Syllabus - Wofford College

Geekology 101: Exploring Geek Culture
Interim 2014
Dr. Tracie Ivy
ivytm@wofford.edu
203K Milliken
telephone ext: 5020
Prof. Steve Zides
zidessb@wofford.edu
124A Milliken
telephone ext: 4613
Most of us have to suppress the geekier aspects of our personalities to fit in with the mainstream. But what if
there was a magical geek sanctuary where you could let loose and celebrate all the cool geekisms that make
you unique? This interim projects aims to be that place. This project will engage students in a plethora of geeky
readings, films, discussions, games, and activities. If your dice have more than six sides; if you find yourself
searching online for a Sonic Screwdriver; if you wish you could hang with the guys from The Big Bang Theory; if
your car displays a bumper sticker that reads "My Other Car is a Firebolt" (or a Broom), then this might be the
interim project for you.
Webpage: http://webs.wofford.edu/zidessb/GeekInterim/Geekology101.htm
Readings:
Before our first class, read:
Magic the Gathering Rule book
https://www.dropbox.com/s/0nwtee1ku7w6vzm/MTG_Rulebook_LR.pdf
Project Policies
Attendance
Attendance is mandatory. Students with 2 or more
unexcused absences will receive a grade of Unsatisfactory.
Excused absences will be given when proper documentation
is provided (e.g. doctor’s note, etc.).
Participation
Your participation is key to making this interim work!
Students who do not come to class prepared and/or do not
participate in class activities and discussions will receive a
grade of Unsatisfactory.
Assessment
The following will be required to receive a
grade of Satisfactory:




Journal entries
Geekout presentation satisfactorily
completed
70% or above on reading quizzes
Reach Level 7 (see leveling system
on p. 3)
To receive Honors:
 Complete all of the above
 Reach level 9
 90% or above on reading quizzes
Disability Access
Wofford College seeks to provide
students with reasonable
accommodations needed to ensure
equal access to the programs and
activities of the College. Students in
need of accommodations should seek
guidance at Health Services (Hugh R.
Black Building; (864) 597-4370.
Professionalism Policy
Please arrive on time for all class meetings. Students who
habitually disturb the class by talking, arriving late, etc., and
have been warned will receive a grade of Unsatisfactory in
the course. Mobile phones, tablets, iPods, etc. must be
silenced and put away during all classroom activities. Those
not heeding this rule will be asked to leave the classroom
immediately so as to not disrupt the learning environment.
This will count as an unexcused absence.
Academic Conduct Policy
As they are completely antithetical to the ethics and goals of
higher education, cheating, plagiarism, or fabrication will be
addressed to the fullest extent allowed by the guidelines set
forth by the College (See Student Handbook). If you wouldn’t
tell us that you did it, you probably shouldn’t be doing it.
When in doubt, please ask.
Project Outline
Week 1 – Introduction and Geek Games
Week 3 – Fantasy
Week 2 – Science Fiction
Week 4 – Comics/Manga
Leveling System
XP
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
180
200
220
Level
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
How to earn XP
• 10 quizzes at 10 XP each – 100 XP
• 19 days participation—max of 5 pts/day – 95 XP
• Geekout presentation – 25 XP
Notes:
• XP can be subtracted with a demonstrated lack of engagement (e.g. head
down in class, use of phone and/or non-course related computing)
6 Game Week
7 Game Week
8
Game Week
9 Game Week
Intro. to Geek Culture
Magic the Gathering
Magic the Gathering
Student Run Geek-Out
and the Big Bang Theory
(Training and Practice)
(Practice and Tournament)
("Sharing Your Passions")
10 Game Week
Movie Feature
Jumanji
McMillan Theater
13 Sci Fi Week
14 Sci Fi Week
15 Sci Fi Week
16 Sci Fi Week
Time Travel,
Student Run Geek-Out
Machine Intelligence,
Student Run Geek-Out
Parallel Universes
("Sharing Your Passions")
The Future of Humanity
("Sharing Your Passions")
and Star Trek: TOS
& Action Figure Fieldtrip
and Star Trek Spinoffs
21 Fantasy Week
22 Fantasy Week
23 Fantasy Week
The Hobbit (part I)
The Hobbit (part II)
The Hobbit (part III)
Student Run Geek-Out
(reading and discussion)
(reading and discussion)
(reading and discussion)
("Sharing Your Passions")
Hobbit Fieldtrip
27 Comics/Manga Week
The League of
28 Comics/Manga Week
Student Run Geek-Out
Extraordinary Gentlemen
("Sharing Your Passions")
(reading and discussion)
Comic Store Fieldtrip
("… because I'm Batman")
Movie Feature
Star Wars: Ep IV
McMillan Theater
("Let's buy some toys")
20 Fantasy Week
17 Sci Fi Week
24 Fantasy Week
Movie Feature
Princess Bride
McMillan Theater
29 Comics/Manga Week
Rurouni Kenshin
(reading and discussion)
30 Comics/Manga Week
Something Cool