Syllabus-RTF 331P-The Challenge of Multimedia-Fall 1998

"New Frontiers in Cyberspace: Avatars as Digital Embodiment"
Tuesday 2 - 5PM, unique # 06655, CMA 5.131 (ACTLab)

Vernon Reed, email-- vreed@actlab.utexas.edu; phone-- 345.4177(home)
Office CMA 5.128, Office hours TBA

Elissa Fineman, TA, email-- elissa@mail.utexas.edu
Office hours TBA

The course web site-- http://www.actlab.utexas.edu/~vreed/Avatar_course/

This course is a comparative study of the current state of avatar cyberspace, with particular attention to issues of embodiment and agency, as mediated by the technologies used for world construction. Our findings will constitute a major resource for the nascent field of academic study of cyberspace, and will be posted to the Web.

The first half of the semester, (1 Sep - 13 Oct) we will start by discussing the nature of 3D virtual space, and what it means to be embodied in an abstract digital domain. We will then visit, in avatar, a number of different virtual worlds. We will compare and contrast the experience of being in those worlds, noting what sorts of social interactions are facilitated by their architectures, and what sorts of experiences these worlds lend themselves to. We will explore the relationship between enabling technologies and philosophies of world construction, and how these sometimes conflicting foundations are reflected in various worlds. We will pay special attention to the affordances and limitations of the worlds we visit. During this time we will also be familiarizing ourselves with the tools required for the second half.

The second half of the semester (20 Oct - 1 Dec), we will divide the class into several groups, depending on class size. These groups will consist of people with a variety of skill sets and levels of expertise; tasks will need to be partitioned accordingly. Each group will then build a virtual avatar world, using a particular world-building technology. Each world will be designed to utilize, as fully as possible, the feature set of the enabling technology, in order to provide a rich experience of "being there". We will compare experiences of realizing particular functionalities with the different tool sets, and how such issues affected the kinds of worlds we were able to build. This period will be extremely intense, with much work to do in a limited time. It will also be exhilarating.

I will get leading figures to give reports on developments in this fast-evolving field, sometimes in person, sometimes in avatar.


Prerequisites:

Consent of instructor. For RTF students, any RTF classes listed as prerequisites in the Course Catalog.

Grading:

Attendance at all classes is mandatory, as a large part of your grade is based on class participation. See below:

· Class attendance and active participation: 35% of final grade
· Critiques, and other turned-in materials: 25% of final grade
· Final project (build a world): 40% of final grade

Due to the nature of the subject matter and projects, grading is necessarily subjective. It is final, however, and not subject to post-grading negotiations.

In lieu of a final, we will have an end of semester showing-of-worlds party, with people from around the globe attending in avatar.

Fair warning:

The learning curve for this course is *very* steep, with an equal emphasis on theoretical understanding and technical facility. Due to the project-intensive nature of the course, you will need to spend a minimum of 10 hours of out-of-class time a week, and often much more. If you just need three hours of credit to fill your quota, do not take this course, as you will likely fail.

If you feel that you are having trouble keeping up with the pace of the class, please come see me or Elissa as soon as you do. Do not wait for consultation past the time when we can help you through your problems.

Required reading:

"Pirate Utopias", Hakim Bey
http://www.t0.or.at/hakimbey/taz/taz3a.htm#labelPirateUtopias

"Snow Crash", Neal Stevenson
1993; ISBN 0-553-56261-4

"WebDeveloper.com Guide to 3D Avatars", Sue Ki Wilcox
1998, John Wiley & Sons; ISBN 0-471-24216-0

Other readings, in print and from the Web, as deemed relevant

Suggested reading:

"Avatars", Bruce Damer (highly reccomended)
1998, Peachpit Press; ISBN 0-201-68840-9


Stuff from the Tower:

Regarding Scholastic Dishonesty*: The University defines academic
dishonesty as cheating, plagiarism, unauthorized collaboration, falsifying
academic records, and any act designed to avoid participating honestly in
the learning process. Scholastic dishonesty also includes, but is not
limited to, providing false or misleading information to receive a
postponement or an extension on a test, quiz, or other assignment, and
submission of essentially the same written assignment for two courses
without the prior permission of the instructor. By accepting this
syllabus, you have agreed to these guidelines and must adhere to them.
Scholastic dishonesty damages both the student's learning experience and
readiness for the future demands of a work-career. Students who violate
University rules on scholastic dishonesty are subject to disciplinary
penalties, including the possibility of failure in the course and/or
dismissal from the University. For more information on scholastic
dishonesty, please visit the Student Judicial services Web site at
http://www.utexas.edu/depts/dos/sjs/.

About the Undergraduate Writing Center: The Undergraduate Writing Center,
located in the FAC 211, phone 471-6222, offers individualized assistance to
students who want to improve their writing skills. There is no charge, and
students may come in on a drop-in or appointment basis.