Since a fair amount of my thinking about games over the years has been influenced by this site, I thought I'd "pay it back" by creating a thread that might allow you to "follow along" with the course's development between now and the end of the year. I'd like to eventually share some of the lectures and course materials as they are generated, but for now I thought you'd find these introductory materials interesting.
Syllabus:
CATALOG COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course analyzes the ways that video games have shaped a wide variety of cultural and social practices both in the United States and globally. Students will learn how games and their various effects have been studied in fields such as Communication Studies, Psychology, Media Studies, Journalism, History, Library Sciences, English, Ludology, Education, and Computer Science; they will also learn about scholarship in the emerging field of Game Studies. Students will have opportunities to experience and play a variety of games across many platforms, to create academic writing about games, and to recognize connections between research on games and ongoing changes in the video game industry.
COURSE MATERIALS:
READINGS:
Readings are meant to be completed in full as assigned
Bogost, Ian. How to Do Things With Video Games. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota, 2011. Print.
Melissinos, Chris, and Patrick O'Rourke. The Art of Video Games: From Pac-Man to Mass Effect. New York: Welcome, 2012. Print.
Other course readings will be made available on BOLT:
GAMES:
Required games are meant to be played for a minimum of 10-15 minutes each.
• Students will be required to download the game distribution platform “Steam” from http://www.steampowered.com. Many of the required games for the course are available on this platform. Most are free or have demos available, though some may require purchase. Students must create a Steam account.
• Students will be required to download “Second Life” and “World of Warcraft” and to create free trial accounts to play these games during Week 3 of the course. Other required games may also require students to download software and create free accounts.
• Some games will be made available on BOLT
• Options for accessing both recommended and required games will be discussed in class on a regular basis. In some rare cases, system requirements may be too high for a required game to be played. In these circumstances, students are encouraged to watch online video clips as an alternative.
ASSIGNMENTS:
Five Pop Quizzes – 10% (2% each)
• There will be five unannounced quizzes in the course. They will occur at the start of class and be designed to test your comprehension of course readings that were assigned for that class period. Thus, quizzes will emphasize content that students will have read but that has not been discussed in class. As we will be discussing the answers immediately following the quiz, these cannot be made up. Students with excused absences will be allowed to write a three page response paper to the content covered on the quiz.
Group Project -10%
• You will work with other students on one of three projects surrounding video games and controversy. A detailed assignment sheet will be handed out early in the course.
Individual Project:
Proposal - 5%
Annotated Bibliography - 10%
Final Paper - 20%
o Throughout the course, you will work on a research project of interest related to the course content. A handout with details will be distributed early in the semester.
Exams:
Midterm – 15%
Final Exam – 20%
o These exams will be a mix of possible multiple choice, matching, short answer, and essay questions. The midterm will be held during class time. The final exam will be cumulative and held during finals week.
Participation – 10%
• Active participation includes frequent contribution to class discussion, completing smaller assignments in the classroom or in groups, etc. You will be expected to both attend class and participate in the discussion with regularity. You will be evaluated on the quality (not only quantity) of your contribution. Your participation grade may also include short homework assignments or in class exercises. You will also be expected to take part in the required field trip to the “Art of Video Games” exhibit.
Extra Credit
• There will be several announced extra credit opportunities during the semester that will encourage students to engage with course content and concepts in new contexts.
Course Policies:
(most are boilerplate - here's one of potential interest, though)
Mature Content: Some of the assigned games carry an “M” rating, which indicates that “Content is generally suitable for ages 17 and up. May contain intense violence, blood and gore, sexual content and/or strong language.” Students who are concerned that they may find some of this material so distressing as to hamper their success in the course are encouraged to speak to the professor about said content and about the possibility of acquiring alternate materials.
Tentative Schedule
Week 1
Tuesday, August 27
Course Intro: Why Study Video Games?
