Introduction to Game Design Syllabus for 2016-2017
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Course Information

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Administrative Drop Policy

Students who do not attend class on or prior to the census date will be administratively dropped. Effective Fall, 2016

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Course

GAME-1303-001 Introduction to Game Design

Prerequisites

Course Description

Introduction to electronic game development and game development careers. Includes examination of history and philosophy of games, the game production process, employee factors for success in the field and current issues and practices in the game development industry.

Student Resources Student Resources Website

Department Expectations

Occupational License Disclaimer

Hours

(3 sem hrs; 2 lec, 3 lab)

Class Type

Hybrid

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Fundamentals of Game Design, 3^rd Ed

ISBN-10: 0-321-92967-5

Supplies

You will need, in addition to your text books:

• Your Amarillo College Student ID (printed since 2015)
• A USB Flash Drive or equivalent storage

Student Performance

This course is an introduction to Game Design, a theoretical and applied approached to designing a video game.   At the end of the semester, students should:

• have an understanding of the factors involved in game development from business and process-level perspectives
• have created a Game Design Document for an original game

Students Rights and Responsibilities

Student Rights and Responsibilities

Log in using the AC Connect Portal

In order to receive your AC Connect Email, you must log in through AC Connect at https://acconnect.actx.edu .

If you are an active staff or faculty member according to Human Resources, use "Exchange". All other students, use "AC Connect (Google) Email".

Expected Student Behavior

Attendance will be taken for each class period.  The CIS Departmental Attendance policy is as follows:

1.     Classes meet for 150 minutes per week in a regular semester.  After 150 minutes of absences for any reason, one point will be deducted from the semester average for each additional 50 minute absence.  There are no excused absences.  Two tardies equal one absence.  If you leave class while class is being conducted, it will count as a tardy.  If you are more than 10 minutes late, it will be counted as an absence.  (Day and evening classes)

2.     If you miss a lecture or lab period, it is your responsibility to determine what you have missed and take appropriate measures.  DO NOT assume that the instructor will have materials handed out in your absence with him/her at the next class meeting.  It is your responsibility to check with the instructor after class to correct an “absence” to a “late” if you enter the class after role has been taken and you were less than 10 minutes late.  It is also your responsibility to drop the course if you cannot meet course expectations.

3.     All exams musts be taken in the classroom under the supervision of the instructor.  The instructor will set the time for the exam.  Make-up exams will be taken in the presence of the instructor or in the testing lab.  An exam may be taken only one time.

4.     Students are expected to maintain a high standard of individual honor in their scholastic work.  Students who are guilty of cheating, plagiarism, copying, or dishonesty may be excluded from class with a grade of F; or, in flagrant cases, may be suspended from the College.  The faculty of the CIS Department reserves the right to ask a student to verify any portion of a test by reproducing any specific section or the entire test in question.

5.     Any action that compromises the computer systems at Amarillo College, including but not limited to hacking or cracking can result in a grade of “F” in this course and possible further disciplinary action.

6.     Cell phones MUST be turned off or set so ringing cannot be heard for the duration of the entire class.  If a cell phone can be heard in class during class time, points may be deducted from the final course grade.  Emergency calls may be left with campus security, who will then contact the designated student.

Grading Criteria

The final average consists of the following categories:

• Exams at 20% of the overall final average,
• The Comprehensive Final Project at 40% of the overall final average,
• Assignments at 35% of the overall final average, and 
• Participation at 5% of the overall final average

Makeup exams will not be given unless arrangements have been made before the test.

The course letter grade is assigned, after rounding to the tenth decimal place, using the following scale:

• A: 89.5 to 100
• B: 79.5 to less than 89.5
• C: 69.5 to less than 79.5
• D: 59.5 to less than 69.5
• F: Less than 59.5

No late work is permitted. Additionally, the assignment with the lowest grade will be dropped.

Attendance

Students are expected to attend every class as discussed (we’ll talk more about this in-class).

Roll will be taken at the beginning of class.

Makeup exams will not be given unless arrangements have been made before the test.

If you stop attending class and your average drops below a 60 and you do not officially drop the course by this deadline, you will receive an F for the course.

This course requires work AND independent study outside of class.

The computer labs, located 2^nd floor BYRD, are open according to the lab hour schedule found at http://cis.actx.edu/

The computer labs have lab assistants available to help you.  Additionally, some classes have course work to be completed online -- consult with your instructor.

Calendar

Additional Information

CIS department website:  http://cis.actx.edu/