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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "CW/DMA 360"
COURSE NAME: "Creative Writing Workshop: Videogames"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Summer Session I 2016
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Mike Treanor
EMAIL: [email protected]
 HOURS: MTWTH 2:00PM 3:45PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES: Prerequisite: EN 110 with a grade of C or above
OFFICE HOURS: TBD
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course will serve as a primary introduction to the art and craft of interactive storytelling and narrative design for video games. Students will gain an intimate understanding of the challenges and  demands that come with writing for what many consider to be the most complex and collaborative medium of our time.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

Writing for Video Games is a design focused course that explores how interactivity intersects with narrative. Ranging from artificial intelligence systems that author textual works to playable storyworlds, this course covers the range of techniques and technologies around interactive narratives. Topics include interactive drama, hypertext, interactive fiction, narratives embedded in games, authoring systems, and artificial intelligence-based story generation. These concepts are explored through readings, assignments, and project work.


This course will challenge students to engage with video games, not as fans, but as scholars striving to understand how interactivity and authored narrative intersect to create the unique narratives found in games. This will involve analyzing and engaging in creative writing as well as recognizing and experimenting with the technologies that support interactive narrative. While no computer programming experience is expected, students will be expected to learn a number of complicated tools.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Students will gain an intimate understanding of the challenges and  demands that come with writing for what many consider to be the most complex and collaborative medium of our time.
TEXTBOOK:
NONE
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
RPG Town World Building 10
Twine Game (Hypertext Fiction) 10
IF (Interactive Fiction) 10
Procedural Rhetoric (simple arcade game) 10
Final Project 30
Game Narrative Analysis Presentation 15
Engagement and Attendance 15

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
AWork of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensive knowledge of relevant information or content. This type of work demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory and has an element of novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required for the cours
BThis is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised.There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluatetheory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture andreference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments.
CThis is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.
DThis level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material.Important information is omitted and irrelevant points included.In effect, the student has barely done enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail.
FThis work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant.
-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS AND EXAMINATION POLICY
You cannot make-up a major exam (midterm or final) without the permission of the Dean’s Office. The Dean’s Office will grant such permission only when the absence was caused by a serious impediment, such as a documented illness, hospitalization or death in the immediate family (in which you must attend the funeral) or other situations of similar gravity. Absences due to other meaningful conflicts, such as job interviews, family celebrations, travel difficulties, student misunderstandings or personal convenience, will not be excused. Students who will be absent from a major exam must notify the Dean’s Office prior to that exam. Absences from class due to the observance of a religious holiday will normally be excused. Individual students who will have to miss class to observe a religious holiday should notify the instructor by the end of the Add/Drop period to make prior arrangements for making up any work that will be missed.

You are required to come to all class sessions. If you must miss class, you need to arrange for someone to catch you up. If it is noticed that you are missing too many classes, your grade will suffer.
ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred. In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment, may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation to the President, who will make the final decision.
STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap. Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.
SCHEDULE

Week 1: Interactivity and Narrative

Reading:

  • TBD

Playing:

  • TBD

Tools:

  • TBD

Project:

  • “World Building: Design a Town”

Week 2: Hypertext Fiction

Read:

  • TBD

Play:

  • TBD

Tools:

  • Twine

Project:

  • A game using the Twine tool

Week 3: Interactive Fiction

Read:

  • TBD

Play:

  • TBD

Tools:

  • Inform 7

Project:

  • An IF using Inform 7

Week 4: Game

Read:

  • TBD

Play:

  • TBD

Tools:

  • Construct 2

Project:

  • A simple arcade style game that employs procedural rhetoric

Week 5: Final Workshops

Read:

  • TBD

Play:

  • TBD

Project:

  • Final Project Presentation