FIT3095 Creating narrative in multimedia - Semester 1 , 2008

Berwick

• Tom Chandler

Berwick

• Tom Chandler
• Lucie Joschko

Prerequisites

Before attempting this unit you must have satisfactorily completed

FIT2012 or equivalent.

Relationships

FIT3095 is a core unit in the Games Development major of the BITS degrees.

It is a prerequisite/corequisite that before attempting this unit you must have satisfactorily completed FIT2012

You may not study this unit and MMS3403 in your degree.

Unit leader

Lecturer(s) :

Tutor(s) :

Additional communication information

Tom Chandler
Email: Tom.Chandler@infotech.monash.edu.au
Phone: +61 3 990 47109
Dept:  Berwick School of IT

Lucie Joschko
Email: Lucie.Joschko@infotech.monash.edu.au
Phone: +61 3 990 47169
Dept:  Berwick School of IT

Week 1 The Role of Narrative
Introduction and Overview

Week 2 Plot and Narrative Structure
Exercises and discussion will address the structure of stories, their beginnings and their conclusions

Week 3 Time, Dialogue and Genre
Exercises and discussion will cover genre in written stories and other media.Variations in scene/sequel structure and useful dramatic principles & devices will also be overviewed

Week 4 Archetypes and Myths
Tutorial exercises and discussion covering classical legends as an embodiments of the monomyth and the creation of simple stories/fairytales with the Monomyth template

Week 5 Role of the Reader/Writer
Exercises and discussion will address "narrative time"  and the recombination of narrative elements

Week 6 Images and Meaning
Tutorial exercises and discussion covering visual narrative, the elements of images, signs, symbols and icons

Week 7 Image, Frame and Text
Tutorial exercises and discussion covering comics and comic theory, framing, composition and viewpoint

Feedback on Assessment 1.

Week 8 Sound, Image and Motion
Tutorial exercises and discussion covering the use of sound as a narrative device and the combination of sound with images and video.

Week 9 Image and Society
Tutorial exercises and discussion will address the forms of digital communication relevant to image and society such as music videos, games, advertising and propaganda

Week 10 Non-Linear Narrative
Tutorial exercises and discussion will overview the function of non-linearity and its use of time, space, character and  perspective.

Week 11 The Architecture of Non-Linearity
Tutorial exercises and discussion will overview computer games, in particular Interactivity, Immersion, Engagement and Branching/Levels/Nodes

Week 12 Emergence and Interactive Environments; Agency and Participation
Tutorial exercises and discussion continuing the previous weeks topics, together with an overview of Emergence and Interactive Environments

Feedback on Assessment II.

Week 13 Summary
Project Viewings, overview of Non-Linear Narrative

Communication, participation and feedback

Monash aims to provide a learning environment in which students receive a range of ongoing feedback throughout their studies. You will receive feedback on your work and progress in this unit. This may take the form of group feedback, individual feedback, peer feedback, self-comparison, verbal and written feedback, discussions (on line and in class) as well as more formal feedback related to assignment marks and grades. You are encouraged to draw on a variety of feedback to enhance your learning.

It is essential that you take action immediately if you realise that you have a problem that is affecting your study. Semesters are short, so we can help you best if you let us know as soon as problems arise. Regardless of whether the problem is related directly to your progress in the unit, if it is likely to interfere with your progress you should discuss it with your lecturer or a Community Service counsellor as soon as possible.

Unit Schedule

Week	Topic	Key dates
1	The Role of Narrative
2	Plot and Narrative Structure
3	Time, Dialogue and Genre
4	Archetypes and Myths	Assessment 1 Linear Narrative Analysis and Presentation 30%
Mid semester break
5	Role of the Reader/Writer
6	Images and Meaning
7	Image, Frame and Text
8	Sound, Image and Motion	Assessment 2 Visual Narrative Project and Analysis 30%
9	Image and Society
10	Non-Linear Narrative
11	The Architecture of Non-Linearity
12	Emergence and Interactive Environments; Agency and Participation
13	Summary	Assessment 3 Non-Linear Narrative Project - 40%

Prescribed text(s) and readings

There are no prescribed texts for this unit, though students will be expected to review several key texts during the semester. Some of these texts will be online or in pdf format, others will be titles placed on reserve at the library. 

Recommended text(s) and readings

The following recommended texts are available from the Berwick library.

