Platypotamus

Art Institute of Seattle
Course Syllabus
Summer 2009

GAD235: 2D Scripting
Tuesday 5:45pm-9:35 pm

Instructor: Steve Rhoades
Phone: (206) 239-2432
Email: srhoades at aii dot edu

Course Website: http://www.platypotamus.com/academia/gad235

Course Length: 11 weeks
Contact Hours: 4 hours per week (40 hours)

Prerequisite: GAD225: Principles of Programming

Description: This course continues where Principles of Programming left off. It focuses primarily on tying scripts/code to user input and art assets.

Course Competencies:

Identify industry standard scripting techniques and their relationship to game design
1.Identify programming languages used in interactive media applications.
2.Explain how scripting languages and techniques are used in game design.
Apply basic scripting languages
1.Learn good programming habits.
2.Observe and document errors in programming.
3.Incorporate aspects of object-oriented programming.
4.Create data structures, procedures, functions, and variables using Actionscript 3.0
5.Create arrays and loops in Actionscript 3.0
6.Create a functional application using Actionscript 3.0
Communicate with programmers in relation to game design
1.Express game design concepts in programmatic form.
2.Use programming terminology and concepts appropriately.
Prioritize tasks to meet deadlines
1.Compare time involved in programming versus asset creation
2.Use schedules to set goals in order of importance
Understanding of Object Oriented programming
1.Use object oriented techniques for all assignments.
2.Understand concepts such as inheritance and polymorphism.
Be able to tie code to data, art, and user input.
1.Load art assets or data from outside of the .swf via loader objects.
2.Use and understand Actionscript's event system.
3.Use two dimensional arrays to display data on screen.

Textbook: Actionscript 3.0 Bible,
Braunstein, Roger
ISBN: 9780470135600

Grading: Reprinted from the school catalog for your convenience:

A grade of "A" represents superior work that goes above and beyond the requirements of the course. "0A" work shows creativity and insight.
A grade of "B" represents good, solid work with clear improvement over the duration of the course. "B" work meets all course requirements.
A grade of "C" represents work that meets course requirements, but fails to demonstrate significant improvement. "C" work is considered average.
A grade of "D" represents work that in one or more ways fails to meet the requirements of the course, but meets the basic competencies required and is reasonable enough to pass.
A grade of "F" represents general failure to meet the requirements and competencies of the course.

Students will be evaluated based upon their performance in weekly homework assignments, a group of five quizzes, a midterm, a final, and attendance, participation, and professionalism.

Course Breakdown:

Homework:
This class will feature 4 projects. The first 3 will each be tied to the three main concepts of the course. The final project will be something of an open ended project (you will turn in a brief proposal) utilizing at least two of the concepts covered by the first three projects.

Late Homework: There is absolutely positively no late homework. It will never be accepted.

Attendance: Students registered in the class are expected to be present from "bell to bell" every class session. Students who cannot be in class during this period on any given session are expected to contact me prior to class beginning. Failure to do so will impact that student's professionalism grade in addition to their attendance grade.

Missed Classes: Students missing class are still responsible to turn in homework assigned while they were absent... it is the student's responsibility to contact me and check the course website. Homework will be posted on the class website the day it is assigned. Work done in class can never be made up. The midterm and the final can only be made up if you have contacted me prior to the test time and I have explicitly granted permission for a make up. Due to rapid pace of the class, the density of the material, and the shortness of the term, students are strongly encouraged to be present for every session.

Participation: Students are expected to be not only physically present in class, but also mentally present. During lectures and discussions, students will be expected to be a part of the discussions, by actively listening and (when applicable) contributing to the discussion. During class work time, students are expected to be working on the assignments for this class. This class is likely one of the most difficult classes you will take, and I strongly encourage you to pay complete attention at all times.

Professionalism: As the Art Institute exists to prepare its students for work in a professional setting, students will be expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner. This includes (but is not limited to) being present in class for every session, and alerting me in advance when you will be late or absent. It includes turning in source code that complies with the class's coding standards. It includes acting in a professional manner with regard to classroom rules. Essentially: you will be held to high standards similar to those that exist in today's business environment.

Housekeeping Items:
NOTE: Please understand that every instructor has different and unique policies governing their classroom environment. As such, "I was allowed to do this in some other class" is not a valid excuse.

1. NO EATING OR DRINKING IN THE CLASSROOMS AND LABS! Anyone caught in violation of this policy will be asked to leave the classroom.
2. Class time - is designated to set direction, to allow for discussion and demonstration of new concepts and techniques, and to give critiques and feedback on work done to date. It is not expected that students will complete assigned projects during class hours. For this class you should anticipate spending a minimum of 4 hours per week outside of class completing assignments. If you plan to work at school please check class and lab schedules for available space. Students are responsible for submitting all work on the syllabus regardless of whether they are reminded in class or not. Reading the syllabus is the student's responsibility
3. Absenteeism - According to school policy, you WILL be withdrawn from the school if you are absent 14 CONSECUTIVE calendar days. You will fail this class if you are absent more than two total class periods over the course of the term. Students are expected to contact me in advance when they will be missing class.
4. Tardiness - Tardiness (of any amount of time) is not tolerated and affects the attendance portion of a student's grade. Students are expected to contact me in advance when they will be late to class (or leaving early). Failure to do so will impact the professionalism portion of a student's grade.
5. Testing Policy - Tests may only be made up if a student contacts me in advance and I give explicit permission to make up the test.
6. Late Work - Not accepted. Ever. No Excuses. Seriously.
7. Cheating and Plagiarism - NOT ALLOWED and will result in an F. There is no flexibility here.
8. Etiquette - Please be mindful of your peers in class and be respectful of others at all times. This includes raising your hands in class and keeping your cell phones and beepers on vibrate or silent mode. Please return phone calls on break and outside the building to be respectful of others working.
9. OLS - All students are required to maintain an active OnLine Services account. Student email, grade reports, unofficial schedules, unofficial transcripts and other necessary services can only be accessed through OLS, not through the registrar.
10. Student IDs - Students are required to wear their Ai Student Identification Badge visibly on their person at all times while on the school premises. Students without IDs will not be admitted to class.
11. Contacting the Instructor - You can use email, voicemail or set up an appointment to contact your instructor. If the instructor doesn't respond to your messages within 24 hours, please assume that they didn't get the message and try again.
12. Students must have an official schedule to sit in class. Instructor will take first day attendance ONLY when the official schedule has been presented.
13. Required textbooks must be obtained by the second class meeting. Textbooks for your class are available from the bookstore. If a textbook is delayed, alternate instructions for obtaining your textbook will be provided.
14. Dress Code - Students must abide by the dress code as defined in the catalog.
15. Children - No children are allowed in class or on campus at any time.

Weekly Outline:

Week 1: Introduction to Flash
Read Chapters 12, 13

Week 2-3: Events, Animation, and Library Objects.
Project 1: Critter Caretaker, due Week 4