Course Descriptions • Game Development • Carthage College

Scroll down to read descriptions of game development courses offered at Carthage, or click on these links for additional resources:

Game Design

CSC 1710 / 4 credits
This course provides a practical foundation in game design with a focus on concept development, prototyping, and design decomposition. Students learn how to translate game ideas, themes, and metaphors into gameplay, game concept pitches, and design documents using game design principles, physical prototyping, and interactive development suggestive of Agile methods.

Data Structures

CSC 2560 / 4 credits
An examination of advanced programming techniques for problem-solving and manipulating data using primarily object-oriented approaches.
Prerequisite: CSC 1820 with a C- or higher
Offered in Fall

Database Design and Management

CSC 2810 / 4 credits
An introduction to database methods including data models (regional, object-oriented, network, and hierarchical); database design and modeling; implementation and accessing methods; and SQL. Students will design and implement a database using a database management system.
Prerequisite: CSC 1820 with a C- or higher

Software Design and Development

CSC 4350 / 4 credits
An examination of the software development process from analysis through maintenance using both structured and object-oriented methods. Students work together on a team project. Should be taken in the Spring term of junior year.
Prerequisite: CSC 2560 with a C- or higher
Offered in Spring

Senior Seminar

CSC 4000 / 4 credits
Students review and discuss current issues and trends in computer science. During this course, students are expected to substantially complete their senior capstone or thesis.
Prerequisites: Senior standing, completion of six CSC courses, and instructor permission
Offered in Fall

Senior Thesis Completion

CSC 4990 / 0 credits
Students should register for CSC 4990 during the semester that they intend to complete and present their Senior Thesis.

Game Engine Programming

CSC 3710 / 4 credits
In this course students will create their own 2D game engine using approaches such as the Entities, Components, and Systems architecture. Students will develop their own animation, physics, collision, and pathfinding systems. Students will also be required to create a level editor for their engine. This is a projects-based course.
Prerequisites: CSC 2560 with a C- or higher

Artificial Intelligence and Cognitive Modeling

CSC 3530 / 4 credits
This course explores the primary approaches for developing computer programs that display characteristics we would think of as being intelligent. Students will analyze how intelligent systems are developed and implemented with a focus on exploring how human behavior on cognitive tasks can be used to inform the development of these artificial systems, as well as how the performance and behavior of these artificial systems can inform our understanding of human cognition.
Prerequisites: CSC 2560 with a C- or higher or with permission of instructor

Computer Graphics

CSC 3770 / 4 credits
Given the ubiquity of computer graphics in modern culture (in forms such as computer gaming, motion pictures, and other kinds of visual entertainment), the deeply technical nature of its formulation and construction can be overlooked. This course provides an introduction to computer graphics covering aspects of linear algebra, geometry, color, vision, and the unique nature of modern graphics programming. This course is project driven.
Prerequisites: CSC 2560 with a C- or higher

Studies in Media

CDM 2630 / 4 credits
In this variable content course, students develop a historically informed understanding of a specific audio/visual mode contextualized through a given culture, subculture, movement, geography, and/or society in the global context (outside normative North American society).

Studies in Media Production

CDM 2730 / 4 credits
In this variable content course, students develop introductory skill sets that are applicable to a specific audio/visual mode of production.

Calculus I

MTH 1120 / 4 credits
This course is a study of coordinate systems, straight lines and conic sections, theory of limits, differentiations of algebraic functions, applications to slopes and curves, and maxima and minima.
Prerequisite: MTH 1070 with a grade of C- or better, or high school preparation

Linear Algebra

MTH 2040 / 4 credits
An examination of linear equations, matrices, vector spaces, transformations, and eigensystems.
Prerequisite: MTH 1120

FOUNDATIONS, SURFACE: Images + Design (FAR) (AI)

ART 1070 / 4 credits
A studio-based course designed to cultivate a student’s ability to understand and create images. Students will work fluidly across two-dimensional and three-dimensional processes and across material-based and digital-based projects. Projects will involve fundamental principles of design, color, and visual organization through drawing, printmaking, painting, fiber art, book arts, 3D media, technology, and lens-based media. Course content will explore the context of images in the larger culture and the potential of art and design to make inquiries into social, cultural, philosophical, scientific, political, or technological topics. Students will take projects through the creative design process, from ideation to construction, presentation, and critique.
Offered in Fall/Spring

FOUNDATIONS, MATERIAL: Objects + Spaces (FAR) (AI)

ART 1071 / 4 credits
An investigation of three-dimensional objects and spaces in art and design. Students will work fluidly across three-dimensional and four-dimensional processes and across material-based and digital-based projects. This studio course will cultivate a student’s ability to perceive, think, visualize, design, build, and reflect. Students will acquire a broad skill set of fabrication techniques, working with traditional and 21st century materials, including paper, wood, wire, clay, plaster, mixed media, video, sound, digital 3D designs, and others. Through organizing visual and other sensory elements, students will learn formal and conceptual principles of three-dimensional design. Projects will emphasize which convey meaningful messages.
Offered in Fall/Spring

