GAME-1304-01 - Level Design
Lamar State College - Port Arthur
House Bill 2504
Spring 2018 Course Syllabus
Faculty Information | |||||||||||||
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Semester | Spring 2018 | ||||||||||||
Instructor | Medhekar, Sarita V | ||||||||||||
Phone | (409) 984-6390 | ||||||||||||
medhekarsv@lamarpa.edu | |||||||||||||
Department |
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Office |
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MyLamarPA | Be sure to check your campus E-mail and Course Homepage using MyLamarPA campus web portal (My.LamarPA.edu). When you’ve logged in, click the email icon in the upper right-hand corner to check email, or click on the “My Courses” tab to get to your Course Homepage. Click the link to your course and review the information presented. It is important that you check your email and Course Homepage regularly. You can also access your grades, transcripts, and determine who your academic advisor is by using MyLamarPA. | ||||||||||||
Course Information | |||||||||||||
Course Number | 11417 | ||||||||||||
Course Description | Introduction to the tools and concepts used to create levels for games and simulations. Incorporates level design, architecture theory, concepts of critical path and flow, balancing, play testing, and storytelling. Includes utilization of toolsets from industry titles. | ||||||||||||
Course Prerequisites | None | ||||||||||||
Required Textbooks |
Study Materials from Instructor. You will also need a flash drive or a cloud account to save work onto. |
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Attendance Policy |
Poor attendance is a leading reason for termination from a job in all areas of employment. With this factor in mind, the instructor monitors student attendance daily. In addition, attendance on a regular basis is necessary for proper skill development. A tardy is an absence for attendance purposes. 4 absences = one letter grade drop 6 absences = two letter grade drop 8 absences = automatic failure of class Quizzes may be given at the beginning of the class period. Students coming in to class late will not be allowed to take quizzes already turned in. A grade of zero will be recorded for the quiz. Assignments are due at the beginning of each class; student assignments coming in late will be assessed a penalty, even if the student arrives to class late and turns in work. Students are responsible for completing all assigned homework, including reading assignments, by the required due dates and for being prepared for each class meeting. This applies even if you were absent from the previous class meeting. |
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Course Grading Scale | 90 - 100=A 80 - 89=B 70 - 79=C 60 - 69=D Below 59 = F | ||||||||||||
Determination of Final Grade | Assignments and Quizzes - 10%, Exams - 30%, Projects - 60% | ||||||||||||
Final Exam Date | May 8, 2018 - 11:00 AM Through May 8, 2018 - 1:00 PM | ||||||||||||
Major Assignments |
Course Schedule: Week 1: Syllabus review, pre-test, Blackboard and Self Service Banner Software download information. Required Software - Unity. Software Link - https://store.unity.com/download?ref=personal For each week there will be assignments and lab-work. Week 2: Set Up Unity 3D-Project and Understanding the Unity Interface; Instructor Material, Using Unity. Week 3: Working with Assets and Prefabs (Importing and Exporting Prefabs); Instructor Material, Using Unity. Week 4: Introduction to Materials and Texture; Instructor Material, Instructor Material, Using Unity. Week 5: Working on Level Building (Terrain, Paint, Tree, Grass and Water); Instructor Material, Using Unity. Week 6: Working on Level Building (Roof and floor build); Instructor Material, Using Unity. Week 7: Project - 1 & Research Project for the midterm exam. Week 8: Introduction to Lighting and Audio; Instructor Material, Using Unity. Week 9: March 12 - 16 Spring Break Week 10: Adding Effects (Dust, Steam, Fog); Instructor Material, Using Unity. Week 11: Working on Animation (Third person character); Instructor Material, Using Unity. Week 12: Creating a Cinematic; Instructor Material, Using Unity. Week 13: Project - 2 Week 14: Game Testing and Distribution and Scripting; Instructor Material, Using Unity. Week 15: Working on scripting and Project - 3 Week 16: Final Exam Schedule is subject to change |
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Calendar of Lecture Topics and Major Assignment Due Dates |
Course Schedule: Week 1: January 15 Syllabus review, pre-test, Blackboard and Self Service Banner Software download information. Required Software - Unity. Software Link - https://store.unity.com/download?ref=personal For each week there will be assignments and lab-work. Week 2: January 22 Set Up Unity 3D-Project and Understanding the Unity Interface; Instructor Material, Using Unity. Week 3: January 29 Working with Assets and Prefabs (Importing and Exporting Prefabs); Instructor Material, Using Unity. Week 4: February 5 Introduction to Materials and Texture; Instructor Material, Instructor Material, Using Unity. Week 5: February 12 Working on Level Building (Terrain, Paint, Tree, Grass and Water); Instructor Material, Using Unity. Week 6: February 19 Working on Level Building (Roof and floor build); Instructor Material, Using Unity. Week 7: February 26 Project - 1 & Research Project for the midterm exam. Week 8: March 5 Introduction to Lighting and Audio; Instructor Material, Using Unity. Week 9: March 12 - 16 Spring Break Week 10: March 19 Adding Effects (Dust, Steam, Fog); Instructor Material, Using Unity. Week 11: March 26 Working on Animation (Third person character); Instructor Material, Using Unity. Week 12: April 2 Creating a Cinematic; Instructor Material, Using Unity. Week 13: April 9 Project - 2 Week 14: April 16 Game Testing and Distribution and Scripting; Instructor Material, Using Unity. Week 15: April 23 Working on scripting and Project - 3 Week 16: April 30 Final Exam Schedule is subject to change |