Thursday, August 29
An Overview of Game Studies
Required Reading: “Introduction”
Required Playing: two of classmates’ favorite games (from Tuesday’s exercise)
Suggested Additional Playing: two more of classmates’ favorite games (from Monday’s exercise)
Week 2
Tuesday, September 3
Lecture: The History of Video Games, Part 1: 1959-1984 (origins-first gen)
Required Reading: Melissinos and O’Rourke, pp.1-45
Required Playing: Spacewar!, Pong, Zork, Combat, Pitfall, Space Invaders, Pac-Man
Suggested Additional Playing: Multi User Dungeon, Donkey Kong
Thursday, September 5
Discussion: Basics of Game Design Theory
Required Reading: Bogost, pp.18-23 (“Empathy”), pp.37-44 (“Pranks”), pp.89-95 (“Relaxation”), pp125-133 (“Habituation”)
Required Playing: Darfur is Dying, Zuma, Tetris, Syobon Action, Robotron 2084
Suggested Additional Playing: Breakout, Defender, Mega Man (any), Angry Birds (any), Flow, The Legend of Zelda (any), SimCity (any), Space Harrier
Week 3
Tuesday, September 10
Discussion: Online Game Communities – Virtual Worlds
Required Reading: Shaw – “What is Video Game Culture?”
Required Playing: World of Warcraft, Second Life
Suggested Additional Playing: PlayStation Home, EverQuest, Farmville
Thursday, September 12
Guest Lecture: Researching and Preserving Virtual Environments
Required Reading: TBD by presenter
Week 4
Tuesday, September 17
Group Presentation on Controversy - Video Games and Violence
Required Reading: Bogost, pp. 134-140 (“Disinterest”)
Required Playing: Deathrace, Mortal Kombat, Grand Theft Auto III (or later)
Suggested Additional Playing: Carmageddon, Night Trap, Manhunt, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2
Thursday, September 19
Guest Lecture: Video Game Journalism
Required Reading: TBD by presenter
Week 5
Tuesday, September 24
Lecture: The History of Video Games, Part 2: 1984-1996 (8 and 16 bit)
Required Reading: Melissinos and O’Rourke – pp.46-95
Required Playing: Super Mario Bros game (8-bit or 16-bit), Sonic the Hedgehog game (16-bit), Samurai Shodown (any), Gradius (any from the era)
Suggested Additional Playing: Bonk’s Adventure, Starfox, Virtua Racing, Virtua Fighter, Madden 1996 or earlier, NBA Jam, Killer Instinct, Alex Kidd (any)
Thursday, September 26
Guest Lecture: Video Games and Identity
Required Reading: Voorhees - TBD
Required Playing: Civilization (any), Final Fantasy (any)
Suggested Additional Playing: TBD by presenter
Week 6:
Tuesday, October 1
Research Workshop
Thursday, October 3
Lecture: Gaming Internationally: Japan
Required Reading: Galbraith – “Bishōjo Games: ‘Techno-Intimacy’ and the Virtually Human in Japan”
Required Playing: Final Fantasy VII, Crimzon Clover, Magical Diary
Suggested Additional Playing: Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective, Phoenix Wright (any), Monster Hunter (any), Shin Megami Tensei (any), Persona (any), Umineko (any)
Week 7:
Tuesday, October 8
Lecture: Games as Interactive Fiction
Required Reading: Bogost, pp. 24-29 (“Reverence)
Required Playing: Half-Life 1 or Half-Life 2, Grim Fandango, Bioshock
Suggested Additional Playing: Metal Gear Solid (any), Beyond Good and Evil, Fallout (any), Silent Hill 1 or 2, The Last of Us, Maniac Mansion or other LucasArts SCUMM games, Ultima (any), King’s Quest (any), (any)
Thursday, October 10
Discussion: Games and Learning
Required Reading: Raphael, et. al. – “Games for Civic Learning: A Conceptual Framework and Agenda for Research and Design”
Required Playing: Oregon Trail, Portal 2, Global Conflict (any)
Suggested Additional Playing: Typing of the Dead, PlaceSpotting
Week 8
Tuesday, October 15
Midterm Review
Thursday, October 17
Midterm Exam
Week 9
Tuesday, October 22
Discussion: The “Games as Art” Debate
Required Reading: Bogost, pp.9-17 (“Art”), pp.70-88 (“Snapshots,” “Texture”, “Kitsch”), Ebert essay and response
Required Playing: Dear Esther, Fez, Missile Command
