SM240 INTRODUCTION TO ESPORTS MANAGEMENT Course Syllabus - Steve Cukovecki

Term
Spring 2025
Section
Abbreviated Session I: 1/13/2025 - 3/3/2025
Course Delivery
Online Asynchronous
Class Program

SM240:

Credits 2
Description

In this course, students will survey the Esports industry. Topics such as video game types and genres, the history of the games and organizations that drive Esports, positions in the Esports industry, as well as practical advice for starting and managing Esports teams will be discussed. This course introduces students to the business model framework in application of the Esports industry – the essential foundation of how to create value via solving problems and fulfilling consumers’ wants and needs. Students explore financial, legal & ethical, marketing, and operational issues surrounding the 'Esports industry. Finally, students explore career opportunities in Esports management.

Prerequisites

Sport Management majors and Esports Management minor only

Meeting Times, Location, & Course Delivery Details

Meeting Days:
Online
Meeting Times:
Online
Location:
Online

Contact Information

Instructor:
Steve Cukovecki
Instructor Email:
steve_cukovecki@wilmington.edu
Office Location:
CSS 116
Phone Number
Office: (937) 481-2235 Cell: (937) 219-9816
Office Hours:
M/W 9:10am - 2:00pm, T/TH 1:00pm-3:00pm, Fridays by Appointments
Course Learning Outcomes

1.0
Upon successful completion of this course…
1. The student will be able to assess and explain Esports from a sport industry perspective.
2. The student will be able to identify career positions in the Esports Industry.
3. The student will be able to identify the business models of Esports’ entities.
4. The student will be able to design, manage, and plan an eSports tournament from both grassroots and
professional level.

Course Materials

Understanding Esports – An Introduction to the Global Phenomenon. Edited by Ryan Rogers

Course Schedule

NOTE: The tentative schedule for the course is posted and regularly updated on Blackboard. The schedule is subject to change at the professor’s discretion to best serve the student’s academic learning. It is the student’s responsibility to verify any possible updates in the course schedule prior to class. NOTE: Course Class Schedule will be on Blackboard

Course Assignments

Assignment Descriptions:

Class Preparedness: It is important that you engage in class discussion in an appropriate manner in order to receive an “A” for participation. Merely attending class may earn you a “C” but if you wish to earn a grade above average, you will need to become an active and respectful participant in class discussions.

 

Course Assignments: Course assignments will consist of chapter-based assignments administered by the professor for student completion. These assignments encourage the students to complete the required readings and assist them in achieving the desired learning objectives.

 

Written Assignments: Written assignments must be typed (12 point, times new roman font, with one-inch margins). Papers must be submitted on the day they are due in class via Blackboard PRIOR to the start of class time. Written assignments will be graded on both the quality of writing and the subject matter. Errors in spelling, grammar, and punctuation will result in a lower grade.

Evaluation of Work

Grades will be calculated on the following scale:

93-100=A   |   90-92.99=A-  |   87-89.99=B+   |  83-86.99=B   |   80-82.99=B-  |   77-79.99=C+   |   

73-76.99=C   |   70-72.99=C-  |   67-69.99=D+   |  60-66.99=D   |   <60=F

When a student’s final grade falls within (.01 - 1% point), the professor may use his own discretion in increasing the student’s earned grade to the next highest letter grade. For example, an 89.5% may be increased to an A- instead of a B+. In this determination, the professor will examine the student’s class preparedness, behavior in the classroom and outside class activities, and overall studious behavior. 

Course Evaluation:


Evaluation                                                      Points                         

Class Preparedness                                         100pts.                                   

Reading Quizzes                                               25pts. (each)

Job Posting Assignment                                    50pts.
Writing Assignments                                        50pts. (each) 
Esports Tournament                                        100pts.

Final Project                                                    100pts.                        

Total Points                                                   550pts. 

Instructor Course Policies

Instructor's Course Attendance Policy

The College accepts these four categories of excused absences:

  1. Activities in which the student serves as an official representative of the College (e.g., musical performances, athletic contests, field trips).
  2. Personal illness, with documentation by the College nurse or a physician, if possible. In relation to students experiencing COVID19 related symptoms or illness, students should be provided an excused absence and should not be penalized for electing not to attend physical classes in these instances.
  3. Family or personal emergencies.
  4. When severe weather makes travel to campus dangerous.