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General Education/Core Curriculum Student Learning Outcomes |
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Program Student Learning Outcomes |
Alpha. Demonstrates comprehension of content-area reading material 1. Utilizes basic software development terminology and concepts. 2. Applies a software-development process to develop and troubleshoot a software product. 3. Creates computer graphics for inclusion into a software product. 4. Demonstrates ethics and professionalism within the computer field |
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Course Student Learning Outcomes |
Alpha. Demonstrates comprehension of content-area reading material (PSLO Alpha) measured by pre-test/post-test. 1. The student will analyze the pros and cons of a level including balance and emotional impact (PSLO 1) measured by embedded test questions. 2. The student will evaluate existing Character spaces for game aesthetics (PSLO 2) measured by projects 3. The student will create original game environments using existing game engines and tools (PSLO 2) measured by projects. 4. The student will utilize existing graphics Materials and implement it into a game environment (PSLO 3) measured by projects. 5. The student will individually produce a digital game environment presentation (PSLO 4) measured by projects. |
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Academic Honesty | Academic honesty is expected from all students, and dishonesty in any form will not be tolerated. Please consult the LSC-PA policies (Section IX, subsection A, in the Faculty Handbook) for consequences of academic dishonesty. | ||||||||||||
Facility Policies |
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Additional Information |
I will not discuss your grades over the phone or by e-mail. If you want to discuss your grades, you must come to my office in person. Homework assignments will be given each week. LATE WORK is highly discouraged and will incur a 10 point penalty for every day it is late. Due dates are given and enough time is given to complete all work. NO EXCEPTIONS. If you miss an exam, your lowest test grade will count twice. If you miss more than one exam, those exams will be given a grade of zero. Students must leave the classroom after exam is finished. There will be a final exam. All students must take the exam on the scheduled date and time, and failure to do so will result in a 0 on the final exam. Every student MUST have a copy of the required textbooks by the SECOND week of class. The student will still be responsible for any assignments given. Failure to have a text may result in being dropped from the class. No emailed work is accepted. Students are responsible for completing all assigned reading and video viewings. A failure to follow oral and/or written instructions will result in penalties. Academic dishonesty will result in a zero on any assignment; a second incidence of academic dishonesty will be handled based on campus policies and procedures with the department chair. Student IDs are required for the first exam. IDs must be visible on your desk before the exam is administered. No ID, No exam. Software Requirements: If you are in a course that is using a specific software, you MUST have the software available to you either on your home computer or you must use the open lab provided in the Gates Library. Reliable Internet access is required for all online courses and many traditional courses. Computer failure and lack of internet access are not acceptable excuses for missed assignments, projects, quizzes, or exams. DO NOT wait until the last minute to complete class work or exams. Classroom Etiquette: The following behaviors will result in the student being asked during class time to cease the action and/or leave the classroom: using cell phones, talking, or keying while the instructor is giving instructions or during class discussions; leaving class early without informing the instructor in advance; surfing the Internet during lecture; and displaying a rude or negative behavior toward the instructor or other students. No cell phones should be visible or heard during class. Again, you will be asked to leave the room for the remainder of the class. No blue tooth technology or recording of lectures in any format (unless approved by the instructor). No charging of cell phones in the classroom. E-Mail/Voice Mail Etiquette: Students must use appropriate e-mail etiquette when corresponding with instructor; for example, complete sentences and a full subject line with your name/course name. Voice mail messages should be clearly spoken identifying students name, course, and any return phone number. |
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Important Information | |||||||||||||
ADA Considerations | The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Special Populations Coordinator, Room 231, in the Madison Monroe Building. The phone number is (409) 984-6241. | ||||||||||||
Copyright Violations |
Some material in this course may be copyrighted. They may be used only for instructional purposes this semester,
by students enrolled in this course. These materials are being used fairly and legally.
