Universität Wien
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120134 AR Advanced Cultural Studies Course = Cultural/Media Studies 1/2 (Cultural/Media Studies) (2010S)

Introduction to Videogame Studies (with a focus on games for social change)

5.00 ECTS (2.00 SWS), SPL 12 - Anglistik
Continuous assessment of course work

Diese LVA gilt für das Masterstudium Anglophone Literatures and Cultures nach UG2002, das Diplomstudium (UniStG) und das Lehramt UF Englisch (UniStG).

Registration/Deregistration

Note: The time of your registration within the registration period has no effect on the allocation of places (no first come, first served).

Details

max. 30 participants
Language: English

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

  • Monday 22.03. 18:00 - 20:00 Besprechungsraum Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-O2-07
  • Friday 07.05. 12:00 - 18:00 Raum 5 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-O1-17
  • Saturday 08.05. 10:00 - 14:00 Raum 5 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-O1-17
  • Friday 14.05. 12:00 - 18:00 Raum 5 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-O1-17
  • Saturday 15.05. 10:00 - 14:00 Raum 5 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-O1-17

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

Videogames are gaining socio-cultural significance and are becoming one of the most important media of expression of the 21st century. This class will introduce students to some core issues of videogame studies. It aims to convey an understanding for games as media, their specific characteristics and expressive means. You will come to understand how games generate meaning and explore their potential to tackle complex ideas. With the basics in place, we will then focus on games for social change. We will explore games' potential as "conceptual tools" that foster learning through play.

Assessment and permitted materials

on the basis of student presentations of their videogame analysis (40%), class participation (30%) as well as in-class preparedness (that means demonstrating an in-depth knowledge of the texts on the reading list) (30%). For a positive grade, attendance throughout the course (both weekends!) is compulsory.

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

to enhance media literacy in regard to videogames and to foster a more profound understanding for their potentials as tools for social change.

Examination topics

discourse oriented lecture, student game analysis, hands-on, low level design exercises (no previous game design or technical knowledge necessary). The readings for the course will be available as pdf files on Moodle.
Students are further highly encouraged to e-mail the instructor with all course-related questions, e.g. in regard to choosing a videogame for analysis, finding a focus for the analysis and identifying relevant literature (alternatively to the texts on the list) to underpin the arguments in the analysis.

Reading list

Steven Johnson: Everything Bad is Good for You;
James Paul Gee: Semiotic Domains. Are videogames a "waste of time"?
Mary Flanagan: critical play
Gonzalo Frasca: Videogames of the Oppressed
Gonzalo Frasca: Simulation versus Narratve: Introduction to Ludology
Raph Koster: a Theory of Fun
Rusch Doris C. / Matt Weise: Games about LOVE and TRUST? Harnessing the Power of Metaphors for Experience Design
Ian Bogost: Procedural Rhetoric
Dean Takahashi: Ethics of Game Design
Miguel Sicart: The Ethics of Computer Games
Clint Hocking: Game Designers' Rant 2008

Association in the course directory

Diplom 343, UF 344, MA 844
LI 12-0203, SPCode 426-526, 426/428, 436/438, 721-723 / M06, M07

Last modified: Th 09.01.2025 00:15