Boje, David M. Narrative methods for organizational and communication research David M. Boje. Publisher: London : SAGE, 2001. Culler, Jonathan D. Literary theory : a very short introduction / Jonathan Culler. Publisher: Oxford ; New York : Oxford University Press, 1997. Currie, Mark, Postmodern narrative theory / Mark Currie. Publisher: New York : St. Martin's Press, 1998. Garrand, Timothy Paul. Writing for multimedia : entertainment, education, training, advertising, and the World Wide Web / Timothy Garrand. Publisher: Boston ; Melbourne : Focal Press, c1997. Hart, John, The art of the storyboard : storyboarding for film, TV, and animation / John Hart. Publisher: Boston : Focal Press, c1999. Kress, Gunther R. Reading images : the grammar of visual design / Gunther Kress and Theo van Leeuwen. Publisher: London ; New York : Routledge, 1996. Lacey, Nick, Narrative and genre : key concepts in media studies / Nick Lacey. Publisher: Basingstoke: Macmillan, 2000. McCloud, Scott Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art. Publisher: Harper Collins Inc, New York, NY: 1993. McCloud, Scott. Reinventing Comics. Publisher: Paradox Press, New York, NY: 2000. Meadows, Mark Stephen. Pause & effect : the art of interactive narrative / Mark Stephen Meadows. Publisher: Indianapolis, Ind. : New Riders, c2003. Thompson, Kristin, Storytelling in film and television / Kristin Thompson. Publisher: Cambridge, MA : Harvard University Press, 2003. Fiction 2000 : cyberpunk and the future of narrative / edited by George Slusser and Tom Shippey. Publisher: Athens : University of Georgia Press, c1992. Tufte, Edward R., Visual explanations : images and quantities, evidence and narrative / Edward R. Tufte. Publisher: Cheshire, Conn. : Graphics Press, c1997. New screen media : cinema/art/narrative / edited by Martin Rieser, Andrea Zapp. Publisher: London : BFI Pub., 2002. Thompson, Kristin, Storytelling in film and television / Kristin Thompson. Publisher: Cambridge, MA : Harvard University Press, 2003.

A list of recommended Internet references (URL's, PDF's) will be made available as required during the course of the semester.

Equipment and consumables required or provided

Students studying off-campus are required to have the minimum system configuration specified by the Faculty as a condition of accepting admission, and regular Internet access. On-campus students, and those studying at supported study locations may use the facilities available in the computing labs. Information about computer use for students is available from the ITS Student Resource Guide in the Monash University Handbook. You will need to allocate up to n hours per week for use of a computer, including time for newsgroups/discussion groups.

Study resources

Study resources we will provide for your study are:

Library access

The Monash University Library site contains details about borrowing rights and catalogue searching. To learn more about the library and the various resources available, please go to http://www.lib.monash.edu.au.  Be sure to obtain a copy of the Library Guide, and if necessary, the instructions for remote access from the library website.

Monash University Studies Online (MUSO)

All unit and lecture materials are available through MUSO (Monash University Studies Online). Blackboard is the primary application used to deliver your unit resources. Some units will be piloted in Moodle.

You can access MUSO and Blackboard via the portal (http://my.monash.edu.au).

Click on the Study and enrolment tab, then Blackboard under the MUSO learning systems.

In order for your Blackboard unit(s) to function correctly, your computer needs to be correctly configured.

For example :

• Blackboard supported browser
• Supported Java runtime environment

For more information, please visit

http://www.monash.edu.au/muso/support/students/downloadables-student.html

You can contact the MUSO Support by: Phone: (+61 3) 9903 1268

For further contact information including operational hours, please visit

http://www.monash.edu.au/muso/support/students/contact.html

Further information can be obtained from the MUSO support site:

http://www.monash.edu.au/muso/support/index.html

If your unit is piloted in Moodle, you will see a link from your Blackboard unit to Moodle at http://moodle.med.monash.edu.au.
From the Faculty of Information Technology category, click on the link for your unit.

Unit assessment policy

To pass this unit you must:

Attempt all assessment tasks.

Obtain a total score from all assessment tasks of 50% or more.

Attend a minimum of 80% of both lectures and tutorials, unless medical certificates are provided.

Your final grade for the unit will be calculated by adding scores for all component assessment items which may be scaled.

Assessment Feedback - Raw Scores
In assessment feedback you will be allocated a raw score that will indicate your general level of performance against the criteria supplied and will be used to determine the rank order of students. You will also be given a feedback and comments that may assist you in the completion of future assignments by discussing the aspects of the assessment response that were completed to a high standard and areas that may be improved.

