NCSU Department of Communication

COM598A::Gaming & Social Networks
Instructor: Dr. Adriana de Souza e Silva

 

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Assignments:

Assignments will be evaluated based on:

  • The originality and creativity of your ideas,
  • The quality of your argument,
  • The quality of the sources you use to support your argument
  • How well you connect your assignment to the topics we are discussing in class,
  • The quality of your writing / speech

All assignments must be completed in order to pass the course. No late assignments will be accepted, excepted in the case of an excused absence.

 

1. Weekly reflections (blog posts): 10%
-- due each class
These are brief summaries/comments about the texts assigned for each class. The writing comments are due 24 hours before each class and should be about half to one page long (1.5 leading space, 1” margins, 12-point font). You should summarize each text separately and then connect them together.

For each post, you are expected to address the following questions:

  • What are the main ideas and concepts of the texts?
  • How do these texts connect with other readings in the course, class discussions, as well as with relevant outside materials?
  • To what extent do these texts allow me to understand games in general and hybrid reality games in particular? How do they apply to my own experience?
  • What are the strengths and weaknesses of these texts?

Posts are graded as 1, 1/2 or 0.

In the first class you will receive a login and a password, as well as detailed instructions on how to post your comments.

You are also encouraged to comment/reply to your colleagues’ posts.

Instructions to post comments:
1. Go to: http://www2.chass.ncsu.edu/blog/com598A/wp-login.php
2. Login with your username and password.
3. Go to "Write > Write post"
4. Give a title to your post: the title should be the last name of the text's author, e.g., Abbatte.
5. Write your post.
6. Sign your post (include <p></p><p></p> by "your name")
7. Assign a category to your post. This should be your name, listed on the right hand side of the page.
8. Unclick the "uncategorized" category.
9. Click "publish".
10. To view your post, click on "View Site" on the top right hand corner of the page.
11. If you wish to re-edit it, click on "Edit" below your post, which will take you back to the post interface. Make your changes and click "save".

NOTE: IT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO CLICK ON YOUR NAME UNDER "CATEGORY" BEFORE SUBMITTING YOUR POST. FAILURE TO DO THAT WILL **NOT** ASSIGN THE POST TO YOUR NAME AND THEREFORE I'LL NOT BE ABLE TO GRADE IT.

 

2. Text presentation: 30%
-- twice a semester (15% each)

Each class, one students will be responsible for presenting a text and leading class discussion on the text assigned for that day. Much like the blog posts, you should summarize the text, addressing the following questions:

  • What are the main ideas and concepts of the text?
  • How does this text connect with other readings in the course, class discussions, as well as with relevant outside materials?
  • To what extent does this text allow me to understand games in general and mobile technologies in particular? How does it apply to my own experience?
  • What are the strengths and weaknesses of this text?

Also, you should:

  • Bring any type of materials (scholarly sources, newspaper clips, web pages, online works, video clips, etc) that help to understand and contextualize the topic.
  • Address research questions / develop a critical analysis of the text responding to the author’s argument
  • Bring questions to lead class discussion.
  • Take about 20 minutes to present the text.
  • Lead class discussion for 30-40 minutes.

You’ll be evaluated based on:

  • how you describe the main concepts in the text adequate detail
  • how you connect the text with other readings in the course and class discussions
  • how you conceptualize the topic in a broader context,
  • the quality of your research questions
  • the quality of your text analysis and criticism (responding to the author’s arguments)
  • how you conclude/expand the topic beyond the author’s ideas
  • the quality of the research materials you bring (scholarly papers, articles, audio/visual)
  • the adequate length of the presentation (15-20 minutes long)
  • the adequate citation of sources (APA style)
  • if you turn in your presentation outline
  • your public speaking abilities

Download text presentation grading rubric model

 

3. Gaming database: 10%
A general task to be performed along the course is the development of a database of sources (scholarly and non-scholarly) about mobile technologies that will serve as an updated research source for the class. You need to bring in newspaper / magazine clippings, ads, web pages, exhibit announcements, video clips, or any other artifact you may run across that in relate to the issues raised in the readings for that class period. As a suggestion for finding relevant sources on the topic, you should subscribe to the Websites/RSS feeds which are in the resources list. You are also encouraged to find your own sources. Each student should plan on bringing at least one source each week. You should be able to justify why your source is relevant for the class and for the topic we are discussing that week.

