FORMALLY withdraws from the class, otherwise the student will receive their combined average of any work/tests turned in and work/tests missing for the entire semester. (Missing work/tests will count as a 0.)


 * Withdrawal (Y)** - If a student is failing at the time of Withdrawal, they will receive a "Y" grade, rather than a W. The "Y" grade will not affect a student's GPA, but will appear on their transcripts. Determining between a W or Y grade is at my discretion.


 * Non-Attendance Grade (T)** - According to LCCC policy, if a student misses 3 or more consecutive classes, they will be given a "T" grade, and removed from the class.


 * Incomplete (I)** - Incomplete grades may be granted if an issue prevents a student from finishing the final 20% of the semester. Incompletes are given at my discretion, under valid circumstances. All work must be finished by the 9th week of teh following semester, or the "I" grade will become an F. ||
 * ===Outline: === ||< # I. Gaming History
 * 1) A. Introduction to Gaming
 * 2) B. Origins and Evolution of Gaming
 * 3) C. Gaming Genres
 * 4) Action
 * 5) Adventure
 * 6) Simulation
 * 7) Role-Playing
 * 8) Strategy
 * 9) Puzzle
 * 10) War-Games
 * 11) Sport
 * 12) D. Video Game Platforms
 * 13) E. Technology
 * 14) Processing Hardware
 * 15) Input Hardware
 * 16) Graphics
 * 17) II. Gaming Culture
 * 18) A. Military Gaming and Simulation
 * 19) B. Gender
 * 20) C. Player Communities
 * 21) D. Violence and Subversion
 * 22) III. Game Theory
 * 23) A. Introduction to Game Development
 * 24) B. Basic Elements of Game Production
 * 25) C. Game-Play
 * 26) D. Narrative
 * 27) IV. Game Development
 * 28) A. Brainstorming
 * 29) B. Establishing Focus
 * 30) C. Creating a Storyline
 * 31) D. Determining Game-Play Methods
 * 32) E. Proposals
 * 33) F. Play-Testing
 * 34) V. Game Production
 * 35) A. Market Factors
 * 36) B. International Audiences (USA, Europe, Japan, Korea, etc.)
 * 37) C. Targeting an Audience


 * NOTE: This outline describes what will be covered in this class. It is NOT a definitive class schedule. The contents of the outline are subject to change depending on the circumstances and needs of the class.** ||
 * ===<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 80%; text-align: left;">Statement of Plagiarism: === ||< Students should refer to page 8 of the student handbook and review the Academic Honesty Policy.

Plagiarism is defined as the intentional copying of another’s work, and the false representation of another’s work as your own. It will not be tolerated under any circumstances, and will be the cause for immediate expulsion from the class, with the student receiving a grade of an F for their final grade. ||
 * ===<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 80%; text-align: left;">Campus Resources and Services: === ||< Tutoring services are available via the Educational Support Center, located at SH 150. This tutoring is a free service provided to all students of Lehigh Carbon Community College. You may contact the Educational Support Center at 610-799-1156 for further information. ||
 * ===<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 80%; text-align: left;">Statement about Civility: === ||< **•** While gaming consoles and devices will be used during some class discussions, the use of PERSONAL devices, such as cell phones, beepers, electronic games, and other electronic gadgets is strictly prohibited in this class. All cell phones and beepers should be turned off prior to entering class. If an electronic device disrupts the class, it will be confiscated and returned to the student at the end of class; or if the problem is persistent, at the end of the semester.

If there is an unusual circumstance that necessitates the need for a beeper or cell phone to be active during class time, you will need to notify me prior to class and special consideration will be given.

• Students will be expected to be ready and on time for class.
 * •** If a student is more than 5 minutes late, the student will be marked as late. Be sure to leave enough time to drive safely to class and allow for inclement weather conditions, so as to not be late. Three latenesses will count as one absence; therefore nine latenesses will be cause for the immediate withdrawal or failure of the student, at my option.
 * •** Disruptive, disrespectful, and otherwise inappropriate behavior will not be tolerated, and will be the cause for the immediate removal, and expulsion, of the student from the class.
 * •** When in a computer lab, students will follow all posted lab rules, as well as all lab rules stated by a figure in authority. If a student is caught not following the lab rules, that student will be warned once. The second offense will result in the immediate expulsion of the student from the class. In addition to any posted or stated rules, students should adhere to the following:


 * __LAB / CLASS RULES__**


 * •** There will be no food and / or drinks allowed near computers or gaming devices.
 * •** No software is allowed to be altered, loaded or removed from any of the computers, unless specifically instructed.
 * •** No settings are to be changed on the computers for any reason without the express permission of the instructor.
 * •** Computers are to be used exclusively for work assigned by the instructor. Any other use will not be tolerated.
 * •** College equipment will be treated with respect at all times.


 * Gaming devices will be treated with respect at all times. There will be no hitting, throwing, etc. of game controllers or other pieces of a gaming device. Remember: many of the gaming devices demonstrated in class are older than you are, meaning they may be fragile and potentially very difficult to replace.**


 * IF GAMING DEVICES ARE NOT TREATED PROPERLY, THEY WILL NO LONGER BE BROUGHT INTO CLASS!** ||
 * ===<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 80%; text-align: left;">Evaluation of Student: === ||< The course will consist of history and theory based lectures and discussions. Students will be assessed for mastery of course material through written tests, research papers, and group projects.

Your final grade will be determined based on of all of your tests, involvement with online materials, as well as your research paper and group project. Extra credit or special assignments are not to be expected, and will only be given at my discretion. Tests and other assignments will be announced at least one class day in advance.

The **Online Component** of this class will count as **10% of your final grade**.

The **Research Paper** will count as **30% of your final grade**.

The **Group Projects** will count as **30% of your final grade**.

The **Written Tests** will count as the remaining **30% of your final grade**.

Class participation will also be considered when determining your final grade, and could easily affect students with borderline grades.

Completing the absolute minimum requirements of any assignment will never earn a student an “A” grade, and will more likely result in a “C” (average) or “B” (above average). “A” grades are reserved for assignments that are exceptional, going above and beyond requirements and showing a higher level of dedication and hard work from the student.


 * There will be no bargaining for grades. The grade you earn is the grade you will receive.** ||
 * ===<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 80%; text-align: left;">Disabilities Statement: === ||< If there is any student in this class who has special needs because of learning and/or other types of disabilities, please meet with me as soon as possible, in order to discuss any special arrangements that you may require. You may also wish to contact and arrange a meeting with the Office of Disability Support Services, at 610-799-2121. ||
 * ===<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 80%; text-align: left;">Disclaimer: === ||< The schedule and procedures described in this course outline are subject to change depending upon the needs of the class. ||