Suggested Additional Playing: Journey, The Legend of Zelda, Flower, Shadow of the Colossus, Ico, Unfinished Swan
Thursday, October 24
Prepare for Field Trip: “The Art of Video Games” – Syracuse, NY
**OCTOBER 26 – Field Trip to “Art of Video Games” Exhibit in Syracuse, NY**
Week 10
Tuesday, October 29
Group Presentation on Controversy: Video Games and Sexuality – Group Presentations
Required Reading: Bogost, pp.103-109 (“Titillation”),
Required Playing: Custer’s Last Stand, Tomb Raider (any), Duke Nuke ‘Em (any)
Suggested Additional Playing: Mass Effect (any), Dragon Age (any), Heavy Rain, God of War (any), Catherine, Leisure Suit Larry (any)
Thursday, October 31
Writing Workshop
Week 11
Tuesday, November 5
Lecture: The History of Video Games, Part 3: 1997-2005 (32 bit and last gen)
Required Reading: Melissinos and O’Rourke – pp.96-156, 176-185, 194-203
Required Playing: Diablo II, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater (any), Unreal Tournament
Suggested Additional Playing: Gran Turismo (any), Resident Evil 1,2,3 or 4, Tekken 1,2,3, or 4, Fable, Metal Gear Solid 1,2, or 3, Devil May Cry 1, 2, or 3, Metroid Prime (any), Super Mario 64, Shenmue (any), The Sims 1 or 2
Thursday, November 7
Discussion: Video Games and Music
Required Reading: Bogost - pp 30-36 (“Music”)
Required Playing: Beat Hazard or Audiosurf, Bastion, Sonic CD
Suggested Additional Playing: Rez, Child of Eden, Guitar Hero (any), Rock Band (any), Rhythm Heaven (any), Chrono Trigger, Castlevania (any 2D)
Week 12
Tuesday, November 12
Lecture: The Economics of Video Games
Required Reading: Bogost, pp. 64-69 (“Promotion”), pp.96-102 (“Throwaways”)
Required Playing: any “Free to Play” game
Thursday, November 14
Discussion: Competitive Gaming Culture
Required Reading: Witkowski – “On the Digital Playing Field: How We ‘‘Do Sport” With Networked Computer Games”
Required Playing: Street Fighter (any), DonPachi/DoDonPachi (any), Quake III (any)
Suggested Additional Playing: recent entries in these series: Halo, Call of Duty, Madden, NCAA Football, Battlefield, any "Vs." fighting game
Week 13
Tuesday, November 19
Lecture: Gaming Internationally: Korea
Required Reading: Jin – “Introduction”
Required Playing: Starcraft, League of Legends
Thursday, November 21
Writing Workshop
*THANKSGVING BREAK*
Week 14
Tuesday, December 3
Group Presentation on Controversy- Video Games and Race
Required Reading: Higgin –“Video Games as Critical Race Pedagogy” and Everett and Watkins – “The Power of Play: The Portrayal of Performance and Race in Video Games”
Required Playing: Muslim Massacre, Ethnic Cleansing, Saints Row: The Third: Initiation Station
Suggested Additional Playing: Resident Evil 5, Bioshock Infinite, Far Cry 2 or 3, Saints Row (any), Grand Theft Auto (any)
Thursday, December 5
Lecture: The History of Video Games, Part 4: 2005-present
Required Reading: Melissinos and O’Rourke – pp.158-177, 186-195, 204-213
Required Playing: Minecraft, Limbo, Borderlands (any), Call of Duty 2 or later
Suggested Additional Playing: Wii Sports, The Walking Dead, Skyrim, Oblivion, Uncharted 2, Super Mario Galaxy, Fallout 3, Little Big Planet (any)
FINAL EXAM
This course analyzes the ways that video games have shaped a wide variety of cultural and social practices both in the United States and globally. Students will learn how games and their various effects have been studied in fields such as Communication Studies, Psychology, Media Studies, Journalism, History, Library Sciences, English, Ludology, Education, and Computer Science; they will also learn about scholarship in the emerging field of Game Studies. Students will have opportunities to experience and play a variety of games across many platforms, to create academic writing about games, and to recognize connections between research on games and ongoing changes in the video game industry.
COURSE MATERIALS:
READINGS:
Readings are meant to be completed in full as assigned
Bogost, Ian. How to Do Things With Video Games. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota, 2011. Print.
Melissinos, Chris, and Patrick O'Rourke. The Art of Video Games: From Pac-Man to Mass Effect. New York: Welcome, 2012. Print.
Other course readings will be made available on BOLT:
GAMES:
Required games are meant to be played for a minimum of 10-15 minutes each.
• Students will be required to download the game distribution platform “Steam” from http://www.steampowered.com. Many of the required games for the course are available on this platform. Most are free or have demos available, though some may require purchase. Students must create a Steam account.
• Students will be required to download “Second Life” and “World of Warcraft” and to create free trial accounts to play these games during Week 3 of the course. Other required games may also require students to download software and create free accounts.
• Some games will be made available on BOLT
• Options for accessing both recommended and required games will be discussed in class on a regular basis. In some rare cases, system requirements may be too high for a required game to be played. In these circumstances, students are encouraged to watch online video clips as an alternative.
ASSIGNMENTS:
Five Pop Quizzes – 10% (2% each)
• There will be five unannounced quizzes in the course. They will occur at the start of class and be designed to test your comprehension of course readings that were assigned for that class period. Thus, quizzes will emphasize content that students will have read but that has not been discussed in class. As we will be discussing the answers immediately following the quiz, these cannot be made up. Students with excused absences will be allowed to write a three page response paper to the content covered on the quiz.
Group Project -10%
• You will work with other students on one of three projects surrounding video games and controversy. A detailed assignment sheet will be handed out early in the course.
Individual Project:
Proposal - 5%
Annotated Bibliography - 10%
Final Paper - 20%
o Throughout the course, you will work on a research project of interest related to the course content. A handout with details will be distributed early in the semester.
Exams:
Midterm – 15%
Final Exam – 20%
o These exams will be a mix of possible multiple choice, matching, short answer, and essay questions. The midterm will be held during class time. The final exam will be cumulative and held during finals week.
Participation – 10%
• Active participation includes frequent contribution to class discussion, completing smaller assignments in the classroom or in groups, etc. You will be expected to both attend class and participate in the discussion with regularity. You will be evaluated on the quality (not only quantity) of your contribution. Your participation grade may also include short homework assignments or in class exercises. You will also be expected to take part in the required field trip to the “Art of Video Games” exhibit.
Extra Credit
• There will be several announced extra credit opportunities during the semester that will encourage students to engage with course content and concepts in new contexts.
Course Policies:
(most are boilerplate - here's one of potential interest, though)
Mature Content: Some of the assigned games carry an “M” rating, which indicates that “Content is generally suitable for ages 17 and up. May contain intense violence, blood and gore, sexual content and/or strong language.” Students who are concerned that they may find some of this material so distressing as to hamper their success in the course are encouraged to speak to the professor about said content and about the possibility of acquiring alternate materials.
Tentative Schedule
Week 1
Tuesday, August 27
Course Intro: Why Study Video Games?