When raw scores for all assessment tasks are combined the total raw score may be scaled. The scaling of raw scores will not effect your rank order in relation to other students. Scaling of raw scores is intended to provide consistency of assessment outcomes across units within the degree and across courses within the university.

Assignment tasks

• Assignment Task

  Title : Assessment Task 1: Narrative Analysis and Presentation: 30%

  Description :

  Students will select one of a range of animated, digital narratives provided to them and analyze the story's plot, point of view, characterisation, and symbolism in a written work of 2000 words. (20%)

  This submission will be complemented with a 5-10 minute presentation of their chosen narrative and key points of their analysis to their tutorial group. (10%) 

  Weighting : 30%

  Criteria for assessment :

  Analysis of plot, characterization, point of view, setting, stylistic conventions and symbolism associated with the genre of your chosen story. 

  Well expressed and concise discussion and referencing of appropriate theory and research

  Due date : Week 4

• Assignment Task

  Title : Assessment Task 2: Visual Narrative Project and Analysis: 30%

  Description :

  Students will select one of a range of animated, digital narratives provided to them and analyze the story's structure, theme, design, characterisation, and symbolism in a written work of 2000 words. (20%)

  This submission will be complemented with a 5-10 minute presentation of their chosen narrative and key points of their analysis to their tutorial group. (10%) 

  Weighting : 30%

  Criteria for assessment :

  Visual Narrative (development of plot, framing, point of view, and characterisation).

  Visual Aesthetics (colour, design, composition, images and symbols)

  Concept-enhancement - does the style enhance the story?
  Clarity - does the story make sense?
  
  Clarity of analysis and interpretation of the visual narrative
  Analysis of the elements of images in regard to framing, composition and viewpoint

  Well expressed and concise discussion of theory

  Referencing of appropriate theory and research

  Due date : Week 8

• Assignment Task

  Title : Assessment Task 3: Non-Linear Narrative Project: 40%

  Description :

  Assessment Task 3: Non-Linear Narrative Project: 40%

  Students will develop a computer-based non-linear story or game which transforms a traditional strictly linear narrative form into an interactive, non-linear form. In doing so, students will become familiar with the key features of an audience driven narrative. The aim is to "rewrite" the narrative in a non-linear, interactive form.

  Weighting : 40%

  Criteria for assessment :

  The final assignment is assessed upon its narrative, aesthetics and execution

  Narrative (complexity, humour, originality, engagement, twist)
  
  Aesthetics (colour, design, movement, sound)
  
  Execution
  (a) clarity - does the re-telling of the story make sense?
  (b) usability - can I get around it?
  (c) concept-enhancement - does the style enhance the story?
  (d) technical excellence and software mastery

  Due date : Week 13

Assignment submission

On-campus students should submit the assignment to the labelled Assignment Boxes in the foyer of the Berwick School of Information Technology at the Berwick Campus by 3 pm on the due date, with the appropriate cover sheet correctly filled out and attached

You may also submit the assignment to your tutors letterbox/pigeonhole if this has been agreed with your tutor beforehand

Assignment coversheets

Your submission should be accompanied by an assignment coversheet which clearly states your name and the name of your tutor. These coversheets can be found at the faculty website page:  http://infotech.monash.edu.au/resources/students/assignments

Due dates and extensions

The due dates for the submission of assignments are given in the previous section. Please make every effort to submit work by the due dates. It is your responsibility to structure your study program around assignment deadlines, family, work and other commitments. Factors such as normal work pressures, vacations, etc. are seldom regarded as appropriate reasons for granting extensions. Students are advised to NOT assume that granting of an extension is a matter of course.

Extensions

It is your responsibility to structure your study program around assignment deadlines, family, work and other commitments. Factors such as normal work pressures, vacations, etc. are seldom regarded as appropriate reasons for granting extensions. 

Students requesting an extension must apply, using the standard 'Extension Request', to their unit adviser at least two days prior to the due date. You should also confirm your extension request via e-mail. Extensions may be granted for medical or personal reasons supported by appropriate documentary evidence. You will be asked to forward original medical certificates in cases of illness, and may be asked to provide other forms of documentation where necessary. Students will be provided with a reply slip documenting the extension, a copy of which should be submitted with the assignment.

