College of Visual and Performing Arts

Computer Game Design Program

College of Visual and Performing Arts

GAME 399—Research Methodologies (3 credits)

Instructor: Seth Hudson Lecture: W 4:30-7:10PM

Office: AB 2002 Room: AB 2002

Office Hours: W 10:30—12:30 Fall 2014

Phone: 993-5734 (for apt.)

Prerequisite: Admittance to the MA Game Design Program or permission of instructor

Required Texts:

Fernandez, Vara, C. (2014). Introduction to Game Analysis. New York: Routledge.

Mayra, F. (2008). An Introduction to Game Studies. London: Sage. (eBook available)

Smith, J., Egenfeldt-Nielsen, S., & Tosca, S. (2013). Understanding Video Games : The Essential Introduction. New York: Routledge. (eBook available)

***Other readings available online as ebooks or pdf***

Course Description:

This graduate seminar focuses on development of independent research projects in game design, theory, philosophy, criticism and production. Explores principal methods of researching, exploring, and documenting game design and contemporary and historic practice. Along with traditional methods of library research, this course emphasizes new processes of examination and investigation through the use of computer-aided research systems and techniques. Students will research and write a publishable paper following best practices in their chosen field. Assigned readings in the class will be augmented and supported by visual presentations, game play, guest lecturers and field trips.

Objectives:

To build student awareness about the contemporary research tools and technique available to pursue academic research, as well as about current and historical trends in ‘serious’ and entertainment game theory, philosophy, and criticism.

Requirements and Evaluation:

At each class meeting, students should be prepared to discuss the assigned readings. Additional out-of-class viewings and game play will be assigned. The assigned readings, visual materials, and games will be either reserved at the Johnson Center Library, or in the Game Program Library.

FINAL RESEARCH PAPER (40% of Total Grade)

Each student is required to present a10-page paper (APA, double-spaced), or create a multimedia artifact equal in content that reflects upon, explores, or further examines the theories, issues, and ideas discussed during the first eight weeks of the semester. In preparation for the midterm project, regardless of the medium selected, students are required to provide a 15-minute presentation of their proposed work in the sixt week of the semester. The proposal must include a draft of your annotated bibliography, citing no fewer than 8 sources. All papers submitted and presented must be in APA format (unless specific submission specifications dictate otherwise) and executed in near-flawless standard written English.

In the final two classes, students will give a 20-minute presentation and discuss the political, cultural, art historical, and/or theoretical content of their paper. The instructor will provide extensive guidance and advice for each student throughout his or her research and presentation. Students should also find a relevant publication for their paper, preparing submission materials for the actual journal/publication.

JOURNAL REFLECTIONS (20%)

Students are required to submit a total of FIVE journal entries to the professor. These journal entries should address specific aspects of our readings or applied research. Reflections may be written or utilize other digital formats.

RESEARCH PRSENTATION (20%)

Students participating in GAME 399-Research Methods will collaborate on a semester-long research project in consultation with the professor. The games-focused project will analyze a game or games through a specific theoretical lens, using relevant literature in addition to documenting gameplay, player reactions, etc., culminating in a final presentation of findings meant for public consumption.

COURSE PARTICIPATION (20%)

In-class meetings and online collaboration are a major part of our endeavor. In-class work will include collaborative, multimedia research projects.

Grade % Points

A+ 99-100

A 94-98

A- 90-93

B+ 88-89

B 84-88

B- 80-83

Recommended Texts:

·  Note: When possible we will utilize ebooks from university libraries. Some other readings may be distributed as PDF files on Bb.

Barry, P. (2009). Beginning theory: An introduction to literary and culture theory (2nd ed.). Manchester, UK: Manchester University Press.

Benjamin, W. (2010). ThewWork of art in the age of mechanical reproduction. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (online)

Bogost, I. (2008). Unit operations: An approach to videogame criticism. Cambridge, MA: MIT University Press.

Cassell, J. & Jenkins, H. (1998). From barbie to mortal combat: Gender and computer games. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press

Hoglund, J. (2008). Electronic empire: Orientalism revisited in the military shooter. Game studies: The international journal of computer game research (8,1). Retrieved from http://gamestudies.org/0801/articles/hoeglund.

Kline, S. (2003). Digital play: Interaction of technology, culture, and marketing. Quebec, CA: McGill-Queen’s University Press

Nel, P. (2002). The Avant-garde and American postmodernity: Small incisive shocks. Jackson, MS: University of Mississippi Press.

Pacey, A. (1983). The Culture of Technology. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press

Ruch, A.W. (2012). Grand theft auto IV: Liberty city and modernist literature. Games and Culture, vol. 7, 331-348. Retrieved from http://gac.sagepub.com/content/7/5/331.full.pdf+html

Walker, J.A. (2001). Art in the age of mass media (3rd ed.). London, UK: Pluto Press