Thursday, August 29
An Overview of Game Studies
Required Reading: “Introduction”
Required Playing: two of classmates’ favorite games (from Tuesday’s exercise)
Suggested Additional Playing: two more of classmates’ favorite games (from Monday’s exercise)
Week 2
Tuesday, September 3
Lecture: The History of Video Games, Part 1: 1959-1984 (origins-first gen)
Required Reading: Melissinos and O’Rourke, pp.1-45
Required Playing: Spacewar!, Pong, Zork, Combat, Pitfall, Space Invaders, Pac-Man
Suggested Additional Playing: Multi User Dungeon, Donkey Kong
Thursday, September 5
Discussion: Basics of Game Design Theory
Required Reading: Bogost, pp.18-23 (“Empathy”), pp.37-44 (“Pranks”), pp.89-95 (“Relaxation”), pp125-133 (“Habituation”)
Required Playing: Darfur is Dying, Zuma, Tetris, Syobon Action, Robotron 2084
Suggested Additional Playing: Breakout, Defender, Mega Man (any), Angry Birds (any), Flow, The Legend of Zelda (any), SimCity (any), Space Harrier
Week 3
Tuesday, September 10
Discussion: Online Game Communities – Virtual Worlds
Required Reading: Shaw – “What is Video Game Culture?”
Required Playing: World of Warcraft, Second Life
Suggested Additional Playing: PlayStation Home, EverQuest, Farmville
Thursday, September 12
Guest Lecture: Researching and Preserving Virtual Environments
Required Reading: TBD by presenter
Week 4
Tuesday, September 17
Group Presentation on Controversy - Video Games and Violence
Required Reading: Bogost, pp. 134-140 (“Disinterest”)
Required Playing: Deathrace, Mortal Kombat, Grand Theft Auto III (or later)
Suggested Additional Playing: Carmageddon, Night Trap, Manhunt, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2
Thursday, September 19
Guest Lecture: Video Game Journalism
Required Reading: TBD by presenter
Week 5
Tuesday, September 24
Lecture: The History of Video Games, Part 2: 1984-1996 (8 and 16 bit)
Required Reading: Melissinos and O’Rourke – pp.46-95
Required Playing: Super Mario Bros game (8-bit or 16-bit), Sonic the Hedgehog game (16-bit), Samurai Shodown (any), Gradius (any from the era)
Suggested Additional Playing: Bonk’s Adventure, Starfox, Virtua Racing, Virtua Fighter, Madden 1996 or earlier, NBA Jam, Killer Instinct, Alex Kidd (any)
Thursday, September 26
Guest Lecture: Video Games and Identity
Required Reading: Voorhees - TBD
Required Playing: Civilization (any), Final Fantasy (any)
Suggested Additional Playing: TBD by presenter
Week 6:
Tuesday, October 1
Research Workshop
Thursday, October 3
Lecture: Gaming Internationally: Japan
Required Reading: Galbraith – “Bishōjo Games: ‘Techno-Intimacy’ and the Virtually Human in Japan”
Required Playing: Final Fantasy VII, Crimzon Clover, Magical Diary
Suggested Additional Playing: Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective, Phoenix Wright (any), Monster Hunter (any), Shin Megami Tensei (any), Persona (any), Umineko (any)
Week 7:
Tuesday, October 8
Lecture: Games as Interactive Fiction
Required Reading: Bogost, pp. 24-29 (“Reverence)
Required Playing: Half-Life 1 or Half-Life 2, Grim Fandango, Bioshock
Suggested Additional Playing: Metal Gear Solid (any), Beyond Good and Evil, Fallout (any), Silent Hill 1 or 2, The Last of Us, Maniac Mansion or other LucasArts SCUMM games, Ultima (any), King’s Quest (any), (any)
Thursday, October 10
Discussion: Games and Learning
Required Reading: Raphael, et. al. – “Games for Civic Learning: A Conceptual Framework and Agenda for Research and Design”
Required Playing: Oregon Trail, Portal 2, Global Conflict (any)
Suggested Additional Playing: Typing of the Dead, PlaceSpotting
Week 8
Tuesday, October 15
Midterm Review
Thursday, October 17
Midterm Exam
Week 9
Tuesday, October 22
Discussion: The “Games as Art” Debate
Required Reading: Bogost, pp.9-17 (“Art”), pp.70-88 (“Snapshots,” “Texture”, “Kitsch”), Ebert essay and response
Required Playing: Dear Esther, Fez, Missile Command
