CSC 495 Course Syllabus
CSC 495 – Computational Visual Narrative
Section 008
Spring 2020
3 Credit Hours
Course Description
Learning Outcomes
- Describe and apply the vocabulary of narrative features
- Critique multi-modal media artifacts in terms of their narrative structure, communicative power, and aesthetic expression
- Develop data structures and algorithms for representing narrative information
- Develop effective narrative visualizations for storytelling
- Create graphical visual stories using modern game engines
- work on interdisciplinary teams to develop a series of projects centered on digital-humanities-based storytelling, interactive media artmaking, computational cinematics or computer game development.
Course Structure
The course will be largely run as a working studio course. Lectures will involve a combination of tutorials on visual design, programming on game engines, and project critiques. Check the schedule of activities provided on the course page at the beginning of the semester.
Instructors
Email: ahjhala@ncsu.edu
Web Page: http://go.ncsu.edu/vnpc2020
Phone: 8313324680
Office Location: Venture 4, 402
Office Hours: Via Google Calendar
Course Meetings
Practicum
Time: 1:30 – 2:45
Campus: Centennial
Location: Venture 4, 4th Floor, Games and Visual Narrative Classroom
This meeting is required.
Course Materials
Textbooks
None.
Expenses
None.
Materials
None.
Requisites and Restrictions
Prerequisites
None.
Co-requisites
None.
Restrictions
None.
General Education Program (GEP) Information
GEP Category
This course does not fulfill a General Education Program category.
GEP Co-requisites
This course does not fulfill a General Education Program co-requisite.
Transportation
This course will not require students to provide their own transportation. Non-scheduled class time for field trips or out-of-class activities is NOT required for this class.
Safety & Risk Assumptions
None.
Grading
Grade Components
| Component | Weight | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Mini-Project 1 | 15% | Pachinko/Pinball game |
| Mini-Project 2 | 15% | Machinima movie |
| Final Project: Speculative Past/Speculative Future | 50% | Draft proposal — Storyboard, Concept, Text (5%)
Final proposal (5%) 3 Milestones (5% each) Final project including executable/code/demo/presentation/final design/reflection (25%) |
| Participation | 10% | Attendance/Engagement/in-class Discussion |
| Tutorials/Workshops | 10% | Assigned Unity tutorials and participation in programming workshops |
Letter Grades
This Course uses the Following (Non-Standard) Letter Grading Scale:
| ≤ | A+ | ≤ | ||
| ≤ | A | < | ||
| ≤ | A- | < | ||
| ≤ | B+ | < | ||
| ≤ | B | < | ||
| ≤ | B- | < | ||
| ≤ | C+ | < | ||
| ≤ | C | < | ||
| ≤ | C- | < | ||
| ≤ | D+ | < | ||
| ≤ | D | < | ||
| ≤ | D- | < | ||
| ≤ | F | < |
Requirements for Credit-Only (S/U) Grading
In order to receive a grade of S, students are required to take all exams and quizzes, complete all assignments, and earn a grade of C- or better. Conversion from letter grading to credit only (S/U) grading is subject to university deadlines. Refer to the Registration and Records calendar for deadlines related to grading. For more details refer to http://policies.ncsu.edu/regulation/reg-02-20-15.
Requirements for Auditors (AU)
Information about and requirements for auditing a course can be found at http://policies.ncsu.edu/regulation/reg-02-20-04.
Policies on Incomplete Grades
If an extended deadline is not authorized by the instructor or department, an unfinished incomplete grade will automatically change to an F after either (a) the end of the next regular semester in which the student is enrolled (not including summer sessions), or (b) the end of 12 months if the student is not enrolled, whichever is shorter. Incompletes that change to F will count as an attempted course on transcripts. The burden of fulfilling an incomplete grade is the responsibility of the student. The university policy on incomplete grades is located at http://policies.ncsu.edu/regulation/reg-02-50-3.
Late Assignments
No late assignments will be accepted unless they are for officially university excused absence with proper supporting documentation. This includes team participation.
Attendance Policy
For complete attendance and excused absence policies, please see http://policies.ncsu.edu/regulation/reg-02-20-03
Attendance Policy
Attendance will contribute toward participation grade.
Absences Policy
Only absences with prior instructor approval or with appropriate documentation in case of authorized university absence.
Makeup Work Policy
None. Due to a big portion of class grade depending on teamwork there will not be any make ups for missed work.
Additional Excuses Policy
None.
Academic Integrity
Academic Integrity
Students are required to comply with the university policy on academic integrity found in the Code of Student Conduct found at http://policies.ncsu.edu/policy/pol-11-35-01
None.
Academic Honesty
See http://policies.ncsu.edu/policy/pol-11-35-01 for a detailed explanation of academic honesty.
None.
Honor Pledge
Your signature on any test or assignment indicates “I have neither given nor received unauthorized aid on this test or assignment.”
Electronically-Hosted Course Components
Students may be required to disclose personally identifiable information to other students in the course, via electronic tools like email or web-postings, where relevant to the course. Examples include online discussions of class topics, and posting of student coursework. All students are expected to respect the privacy of each other by not sharing or using such information outside the course.
Electronically-hosted Components: Communication between students within teams and with the teaching staff will be through email and via Slack.
Accommodations for Disabilities
Reasonable accommodations will be made for students with verifiable disabilities. In order to take advantage of available accommodations, students must register with the Disability Resource Office at Holmes Hall, Suite 304, Campus Box 7509, 919-515-7653. For more information on NC State’s policy on working with students with disabilities, please see the Academic Accommodations for Students with Disabilities Regulation (REG02.20.01) (https://policies.ncsu.edu/regulation/reg-02-20-01/).
Non-Discrimination Policy
NC State provides equal opportunity and affirmative action efforts, and prohibits all forms of unlawful discrimination, harassment, and retaliation (“Prohibited Conduct”) that are based upon a person’s race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age (40 or older), disability, gender identity, genetic information, sexual orientation, or veteran status (individually and collectively, “Protected Status”). Additional information as to each Protected Status is included in NCSU REG 04.25.02 (Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation Complaint Procedure). NC State’s policies and regulations covering discrimination, harassment, and retaliation may be accessed at http://policies.ncsu.edu/policy/pol-04-25-05 or https://oied.ncsu.edu/divweb/. Any person who feels that he or she has been the subject of prohibited discrimination, harassment, or retaliation should contact the Office for Equal Opportunity (OEO) at 919-515-3148.
Course Schedule
NOTE: The course schedule is subject to change.
Practicum MW 1:30 – 2:45 — Schedule on course website — 01/06/2020 – 04/24/2020
Detailed schedule is available through the course website:
http://go.ncsu.edu/vnpc2020