The first 20 minutes each class will be dedicated to the discussion of the research sources you bring with you. You should be prepared to critically analyse the sources and to explain to the class:

  • why you chose that specific source
  • why is it relevant for the topics discussed in class
  • how it connects with other sources brought by other students

Additionally, a digital version of you source must also be posted on the class weblog under the Online Database. The entry should contain:

  • The title of your article/news/image (etc)
  • A brief description
  • The uploaded file / link to the file

Instructions to populate the online database:
1. Go to: http://www2.chass.ncsu.edu/blog/com598A/wp-login.php
2. Login with the username and password given in class.
3. Go to "Manage > Pages"
4. Click on the "Edit" button that corresponds to the class you want to edit
5. On the Page Content box, add <p>---------------------------------------</p> after the last entry.
6. Write a title for your article / news / image, etc.
7. Select the title and click the "b" button at the Quicktags to make it bold
8. Write a brief description of your source.
9. If you want to add an external link:

  • click on the "link" button on the top navigation bar
  • write your URL on the pop-up window
  • click "ok"
  • write the text / add the image tag you want appear as a link
  • click again on the "link" button on the top navigation bar

10. If you want to upload any type of file (images, pdf, videos, etc) - max. size = 1MB

  • Click on "Upload" at the top navigation bar
  • Browse the location of the file you want to upload.
  • Click "Upload File"

11. To insert your uploaded file on the page:

  • Go back to "Manage > Pages"
  • Click on the "Edit" button that corresponds to the class you want to edit
  • On the Page Content box, write "<img src="wp-content/yourimage.gif" width="100"> (replace "yourimage" by your image name). OR if you want to add the file you uploaded earlier, write <a href=wp-content/file.pdf">my file</a> (where "file" is your file name).

13. Sign your name in the end, so I know you wrote that source: by yourname.
14. Click on "Edit Page" to finish.
15. Click on the "View" button that corresponds to the class you edited to view your entry on the class weblog.

 

4. Final project + paper: 50%
-- Final paper: 30%
-- Final project: 20%

The project:
The final project is a proposal for a multi-user pervasive / mobile game + a paper that explains / elaborates on the proposal. The project should be developed in groups of 2, but the paper is individual.

In order to create an original and interesting game, you should first look for and study existing games. Think about the following questions:

  • How would your game differ from the games we studied in class?
  • How is it similar?
  • What would be the feasibility of producing this game?

The focus is creating a game, which results in unexpected playful experiences.

Minimum requirements for the project:

  • a one paragraph description of the game
  • a story board (may be made in ppt, html, Photoshop.
  • Description of the technology used
  • A documentation that simulates the game

* These are minimum requirements. The closer your project gets to an actual game, the better.

The game plot is open, as long as it deals with multi-user location-based and pervasive games.

The project will be evaluated based on:

  • How well you create a method of representing interactive storylines / multimedia interactions
  • How clear and concise you present your game design concept
  • How clear and concise you present your game rules
  • How you define the audience of your project (with supporting arguments)
  • If the game components allow for social interaction
  • If the project shows extensive research on the previous work done on the field

 

The last class meeting will be reserved for students’ demonstrations / presentations of the project (the pseudo documentation of the game). We will invite guest critics for feedback on the presentations.

Your group will develop the project by completing a series of four assignments, each of which contributes to the total of 20% of your grade:

  • Define work groups (01.24)
  • Present a written (one paragraph proposal of the final project to be discussed in class (02.07)
  • Present an initial storyboard for the final project (02.21)
  • Final presentations (04.25)

Download project grading rubric

 

The paper:
The paper should be a theoretical extension of your project. You will use the paper as a way to develop some critical analysis and investigate theoretical issues that might have arisen with the project development. You should connect the paper with the concept of pervasive and mobile games, relating to its future uses and developments for social communication and mobile culture. Your analysis should focus on any cultural implications and contextualization of the game.

General directions for the paper:

  • Minimum of 15 and maximum of 20 pages, not including title page, notes, references list, and appendix.
  • Double line spacing, 1” margins, 12-point font, and no extra space between paragraphs
  • If you want to include images, insert them as an appendix. Don’t forget to mention copyright and sources
  • Cover page with the paper title, your name/number and class
  • Follow APA style guide for references and paper formatting.
  • You must have at least 15 sources; 9 of which must be scholarly sources. You should cite at least 4 texts used in class.

Your paper must have:

  • Abstract / 5 keywords / Introduction / Conclusion / References.
  • a clear defined research question(s);
  • a clear defined thesis statement;
  • clear supporting points;
  • a logical, argument-based structure; and
  • concrete, well-documented evidence.

Your paper will be evaluated based on:

  • your topic definition, that is:
    • how you define your research questions / thesis statement in adequate detail.
    • if you analyze multiuser location aware games
    • if you connect it to your project
  • the substance of your research, that is:
    • the originality of your idea
    • how you completely and clearly discuss the issues involved drawing from class lectures, discussions and readings.
    • how you define, review, and draw on the relevant scholarly literature.
    • how you provide specific criteria and evidence for the position being espoused based upon readings and lectures.
    • if your research is appropriate to your topic.
  • Your paper structure, that is:
    • the adequate length of your paper;
    • the adequate number of sources;
    • the adequate number of scholarly sources;
    • the proper formatting and citation of sources;
    • if the paper is clearly structured and organized.
    • the quality of your writing (paragraph transitions, spelling, grammar, punctuation).

 

You will write this paper by completing a series of 4 individual assignments, each of which contributes to the total of 20% of your grade:

For additional help on writing your paper look at the following Workshop: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/workshops/hypertext/ResearchW/index.html

Hand in a PDF document in a disk + a printed copy

*Download grading rubric model