Welcome to Gaia! ::

The SDRP is starting a new Workshop Series RP.

To make this project successful we want to hear from you.

The RP will take place in an academy with advanced players as the faculty running classes in which the workshops will actually take place. Around them is a frame RP in which students can interact with each other and faculty on the campus of said academy.

All students will start in a character creation workshop (PSY 101) where they will create their characters for the RP and then may choose to go to another class or hang out on campus.

Here's where we need your help:

1) Express Interest. Let us know you'll be participating by replying to this thread telling us you'll enroll.

2) Name the Academy. I am bad at names. Reply to this thread with suggestions for what we should call the Academy.

3) Suggest Workshop Topics. Reply to this thread with topics for the workshops to cover. Below is a list of workshops already planned. If your suggestion is on the list reply to the thread saying that this is a good topic and should be prioritized.

Catalog of Classes:

See the Current Catalog for an updated list.

Psychology

PSY 101: Introduction to Psychology - This course teaches the basics of identity, perception, personality, and archetype as it applies to normal psychology with an emphasis on self analyzation. [Character Creation]

PSY 201: Developmental Psychoanalysis - This course takes a deeper look at the foundations learned in PSY 101 and how they change over time. [Character Development] Prerequisite: PSY 101

PSY 301: Abnormal Psychology - This course looks beyond what is considered 'normal' to discuss the implications of the non-conformist with particular emphasis on mental disorders. [Unique/Crazy Characters] Prerequisite: PSY 101, PSY 201

Literature

LIT 101: Introduction to Literature - This course covers the basics of English literacy and addresses primarily technical and content issues.

LIT 201: Detail and Logistics - This course covers descriptive detail and content logic. Prerequisite: LIT 101

LIT 301: Survey of Styles - This course covers various styles and stylistic techniques. Prerequisite: LIT 101, LIT 201

Kinesiology

KIN 101: Introduction to Kinesiology - This course covers the basics of movement and physical interaction with an emphasis on skilled actions and tactics. [Basic Combat and Skill Use]

KIN 201: Martial Arts - This course covers the use of various martial art styles and tactics both armed and unarmed, in small and large groups. Prerequisite: KIN 101

KIN 202: Magic and Higher Technology - This course covers the use of magic and technology in combat and other skilled actions as well as tactics for efficient use. Prerequisite: KIN 101

KIN 203: Firearms - This course covers the use of firearms as well as common firearm specs, terminology, and tactics. Prerequisite: KIN 101

History

HIS 101: Historical Appreciation - This course covers the importance and basics of historical study. [World Creation]

HIS 201: Modern Studies - This course takes a look at modern cultures. Prerequisite: HIS 101

HIS 202: High Fantasy Studies - This course takes a look at High Fantasy cultures. Prerequisite: HIS 101

HIS 203: Futuristic Studies - This course takes a look at futuristic cultures. Prerequisite: HIS 101

HIS 204: Dystopia - This course takes a look at dystopian cultures. Prerequisite: HIS 101

HIS 301: Historiography - This course discusses change in cultures over time with an emphasis on the flexibility of historical 'fact'. Prerequisite: HIS 101, HIS 200

Political Science

POL 101: Introduction to Political Science - This course covers the basics of politics and group interaction with an emphasis on ethics, how governments work, and why they do things the way they do. [Working with Others, Basic Game Mechanics]

POL 201: Government Organization and Management - This course covers the basics of people management. [Basics of GMing] Prerequisite: POL 101

POL 301: Special Problems in Politics - This course covers commonly encountered problems in an open debate forum to discuss different handling methods and their merits. [Discussion] Prerequisite: POL 101, POL 201

POL 401: Internship - This course puts the student in a controlled working environment with an instructing supervisor. [GM Workshop] Prerequisite: POL 101, POL 201, POL 301

Marketing

MRK 101: Introduction to Marketing - This course covers the basics of marketing with an emphasis on web based audiences. It will cover: writing for the web, importance of graphics and organization, hot to sell not spam, quality assurance, and building a customer base.

