California University of Pennsylvania
Guidelines for New Course Proposals
University Course Syllabus
Department of Art & Languages
UCC Approval date: 12/4/2017
A. Protocol
Course Name: Intro to Virtual Reality
Course Number: ART 216
Credits: 3
Prerequisites: ART 112 or permission of the instructor
Maximum Class Size (face-to-face): 20 (lab capacity)
Maximum Class Size (online): N/A
B. Objectives of the Course:
Upon completion of the course, students should be able to:
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)

Examine VR’s constituent technologies
Discuss design and application of VR in the arts & entertainment fields
Discuss the aesthetic experience of the VR world.
Discuss VR issues in the application, design, and implementation in various emerging fields
Analyze and critique different VR projects and experiences.
Describe and discuss various visualizations in VR.

C. Catalog Description: Click here to enter text.
This studio course is an introduction to the art and craft of Virtual Reality and its applications to the arts and
entertainment fields. VR utilizes visualization, representation, human computer interaction to provide an
instructional, immersive, aesthetic experience. This course will focus on student design of VR environments
and on various practical and aesthetic issues in the application, design, and implementation of VR in various
imaging industries including industrial design, architecture and medical fields.
D. Outline of the Course:
Weeks 1/2: VR History & Evolution to the present.
Weeks 3/4: Virtual Reality as a medium.
Weeks 5/6: Design, Application, and Implementation in the Virtual world.
Weeks 7/8: Design as Interface to the Virtual World.
Week 9:
Aesthetics & Rendering of the Virtual World (sensory images and representations in the world).
Weeks 10/11: Interacting with the Virtual World.
Week 12:
Making the VR experience a successful one.
Week 13:
Role of VR in the world today.
Weeks 14/15: Evaluation and feedback of VR design, application, and implementation.

E. Teaching Methodology:
1) Traditional Classroom Methodology
Class Lectures
Class Discussions
Studio Projects and Tutorials
Individual/Group Activities
2) Online Methodology
N/A.
F.

Text (Suggested)

Sherman, William & Craig, Allan B. Understanding Virtual Reality Interface, Application and Design.
Morgan Kaufmann Publisher, 2017.
G. Assessment Activities:
1) Traditional Classroom Assessment
Quizzes/Exams
Graded Tutorials
Short Papers
Graded Critiques
Graded Studio Projects
2) Online Assessment
N/A
H. Accommodations for Students with Disabilities:
OSD
Revised June 2015
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
Students reserve the right to decide when to self-identify and when to request accommodations. Students
requesting approval for reasonable accommodations should contact the Office for Students with Disabilities
(OSD). Students are expected to adhere to OSD procedures for self-identifying, providing documentation and
requesting accommodations in a timely manner.
Students will present the OSD Accommodation Approval Notice to faculty when requesting accommodations that
involve the faculty.
Contact Information:
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I.

Location:
Phone:
Fax:
Email:
Web Site:

Carter Hall - G-35
(724) 938-5781
(724) 938-4599
osdmail@calu.edu
http://www.calu.edu/osd

Title IX Syllabus Addendum

California University of Pennsylvania
Reporting Obligations of Faculty Members under Title IX
of the Education Amendments of 1972, 20 U.S.C. §1681, et seq.

California University of Pennsylvania and its faculty are committed to assuring a safe and productive educational
environment for all students. In order to meet this commitment and to comply with the Title IX of the Education
Amendments of 1972 and guidance from the Office of Civil Rights, the University requires faculty members to
report incidents of sexual violence shared by students to the University’s Title IX Coordinator, Dr. John A.
Burnett, Special Assistant to the President for EEEO, Office of Social Equity, South Hall 112, Burnett@calu.edu,
724-938-4014. The only exceptions to the faculty member’s reporting obligation are when incidents of sexual
violence are communicated by a student during a classroom discussion, in a writing assignment for a class, or as
part of a University-approved research project. Faculty members are obligated to report sexual violence or any
other abuse of a student who was, or is, a child (person under 18 years of age) when the abuse allegedly occurred
to the person designated in the University protection of minors policy.

The University’s information regarding the reporting of sexual violence and the resources that are available to
victims of sexual violence is set forth at:
•

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J.

Office of Social Equity, South Hall 112, 724-938-4014
o Social Equity Home Page
www.calu.edu/SocialEquity
o Social Equity Policies
www.calu.edu/SEpolicies
o Social Equity Complaint Form
www.calu.edu/SEcomplaint
Counseling Center, Carter Hall G53, 724-938-4056
End Violence Center, Carter Hall G94, 724-938-5707
Student Affairs, Natali Student Center 311, 724-938-4439
Wellness Center, Carter Hall G53, 724-938-4232
Women’s Center, Natali Student Center 117, 724-938-5857
Threat Response Assessment and Intervention Team (T.R.A.I.T.) & Dept. of Public Safety &
University Police, Pollock Maintenance Building, 724-938-4299
o EMERGENCY: From any on-campus phone & Dial H-E-L-P or go to any public pay phone
& Dial *1. (*Identify the situation as an emergency and an officer will be dispatched
immediately.)

Supportive Instructional Materials, e.g. library materials, web sites, etc.
Additional book: Linowes, Jonathan. Virtual Reality Projects. Packt Publishing, 2015.

Websites:
https://unity3d.com
http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/gadgets/other-gadgets/virtual-reality.htm
https://uxdesign.cc

Additional Information for Course Proposals
K. Proposed Instructors:
A qualified instructor approved by the Art & Languages department.
L. Rationale for the Course:
This is the first virtual reality studio course proposed. This would allow students to explore the medium of
VR and experience its design, applications, and implementation. This would allow students to add a new
technological-based element to their portfolios and be aligned with the new university focus on technology.

M. Specialized Equipment or Supplies Needed:
Borrowing VR equipment from the TLC (The Learning Center).
N. Answer the following questions using complete sentences:
1) Does the course require additional human resources? (Please explain)
No, it does not require additional human resources.

2) Does the course require additional physical resources? (Please explain)
No, the course does not require additional physical resources.
3) Does the course change the requirements in any particular major? (Please explain)
No, the course does not change the requirements in any particular major.
4) Does the course replace an existing course in your program? (If so, list the course)
No, the course does not replace an existing on in our program.
5) How often will the course be taught?
The course will be offered every other year.
Click here to add text to qualify your selection for course timing, if necessary.
6) Does the course duplicate an existing course in another Department or College? (If the possibility exists,
indicate course discipline, number, and name)
No, the course does not duplicate an existing one in another department or college.
O. If the proposed course includes substantial material that is traditionally taught in another discipline, you must
request a statement of support from the department chair that houses that discipline.
N/A
P. Please identify if you are proposing to have this course considered as a menu course for General Education.
The General Education Committee must consider and approve the course proposal before consideration by
the UCC.
No, this course is not being proposed for now as a menu course for General Education.

Q. Approval Form
Provide the Approval Form (Signature Page) with the signatures of your department
Chair AND college Dean (electronically).