CS321 : Extended Reality

Fall 2026

Instructor: Jordan Tynes

jtynes@wellesley.edu

Welcome to CS 321

Each type of engagement is described directly below. Details about each day will be updated frequently.

In-Person Meetings:
Unless otherwise announced, this portion of the course will take place in person at our assigned classroom. Please show up a few minutes prior to the start of class (see note about grading/evaluation) and be ready to engage in discussion. Reading and viewing materials may will be linked from the schedule below.

Unity Projects:
You will learn to use various aspects of the Unity Game Engine throughout the term. Technical instruction will be provided during class and, unless otherwise noted, this portion of the course will be recorded and shared for your reference. Attendance is still required so you may fully leverage lab resources.

Critical Analysis:

You will be required to assess various virtual reality experiences and apply concepts learned through lecture, discussion, writing, and readings to build upon our collective understanding of immersive technologies.

You will be required to present your research during class and by completing Critical Reflections.

Schedule:

Subject to Changes!

Week 1:

Mon. Aug.31

Welcome to CS321

"The Ultimate Display"

Assigned Reading:

Bailenson: Ch. 2

Thur. Sept. 3

VR Demo Playground

Assigned Reading:

Riggs pgs. 1 - 56

Week 2:

Mon. Sept. 7

No Class!

Enjoy Labor Day!

Thur. Sept. 10

Intro to Unity

Tech Link:

Week 3:

Mon. Sept. 14

Intro to 3D for VR and Standard Interaction

Tech Link:

Interaction Events, Terrain, Probuilder, Basic Materials

Assigned Reading:

Storytelling Games for General Anxiety

Thur. Sept. 17

Framing the Experience

Assigned Reading:

Riggs: pgs. 57 - 96

Week 4:

Mon. Sept. 21

Materials, Audio, Text

Tech Link:

TBA

Assigned Reading:

Enhancing Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy in a Virtual Reality

Critical Reflection #1 due on Sept. 24 before class

Thur. Sept. 24

Animation, Modalities, Lighting, and Effects

Tech Link:

TBA

Week 5:

Tue. Sept. 28

Part 2 Demo & Creating Meaningful Mechanics

Assigned Reading:

Bailenson: pgs. 76 - 92

Tech Link:

TBA

Thur. Oct. 1

Button Mapping

Assigned Reading:

Assessing virtual realities value as an empathy machine

Tech Link:

TBA

Week 6:

Mon. Oct. 5

Instantiation

Assigned Reading:

Riggs: pgs. 98 - 134

Tech Link:

TBA

Thur. Oct. 8

Build and Lab

Tech Link:

TBA

Week 7:

Mon. Oct. 12

No Class

Enjoy Fall Break!

Thur. Oct. 15

Part 3 Demo

Assigned Reading:

Bailenson: Ch. 10

Week 8:

Mon. Oct. 19

The Storyplexing Mindset:

Storytelling Without Frames

Critical Reflection #2 due on Oct. 22 before class

Thur. Oct. 22

Final Project Ideation

Assigned Reading:

Riggs: pgs. 136 - 182

Week 9:

Mon. Oct. 26

Pitch Workshop

Thur. Oct. 29

Setting Up Final Project and Personal UI

Tech Link:

TBA

Week 10:

Mon. Nov. 2

Sword and Score

Tech Link:

TBA

Thur. Nov. 5

Grayboxing Due

Greybox Check-in

Assigned Reading:

Bailenson: pgs. 228 - 246

Week 11:

Mon. Nov. 9

Effects and other visual misc.

Assigned Reading:

Bailenson: pgs. 92 - 107

Tech Link:

TBA

Thur. Nov. 11

Bailenson Checkin and other tech misc.

Tech Link:

TBA

Week 12:

Mon. Nov. 16

Raycasting pt 2

Tech Link:

TBA

Critical Reflection #3 due on Nov. 19 before class

Thur. Nov. 19

Project Check-in & Tech Misc

Tech Link:

TBA

Assigned Reading:

Riggs: pgs. 183 - 210

Week 13:

Mon. Nov. 23

Prototype and Feedback

Thur. Nov. 26

No Class

Enjoy Thanksgiving!

Week 14:

Mon. Nov. 30

Project Check-in & Tech Misc

Tech Link:

TBA

Thurs. Dec. 3

Final Lab

Week 15:

Mon. Dec. 7

Final Presentations

Fri. Dec. 10

Playable Media Open House

Time TBA