Syllabus

Table of contents

• Course Description
• Learning Objectives
• Method of Learning
• Method of Evaluation
• Grading Scale
• Required Texts
• Policies

Course Description

This course is an introduction to the field of game studies or game theory. Videogames suggested by the students will be analyzed from an interdisciplinary perspective: how their narratives are structured, how they are designed technologically, and how they function as texts that tell us something about the culture in which they are produced. The course will also cover the history of videogames, the economics of the videogame industry, and the use of games for artistic and educational purposes. Although this is not a class in which students will learn how to program videogames, they will design, produce and distribute a text-based Alternate Reality Game. Students will also conduct lab sessions involving various kinds of single and collective gaming. Non-gamers are welcomed and encouraged to take this course.

Learning Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

1. Identify the various narrative structures, rules systems and genres of videogames.
2. Use concepts and theories from the field of game studies to situate videogames as cultural artifacts.
3. Discuss and compare examples of videogames as forms of entertainment, artistic expression, learning, and socializing.
4. Demonstrate a familiarity with the history of videogames as well as the economics of the videogame industry.
5. Review, categorize and critique emerging theories for analyzing videogames by conducting primary research in journals and scholarly publications.
6. Design and conduct an experiment involving videogames after reviewing current scientific research in the area.
7. Synthesize acquired knowledge about videogames in the form of a collective class project as well as a peer-reviewed final project which performs a scholarly analysis of a videogame from an interdisciplinary perspective.

Method of Learning

Readings, class discussions (see below), written assignments, class presentations, multimedia viewing, and participation in online environments. Students are expected to have access to the internet and to check their Oswego email accounts on a regular basis.

Method of Evaluation

Notes and Discussion	110 points (10 points each x 11 weeks)
Blogging	80 points (20 points each x 4 posts)
My So-Called Gamespace	75 points
Osw3go Class Project	75 points
History of Videogames Report and Group Presentation	100 points
Lab Projects	100 points
Comprehensive Exam	75 points
Final Project	150 points
Attendance & Participation	75 points
TOTAL	840 points
Extra Credit:
Top 5 Media Link users	15 points
Open Space ARG	15 points

Grading Scale

(used for individual assignments as well as final grade):

Letter Grade	Minimum Percentage
A+	98%
A	94%
A-	90%
B+	88%
B	84%
B-	80%
C+	78%
C	74%
C-	70%
D+	68%
D	64%
E (F)	1%

Required Texts

• Atkins, B., & Krzywinska, T. (2008). Videogame, Player, Text (1st ed.). Manchester University Press.
• Wark, M. (2007). Gamer Theory. Cambridge, Mass: Harvard University Press.

Additional readings will be distributed electronically.

Policies

Attendance, plagiarism, late work, etc.

Please familiarize yourself with the Student Conduct Code, which applies to all your classes and activities on campus. Academic policies regulating attendance, plagiarism, etc. can be found in the Student Handbook or at the following web page:

http://oswego.edu/administration/registrar/acad_policies.html

In summary:

• Attendance is mandatory. Students missing more than two (2) classes may be penalized up to one (1) letter grade per cut. The decision to exercise the attendance policy will be at the discretion of the instructor. An attendance sheet will be circulated in class. You are responsible for signing the attendance sheet.
• Late work is not accepted unless it us due to a circumstance beyond your control and/or you receive prior authorization from the instructor.
• Your work should be your own. Plagiarism is a severe act of dishonesty, and carries serious consequences. Please read this and complete this tutorial.

Behavior during class and online

Please avoid being late. Cell phones and other electronic devices should be silenced during class in order to avoid interruptions.

Online and in the classroom, I expect everyone to be respectful.

Accommodation of disabilities
At Oswego, we know that providing accessibility to education is extremely important. The Office of Disability Services is dedicated to meeting the needs of students with special needs. Feel free to contact them at the following address:

Disability Services
Hewitt Union
Phone: (315) 312-3358; Fax: (315) 312-2943; Email:

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