WDC 624: Transmedia Storytelling

This syllabus was first developed and taught in fall 2018 and then revised in 2019 in preparation for a ten-week compressed summer term. It will be offered next at Agnes Scott in Summer 2020.

Course Description

This course explores transmedia storytelling as a form of communicating ideas across a range of digital delivery platforms. Students learn to produce unique stories that can be expanded to engage diverse audiences for multiple purposes, including entertainment, marketing, and social change. Students identify and analyze the ways in which the stories or narratives acquire a new aesthetic and social significance as they expand to different media.

Learning outcomes

• Understand theories of convergence culture and trace the evolution of transmedia storytelling through professionalization and codification of the term and beyond.
• Research target audiences and platforms
• Critique transmedia media platforms for design, accessibility, and usage.
• Design and pitch an original, professional quality transmedia project.
• Co-produce an original, professional quality transmedia project.

Texts

• A Creator’s Guide to Transmedia Storytelling, Andrea Phillips*
• Hamlet on the Holodeck: The Future of Narrative in Cyberspace by Janet H. Murray
• Convergence Culture, Henry Jenkins
• Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Politics: Transmedia World-Building Beyond Capitalism, Dan Hassler-Forest
• Building Imaginary Worlds: The Theory and History of Subcreation, Mark J. P. Wolf
• In addition, students may be asked to download articles, view films, or listen to music outside of class.

*Only starred texts should be purchased. Selections from the others are on course reserves.

Required assignments

20% – Transmedia project proposal – In this 5-7 page proposal, you will conceptualize and design a transmedia narrative or experience that communicates connected-but-unique stories across three distinct media. Sections will include: a brief description of the public domain property at the center of the proposal; intended audience and evidence of its related interests; plans for communicating unique stories across three distinct media platforms; a preliminary timeline for producing and promoting each of these pieces and interacting with audiences over a 48-hour “live” period. Your project may include additional material such as storyboards, concept art, or audience research. Your proposal will be evaluated according to a rubric available on Canvas.

10% – Pitch session – You will have 5 minutes to pitch your proposal to the class, after which students will peer review projects based on perceived suitability for the target audience and feasibility of production and launch in four weeks. They will also rate their subjective interest in working on the project. You will be graded on the quality and professionalism of your presentation.

30% – Group project – You will be assigned a role within a team tasked with producing one of the selected projects. Your grade will be based primarily on your performance in your role and secondarily on the overall quality of the finished project.

10% – Response paper – You must complete a short response paper on one of the case studies.

10% – Course preparation – Students will answer questions in Canvas after each required reading, video or lecture to help them prepare for that week’s learning activities. Students have up to two attempts for each “quiz” and will see their grade in Canvas immediately. All course preparation assignments are due before the associated class. Late penalties incur automatically in Canvas from the moment class starts, so I encourage you not to wait until the last minute to submit your assignments.

20% – Participation – Students must participate in class activities and in class discussion online. Quality of participation will be evaluated via self-reflection and peer review using a rubric at the midpoint and at the end of the course.

Course schedule