Late assignment

Assignments received after the due date will be subject to a penalty of a 10 % reduction in marks for each day (including weekends) the assignment is late. Assignments will not normally be accepted if handed in more than 2 weeks after the due date.

This policy is strict because comments or guidance will be given on assignments as they are returned, and sample solutions may also be published and distributed, after assignment marking or with the returned assignment. 

Return dates

Students can expect assignments to be returned within two weeks of the submission date or after receipt, whichever is later.

Assessment for the unit as a whole is in accordance with the provisions of the Monash University Education Policy at http://www.policy.monash.edu/policy-bank/academic/education/assessment/

We will aim to have assignment results made available to you within two weeks after assignment receipt.

Plagiarism, cheating and collusion

Plagiarism and cheating are regarded as very serious offences. In cases where cheating  has been confirmed, students have been severely penalised, from losing all marks for an assignment, to facing disciplinary action at the Faculty level. While we would wish that all our students adhere to sound ethical conduct and honesty, I will ask you to acquaint yourself with Student Rights and Responsibilities (http://www.infotech.monash.edu.au/about/committees-groups/facboard/policies/studrights.html) and the Faculty regulations that apply to students detected cheating as these will be applied in all detected cases.

In this University, cheating means seeking to obtain an unfair advantage in any examination or any other written or practical work to be submitted or completed by a student for assessment. It includes the use, or attempted use, of any means to gain an unfair advantage for any assessable work in the unit, where the means is contrary to the instructions for such work. 

When you submit an individual assessment item, such as a program, a report, an essay, assignment or other piece of work, under your name you are understood to be stating that this is your own work. If a submission is identical with, or similar to, someone else's work, an assumption of cheating may arise. If you are planning on working with another student, it is acceptable to undertake research together, and discuss problems, but it is not acceptable to jointly develop or share solutions unless this is specified by your lecturer. 

Intentionally providing students with your solutions to assignments is classified as "assisting to cheat" and students who do this may be subject to disciplinary action. You should take reasonable care that your solution is not accidentally or deliberately obtained by other students. For example, do not leave copies of your work in progress on the hard drives of shared computers, and do not show your work to other students. If you believe this may have happened, please be sure to contact your lecturer as soon as possible.

Cheating also includes taking into an examination any material contrary to the regulations, including any bilingual dictionary, whether or not with the intention of using it to obtain an advantage.

Plagiarism involves the false representation of another person's ideas, or findings, as your own by either copying material or paraphrasing without citing sources. It is both professional and ethical to reference clearly the ideas and information that you have used from another writer. If the source is not identified, then you have plagiarised work of the other author. Plagiarism is a form of dishonesty that is insulting to the reader and grossly unfair to your student colleagues.

Register of counselling about plagiarism

The university requires faculties to keep a simple and confidential register to record counselling to students about plagiarism (e.g. warnings). The register is accessible to Associate Deans Teaching (or nominees) and, where requested, students concerned have access to their own details in the register. The register is to serve as a record of counselling about the nature of plagiarism, not as a record of allegations; and no provision of appeals in relation to the register is necessary or applicable.

Non-discriminatory language

The Faculty of Information Technology is committed to the use of non-discriminatory language in all forms of communication. Discriminatory language is that which refers in abusive terms to gender, race, age, sexual orientation, citizenship or nationality, ethnic or language background, physical or mental ability, or political or religious views, or which stereotypes groups in an adverse manner. This is not meant to preclude or inhibit legitimate academic debate on any issue; however, the language used in such debate should be non-discriminatory and sensitive to these matters. It is important to avoid the use of discriminatory language in your communications and written work. The most common form of discriminatory language in academic work tends to be in the area of gender inclusiveness. You are, therefore, requested to check for this and to ensure your work and communications are non-discriminatory in all respects.

Students with disabilities

Students with disabilities that may disadvantage them in assessment should seek advice from one of the following before completing assessment tasks and examinations:

• Faculty of Information Technology Student Service staff, and / or
• your Unit Coordinator, or
• Disabilities Liaison Unit

Deferred assessment and special consideration

Deferred assessment (not to be confused with an extension for submission of an assignment) may be granted in cases of extenuating personal circumstances such as serious personal illness or bereavement. Information and forms for Special Consideration and deferred assessment applications are available at http://www.monash.edu.au/exams/special-consideration.html. Contact the Faculty's Student Services staff at your campus for further information and advice.