Seminar on Computer Games

Subject is not scheduled Not scheduled

Subject guarantor:

Name of lecturer(s):

Learning outcomes of the course unit:

The aim of the course is to improve critical skills, analysis considerations of computer games and an introduction to the basic principles of computer games media.

Mode of study:

Classes with group discussions and students will be required to read professional writings and occassional writing of short papers or analysis.

Prerequisites and co-requisites:

Knowledge of English (readings in Englsih and feature films in English).

Course contents:

The course will take place as a group discussions on several topics related with computer games - we will attempt to better understand what computer games are, what are the various types, why peole play computer games, how games are able to express particular topics, how they are determined by the technology, what are the relations of games and morality or games and reality. Sources for discussion will be readings of professional and theory writings as well as gaming experiences and analyses of particular games or game genres. The course will also be devoted to the development of games, but merely in review from various perspectives (which also may be rewardings in case study). Students will be required to participate in class and prepare assignments for class (assigned readings, game analyses, summaries of opinions on given topics, finding relevant sources or games for the topics, etc.).

8.2. Introduction

15.2. What are (computer) games? (What is and what is not a game?) What are the elements of a game? What is the difference between classical and digital games? Interactivity, magic circles, etc.

22.2. Game pleasure (Why do we play? Why are games entertaining? What are the player types? Concepts of flow and immersion)

29.2. Games, techniques and institutions (platforms, institutions, artificial intelligence, programming languages, controller, interface, manners of distribution and production - How does this all determines the form of the computer game?)

7.3. + 14.3. Games as a means of expression (conflict of theology vs. narratology, particulars of games narration, game genres, some topics which games prefer ter other topics, procedural rhetoric)

21.3. + 4.4. Games and morality (ideology of games and in games, moral choices, games and gender, representation of minorities in games, games and violence)

28.4. Free - Easter Monday

11.4. + 18.4. Games and reality (documentary games, news games, games as historical reconstruction)

25.4. Games and teaching (teaching through ordinary games, educational games)

2.5. + 9.5. Playing in a community (mmo, arg, cheating, letsplay, machinimes, emergent games)

Recommended or required reading:

Dovey, Jon; Kennedy, Helen W. Game Cultures: Computer Games as New Media. Open university Press: Berkshire, 2006.

Fromme, Johannes; Unger, Alexander (eds.). Computer Games and new Media Cultures: A Handbook of Digital Games Studies. Springer, 2012.

Juul, Jesper. Half-Real: Video Games between Real Rules and Fictional Worlds. The MIT press 2005.

Raessens, Joost, Goldstein, Jeffrey (eds.). Handbook of Computer Game Studies. THE MIT press 2005.

Salen, Katie; Zimmerman, Eric. Rules of Play: Game Design Fundamentals. MIT Press: Cambridge, MA, 2003.

Salen, Katie; Zimmerman, Eric (eds.). The Game Design Reader: A Rules of Play Anthology. The MIT Press, 2005.

Wolf, Mark (ed.). Encyclopedia of Video Games. Greenwood, 2012.

Wolf, Mark J. P.; Perron, Bernard (eds.). The Routledge Companion to Video Game Studies. Routledge, 2013.

internet sources for professional articles

https://scholar.google.cz/

http://www.digra.org/digital-library/

Assessment methods and criteria:

Class attendance and participation is 50% of the grade. Completion of assignments for individual classes - 50% of grade.

Course web page:

Note:

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Further information:

No schedule has been prepared for this course

The subject is a part of the following study plans: