Introduce a selection of animation techniques that can be used to create interesting virtual worlds.

Animation theory
Keyframe animation
Hierarchical animation
Inverse Kinematics
Camera animation
Animating lights
Animating materials
Deformation
Humanoid animation
Motion capture

VRML Sourcebook. Chapters 8 and 9 (and a bit of 30).

Annotated VRML Reference Manual. Chapters 3, 4 and appendix C.

Principles of three-dimensional computer animation (O'Rourke). Chapters 3 and 4.

Humanoid Animation Group: http://ece.uwaterloo.ca/~h-anim/