MGD 167

COURSE SYLLABUS

3.	RECOMMENDED SUPPLIES:	Since projects can exceed 1 Megabyte in size, students in the past have found that floppy disks are insufficient and annoying. Especially students who have the software at home. The leading alternatives to floppy disks are “Jump Drives” sometimes called “Thumb Drives.” These external media fit into any computer’s USB ports and can hold between 64MB and 512MB. They are typically priced around $40, and can be used for multiple classes at once. It is also recommended that students either have Flash MX at home, or take advantage of PCC open lab time
	TEXT:	Teach Yourself Visually Flash Macromedia Flash MX Author: Maran, Ruth ISBN: 0-7645-3361-3
	REQUIRED SUPPLIES:	1 Three ring binder
4.	COURSE DESCRIPTION:	Introduces students to the principles of designing and constructing digital video games.
5.	COURSE GOAL:	This course is an introduction to the principles of game design with special emphasis on the uses of different media in design and implementation.
6.	COURSE SOFTWARE:	Macromedia Flash MX and/or Macromedia Flash MX 2004

7.	GAME DESIGN OBJECTIVES:
	By the end of the course, students will
	(A)	Define and utilize the terms and methods used in game design.
	(B)	Identify and compile a variety of media forms for use in game design.
	(C)	Describe and utilize the various formats and tools necessary for development and production.
	(D)	Identify, define and adjust any problems encountered in the Pre-production process.
8.	SOFTWARE OBJECTIVES:
	By the end of the course, students will
	(A)	Complete lessons on manipulating Objects.
	(B)	Identify modifiers for Text, Symbols, and Layers.
	(C)	Apply knowledge of Layers into projects.
	(D)	Create and arrange Scenes using several animation techniques
	(E)	Critically analyze the final designs in terms of aesthetics and functionality.

9.	EVALUATION PROCEDURES:
		Grading Scale Raw Score Range	Letter Grade
		90 to 100	A
		80 to 89	B
		70 to 79	C
		60 to 69	D
		0 to 59	F

Special Remarks:
1.	Attendance: College policy states that students may be dropped from enrollment when absent 20% of the scheduled class meetings. If enrolled from the beginning of the term, 15 hours will usually constitute 20% of a four-credit semester course which meets five hours per week. Reinstatement procedures are described in the PCC catalog.
2.	Tardy Policy: A student who is late three times (enters classroom after the instructor has taken roll) will be charged with one full absence unless the student can provide valid reasons for one or more of these tardies.
3.	Assignments/Missed Exams: It is the student's responsibility, whether present or absent, to obtain all material presented and to complete all course assignments. If prior arrangements are made or extenuating circumstances exist, makeup of tests may be allowed. Late homework papers will not be accepted unless those same extenuating circumstances exist. Makeup of quizzes is to be at the instructor's discretion.
4.	Procedure for Late Work: Unless stated otherwise by the instructor, Homework Assignments and Flash Labs will be accepted 1 class period late with a 10% penalty, and 2 class periods late for a 50% penalty. Late work will not be accepted any later than this. Some assignments (including the final project) cannot be turned in late.

10.	COURSE OUTLINE
	Tentative Schedule
	I.	Tools for development - Macromedia Flash MX
		A. Learning fundamentals of software
		B. Graphic Design and Manipulation C. Animating, Layering and Importing & Exporting
	II.	Researching Design Documents
		A. Creating a Game Treatment
		B. Researching Games

	III.	Level Generation
		A. Discovering a Level Generator
		B. Understanding XML
		C. World Building

	IV.	Intermediate Development Techniques - Macromedia Flash MX
		A. Managing the Timeline, Multiple Layers, and the Symbol Library
		B. Importing Sound and Graphics C. Adding Basic Interaction to Multiple Scenes within a Project
	V.	Conceptualizing Your Game
		A. Customizing Treatments for Flash MX
		B. Character Sketches, Flowercharts and Listing Scenes
		C. Issues in Game Design Theory, Project Scope

	VI.	Constructing Your Video Game
		A. Organizing Scenes B. User Interactivity C. Creation of Final Intactive Video Game

11.	METHODS OF INSTRUCTION:
	To be successful in this course, students are expected to participate in discussions, readings, in-class writing, and peer review activities. The instructor may assign point values to such activities.
12.	ACADEMIC INTEGRITY:
	The very nature of higher education requires that students adhere to accepted standards of academic integrity. Therefore, Pueblo Community College has adopted a policy of academic conduct as described in the Student Handbook. Violation of academic integrity may be defined to include the following: cheating, plagiarism, falsification and fabrication, abuse of academic materials, complicity in academic dishonesty, and personal misrepresentation. It is the student’s responsibility to be aware of the behaviors that constitute academic dishonesty. Sanctions for violating the standards of academic integrity may include warning, probation, suspension, and/or failure of the course or assignment at the discretion of the instructor.
13.	ADA NOTICE:
	Students who have a documented disability may be eligible to receive accommodations for this class. Please contact the Disability Resources Center at 549-3446 for further information.