Prerequisites
You must have received a grade of C or better in English 233 – Introduction to Creative Writing or obtain instructor consent. If you work with an advisor at the SAC, please bring your VISA statement to me within the first week of class.
Terminology
It will be helpful to understand the following gaming terms:
- Character – a fictional person.
- Game Master/GM – The judge, referee, and/or arbitrator in a role-playing game. Controls all NPCs.
- Non-Player Character/NPC – Any character controlled by the Game Master during a role-playing game.
- Player – A human being who participates in a game.
- Player Character/PC – Any character controlled by a player during a role-playing game.
- Role-Playing Game/RPG – A game in which a player assumes the role of a main character.
- RPG Video Game – An RPG played on the computer where the machine acts as the GM to determine game outcomes.
- Tabletop RPG – An RPG played with pen, paper, and usually dice where a person acts as the GM to determine game outcomes.
Coursework
This course has a number of different components adding up to 1000 points.
- 2 blog posts on stories – 30 pts/each
- 1 blog post on a films - 30 pts
- 2 blog posts on Fallout 3 - 30 pts/each
- 5 comments on blog posts - 5 pts/each
- 10 Items in wiki -5 pts/each
- 5 Places in wiki – 10 pts/each
- 5 NPCs in wiki – 10 pts/each
- 4 flash fiction stories – 50 pts/each
- 1 final short story 4-5K words – 200 pts
- Class and role-playing participation – 175 pts
- Writing workshop participation – 100 pts
Calendar and Assignments
The most current course calendar and assignments will be posted to this course website on their respective pages. You will be given a username and password to access the site to complete assignments for your blog posts and comments.
You will also be issued a username and password for a course wiki at http://eng236.wikispaces.com where you will post your Items, Places, and NPCs as well as your final short stories.
You must complete your assignment by class time on the due date. Assignments will be accompanied by a specific rubric explaining how they will be graded.
Technical Requirements
Although this class will use a variety of digital technologies, no prior experience is required; more experienced students will be asked to share their knowledge with beginning students. However, students must have regular and consistent access to the following:
- Computer (PC or Mac)
- Internet access
- Google/Gmail account
- WordPress account
- PC, Xbox 360, or PS3 able to run Fallout 3
The first two items are free in every campus computer lab; the second two items can be obtained freely online. Students who do not have access to play Fallout 3 have options, the best of which is playing the game along with classmates. Students may also wish to rent a console and Fallout 3 for the duration of Weeks 4 and 5 in order to experience gameplay.
If you have concerns about the technical requirements, your instructor is happy to answer questions and help you find solutions.
Class Conduct
All electronics (including phones, media players, laptop computers, etc.) should be turned off before class begins. Students may not excuse themselves from class to take calls. Eating and drinking are allowed but must not disrupt class activities.
Academic Honesty and Plagiarism
Plagiarism is a serious offence and has severe consequences, including possible expulsion from the university. Please let me know during the course of the semester if you have any question as to what constitutes plagiarism.
Writing Center
The Writing Center offers terrific free services to writers of all abilities and can provide assistance for any stage of the writing process, from brainstorming ideas to helping polish final drafts. The Writing Center can be found in Curtin 382. Appointments with experience tutors can be made by calling 414-229-4339 or can be scheduled online at http://www.writingcenter.uwm.edu.
Administrative Drop
Students who do not attend the first week of classes will be administratively dropped from the course.
Go to http://www.uwm.edu/Dept/SecU/SyllabusLinks.pdf for official information on other course policies and procedures according to university guidelines.
