USC
University of Southern California
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Please note: Due to late revisions, some text on this page differs from what appears in the printed version of the USC Catalogue. The changes appear below as highlighted text, with corresponding explanations appearing in the right margin.

Courses of Instruction

Interactive Media (CTIN)

CTIN 309 Introduction to Interactive Entertainment (4, FaSp) Critical vocabulary and historical perspective to analyze and understand experiences with interactive entertainment; students imagine and articulate their own ideas.

CTIN 401L Interface Design for Games (2, Fa) Introduction to the aesthetics, terminology and common trends of interface design for games. Topics include 2-D and 3-D spaces and user/camera perspectives.

CTIN 403L Advanced Visual Design for Games (2, Sp) The scope of visual game design, including the role of characters, architecture, indoor and outdoor spaces, and environmental effects and sounds. Prerequisite: CTIN 401L; Recommended preparation: CTAN 443L.

CTIN 404L Usability Testing for Games (2, FaSp) Concepts and methods of usability assessment. The emphasis will be on understanding the issues surrounding game interfaces, and utilizing usability assessment methods.

CTIN 405L Design and Technology for Mobile Experiences (2, Sp) Critical and pragmatic insights into designing mobile experiences and technology. Design groups will develop a mobile project using principles from readings and class discussions.

CTIN 406L Sound Design for Games (2, Sp) Introduction to the techniques, terminology, and implementation of sounds in games, including establishing a sense of place and concepts of realistic sound.

CTIN 456 Game Design for Business (2, FaSp) Designed to provide the business professional with effective communication skills in working with the designers of games and game related venues. Not open to CTIN majors.

CTIN 458 Business and Management of Games (2, FaSp) Overview of current business models in games and interactive media, methods for pitching and getting products funded; copyright and intellectual property.

CTIN 459L Game Industry Workshop (4, Fa) Exploration of industry-related game play research questions. Student teams will develop concepts and materials to solve a research problem posed by an industry partner. Prerequisite: CTIN 488; Recommended preparation: CTIN 489.

CTIN 462 Critical Theory and Analysis of Games (4, Sp) Formal, aesthetic, and cultural aspects of digital games, critical discourse around gameplay, and the relationship of digital games to other media. Recommended preparation: CTIN 488.

CTIN 463 Anatomy of a Game (4, Sp) ­Examine two game products from concept to delivery; introduce students to each of the professional disciplines involved in making digital games. Recommended preparation: CTIN 488.

CTIN 464 Game Studies Seminar (2, max 4, Fa) Rigorous examination of interactive entertainment: genres, history, aesthetics, cultural context, and social significance. Topics vary by semester.

CTIN 482 Designing Online Multiplayer Game Environments (2, Fa) Grouped into teams, students will study and design an original multiplayer game environment suitable for online usage. (Duplicates credit in former CNTV 482.)

The title and description for this course will change in fall 2010.

See revised version

CTIN 483 Introduction to Game Development (4) Introduction to technical and creative aspects of game development, including the art of creating the digital game prototype and development of 2D games.

CTIN 483 Programming for Interactivity (4, FaSp) Introduction to creative and technical aspects of new interactive media technology; computer games; digital video and sound; interactive Flash animations. Students design and produce projects.

CTIN 484L Intermediate Game Development (2, FaSp) Advanced topics in game programming and implementation such as using game engines, creating digital prototypes, player controls and level design. Prerequisite: CTIN 483, CTIN 488; Concurrent enrollment: CTIN 489.

CTIN 485L Advanced Game Development (2, Sp) Advanced concepts in 3-D game development: story and character progression, emergent game-play, comprehensive game mechanics, and artificial intelligence. Prerequisite: CTIN 483, CTIN 484L, CTIN 488, CTIN 489.

CTIN 488 Game Design Workshop (4, FaSp) Theory and evaluation of interactive game experiences and principles of game design utilizing the leading software approaches and related technologies. Recommended preparation: CTIN 309, CTIN 483.

CTIN 489 Intermediate Game Design Workshop (2, FaSp) A follow-up to the introductory game design class, this course will introduce more advanced concepts in game design and game theories, including ideation, digital prototyping and level design. Prerequisite: CTIN 483, CTIN 488; Concurrent enrollment: CTIN 484.