Wilmington College recognizes that reasonable attendance requirements will vary somewhat between disciplines, professors and even an individual's courses. The purpose of this policy is to ensure all concerned are clear about expectations in a given course. Faculty members are expected to accept the College's basic definition of excused absences in their individual policies and monitor attendance, but faculty members may also choose to accept other absences as excused (entirely at the discretion of each faculty member). Students are expected to be responsible for informing faculty members about excused absences (including documentation, if required) and for arranging to make up all work missed because of absences. An excused absence in no way removes this responsibility or obligates the professor to provide a student with special assignments or opportunities.

Good communication between students and faculty members is essential in cases of excused absences. Students are responsible for initiating this communication and in as timely a manner as possible. Students who will have to miss class to represent the College should provide schedules of these absences to the faculty member as soon in the semester as they are known. In all cases, it is the student’s responsibility to discuss excused absences with affected faculty members and to provide documentation of the excused nature of the absence, if the faculty member requires it.

Students should notify the Office for Academic Affairs (ext. 240) if they are unable to attend classes for one week or more (e.g., due to surgery, extended illness, etc.). Extended absences (up to two weeks without notification to the Office of Academic Affairs) can result in immediate administrative withdrawal from the College. In addition, during any term, a pattern of non-engagement or four or more academic alert notices in multiple classes can also result in immediate administrative withdrawal or suspension. Non-engagement is defined as missing classes, refusal to adhere to College policies, non-attendance, non-responsiveness to attempts to communicate, or a combination of these factors.

Students in this course will be rewarded for missing no more than 1 unexcused absence. Students will be penalized for any unexcused absences after their first occurrence. 

Technology Requirements

Access to a computer with the following specifications are the minimum requirements in order to be able to perform successfully in a hybrid or online learning environment, as well as in many courses offered face to face. Some academic programs may require additional software.

Device Types

  • Laptops, desktops running Microsoft Windows or Apple macOS are recommended as your primary device.
  • Tablets running Windows may be acceptable if it meets requirements below.
  • Google Chromebook devices are not recommended as your primary device.
  • Devices running Android, Apple iOS (iPhone/iPad) or other operating systems are not recommended as your primary device.

Operating system

  • Windows OS: Windows 10
  • macOS: macOS 10.15, 10.14

Computer and processor

  • Windows OS: 1.6 GHz or faster, 2-core or greater. 2 GHz or greater recommended for video calls
  • macOS: Intel processor

 

Memory

  • Windows OS: 4 GB RAM or greater
  • macOS: 4 GB RAM or greater

 

Hard Drive

  • Windows OS: 10 GB of available disk space or greater
  • macOS: 10 GB of available disk space or greater

Display

  • Windows OS: 1280 x 768 screen resolution or greater
  • macOS: 1280 x 800 screen resolution or greater

Network Connectivity

  • Wi-Fi capable

 

Browser

  • The current version of Microsoft Edge, Safari, or Chrome.

 

Video calls

  • Built in or USB Camera, speakers/headphones and microphone.

If you do not have consistent access to a device with these specifications, please be sure to have that in place by the beginning of the semester.

Considering the possibility of future interruptions to our face-to-face learning together, continuing and new students should also check on the status of internet at home and to address any deficiencies.

Late Assignments Policy

Late assignments will NOT be accepted and will be given a 0. Students are responsible for completing all course requirements and for keeping up with all activities of the course whether they are present in class or not. Students are responsible for keeping a copy of their work, on their computer or hard copy, until they have received a grade for all written assignments.

Classroom Behavior

Students and faculty share responsibility for maintaining an appropriate learning environment in the classroom. Civility and respect create a safe and productive atmosphere in which students can achieve

The definition of disruptive behavior is at the reasonable discretion of the faculty member teaching the class, and determination of whether a specific behavior is disruptive resides within the authority of the faculty member. Examples of disruptive behavior include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Showing disrespect for and displaying poor manners toward any faculty member or other students.
  • Disruptive or inappropriate use of technology and electronic devices in the classroom, such as cell phones, computers, pagers, and MP3 players.
  • Persistent speaking without being recognized or interrupting other speakers.
  • Persistently entering class late or leaving early without an excuse or the faculty member’s permission.
  • Threats, harassment, or personal insults of any kind directed toward any faculty member and other students.

