7/28/2019 UTD ATEC 6389 World Building Syllabus
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Course Syllabus Page 1
Cou rse Syllabus : ATEC 6389
Course InformationSpecial Topics: WORLD BUILDING METHODS
(Lab)Course: ATEC 6389.0U1 Day/Time: Thursdays 4:00-8:00 PM Room:
ATEC 1.202Class Blog: utdwor lds .blogs pot.com
Professor Contact Information: [email protected] &
[email protected] L. Brackin, Ph.D - Research Assistant
Professor, ATEC - UTDPhill Johnson, MFA Research Assistant
Professor, ATEC - UTDOFFICE: JO 3.506 (OFFICE PHONE: 972-883-4350)
Alternate: 214-354-6161SUMMER OFFICE HOURS: Daily by
appointment
Course DescriptionThis is intended to be unlike any class you
have ever taken. In the grandest sense, this course willexplore the
interplay of massive IP worlds within the context of a transmedia
environment. Not longago we were spectators, passive consumers of
mass media. Today, we ARE media. Abandoning ourrole as passive
audience members, we approach television shows, movies, even
advertising asinvitations to join in - as experiences to immerse
ourselves in at will. Rethink the ancient art ofnarrative for a two
way world - innovators and story mechanics that are changing how we
play,communicate, and think. From marketing to experimental forms,
transmedia narrative is as surprisingas it is inevitable and we are
the witnesses to the emergence of this new form of storytelling in
whichthe audience becomes the player and if pushed far enough,
author in their own right.
Student Learning Objectives/OutcomesIn simplest terms, however
this class has one primary objective: In groups of 2-3 we will
create ludo-narrative elements, spaces, stories, and so forth
within a cohesive original IP world of your ownmaking. Topics for
discussion will be addressed, but with much group interaction to
facilitate thoughtand discussion on the topics at hand. As a lab
course, much of the class-time will be dedicated toworking on the
group projects. Two presentations will be required, one at the
midpoint and the otheron the last week of class in order to present
the worlds you are developing to your classmates anddemonstrate
your ability to communicate the essence of living breathing massive
worlds within ashort amount of time.
Required Textbooks and Materials(NOTE: The inclusion of these
texts are for reference regarding format and scholarship no
specificreading will be required from them)
Rose, Frank. The Art of Immesion: How the Digital Generation is
Remaking Hollywood, MadisonAvenue, and the Way We Tell Stories
Supplied readings.
(And selected short readings online and given in class as well
as various other selections - TBD.)
STORY
7/28/2019 UTD ATEC 6389 World Building Syllabus
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Course Syllabus Page 2
Course Content, Assignments, & Academic Calendar(Course
requirements or due-dates may be amended or changed; such changes
will be given in writing, with sufficient advance notice for
completion.)
Tentative List of Topics:Week 1 May 30 - [VISUALIZATION AND
WORLDS] Introductions, using description in spaces to create story
places. Worlds,narratives, fictions and meta-fictions via the
quadrant model (push-pull, story-ludic) (AB & PJ) - Case Study:
YogscastWeek 2 June 6 - [NARRATIVE MODE] Structure, Linearity &
Non-linearity; Form via Traditional & Nontraditional
Storytelling(Storytelling as Media, Structure, and Form) (AB)Week 3
June 13 - [FAN WORKS AND LORE] History of fantasy, (Art bible /
lore bible) Lore, Religion, and Mythology; (AB &
PJ) - Case study: Star Wars? (STEAM)Week 4 June 20 - [NEW MEDIA]
4 elements of Transmedia, new-media, & cross-media. Pull Media:
ARGs, chaotic fiction,timewasters, & street games. (AB)
(STEAM)Week 5 June 27 [MIDPOINT PRESENTATIONS] Interactive story
models, advanced non-linear, ergodic, cohesive and non-cohesive
fictive spaces (AB)Week 6 July 4 - NO CLASS: INDEPENDENCE DAYWeek 7
July 11 - Ludic structures, level design, Immersion and
interactivity, playing the story / narrative as VR (PJ) (AB
out)Week 8 July 18 - Historical Perspectives, crafted histories,
cultural artifacts (PJ) (AB out)
Week 9 July 25 - Social and political spaces, civic planning,
technical progression (PJ) (AB out)Week 10 August 1 - Work Day??
(AB & PJ)Week 11 August 8 -Final presentations of world s -
each team is given 45 min utes to sho wcase their world .
*The above is a generalized schedule of topics. I expect that we
will get a little ahead or behind depending on variousfactors and
the depth and complexity of the topics achieved.
Attendance and Grading PolicyStudents mus t be act ive ly enro l
led in or of f ic ia lly audi t ing th is class in order to attend
i t due to UTD pol icy, f ire
cod e, and very real seating restr ict ion s. Students are
generally expected to attend ALL classes unless you have aspecial
circumstance in which case, as a courtesy, please contact BOTH OF
US in advance by email. Late work will bedropped by one letter
grade (10 points) for each week it is late without exception. If
there is a personal scheduling conflict,please turn it in
early.
Daily Class Participation & Attendance ---------------- 20%
of total gradeD1: MIDPOINT Presentation
------------------------------ 15% of total gradeD2: FINAL
Presentation ----------------------------------- 15% of total
gradeD3: THREE PART WORLD BUILDING --------------- 50% of total
grade
This class relies heavily on discussion and class participation,
and a high level of professionalism and good citizenship
isexpected. Attention should be given to the speaker(s) at all
times and respect shown as expected within the universityclassroom
environment. Appropriate multi-tasking is permitted only so long as
it does not interfere with the highexpectations described above.
This DOES NOT include personal use of the lab computers, social
media sites, games, etcunless directly related to instruction at
that moment. Any student who attends all classes, completes all
coursework ontime, and whose deliverables all meet the high
standards expected of a UTD graduate student, will receive an A in
thiscourse.
UT Dallas Syllabus Policies and ProceduresThe information found
at the following link constitutes the University's policies and
proceduressegment of course syllabi. Be aware that all information
contained at this link is considered to be fullya part of this
syllabus herein without exception as if it were printed
below.http://provost.utdallas.edu/syllabus-policies/
SINCE, There is only one majordeliverable for this class
NOTincluding any weekly homework orsmall assignments (which
counttowards the daily participation grade),the two minor
presentations willcomplement your major deliverable.
This class is graded on a standard10 point grading scale for
alldeliverables. Grade weights will bedetermined as follows:
http://provost.utdallas.edu/syllabus-policies/http://provost.utdallas.edu/syllabus-policies/http://provost.utdallas.edu/syllabus-policies/
