HMI 772- Interactive narration
Instructor Leif Dahlberg, dahlberg@nada.kth.se
Björn Thuresson, thure@nada.kth.se
Semester Autumn 2004
Prerequisites Knowledge corresponding to a basic course in Human-Computer-Interaction is desirable. Previous background in cognitive psychology, communication, drama, film, literature, media, and social sciences is an advantage.
Goals To give a practical and theoretical understanding of different kinds of interactive narration. The participants will design and produce interactive narratives, the interactive productions will be documented and analysed.
Content The use and development of new media for story telling is an important aspect of contemporary culture and society. This is shown by the strong development of computer games characterized by interactive narration (an industry which today has a turnover larger than the film industry); by the remediation and convergence of various narrative media forms (which also is part of general convergence of computer industry and media industry); by the resulting confusion of users and viewers (viewsers), consumers and readers; and by the fact that ordinary people use new media to tell stories of themselves, for themselves and for others.

The changing forms of story telling today propose a challenge on several levels: How is interactive narration in new media related to oral narrative and to traditional reading of narrative fiction or viewing fiction film? What kind of narrative does interactive narration 'afford', how does it affect and change narrative and narration? What is the relation between embodiment and self-understanding in screen media? How is narration and gaming related?

In this course interactive narration the participants will learn to analyse, design and produce various kinds of interactive narration, as well as document and evaluate the production.
Literature A collection of articles and other materials will be distributed. The articles cover the following fields: communication; computer games; embodiment; human cognition; gaming; interaction design; remediation; screen media; self-understanding; story telling; […].
Examination Active participation in seminars; course diary; an interactive project together with full documentation; short final paper (5 pages)
Other Classes will run approximately once a week from September to November.