A faculty member has the discretion to impose sanctions for disruptive behavior in their classrooms. Some of the sanctions may include: a formal apology, dismissal from the class in which the disruptive behavior occurs, and/or referral to Student Affairs for resolution of the situation.

Dismissal from class due to poor student behavior will result in an unexcused absence. 

Plagiarism Policy

Plagiarism is defined as the representation of another’s words, ideas, concepts, research or creative production without proper attribution whether intentional or unintentional. It is the student’s responsibility to be informed about what constitutes plagiarism. Plagiarism can occur in the submission of one’s own work or in work submitted by a group.

Examples of plagiarism include the following:

  • The submission of a paper not one’s own, including turning in a paper that has been purchased from a commercial research firm or obtained from the internet
  • Copying word for word information without quotation marks
  • Paraphrasing information (that is, the use of one’s own words with only minor changes to the original)
  • Use of information not considered general knowledge without proper citation
  • Listing of misleading or false sources on a reference page
  • The use of a paper or project for one course that was previously submitted for another course, either at Wilmington or at any other institution

Plagiarism is a serious academic offense and carries serious academic consequences. Violations will be recorded by the Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs at the Main Campus and Vice President of External Programs at the Cincinnati Branch Campus.

When an instructor discovers plagiarism, the instructor will first consult with the Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs if a main campus student, or the Vice President for External Programs if a branch campus student, in order to determine if the student is a first-time offender. For first offenses, the instructor has the ability to determine the penalty for the offense. Students with academic integrity violations may not be eligible for academic awards and honors (i.e., Academic Honors, Dean’s List/Merit List, Green Key Honor Society, Quaker Impact Award, and other Honorary Societies). For a second offense or more, the Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs at the Main Campus or the Vice President for External Programs for students at the branch campus, will report the offense to the academic standards and appeal committee and gather evidence for a hearing with the student. It is possible that the student will receive a substantial reduction in grade for the course or will fail the course. Multiple instances could even lead to suspension or expulsion from Wilmington College.

There are many university, college and private websites students may consult about how to avoid plagiarism. Sites with particularly helpful suggestions can be found at:

Copyright Policy

This course may contain copyright protected materials such as audio or video clips, images, text materials, etc. These items are being used with regard to the Fair Use doctrine in order to enhance the learning environment. Please do not copy, duplicate, download or distribute these items. The use of these materials is strictly reserved for this online classroom environment and your use only. All copyright materials are credited to the copyright holder.

Workload

A minimum of two hours of student work per week is expected for each credit hour awarded for the class. This means that students enrolled in a 2 credit hour course should anticipate spending at least 4 hours of work each week to complete the requirements of the course.

Institutional and Program-Level Policies

Final Exam Schedule

All exams will follow the Final Exam Schedule. Students scheduled to take three or more final examinations on one day may request to arrange their examination schedule, so no more than two exams occur on one day.
Requests for early or late exams are considered only under extreme circumstances. Prior to the exam period, the student must file a written request on the Early/Late Exam Form available in the Student One Stop Center, Academic Records, and on the WC portal. The form must be signed by the Instructor and the Academic Dean, approving the alternate exam time. This process must be completed prior to the scheduled exam period.

SP25 Final Exam Schedule 

 

Out-of-class Work Expectation

A minimum of 2 hours of out-of-class student work is expected for each hour of in-class time for traditional face-to-face courses. For online and hybrid courses, the combination of face-to-face time and out-of-class work should be equal to 3 hours per credit hour per week.

Instructional Course Delivery                                                                                                            

Definition of Courses

Academic Integrity Policy

The use of generative AI is prohibited except where expressly allowed in assignment instructions.

Academic Integrity Policy

Class Attendance Policy                              

Institutional Class Attendance Policy

ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act)