It would be good to understand the following aspects of creating an open world RPG, and though I understand it would be a lot of work to pull off properly, I think you could shorten the breadth of the course by supplying prefab low poly models that students can use for the course:
- How to create and populate terrains - flora, fauna, weather, lighting, water systems etc
- How to rig and animate basic character and animal models to populate the game world
- How to design low res textures for placeholder or prototype assets/buildings
- RPG Programming fundamentals - AI, state machines, emergent gameplay, dialog systems, inventory systems, UI and UX, combat - health mana and magic etc
- How to create cutscenes
- How to implement post processing effects in Godot
- How to design interesting levels whether based on real world inspiration or abstract level design
- Any necessary legal advice for someone wanting to release an original project
- How to market your product - how to use social media, trailers, how to make quality footage, scenes and graphics for your product, branding and slogans, web design etc