FOUNDATIONS, TIME: Movement + Digital (FAR) (AI)

ART 1072 / 4 credits
This course is a study of design fundamentals in time-based media, with emphasis on content. Students will explore the interactions of time through the lens and the tactile world, using video, sound, animation, performance, installation, and/or new media. Projects will be interdisciplinary in nature, with the combining of time-based media, for example performance art and video, installation art and sound. Through individual production, group projects, and critical discussion, students will examine the relationships between image, sound, linear and nonlinear narrative, time, and space.
Offered in Fall/Spring

Drawing I (FAR) (AI)

ART 2000 / 4 credits
This foundational studio course introduces students to basic drawing techniques and media. Focusing on observational drawing, students learn to create naturalistic images and the illusion of three-dimensional space on a two-dimensional page. In addition, students are exposed to great artists and drawings through history, critique, and art theory.
Offered in Fall/Spring

Color Photography (FAR)

ART 2130 / 4 credits
Students will explore the conceptual, aesthetic, historical, and technical aspects of color photography as an art medium. Students will use DSLR cameras and the contemporary process of digital photography to produce work that is both visually engaging and conceptually challenging. The course will culminate in a portfolio of works that thoroughly explores an area of interest with technical proficiency. Students are required to have their own cameras.

4D (FAR) (AI)

ART 2750 / 4 credits
Time, space, and technology are fundamental in contemporary art practice. This course will be an introduction to the process of making art by utilizing technology and transaction among people, objects, locations, and situations. Through studio assignments, screenings, readings, lectures, discussion, and/or workshops, students will be introduced to contemporary time-based art practices. Depending on the specific topic offered, this will include video, sound art, performance art, installation, light, experimental film, social practice, web-based, and/or new media.

Illustration (FAR) (AI)

ART 3010 / 4 credits
Illustration is an applied art that communicates specific content through image making. Drawing is emphasized as both a practice and a discipline in illustration. A variety of narrative approaches will be introduced with an emphasis on individuality of expression. Introduction to various media is based on class projects. The goal of the course projects will be to communicate ideas for commercial reproduction resulting in a varied portfolio of finished works. A studio art course containing lectures, demonstrations, theory, and practice. Previous drawing experience is highly suggested.

Principles of Computer Science I

CSC 1810 / 4 credits
A study of the fundamentals of writing computer programs and problem-solving, using structured and object-oriented techniques. Intended for future majors and minors in Computer Science and minors in Game Development. Students are strongly encouraged to enroll in this course in the Fall term of their first year.
Offered in Fall/Spring

Principles of Computer Science II

CSC 1820 / 4 credits
The emphasis of this course is on problem-solving. Students will mature as problem-solvers as they are presented with increasingly challenging problems to program.
Prerequisite: CSC 1810 with a C- or higher
Offered in Spring, with limited Fall availability

Game Development I

CSC 2710 / 4 credits
Video games are serious work. Reaching far beyond the multibillion-dollar gaming industry, the lessons of video game development increasingly translate to disparate fields requiring simulation, training, and easy-to-use interfaces. This course introduces students to the game development and design process. Students will build games representative of a varity of genres. This is a project-based course.
Co-requisite: CSC 1810 or instructor permission
Alternating Fall

Game Development II

CSC 2720 / 4 credits
A continuation of CSC 2710 Game Development I with an emphasis on three-dimensional environments. This is a project-based course.
Prerequisite: CSC 2710 with a C- or better

Game Development III

CSC 2730 / 4 credits
A continuation of CSC 2720 Game Development II focusing on advanced topics such as save systems and multiplayer.
Prerequisite: CSC 2720 with a C- or better

Creative Writing

ENG 2050 / 4 credits
This course will focus on the development of a clear and persuasive expository style suited for academic or professional writing. Students will gain a heightened sense of “audience” by reading and responding to each other’s writing.

Electronic Music

MUS 1900 / 4 credits
A historical survey of art music in the electronic music genre leads students to a strong understanding and composing ability in the genre as found in the 20th and 21st centuries. The focus is specific to the electronic music genre.

Cognitive Science of Magic

PYC 1900 / 4 credits
This course will provide an immersive introduction to the burgeoning psychological “science of magic” with a specific focus on the contributions that stage magic can make to the student of cognition. Students will explore how magicians exploit the fallibility of the human mind through an examination of experimental work from the world of psychology and theoretical work from the world of magic. During the course, students will be exposed to a variety of magical styles and schools of thought via occasional visits from prominent magicians and scientists with an interest in magic as well as field trips to magical performance venues.