School of Cinematic Arts
Courses of Instruction
The terms indicated are expected but are not guaranteed. For the courses offered during any given term, consult the Schedule of Classes.
Note: Instructor availability for a particular course or section cannot be guaranteed.
Interactive Media (CTIN)
CTIN 101 Fundamentals of Procedural Media (2, Fa) Introduction to the procedural nature of interactive media. Developing proficiency in procedural literacy, reading and creating computational media. (Duplicates credit in former CTIN 400.)
CTIN 110 Statistical Analysis for Games: Storytelling with Numbers (4, Sp) An introductory course on using statistical analysis for user research and assessment of interactive projects.
CTIN 190 Introduction to Interactive Entertainment (4, FaSp) Critical vocabulary and historical perspective in analyzing and understanding experiences with interactive entertainment; students imagine and articulate their own ideas. (Duplicates credit in former CTIN 309.)
CTIN 200L The New Games Industry (2, Sm) An overview of what it means to be a professional game developer in the modern and rapidly changing economic environment.
CTIN 332 Games for Animation (2, Sp) Contemporary examples and theories of the crossover between animation and video game practices.
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, Sp) 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 444 Audio Expression (2, Sp) Foundational aesthetic principles and creative technologies for game audio. Processing, mixing, and controlling sound for games for expressive effect. Recommended Preparation: CTIN 406L.
CTIN 456 Game Design for Business (2, Sp) 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, Fa) 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.)
CTIN 483 Introduction to Game Development (4, FaSp) Introduction to technical and creative aspects of game development, including the art of creating the digital game prototype and development of 2D games.
CTIN 484L Intermediate Game Development (2, FaSpSm) 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 or CTIN 541; 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 486 Immersive Design Workshop (2, Sp) Design of game projects using immersive input devices. Development of play mechanics, feedback systems and game design for immersive environments.
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 190, 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 or CTIN 541; concurrent enrollment: CTIN 484.
CTIN 490x Directed Research (1–8, max 12, FaSpSm) Individual research and readings. Not available for graduate credit.
CTIN 491L Advanced Game Project I (4, max 8, Fa) Students work in teams on pre-production and prototyping of a functional digital game suitable for distribution via the web and/or submission into independent games festivals. (Duplicates credit in former CTIN 491a.) Recommended preparation: CTIN 483, CTIN 484, CTIN 488, CTIN 489.
CTIN 492L Experimental Game Topics (4, max 8, FaSp) Development of a game around a custom-made physical interface; various technologies and techniques involved in a software/hardware integration; peripheral design.
CTIN 493L Advanced Game Project II (2, max 4, Sp) Students work in teams to polish and finalize a functional digital game suitable for distribution via the web and/or submission into independent games festivals. (Duplicates credit in former CTIN 491b.)
CTIN 497ab Interactive Media Startup (a: 1, Fa; b: 1, Sp) a: Establishing and organizing an interactive media or game company. Developing a budgeting, scheduling, and staffing plan; forming a legal company; preparing for taxes and accounting. b: Taking an interactive media or game company and product to market. Building a business plan, raising money, developing an audience, and keeping the production cycle running.
CTIN 499 Special Topics (2–4, max 8, FaSpSm) Detailed investigation of new or emerging aspects of cinema, television, and/or interactive 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 506 Procedural Expression (2, Fa) Developing procedural literacy in the analysis and creation of computational media; an introduction to how we create meaningful experiences using rules and interaction. (Duplicates credit in former CTIN 400.)
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 520 Experience and Design of Public Interactives (2, Sp) Introduction to the design of public interactives, the meaning of built space and environmental experiences, and the relationship between interactivity and social communication.
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 MFA students only. Prerequisite: CTWR 518.
CTIN 534L Experiments in Interactivity I (4, Fa) Experimental studio course to explore concepts of structure, aesthetics and content of interactive experience design. Lecture, 2 hours; laboratory, 2 hours.
CTIN 541 Design for Interactive Media (2, Fa) Practical exploration and practicum on the fundamental technical and aesthetic principles in the design of interactive media. Students will develop design and prototyping skills.
CTIN 542 Interactive Design and Production (4, Sp) Interactive design, production, prototyping and testing of projects developed in CTIN 532. Open to Interactive Media MFA 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 MFA 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 MFA 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 MFA 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 interactive 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. Graded CR/NC.
CTIN 594abz Master’s Thesis (2-2-0, FaSp) Credit on acceptance of thesis. Graded IP/CR/NC. Open to MFA, 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.