CSG 1001 Intro to Creative Technologies: CSG and beyond | Fall 2025

COURSE DETAILS

🗓️ Days & Times:
CSG 1001-01: Monday | 10:00 AM – 10:50 AM

🏫 Location:
Graves Commons, 2nd Floor

💻 Learning Management System:
All course content will be provided through Harvey (LMS) https://harvey.utulsa.edu/

INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

Akram Taghavi-Burris
akram-burris@utulsa.edu | 918-631-3864 @ProfessorAkram (Discord)

🕔 Office Hours:
Monday – Thursday | 3:30 – 5:45 PM
Rayzor Hall 2125

📌 Book a Meeting:
Schedule a time to meet with Professor Akram

🌟Course Description: CSG 1001 Intro to Creative Technologies

Introduction to the core technologies driving creative industries such as computer animation, game design and development, and visual effects (VFX). Students will explore the tools, workflows, and technologies used to create immersive, technology-driven projects, with an emphasis on critical thinking and reflection. The course will also explore emerging areas in user-centered technology, including UX design, digital twins, simulations, and spatial computing, which encompasses virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and extended reality (XR). Students will gain insights into career opportunities in these tech-driven creative sectors.

🎯️ Course Goals (Objectives)

Analyze complex problems and apply computing principles to identify solutions
1. Analyze how historical and cultural factors influence digital media works.
2. Evaluate the evolution of stylistic trends in technology and design.
3. Appy principles and practices of security and privacy in computing.
4. Analyze current methodologies in creative digital industries.
5. Discuss technical workflows and production pipelines used to develop digital content.
6. Discuss emerging trends such as Digital Twin simulations, virtual production, and XR’s influence on education, healthcare, and entertainment.
Communicate effectively in various professional contexts.
1. Write and present clearly, practicing the skills of effective communication across the curriculum.
2. Prepare written communication in a logical and organized manner.
3. Prepare and deliver organized, clear, and engaging presentations tailored to the audience, both informal and formal.
Recognize professional responsibilities and make informed judgments in computing practice based on legal and ethical principles.
1. Recognize ethical dilemmas and determine appropriate responses.
2. Evaluate how social, cultural, and ethical factors influence the creation and use of technologies.
3. Apply ethical and scientific principles to ensure solutions meet professional and societal standards.
4. Analyze and apply principles related to quantitative, scientific, cultural, and ethical issues.
5. Create a professional portfolio and resume.
6. Recognize roles and career opportunities within the industry.
Apply game design principles and technical skills to create interactive digital experiences that are functional, engaging, and optimized, demonstrating proficiency in design, production, and execution across media such as games, simulations, and XR.
1. Apply knowledge from science, humanities, and arts through research to enhance creative practices.
2. Demonstrate technical proficiency and apply tools to meet standards
3. Acquire fluency in major discourses (e.g. game design, animation, 3D modeling).

Course Requirements

📖 Required Reading: available in LMS through links or pdf

👤 Online Accounts: Discord, Itch.io, Artstation, Github, Linked-In

✅ See student hardware recommendations for more.

💯 Grading Policy

All assignments must be turned in by the due date and time.
Late Submissions WILL NOT BE GRADED and will result in a zero
All exams must be taken at the scheduled date and time.
There are NO MAKEUP EXAMS
To earn an ‘A’, students must earn at least 90% of the total points.

⭐ Course Points – 1000 pts

Course Skills	Points	Percentages
🛠️ Skill Mastery	250	25%
🎓 Scholarly Insights	250	25%
🔮 Wisdom and Intellect	250	25%
🤝 Reputation	250	25%

📂 Course Modules

Modules
Intro to Creative Technologies
Game Design & Development Careers
Computer Graphics and Animation Careers
Digital Art Careers
Virtual Production & VFX Careers
Simulation & Digital Twin Careers
User Experience (UX) Design Careers
Professional Practices & Tools

📝 Course content is organized into individual modules, each representing a lesson unit or a series of related topics. Modules are not tied to a weekly schedule and may take more or less than a week to complete

📆 IMPORTANT DATES

Week 07: Mid-Term Presentation
Week 15: ~~Reading~~ Render Days**
Week 16: Final Presentation

** Reading “Render” days are reserved for rendering, compiling and/or building the final project.

❗Syllabus Disclaimer: As with most technology courses this course is in a state of constant update in order to keep up with the ever-changing technology and advancements in the field. This syllabus is not a contract, but a plan for action. The instructor reserves the right to alter its stipulations, upon prior notification to students, if and when educational and technological circumstances warrant changes.

⚡Additional Resources

⚠️ Polices & Resources:
See Course Policies for more information on grading, program requirements, and university polices. For academic support, refer to Student Resources.

💬 Connect & Collaborate:
Join the CSG Majors Discord server to stay connected, collaborate, and inquire with fellow students and faculty.

🙌 Join a Student Org
Students are encouraged to join our IGDA student chapter and other program-related student organizations.

🔗This syllabus is located online at: https://sites.utulsa.edu/csg/csg-courses/csg-1001-intro-to-creative-technologies/