Theory & Practice of Multimedia Production
Spring, 2013

CAP 3020
Syllabus

 

Catalog Description

Combines the traditional media production pipeline and software engineering processes to synthesize an approach geared for the production of works incorporating both artistic and computational elements.

Course Overview

This course shall focus on the theory and practice of multimedia production with an emphasis on the production of interactive software. The the core of this course is a full-semester team project, that we will very loosely term a "game" (for we are not limiting ourselves to producing "traditional" computer games, although that is certainly an option).

Teams shall propose and (once approved by the instructor) develop a full-semester interactive multimedia project that integrates visual, acoustic, and narrative elements. The teams shepherd their project idea through the production pipeline — from sketch and preliminary design to final implementation, testing, and postmortem. Individual students are equally responsible for contributing to both the artistic and programmatic elements of their team's project and are expected to fully participate in all aspects of the production life-cycle. The instructor provides continuing oversight and guidance — ensuring that the teams stay on track and assist in resolving technical challenges.

Classes shall meet in both a traditional classroom setting (for relevant lectures, discussions, and quizzes) as well as a computer lab (enabling the instructor to observe and guide the teams through the development process).

Objectives

By the end of the term, the successful student will have developed skills and attitudes that foster creativity and innovation. Students shall be able to:

Instructional staff

Name E-mail Office Office Hours Phone
Dave Small dts@cise.ufl.edu CSE E422 --tba-- 450-3423

Homepage

http://www.cise.ufl.edu/~dts/cap3020/

Prerequisites

CAP 3027

Required textbook(s)

Term project

Last day of class

Monday, 4/22

Philosophy and policy

Read the Course Policies page!

About the readings

Readings will be assigned from the required texts, eBooks via the UF library's access to Books24x7, and the internet. All assigned readings are fair game for the quizzes. You are expected to read items in a timely manner — "the site was down/busy when I tried to access it before class today" isn't an acceptable excuse.

Important: Books24x7

There is a limit to how many people from UF can simultaneously connect to Books24x7: be sure to logout when you aren't actively reading by clicking LOG OUT (top left menubar item) and closing the browser window.

Accessing Books24x7

Just clicking on the link to the reading assignment won't work. You must go through a three step process:

  1. You must be recognized as being from UF—there are two ways you can do this:
  2. Goto the UF Books24x7 site
  3. Click the link to Game Development and Production

Final grades

I do not give grades: students earn their grades. Your final grade will be based on the number of grade points you have accumulated at the end of the semester. The grading scale will be no harsher than 100-92 = A, 91-89 = A-, 88-86 = B+, 85-82 = B, 81-79 = B-, 78-76 = C+, 76-72 = C, 71-69 = C-, 68-66 = D+, 65-62 = D, 61-59 = D-, 58-0 = E. During the semester you will accumulate points in categories weighted as follows:

25% participation/preparedness
75% term project

It is your responsibility to earn the grade you desire.

Note: completion of the ungraded biosketch and post-mortem assignments is required to pass the course.

Term project: self & peer assessment is required

The term group project is the major component of this course. You will be required to objectively evaluate the performance of all team members, including yourself. Peer evaluations will be factored into the grading.

Notice required by the University Curriculum Committee

“A C- will not be a qualifying grade for critical tracking courses. In order to graduate, students must have an overall GPA and an upper-division GPA of 2.0 or better (C or better). Note: a C- average is equivalent to a GPA of 1.67, and therefore, it does not satisfy this graduation requirement. For more information on grades and grading policies, please visit: http://www.registrar.ufl.edu/catalog/policies/regulationgrades.html

Academic dishonesty

ACADEMIC DISHONESTY WILL NOT BE TOLERATED. Unless otherwise explicitly stated, assignments are individual projects. You are expected to do your own work; individuals who misrepresent work as being their own, submit fabricated data, or otherwise engage in anti-intellectual behavior will be dealt with severely and reported to the Office for Student Judicial Affairs. You may freely use any code presented in the textbook, provided by your instructor, or authored by yourself. You are prohibited from using code from any other source without written permission from the instructor. Remember, sharing your work with another student is a violation of the honor code. For more information, consult the Dean of Students Academic Honesty - Student Guide.

Comments

My goal is simple: to help you learn — both inside and outside the classroom. If you have questions, there is no excuse for not getting help. The TAs, consultants, and I all hold office hours just for the purpose of helping you, either one-on-one or in small groups. No matter how busy we may look, during office hours, you have priority over everything else. If you have a problem or question, come by and we'll talk about it — don't put it off.

Modifications

This document is subject to revision as needed. All modifications will be noted in this section.

Things the college/university wants stated verbatim


19. This statement must be included in every grade scale on syllabi:

“A C- will not be a qualifying grade for critical tracking courses. In
order to graduate, students must have an overall GPA and an
upper-division GPA of 2.0 or better (C or better). Note: a C- average
is equivalent to a GPA of 1.67, and therefore, it does not satisfy
this graduation requirement. For more information on grades and
grading policies, please visit:
http://www.registrar.ufl.edu/catalog/policies/regulationgrades.html”

20. Honesty Policy – All students admitted to the University of
Florida have signed a statement of academic honesty committing
themselves to be honest in all academic work and understanding that
failure to comply with this commitment will result in disciplinary
action. This statement is a reminder to uphold your obligation as a UF
student and to be honest in all work submitted and exams taken in this
course and all others.

21. Accommodation for Students with Disabilities – Students Requesting
classroom accommodation must first register with the Dean of Students
Office. That office will provide the student with documentation that
he/she must provide to the course instructor when requesting
accommodation.

22. UF Counseling Services – Resources are available on-campus for
students having personal problems or lacking clear career and academic
goals. The resources include:
- University Counseling Center, 301 Peabody Hall, 392-1575, Personal
  and Career Counseling.
- SHCC mental Health, Student Health Care Center, 392-1171, Personal
  and Counseling.
- Center for Sexual Assault/Abuse Recovery and Education (CARE),
  Student Health Care Center, 392-1161, sexual assault counseling.
- Career Resource Center, Reitz Union, 392-1601, career development
  assistance and counseling.

23. Software Use – All faculty, staff and student of the University
are required and expected to obey the laws and legal agreements
governing software use. Failure to do so can lead to monetary damages
and/or criminal penalties for the individual violator. Because such
violations are also against University policies and rules,
disciplinary action will be taken as appropriate. We, the members of
the University of Florida community, pledge to uphold ourselves and
our peers to the highest standards of honesty and integrity.

Note:  Statements in items 19-23, should be included as is.
This website is an original work, Copyright © 2013 by Dave Small. All rights reserved.