** Instructor's Note ** This course is primarily lecture-based.

Students will learn how to make four decisions a writer or designer must make about the world they are creating for fiction or game use. Through group discussion and short exercise assignments, students will make these decisions based on their own "fictional" places. 

No prior knowledge is necessary. Imagination required! 

Each week's activity is one small assignment to illustrate the application of the topic discussed to elaborate on world details, which includes time for student questions. (e.g. Who governs the largest continent/populace in your world, or what terrain makes up the smallest continent?) 

Progress is evaluated with a "Suggested Activity" given at the end of each week to view and do independently, applying any writing projects the student is currently trying to grow/expand upon in  his/her personal writings. The topic of the Live Session each week will implement and discuss the topics applied by the Suggested Activity given the prior week. 

1. Calendar/World Origin/Myth (Activity takes this and applies it) 
2. Conflict/Building a believable environment (Map Activity) 
3. Government and Currency (Activity asks for 3 races/groups, and examples of each governing body and currency type or barter system used) 
4. Heroes & Villains Live Session (Activity pertaining to Science/Magic, both integral to science fiction or fantasy worlds) 

*personal note* 

I felt including the 4th week's Suggested Activity would further help the students flesh out their worlds/stories, and I wholeheartedly believe that no story begins without strong characters and their adversaries. Therefore, I determined early in the curriculum for this course, that a Live Session for Week 4 must discuss Heroes and Villains.

*Week 1: Time measurement and the fictional world's calendar, and asks the student to give a few words on his/her world's origin.

*Week 2: This week's topic: "Conflict and creating plausibility within your fictional (or fantasy) world." Making your reader experience the "feel" of  your world. Building a believable environment.   

*Week 3: This week will discuss Government and Economics. How are the different groups/races governed? By whom are they governed? Also, What type of currency or barter is used among your fictional world's peoples? - Give examples of 3. 

*Week 4: This week's Live Session discusses Heroes & Villains. The Suggested Activity for this week is  entitled: "Science, Magic; both or neither?" -- The activity asks: Do Science and Magic compete, complement, or destroy one another within the student's fictional world? 

This class is geared toward ages 13 -18. Exceptions may be made at parent's request, but if your student is younger than the age range of this class, refunds will not be given once this course has commenced.