USC Schedule of Classes

Interactive Media (CTIN)

• http://cinema.usc.edu/interactive
• cinema.usc.edu/interactive For D class assignments send a request to USC_Interactive@cinema.usc.edu. YOU MUST ATTEND THE FIRST SESSION of each course or you may be replaced by a student on the waiting list, even if you are registered. If you do not register for a class for which you have D-clearance by the registration deadline, your D-clearance will EXPIRE. School of Cinematic Arts "R" courses change to "D" in the third week of classes, and require both instructor and departmental approval. D class Assignments for undergraduate and graduate courses are available by emailing USC_Interactive@cinema.usc.edu with student ID, section number(s), current major, and class year/standing. Thank you.

CTIN 101: Fundamentals of Procedural Media (2.0 units)

Introduction to the procedural nature of interactive media. Developing proficiency in procedural literacy, reading and creating computational media. Duplicates credit in former CTIN 400.

Section	Session	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location	Syllabus	Info
18364D	001	Lecture	10:00-12:50pm	Thursday	27 of 32	Margaret Moser	SCIL113

CTIN 190: Introduction to Interactive Entertainment (4.0 units)

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.

Section	Session	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location	Syllabus	Info
18352D	001	Lecture	2:00-4:50pm	Tuesday	38 of 60	Jeffrey Watson	SCI108

CTIN 404L: Usability Testing for Games (2.0 units)

Concepts and methods of usability assessment. The emphasis will be on understanding the issues surrounding game interfaces, and utilizing usability assessment methods.

Section	Session	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location	Syllabus	Info
18394D	001	Lecture-Lab	6:00-7:50pm	Monday	10 of 20	Heather Desurvire	SCIL114	PDF (1461889 MB)

CTIN 444: Audio Expression (2.0 units)

Foundational aesthetic principles and creative technologies for game audio. Processing, mixing, and controlling sound for games for expressive effect. Recommended preparation CTIN 406L.

Section	Session	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location	Syllabus	Info
18376D	001	Lecture	11:00-1:50pm	Tuesday	19 of 25	Chanel-France Summers	SCIL114	PDF (249069 KB)

CTIN 458: Business and Management of Games (2.0 units)

Overview of current business models in games and interactive media, methods for pitching and getting products funded; copyright and intellectual property.

Section	Session	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location	Syllabus	Info
18366D	001	Lecture	6:00-8:50pm	Monday	66 of 72	Robert Nashak	SCI108	PDF (89060 KB)

CTIN 459L: Game Industry Workshop (4.0 units)

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. Recommended preparation: CTIN 489.

• Prerequisite: CTIN 488

Section	Session	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location	Syllabus	Info
18353D	001	Lecture-Lab	4:00-5:50pm	Tue, Thu	10 of 16	Gordon Bellamy	SCIL113

CTIN 464: Game Studies Seminar (2.0 units, max 4)

Rigorous examination of interactive entertainment: genres, history, aesthetics, cultural context, and social significance. Topics vary by semester.

Section	Session	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location	Syllabus	Info
18370D	001	Lecture	4:00-5:50pm	Monday	15 of 16	Kiki Benzon	SCI207

CTIN 479: Documentary and Activist Games (2.0 units)

How interaction design and games document reality. The unique abilities of interactive media in the realms of non-fiction, documentary, and activism. Recommended preparation: CTIN 190, CTIN 488 or CTIN 541.

Section	Session	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location	Syllabus	Info
18404D	001	Lecture	2:00-4:50pm	Thursday	9 of 20	Jeffrey Watson	SCI207

CTIN 483: Introduction to Game Development (4.0 units)

Introduction to technical and creative aspects of game development, including the art of creating the digital game prototype and development of 2D games.

Section	Session	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location	Syllabus	Info
18354D	001	Lecture-Lab	10:00-11:50am	Monday	14 of 20	Margaret Moser	SCA356	PDF (86309 KB)
			10:00-11:50am	Wednesday			SCA356

CTIN 484L: Intermediate Game Development (2.0 units)

Advanced topics in game programming and implementation such as using game engines, creating digital prototypes, player controls and level design.

• Prerequisite: CTIN 483 and 1 from (CTIN 488 or CTIN 541)
• Note: Section 18357 must be taken with CTIN 489 section 18363, and section 18406 must be taken with CTIN 489 section 18405.
• Concurrent enrollment: CTIN 489

Section	Session	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location	Syllabus	Info
18357D	001	Lecture-Lab	1:00-2:50pm	Monday	20 of 20	Peter Brinson	SCIL113	PDF (217583 KB)
18406D	001	Lecture-Lab	10:00-11:50am	Monday	21 of 22	Peter Brinson	SCIL113	PDF (240534 KB)

Concurrent Course
CTIN 489: Intermediate Game Design Workshop (2.0 units)

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 and 1 from (CTIN 488 or CTIN 541)
• Note: Section 18363 must be taken with CTIN 484 section 18357, and section 18405 must be taken with CTIN 484 section 18406.

