GamesStudiesColloquium ... Schedule ... Modules

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Of Interest

Fall 09 Events & Calls:

  • &Now Conference, Buffalo Oct 14-17
    • innovative writing and literary arts
    • digital literature and multimedia presentations
  • The IGDA's Global Game Jam 2010 Call for Research Projects
    • Global Game Jam gathers professionals, students and hobbyists with the goal of developing games over a weekend.

Games Various

======= Video games encompass an increasingly diverse set of practises, populations, locations - from fantasy football to multi-player medieval fantasy; from simulations of real life to alternate realities; from fanatics to activists; from nightclubs to competitive arenas to public streets to the classroom; from consoles to mobile phones to large-screen projections. In this course we will analyze not only popular games but interactive installations, pervasive games, mixed and virtual reality environments. We will discuss the interdisciplinary nature of a cultural practice which depends on art, artificial intelligence, computer graphics, interface design, human-computer interaction, psychology, narrative, networking and technical innovation. We will ask why interactive experiences are popular, and try to understand the social and cultural implications of games and gaming.

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Games Studies Colloquium Fall 09 Syllabus

DMS 548/448 :: 1:00-2:50 M W :: Center for the Arts Room 232

Teachers:

  • Josephine Anstey, jranstey at buffalo, office hrs Tues Wed 3:00 - 4:00, CFA 248A
  • Cayden Mak, caydenma at buffalo, office hrs Thurs 3:00 - 4:00, CFA 288

Description:

Video games encompass an increasingly diverse set of practises, populations, locations - from fantasy football to multi-player medieval fantasy; from simulations of real life to alternate realities; from fanatics to activists; from nightclubs to competitive arenas to public streets to the classroom; from consoles to mobile phones to large-screen projections. In this course we will analyze not only popular games but interactive installations, pervasive games, mixed and virtual reality environments. We will discuss the interdisciplinary nature of a cultural practice which depends on art, artificial intelligence, computer graphics, interface design, human-computer interaction, psychology, narrative, networking and technical innovation. We will ask why interactive experiences are popular, and try to understand the social and cultural implications of games and gaming.

Required Texts:

  • First Person : New Media as Story, Performance, and Game, Noah Wardrip-Fruin and Pat Harrigan (Editors) (on 2 hour reserve)

Study Guides

Online:

Schedule:

  • It is your responsibility to check the schedule so that are prepared for the class, have done the readings, played the games, are ready for your presentation etc.

Modules:

  • This is a preliminary list of topics we will cover, not necessarily in order we address them. Students presentations will focus on these modules.

Grade:

  • reading, preparation and participation 25%
  • presentation one 25%
  • presentation two 25%
  • final paper 25%
  • annotated bibliography (grads)

Requirements and Responsibilities:

Reading, preparation and participation - You are expected to come to class thoroughly read/played on the material (not simply skimmed) and prepared for engaged participation.

Presentation One - Research related to Module:

On the module page there are 7 topics; choose 3 topics in ranked order of preference and submit your choice by Sept. 16th. We will assign modules by Sep18. To contribute to the module you can do one of the following.

  • find a scholarly review of one of the games mentioned; submit it to teachers for approval (put on wiki in appropriate place, email teachers to say its there); make it available to class; make notes for presentation. Strategies for finding reviews - search online sites mentioned above; search using name of game and name of game researcher from online sites or book; search citations of other papers; search conference proceedings
  • find a scholarly paper on of the topic; submit it to teachers for approval (put on wiki in appropriate place, email teachers to say its there); make it available to class; make notes for presentation. Strategies for finding papers - search online sites mentioned above; search using name of game researcher from online sites or book; ; search citations of other papers; search conference proceedings
  • find a serious or art game for presentation to the class; submit it to teachers for approval (put on wiki in appropriate place, email teachers to say its there); prepare critical presentation of the game
  • read, make notes and present one of the readings
  • NB - points will be lost if you do not submit your research findings to teachers for approval.

Presentation Two - Game Review:

Each student will make review one game or compare two games from those listed on the module page. The review should make clear use of the theoretical and critical perspectives discussed in class. Each review should be 15 minutes long, and include no more than 3 minutes of demonstration.

Final Paper - the final paper can be:

  • a theoretical paper that discusses some element of video gaming
  • a review of a video game or games
  • an ethnographic or eye witness account of gaming

We suggest that you build on your research or game review presentation - consider the presentation a first draft and the paper subsequent drafts. You are required to hand in two drafts of the paper.

First draft of final paper due: Nov 23

Papers returned with comments: Nov 30

Final draft of paper due December 14th

Attendance:

Attendance for every class is mandatory barring serious emergency. Each student is allowed two unexcused absences for whatever reason (e.g., illness, weather). If extenuating circumstances arise (e.g., serious medical problems, child care), please contact the instructor as soon as possible to address the situation. Barring emergency circumstances, each absence after two will drop lower the final grade by a full grade for each additional absence (i.e.,3 absences = B→C). Punctuality is also expected. For the purposes of grading, three tardies will equal one unexcused absence.

Criteria for Incomplete Grade:

It is the policy of the College of Arts and Sciences and the Department of Media Study to grant incompletes for a semester only under extraordinary circumstances. Under any circumstances, incompletes will be granted only to students currently in good standing (i.e., regular attendance and passing completion of assignments). Requests for a grade of incomplete need to be submitted in writing, and should include a rationale, documentation for the reason, and a proposed schedule for completion.

University Statements