Suggested Additional Playing: Journey, The Legend of Zelda, Flower, Shadow of the Colossus, Ico, Unfinished Swan
Thursday, October 24
Prepare for Field Trip: “The Art of Video Games” – Syracuse, NY
**OCTOBER 26 – Field Trip to “Art of Video Games” Exhibit in Syracuse, NY**
Week 10
Tuesday, October 29
Group Presentation on Controversy: Video Games and Sexuality – Group Presentations
Required Reading: Bogost, pp.103-109 (“Titillation”),
Required Playing: Custer’s Last Stand, Tomb Raider (any), Duke Nuke ‘Em (any)
Suggested Additional Playing: Mass Effect (any), Dragon Age (any), Heavy Rain, God of War (any), Catherine, Leisure Suit Larry (any)
Thursday, October 31
Writing Workshop
Week 11
Tuesday, November 5
Lecture: The History of Video Games, Part 3: 1997-2005 (32 bit and last gen)
Required Reading: Melissinos and O’Rourke – pp.96-156, 176-185, 194-203
Required Playing: Diablo II, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater (any), Unreal Tournament
Suggested Additional Playing: Gran Turismo (any), Resident Evil 1,2,3 or 4, Tekken 1,2,3, or 4, Fable, Metal Gear Solid 1,2, or 3, Devil May Cry 1, 2, or 3, Metroid Prime (any), Super Mario 64, Shenmue (any), The Sims 1 or 2
Thursday, November 7
Discussion: Video Games and Music
Required Reading: Bogost - pp 30-36 (“Music”)
Required Playing: Beat Hazard or Audiosurf, Bastion, Sonic CD
Suggested Additional Playing: Rez, Child of Eden, Guitar Hero (any), Rock Band (any), Rhythm Heaven (any), Chrono Trigger, Castlevania (any 2D)
Week 12
Tuesday, November 12
Lecture: The Economics of Video Games
Required Reading: Bogost, pp. 64-69 (“Promotion”), pp.96-102 (“Throwaways”)
Required Playing: any “Free to Play” game
Thursday, November 14
Discussion: Competitive Gaming Culture
Required Reading: Witkowski – “On the Digital Playing Field: How We ‘‘Do Sport” With Networked Computer Games”
Required Playing: Street Fighter (any), DonPachi/DoDonPachi (any), Quake III (any)
Suggested Additional Playing: recent entries in these series: Halo, Call of Duty, Madden, NCAA Football, Battlefield, any "Vs." fighting game
Week 13
Tuesday, November 19
Lecture: Gaming Internationally: Korea
Required Reading: Jin – “Introduction”
Required Playing: Starcraft, League of Legends
Thursday, November 21
Writing Workshop
*THANKSGVING BREAK*
Week 14
Tuesday, December 3
Group Presentation on Controversy- Video Games and Race
Required Reading: Higgin –“Video Games as Critical Race Pedagogy” and Everett and Watkins – “The Power of Play: The Portrayal of Performance and Race in Video Games”
Required Playing: Muslim Massacre, Ethnic Cleansing, Saints Row: The Third: Initiation Station
Suggested Additional Playing: Resident Evil 5, Bioshock Infinite, Far Cry 2 or 3, Saints Row (any), Grand Theft Auto (any)
Thursday, December 5
Lecture: The History of Video Games, Part 4: 2005-present
Required Reading: Melissinos and O’Rourke – pp.158-177, 186-195, 204-213
Required Playing: Minecraft, Limbo, Borderlands (any), Call of Duty 2 or later
Suggested Additional Playing: Wii Sports, The Walking Dead, Skyrim, Oblivion, Uncharted 2, Super Mario Galaxy, Fallout 3, Little Big Planet (any)
FINAL EXAM
^I tried to pick games that fit the topics and/or readings, that were easily accessible in some way via PC, that were low-cost (or had demos), and that could be played on most modern computers. There are probably twice as many "recommended" games that, like these required ones, line up to weekly topics but are more spread out across a wider variety of consoles and generations.
Game availability chart. "BOLT" means the game or demo will be on a course web resource: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc ... sp=sharing
I'll share more once the class gets going. I'm really looking forward to this course - hopefully it will become a regular annual offering (which seems likely). If you have thoughts or questions, please chime in!
