CS321 : Extended Reality

Spring 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.

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    In-Person Meetings:
    Please note annoucements regarding meeting location, as it will alternate between two locations. 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.
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    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.
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    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. Jan. 19
No Class
Thur. Jan. 22
Welcome to CS321
"The Ultimate Display"
Assigned Reading:

Bailenson: Ch. 2

Week 2:

Mon. Jan. 26
Snow Day!
Assigned Reading:

Riggs pgs. 1 - 56

Thur. Jan. 29
VR Demo Playground
Assigned Reading:

How To Use VR for Relaxation

Week 3:

Mon. Feb. 2
Intro to Unity
Tech Link:

Setting Up Unity for VR

Assigned Reading:

Enhancing Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy in a Virtual Reality

Thur. Feb. 5
Intro to 3D for VR and Standard Interaction
Tech Link:

Intro to 3D for VR, Teleport, and Interactables

Assigned Reading:

Storytelling Games for General Anxiety

Week 4:

Mon. Feb. 9
Framing the Experience
Assigned Reading:

Riggs: pgs. 57 - 96

Critical Reflection #1 due on Feb. 12 before class
Thur. Feb. 12
Materials, Audio, Text
Tech Link:

Materials, Audio, UI, Events

Week 5:

Tue. Feb. 17
Animation, Modalities, Lighting, and Effects
Tech Link:

Lighting, Scripting Events, Animations, and Modalities

Thur. Feb. 19
Part 2 Demo & Creating Meaningful Mechanics
Assigned Reading:

Bailenson: pgs. 76 - 92

Tech Link:

OnTriggerEnter and OnCollisionEnter

Week 6:

Mon. Feb. 23
Button Mapping
Assigned Reading:

Assessing virtual realitys value as an empathy machine

Tech Link:

Button Mapping

Thur. Feb. 26
Instantiation
Assigned Reading:

Riggs: pgs. 98 - 134

Tech Link:

Instantiation

Week 7:

Mon. Mar. 2
Build and Lab
Tech Link:

Final Build

Thur. Mar. 5
Part 3 Demo
Assigned Reading:

Bailenson: Ch. 10

Week 8:

Mon. Mar. 9
The Storyplexing Mindset:
Storytelling Without Frames
Critical Reflection #2 due on Mar. 12 before class
Thur. Mar. 12
Final Project Ideation
Assigned Reading:

Riggs: pgs. 136 - 182

Week 9:

Mon. Mar. 23
Pitch Workshop
Thur. Mar. 26
Setting Up Final Project
Tech Link:

TBA

Week 10:

Mon. Mar. 30
Selection and Interactivity
Tech Link:
TBA
Thur. Apr. 2
Grayboxing Due
Greybox Check-in
Assigned Reading:

Bailenson: pgs. 228 - 246

Week 11:

Mon. Apr. 6
Personal UI
Assigned Reading:

Bailenson: pgs. 92 - 107

Tech Link:
TBA
Thur. Apr. 9
Gamified Interactivity
Tech Link:
TBA

Week 12:

Mon. Apr. 13
Open Lab and Tech Misc
Tech Link:
TBA
Critical Reflection #3 due on Apr. 16 before class
Thur. Apr. 16
Project Check-in & Tech Misc
Tech Link:

TBD

Assigned Reading:

Riggs: pgs. 183 - 210

Week 13:

Mon. Apr. 20
No Class

Enjoy Marathon Monday!

Thur. Apr. 23
Prototype and Feedback

Week 14:

Mon. Apr. 27
Project Check-in & Tech Misc
Tech Link:

TBD

Thurs. Apr. 30
Final Lab
Fri. May 1
Playable Media Open House

Time TBD