Section	Session	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location	Syllabus	Info
18363D	001	Lecture	1:00-2:50pm	Wednesday	20 of 20	Sean Bouchard	SCIL113
18405D	001	Lecture	10:00-11:50am	Wednesday	21 of 22	Jesse Vigil	SCIL113

CTIN 485L: Advanced Game Development (2.0 units)

Advanced concepts in 3-D game development: story and character progression, emergent game-play, comprehensive game mechanics, and artificial intelligence.

• Prerequisite: (CTIN 483 and CTIN 484 and CTIN 488 and CTIN 489)

Section	Session	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location	Syllabus	Info
18374D	001	Lecture-Lab	6:00-8:50pm	Wednesday	12 of 16	Arjun Prakash	SCIL113

CTIN 486: Alternative Control Workshop (2.0 units)

Design of game projects using immersive input devices. Development of play mechanics, feedback systems and game design for immersive environments.

Section	Session	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location	Syllabus	Info
18410D	001	Lecture-Lab	11:00-1:20pm	Friday	13 of 16	Peter Lu	SCIL114

CTIN 488: Game Design Workshop (4.0 units)

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

• Note: Register for lecture and one lab

Section	Session	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location	Syllabus	Info
18358D	001	Lecture	12:00-1:50pm	Monday	39 of 80	Jane Pinckard	SCI108	PDF (436336 KB)
18359D	001	Lab	10:00-11:50am	Tuesday	15 of 17	Elizabeth Swensen	SCIL106
18360D	001	Lab	4:00-5:50pm	Thursday	14 of 16	Elizabeth Swensen	SCIL106
18391D	001	Lab	11:00-12:50pm	Friday	Canceled	Michael Annetta
18392D	001	Lab	4:00-5:50pm	Friday	10 of 16	Michael Annetta	SCIL106

CTIN 489: Intermediate Game Design Workshop (2.0 units)

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 and 1 from (CTIN 488 or CTIN 541)
• Note: Section 18363 must be taken with CTIN 484 section 18357, and section 18405 must be taken with CTIN 484 section 18406.
• Concurrent enrollment: CTIN 484

Section	Session	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location	Syllabus	Info
18363D	001	Lecture	1:00-2:50pm	Wednesday	20 of 20	Sean Bouchard	SCIL113
18405D	001	Lecture	10:00-11:50am	Wednesday	21 of 22	Jesse Vigil	SCIL113

Concurrent Course
CTIN 484L: Intermediate Game Development (2.0 units)

Advanced topics in game programming and implementation such as using game engines, creating digital prototypes, player controls and level design.

• Prerequisite: CTIN 483 and 1 from (CTIN 488 or CTIN 541)
• Note: Section 18357 must be taken with CTIN 489 section 18363, and section 18406 must be taken with CTIN 489 section 18405.

Section	Session	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location	Syllabus	Info
18357D	001	Lecture-Lab	1:00-2:50pm	Monday	20 of 20	Peter Brinson	SCIL113	PDF (217583 KB)
18406D	001	Lecture-Lab	10:00-11:50am	Monday	21 of 22	Peter Brinson	SCIL113	PDF (240534 KB)

CTIN 490x: Directed Research (1.0-8.0 units, max 12)

Individual research and readings. Not available for graduate credit.

Section	Session	Units	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location	Syllabus	Info
18407D	001	2.0-8.0	Lecture	TBA	TBA	20 of 28	Tracy Fullerton	OFFICE

CTIN 492L: Experimental Game Topics (4.0 units, max 8)

Development of a game around a custom-made physical interface;various technologies and techniques involved in software/hardware integration; peripheral design.

Section	Session	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location	Syllabus	Info
18369D	001	Lecture-Lab	3:00-4:50pm	Tue, Thu	16 of 18	Bonnie Ruberg	SCIL114

CTIN 493L: Advanced Game Project II (2.0 units, max 4)

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.

• Prerequisite: CTIN 491

Section	Session	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location	Syllabus	Info
18373D	001	Lecture-Lab	2:00-5:20pm	Thursday	29 of 30	Danny Bilson,Richard Lemarchand,Chanel-France Summers,Dennis Wixon, Jesse Vigil	SCI108	PDF (358686 KB)

CTIN 497: Interactive Media Startup (1.0 units, max 3)

Pitching, production planning, forming a company and seeking funding for your creative media idea. Duplicates credit in former CTIN 497ab.