This new course is available beginning fall 2009.

CTIN 490x Directed Research (2-8, max 8, FaSpSm) Individual research and readings. Not available for graduate credit.

CTIN 491abL Advanced Game Project (a: 4, b: 2, FaSp) Students work in teams to produce a functional digital game suitable for distribution via the web and/or submission into independent games festivals. Recommended preparation: CTIN 483, CTIN 484, CTIN 488, CTIN 489.

CTIN 492L Experimental Game Topics (4, Sp) Development of a game around a ­custom-made physical interface; various technologies and techniques involved in a ­software/hardware integration; peripheral design.

CTIN 495 Internship in Interactive Media (2, max 4, FaSpSm) Interactive Media industry experience in the specific area of interest to the individual student. Open only to upper division undergraduate and graduate students.

CTIN 499 Special Topics (2-4, max 8, FaSpSm) Detailed investigation of new or emerging aspects of cinema, television, and/or inter active media; special subjects offered by ­visiting faculty; experimental subjects.

CTIN 501 Interactive Cinema (2, FaSp) Provide students with a vocabulary of conceptual and artistic means to create computer based interactive works.

CTIN 502ab Experiments in Stereoscopic Imaging (2) (Enroll in CTAN 502ab)

CTIN 511 Interactive Media Seminar (1, max 4, FaSp) Seminars on latest trends in inter­active media content, technology, tools, business and culture. Graded CR/NC.

CTIN 532 Interactive Experience and World Design (4, Fa) The development of interactive experiences with an emphasis on writing and development. Open to Interactive Media M.F.A. students only. Prerequisite: CTWR 518.

CTIN 534 Experiments in Interactivity I (2, Fa) Experimental studio course to explore concepts of structure, aesthetics and content of interactive experience design. Open to Interactive Media and Animation and Digital Arts M.F.A. students only.

CTIN 541 Design for Interactive Media (4, FaSp) Practical exploration and practicum on the fundamental technical and aesthetic principles in the design of interactive media. Students will develop design and prototyping skills. Open to Interactive Media M.F.A. students only. Prerequisite: CTPR 508.

CTIN 542 Interactive Design and Production (4, Sp) Interactive design, production, prototyping and testing of projects developed in CTIN 532. Open to Interactive Media M.F.A. students only. Prerequisite: CTIN 532.

CTIN 544 Experiments in Interactivity II (2, Sp) Experimental studio course in application of technology to interactive experience. Open to Interactive Media M.F.A. students only. Prerequisite: CTIN 534.

CTIN 548 Preparing the Interactive Project (2, Sp) An advanced production workshop in which students design and prepare for the production of their advanced project. Open to Interactive Media M.F.A. students only. Prerequisite: CTIN 532.

CTIN 555ab Advanced Interactive Project (4-4, FaSp) A two-semester sequence in which students produce and test an advanced interactive project. Open to Interactive Media M.F.A. students only. Prerequisite: CTIN 548.

CTIN 558 Business of Interactive Media (2, Fa) In-depth investigation of publication, distribution, business and legal aspects of the inter active entertainment business.

CTIN 584abcz Individual Interactive Workshop (4-2-2-0) Individual experimental projects involving the creative use of interactive media and film production skills.

CTIN 585 Graduate Interactive Group Project (4, max 8) Students work in small, interdisciplinary teams on focused interactive projects which approach professional levels of creative, intellectual, interpretive, and aesthetic performance.

CTIN 590 Directed Research (1-12, FaSpSm) Research project leading to the master's degree. Maximum units which may be applied to the degree to be determined by the department.

CTIN 594abz Master's Thesis (2-2-0, FaSp) Credit on acceptance of thesis. Graded IP/CR/NC. Open to M.F.A., Interactive Media majors only. Prerequisite: CTIN 548.

CTIN 599 Special Topics (2-4, max 8, FaSpSm) Detailed investigation of new or emerging aspects of interactive media; special subjects offered by visiting faculty; experimental subjects.