DIGITAL GAME DESIGN
Bachelor	TR-NQF-HE: Level 6	QF-EHEA: First Cycle	EQF-LLL: Level 6

Course Introduction and Application Information

Course Code	Course Name	Semester	Theoretical	Practical	Credit	ECTS
NMD3901	Digital Investigative Journalism	Spring	2	2	3	10

This catalog is for information purposes. Course status is determined by the relevant department at the beginning of semester.

Basic information

Language of instruction:	English
Type of course:	Non-Departmental Elective
Course Level:	Bachelor’s Degree (First Cycle)
Mode of Delivery:	Face to face
Course Coordinator :	Dr. Öğr. Üyesi TİRŞE ERBAYSAL FİLİBELİ
Course Lecturer(s):	Dr. Öğr. Üyesi AYBERK CAN ERTUNA Prof. Dr. HASAN KEMAL SUHER
Recommended Optional Program Components:	None.
Course Objectives:	The journalism industry is always changing. With the new world of the internet comes a new form of journalism: convergence. Media convergence is defined as a form of cross-media cooperation, usually involving broadcast, print, photography and internet sites. This new form of journalism requires the journalist to be skilled in more than one discipline. For example, a convergence journalist could write an article for a newspaper and produce a broadcast package on the same story all in one day. Convergence journalism also adds more elements and details to a story through the use of more than one outlet to tell the story. This course is aimed to focus on the latest developments in journalism practice with underlining the cross-media applications and to give students basic skills to cover stories in a convergent way.

Learning Outcomes

The students who have succeeded in this course;
The students who succeeded in this course;
- will have a view on future of journalism and the place of convergence journalism in this future,
- will be able to analyze convergent and multimedia coverage in a more critical way in both technical and ethical manners,
- will be able to use cross-media in the same coverage,
- will be able to enrich their coverage with blending visual and textual material to tell news stories in a more effective way,
- will be able to use computer and basic editing and publishing software for journalism practice,
- will learn about the mobile technologies in video and podcast production,
- will be equipped with technical and theoretical qualifications to work for news websites as well as televisions, radio stations and other conventional news media,
- will pick the right medium for different kinds of stories,
- learn about basic verification techniques.

Course Content

Students who will be already taken the introductory courses on different sections of journalism will be introduced and re-introduced about the importance of convergence in media as well as technical details about; news writing, photojournalism, fundamentals of multimedia journalism, broadcasting, editing, computer assisted journalism and information graphics. Blogging and podcasting will also be issues during the semester. Students will be obliged to cover convergent real news stories in order to be able to apply what they’ve received from the course.

Weekly Detailed Course Contents

Week	Subject	Related Preparation
1)	Overview of the course, the syllabus and the textbooks
2)	Basics of convergent journalism and web 2.0
3)	Content management systems
4)	Introduction to Wordpress
5)	Themes
6)	Dashboard
7)	Plug-ins
8)	Midterm
9)	Content creating and managing
10)	User management
11)	Web analytics
12)	Presentation of projects
13)	Presentation of projects
14)	Review of the semester

Sources

Course Notes / Textbooks:

Jeffrey S. Wilkinson, August E. Grant and Douglas Fisher. Principles of Convergent Journalism. UK, Oxford University Press, 2008.

Stephen Quinn , Vincent Filak. Convergent Journalism An Introduction: Writing and Producing Across Media. New York, Focal Press, 2005.

NatGeo Guide to Photography:
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/content/dam/ngdotcom/rights-exempt/NatGeo_GuideToPhotography.pdf

KALOW, Nancy (2011). Visual Storytelling. Center for Documentary Studies at Duke University
P. 6-15
https://documentarystudies.duke.edu/books/visual-storytelling-digital-video-documentary

JENKINS, Henry (2006). Convergence Culture: Where Old and New Media Collide, New York: New York University Press.
P.1-24 (Introduction: “Worship at the Altar of Convergence”: A New Paradigm for Understanding Media Change)

FILAK, Vincent F. (2015). Convergent Journalism an Introduction: Writing and Producing Across Media. New York: Focal Press.
P.63-74 (Structure and Storytelling)

Reuters Handbook: A Reporter’s Guide to TV News Production: P.25-31 (Reporting and Writing Basics)

Reuters Video News Handbook: Pictures/Editing/Audio

References:

Evaluation System

Semester Requirements	Number of Activities	Level of Contribution
Attendance	13	% 10
Midterms	1	% 40
Final	1	% 50
Total		% 100
PERCENTAGE OF SEMESTER WORK		% 50
PERCENTAGE OF FINAL WORK		% 50
Total		% 100

ECTS / Workload Table

Activities	Number of Activities	Duration (Hours)	Workload
Course Hours	14	2	28
Application	14	2	28
Study Hours Out of Class	14	14	196
Midterms	1	4	4
Final	1	4	4
Total Workload			260

Contribution of Learning Outcomes to Programme Outcomes

No Effect	1 Lowest	2 Low	3 Average	4 High	5 Highest

	Program Outcomes	Level of Contribution
1)	Comprehend the conceptual importance of the game in the field of communication, ability to implement the player centered application to provide design.
2)	Analyze, synthesize, and evaluate information and ideas from various perspectives.
3)	Analyze the key elements that make up specific game genres, forms of interactions, mode of narratives and understand how they are employed effectively to create a successful game.
4)	Understand game design theories and methods as well as implement them during game development; to make enjoyable, attractive, instructional and immersive according to the target audience.
5)	Understand the technology and computational principles involved in developing games and master the use of game engines.
6)	Understand the process of creation and use of 2D and 3D assets and animation for video games.
7)	Understand and master the theories and methodologies of understanding and measuring player experience and utilize them during game development process.
8)	Comprehend and master how ideas, concepts and topics are conveyed via games followed by the utilization of these aspects during the development process.
9)	Manage the game design and development process employing complete documentation; following the full game production pipeline via documentation.
10)	Understand and employ the structure and work modes of game development teams; comprehend the responsibilities of team members and collaborations between them while utilizing this knowledge in practice.
11)	Understand the process of game publishing within industry standards besides development and utilize this knowledge practice.
12)	Pitching a video game to developers, publishers, and players; mastering the art of effectively communicating and marketing the features and commercial potential of new ideas, concepts or games.