Section	Session	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location	Syllabus	Info
18421D	001	Lecture	11:00-1:50pm	Thursday	16 of 20	Jordan Weisman, Gordon Bellamy	SCI207

CTIN 499: Special Topics (2.0-4.0 units, max 8)

Detailed investigation of new or emerging aspects of cinema, television, and/or interactive media; special subjects offered by visiting faculty; experimental subjects.

Section	Session	Units	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location	Syllabus	Info
Digital Media Workshop
18380D	001	4.0	Lecture	3:00-5:50pm	Monday	16 of 16	Peter Brinson	SCIL113	PDF (195101 KB)
				3:00-4:50pm	Wednesday			SCIL113
Level Design Workshop
18412D	001	2.0	Lecture	1:00-3:50pm	Thursday	Canceled	Scott Rogers

CTIN 503: Interactive Entertainment, Science, and Healthcare (2.0 units)

Overview of foundational concepts required for design, development and evaluation of interactive entertainment and transmedia-based interventions at the intersection of neuroscience, public health and medicine. Recommended preparation: Proficiency in conducting literature reviews; social media use; using interactive media and playing games. Open only to seniors and graduate students.

• Restriction: Registration open to the following class level(s): Senior, Senior (fifth year), Master Student, Professional Year 1, Doctoral Student, Graduate Visitor

Section	Session	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location	Syllabus	Info
18411D	037	Lecture	4:00-5:50pm	Tuesday	Canceled	Marientina Gotsis		Word (113077 KB)

CTIN 510: Research Methods for Innovation, Engagement and Assessment (2.0 units)

Planning, designing, and analyzing a research study for a digital media project. Production of a written report and presentation. Recommended preparation: CTIN 506, CTIN 541, and CTCS 505.

Section	Session	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location	Syllabus	Info
18388D	037	Lecture	11:00-12:50pm	Friday	8 of 12	Dennis Wixon	SCI207

CTIN 511: Interactive Media Seminar (1.0 units, max 4)

Seminars on latest trends in interactive media content, technology, tools, business and culture. Graded CR/NC.

Section	Session	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location	Syllabus	Info
18372D	037	Lecture	4:00-5:50pm	Wednesday	33 of 34	Sam Roberts, Richard Lemarchand	SCI108

CTIN 542: Interactive Design and Production II (4.0 units)

Interactive design, prototyping and testing of projects developed in CTIN 548. Prerequisite: CTIN 532. Open to Interactive Media MFA students only.

• Prerequisite: CTIN 532
• Restriction: Registration open to the following major(s): Interactive Media

Section	Session	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location	Syllabus	Info
18382D	037	Lecture-Lab	1:00-3:50pm	Wednesday	11 of 12	Mark Bolas	SCIL114

CTIN 544: Experiments in Interactivity II (2.0 units)

Experimental studio course in application of technology to interactive experience. Open to Interactive Media MFA students only.

• Prerequisite: CTIN 534
• Restriction: Registration open to the following major(s): Interactive Media

Section	Session	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location	Syllabus	Info
18381D	037	Lecture-Lab	5:30-8:20pm	Tuesday	15 of 16	Margaret Moser	SCIL114

CTIN 548: Preparing the Interactive Project (2.0 units)

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
• Restriction: Registration open to the following major(s): Interactive Media

Section	Session	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location	Syllabus	Info
18386D	037	Lecture	10:00-11:50am	Wednesday	11 of 12	Steven Anderson	SCIL114

CTIN 590: Directed Research (1.0-12.0 units)

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.

Section	Session	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location	Syllabus	Info
18402D	037	Lecture	TBA	TBA	17 of 16	Tracy Fullerton	OFFICE

CTIN 594b: Master's Thesis (2.0 units)

Credit on acceptance of thesis. Graded IP/CR/NC. Open to M.F.A., Interactive Media majors only.

• Prerequisite: CTIN 594a
• Restriction: Registration open to the following major(s): Interactive Media

Section	Session	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location	Syllabus	Info
18361D	037	Lecture	11:00-2:50pm	Thursday	15 of 16	Dennis Wixon, Jane Pinckard	SCI306

CTIN 599: Special Topics (2.0-4.0 units, max 8)

Detailed investigation of new or emerging aspects of interactive media; special subjects offered by visiting faculty; experimental subjects.

Section	Session	Units	Type	Time	Days	Registered	Instructor	Location	Syllabus	Info
Game Engines and Expression
18355D	037	2.0	Lecture	TBA	TBA	3 of 8	Margaret Moser	OFFICE