MRK 201: Web Development - This course covers the basics of web design for marketing purposes. Languages: HTML, CSS, PHP, SQL Prerequisite: MRK 101

MRK 203: Graphic Design for the Non-artist - This course teaches basic graphic design principles and programs as well as how to find and commission artists. Prerequisite: MRK 101

I already feel silly for saying it but, no, I don't get it. Maybe cuz it's before noon and my brain hasn't finished loading.



I tried to come up with a wide range of classes for more than just beginners so everyone (myself included) should be able to benefit from at least a few of these classes. There will probably be a credit system for advanced players to be granted credit in the lower classes based on RP samples. The exception will be PSY 101 because I want some advanced players in there to help. I'd also like a few advanced players in all the classes but won't require every last one, just a volunteer basis.

I've not decided how to handle the faculty yet. I've got a lot of volunteers so there may be an application process. If this thing takes off as I hope it will then we may have a rotating faculty. For now, start thinking about lesson plans if you want to teach because part of the application will be an example lesson.

Great ideas with the philosophy class. Those are topics intended to be covered in the Political Science courses (though philosophy is a better name for those bits) so I've expanded their descriptions to make that more explicit.



During classes OOC will probably happen but interactions outside of class should be IC. So far I have two ideas for how to handle the classes more specifically:

1) Break the 4th Wall: Make the characters aware of their true nature as being RP characters and allow the players to interact IC as the character and OOC as themselves. This in itself should be an interesting exercise in IC vs OOC.

2) Writer's Academy: Admit the true nature of the Academy is to develop good writing and have the characters all be authors in training. Basically the players would be playing themselves in this version (unless they just get creative).

Opinions? Other ideas?

I'm also interested in all of these courses as a teacher or student. I feel like I could do some good in PSY 301 as a teacher (I have a track record of running abnormal characters. Also, OiM), KIN 201 (Second degree blackbelt, certified instructor), and the technology aspect of KIN 202.

The firearms class definitely seems like a good idea, I've seen some pretty ridiculous gun physics in the past.

I'm leaning toward option 1 as well so unless I get opposition that will probably be the way we go.





Thank you for the interest and I've put y'all both down on the list to teach. Send me some rough lesson plans for the class(es) you are most interested in. You too Stormy.







I've added a gunshooty course (KIN 203: Firearms), upped the tech level of the Magic and Tech class (after all, any sufficiently advanced tech will appear as magic) and expanded all the KIN classes to include tactics. Bayer has said he is willing to teach the guns so that should be a fun one.

I put this under KIN because it deals with character action which is KIN's basis while HIS is for world development. Also I'd rather a more hands on class and the Firearms course at my university which actually shot guns was the KIN version whereas the HIS version just talked about them.

And, yes, it is quite silly what some people think of guns sometimes.

Also I have added a Marketing department and a few classes for it. Because we need it.



>.> . . .

Yeah, my brain hadn't booted. And then I forgot about it. And then they made fun of meeee~ *cries*

I kinda like that idea though. Not sure about the name proper but the RPU is good. Any other suggestions?

I'll see what I can come up with.

I'd definitely enroll if I have a chance. These classes look excellent and it seems I can benefit from all of them.

If it is needed I could help out with the Web Development class. I am comfortable with HTML CSS and SQL, PHP I am learning now. I know a little about Javascript and AJAX as well, which can be used to make websites more appealing. Though I don't think I can call myself advanced without lying. I really haven't done a lot of roleplaying/writing lately..

Finding good names is something of an achilles' heel of mine, so I am afraid I can't be of any help there.

If I think of anything else I'll be sure to post it here.

Edit: Thought I'd say I do have a full-time internship and I follow an evening class on the side, so my time is somewhat limited.

Ahhhh, actually I'm going to have to withhold my participation for a while. I just got hit with mandatory overtime for the rest of the month, possibly longer. Twelve hour workdays every day for two weeks. Whoopee! I'll still try (try) to keep up with the RPs I'm in but I won't have time for this project until things settle down at work.

I wish I could teach and help out, but I actually need every single class. All the stuff I write is mediocre at best, so I would like to be in all of these classes.