Handbook : Unit informationEdith Cowan University

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 Studies

• Unit Code

  GDT3104

• Year

  2015

• Enrolment Period

  1

• Version

  1

• Credit Points

  15

• Full Year Unit

  N

• Mode of Delivery

  On Campus
  

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Description

This unit explores the dominant disciplines and theories in the study of computer games. Students will analyse the aesthetic and cultural significance of games as a medium in terms of effects and ethnography, ludology and simulation, narrative and genre, psychology and emotion, and identity and community.

Equivalent Rule

Unit was previously coded GDT2104

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

1. Analyse and evaluate ludological approaches to games.
2. Analyse the aesthetic and cultural aspects of computer games using theories of simulation, narrative, genre, and psychoanalysis.
3. Analyse the problems with defining the computer game as a medium and distinguishing game genres.
4. Discuss issues of identity, communication and community in gaming.
5. Discuss the problems faced by research on game effects and player ethnography.

Unit Content

1. Communication, community and emotion.
2. Effects research and ethnography.
3. Game media, genres, and aesthetics.
4. Ludology and narrative.
5. Psychoanalytic and postmodern notions of self and identity.
6. Simulation and space.

Additional Learning Experience Information

Lectures. Tutorial workshops.

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.

Text References

• ^ Unit Reader
• Juul, J. (2005). Half real. Video games between real rules and fictional worlds. Cambridge, Massachusetts: The MIT Press.
• Wardruip-Fruin, N., & Harrigan, P. (Eds.). (2004). First person. New media as story, performance, and game. Cambridge, Massachusetts: The MIT Press.
• Newman, P. (2004). Videogames. London: Routledge.
• Raessens, J., & Goldstein, J. (Eds.). (2008). Handbook of computer game studies. Cambridge, Massachusetts: The MIT Press.
• Wolf, M. J. P., & Perron, B. (Eds.). (2003). The video game theory reader. New York and London: Routledge.
• Salen, K., & Zimmerman, E. (2004). Rules of play. Games design fundamentals. Cambridge, Massachusetts: The MIT Press.
• Nielson, S. E., Smith, J. H., & Tosca, S. P. (2008). Understanding video games: The essential introduction. New York: Routledge.

^ Mandatory reference

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