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  2. Game Culture [GDT3101]

Faculty of Education and Arts

School: Communications and Arts

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

  • Unit Title

    Game Culture

  • Unit Code

    GDT3101

  • Year

    2015

  • Enrolment Period

    1

  • Version

    1

  • Credit Points

    15

  • Full Year Unit

     N

  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus

Description

This unit will examine the culture of games through history. The unit will explore how an understanding of visual research and accuracy is important, and will also contextualise historical styles, movements, technologies, and narratives. Topics covered include the phenomena of digital game boxes, computer and on-line playing, and simulations as well as visual historical research methodologies.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Analyse the social and cultural relationships between societies and the games they play.
  2. Analyse the use of cultural elements in the construction of games.
  3. Discuss cultural issues associated with gaming (e.g. children, violence, sex, and fandom).
  4. Discuss the global history and development of games.
  5. Examine current developments in games and game technologies.

Unit Content

  1. Current development in games.
  2. Games and other media.
  3. History and development of games.
  4. Key cultural issues in gaming.
  5. Online gaming.
  6. Relationships between cultures and games.
  7. Visual research methods.

Additional Learning Experience Information

Lectures. Tutorials.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
AssignmentBlog20%
JournalJournal40%
Case StudyFolio and Essay40%

Text References

  • Jenkins, H. (2006). Fans, bloggers and gamers: Exploring participatory culture. New York: New York University Press.
  • Williams, J. P. et al. (2006). Gaming as culture: Essays on reality, identity and experience in fantasy games. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland & Company.
  • Kent, S. (2001). The ultimate history of video games. Roseville, California: Prima Publishing.
  • Halter, E. (2006). From Sun Tzu to XBox: War and video games. New York: Thunder's Mouth Press.
  • Rusell, G. (2004). The art of Lord of the Rings. London: Harper Collins.
  • Omernick, M. (2004). Creating the art of the game. USA: New Riders.
  • Kerlow, I. (2004). The art of 3D computer animation and effects. (3rd ed.). USA: John Wiley.
  • Faber, L. (1998). Ultimate game graphics. London: Laurance King.
  • Kohler, C. (2005). Power up: How Japanese video games gave the world an extra life. Indianapolis, Indiana: BradyGames.

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

GDT3101|1|1

Faculty of Education and Arts

School: Communications and Arts

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

  • Unit Title

    Game Culture

  • Unit Code

    GDT3101

  • Year

    2015

  • Enrolment Period

    2

  • Version

    1

  • Credit Points

    15

  • Full Year Unit

     N

  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus

Description

This unit will examine the culture of games through history. The unit will explore how an understanding of visual research and accuracy is important, and will also contextualise historical styles, movements, technologies, and narratives. Topics covered include the phenomena of digital game boxes, computer and on-line playing, and simulations as well as visual historical research methodologies.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Analyse the social and cultural relationships between societies and the games they play.
  2. Analyse the use of cultural elements in the construction of games.
  3. Discuss cultural issues associated with gaming (e.g. children, violence, sex, and fandom).
  4. Discuss the global history and development of games.
  5. Examine current developments in games and game technologies.

Unit Content

  1. Current development in games.
  2. Games and other media.
  3. History and development of games.
  4. Key cultural issues in gaming.
  5. Online gaming.
  6. Relationships between cultures and games.
  7. Visual research methods.

Additional Learning Experience Information

Lectures. Tutorials.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
AssignmentBlog20%
JournalJournal40%
Case StudyFolio and Essay40%

Text References

  • Jenkins, H. (2006). Fans, bloggers and gamers: Exploring participatory culture. New York: New York University Press.
  • Williams, J. P. et al. (2006). Gaming as culture: Essays on reality, identity and experience in fantasy games. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland & Company.
  • Kent, S. (2001). The ultimate history of video games. Roseville, California: Prima Publishing.
  • Halter, E. (2006). From Sun Tzu to XBox: War and video games. New York: Thunder's Mouth Press.
  • Rusell, G. (2004). The art of Lord of the Rings. London: Harper Collins.
  • Omernick, M. (2004). Creating the art of the game. USA: New Riders.
  • Kerlow, I. (2004). The art of 3D computer animation and effects. (3rd ed.). USA: John Wiley.
  • Faber, L. (1998). Ultimate game graphics. London: Laurance King.
  • Kohler, C. (2005). Power up: How Japanese video games gave the world an extra life. Indianapolis, Indiana: BradyGames.

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

GDT3101|1|2