Monash University Handbook 2010 Undergraduate - Unit

Synopsis

This unit aims to develop the students knowledge of the concept of narrative structure, and its importance in the development of their understanding of how to create, and implement contextually appropriate narrative forms for multimedia products and systems, with a special emphasis on the game environment.
Topics will include: linear, visual and non-linear narrative, historical perspectives on the evolution of the narrative forms, and concepts such as representation, characterisation, point of view, genre, closure, the role of the user, interactivity, immersion and engagement.

Objectives

At the completion of this unit students will:

• understand the concept of narrative structure and a range of techniques employed in the construction of traditional media;
• appreciate the main forms of narrative construction which might be usefully employed in a multimedia environment;
• understand the key areas of research and development in the creation of narrative structures in multimedia environments;
• appreciate the importance of narrative structure to the users experience of multimedia environments;
• appreciate ways in which narrative forms might be adapted to the contextual diversity of different media;
• appreciate narrative techniques appropriate to the multimedia environment;
• appreciate the goals of multimedia production in relation to the input of narrative structure;
• integrate and further develop skills acquired in previous studies to create multimedia for business, entertainment, education and social environments;
• analyse and identify the key elements in the narrative structure of a variety of media and technologies;
• create narrative structures appropriate to both context and user;
• evaluate the ways in which narrative structure contribute to the user experience of the multimedia product or system;
• learn from, adapt and transform narrative models from other disciplines to multimedia environments where appropriate;
• understand that they produce meaning through a language (visual, audio, written etc) and that this language manifests in multimedia representations in order to exchange meaning and to communicate;
• understand the nature of the developing trends in narrative structure within the context of an historical perspective.

Assessment

Assignments: 100%

Chief examiner(s)

Mr Tom Chandler

Contact hours

2 hrs lectures/wk, 2 hrs laboratories/wk

Prerequisites

FIT2012

Prohibitions

MMS3403

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:

http://www.infotech.monash.edu.au/units/fit3095/