No one may distribute or share these copyrighted materials in any medium or format with anyone outside this class,
including publishing essays with copyrighted material, uploading copyrighted material to Facebook or YouTube, or
painting or performing copyrighted material for public display.
Copyright violation is not the same thing as plagiarism. Plagiarism is intellectual dishonesty. Offenses of plagiarism result in lower grades or failing scores, and professors and the college strictly enforce plagiarism rules. There is never any acceptable use of plagiarism. Copyright violation is a legal offense, punishable by large fines and penalties. Copyrighted material can be used if permission from the material’s creator is obtained, or if its use meets the standards of fair use in an educational setting. For example, a student can quote a line from Shakespeare’s Hamlet in a report without violating copyright but still be guilty of plagiarism if the quotation is not properly documented. If you are in doubt about what material can be freely used, ask your professor or contact the Dean of Library Services, at (409) 984-6216. |
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Assessment Statement |
Assessment is a process by which LSCPA can help you learn better and gauge the level of progress you have made to
attain knowledge, skills, beliefs, and values. It also helps your professors understand how to improve teaching
and testing methods in your classes, and it helps each department understand and improve degree and certificate
programs.
Periodically LSC-PA will collect assessment data for research and reporting purposes, including statistical data and sometimes copies of your work. Be assured that all material the college uses for assessment purposes will be kept confidential. To ensure anonymity, your name will be removed from any material we use for assessment purposes, including video-recorded performances, speeches, and projects. If you object to allowing LSC-PA to use your material for assessment purposes, submit a letter stating so to your professor by the 12th class day. You will still be required to participate in whatever assessments are being done; we just won’t use your data. What’s the difference between assessment and grades? The grades you get on papers, projects, speeches, and assignments are specific types of focused assessment. LSC-PA’s assessment efforts include class grades, surveys, standardized tests, and other tools. |
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Privacy Notice |
Federal privacy laws apply to college students. This means that college employees, including instructors, cannot
divulge information to third parties, including parents and legal guardians of students. Even if the students are
minors, information about their college work cannot be shared with anyone except in very limited circumstances.
Anyone requesting information about a student should be referred to the Registrar. Instructors will be notified in writing by that Office about what information may be released and to whom. Please remember that releasing private information about a student, however innocuous it may seem, can be a violation of federal law, with very serious consequences. Circumstances under which information may be released:
An adult student may submit, to the Registrar, a handwritten, signed note granting permission for release of
information. The note must specify what information may be divulged, and it must specify the name of the person
to whom the information may be given.
The Registrar’s office is located in the Student Center room 303B, and can be reached at (409) 984-6165. |
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College-Level Perspectives |
This course helps add to the students’ overall collegiate experience in the following ways:
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Degree Plan Evaluation |
A Degree Plan Evaluation will help you determine which classes you need to complete your program.
All of the classes that you have taken that apply to your declared major will be listed on the right. If you have a class that still needs to be completed, a “NO” will be listed on the right next to the required class. |
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HB 2504 | This syllabus is part of LSC-PA’s efforts to comply with Texas House Bill 2504. | ||||||||||||
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