Agile Game Development and Group Dynamics
Syllabus, Bachelor's level, 5SD954
- Code
- 5SD954
- Education cycle
- First cycle
- Main field(s) of study and in-depth level
- Industrial Engineering and Management G1N
- Grading system
- Fail (U), Pass (G), Pass with distinction (VG)
- Finalised by
- The Department Board, 3 November 2021
- Responsible department
- Department of Game Design
General provisions
The course is part of the Bachelor's programmes Game Design and Project Leadership, 180 credits.
Entry requirements
General entry requirements and Mathematics 2a or 2b or 2c
Learning outcomes
Upon completing the course, students will be able to:
- Explain what characterises agile game development.
- Plan, lead, implement and document game projects based on agile development frameworks (such as Scrum).
- Identify, describe and analyse the group dynamic process at individual and group level.
- Demonstrate an understanding of different roles in a group, including group dynamics and one's own role, as well as the impact of diversity of group members.
- Give and take constructive feedback.
Content
The course is divided in two modules:
Practical Application of Scrum
This component looks at the scrum framework as  example for agile software development. Students will use scrum  ceremonies, roles, and artefacts such as Sprint Planning Meetings, Scrum Master, and Scrum Boards. In this component students will do practical work on a game design project. The project will allow students to become acquainted with such things as translating users´ and other stakeholders´ requirement specifications into user stories, estimating workloads by using a value point system, documentation, various forms of meetings, and presentation methods.
Navigating group dynamics
This module covers the following:
Identification of an individual's value system, strengths and learning style plus what drives and motivates individuals. During this module, students study decision-making and differing leadership styles and also how these may influence and be influenced by the project as well as the group.
In this module, students also study:
- How to communicate more effectively
- The significance of diversity within a group and how the group dynamic process affects the behaviour of individuals
- Leadership from diverse perspectives
Instruction
Teaching is provided through lectures, workshops and project supervision.
Assessment
Course assessment takes place throughout the course and is based on participation in seminars and a final presentation.
If there are special reasons for doing so, an examiner may make an exception from the method of assessment indicated and allow a student to be assessed by another method. An example of special reasons might be a certificate regarding special pedagogical support from the University's disability coordinator.
Plagiarism and cheating
Uppsala University has a strict attitude towards cheating and plagiarism and disciplinary measures will be taken against students who are suspected of involvement in any kind of cheating/plagiarism. The disciplinary measures take the form of a warning and suspension for a limited period.
Other directives
This course replaces 5SD950 and the overlapping 1TG501.