COMM361

This course is an examination of the history, culture and structure of modern video and computer gaming from Spacewar! To present time. Video games are an important part of contemporary culture – video games sales rival if not exceed receipts from Hollywood films – yet little attention has been paid to their critical analysis. In this course, we will develop a vocabulary to discuss and analyze the component of gaming from visuals, music and procedural narrative. We will draw concepts and tools from film, literary and feminist discourses and examine the relationship between changes in technology and the structure of games themselves. Students will play, read about and write about games. Access to computer which can play games is required. Among the questions we will consider are: Are video games art? How do video games tell stories? Why is gaming culture so predominantly male and sexist? How do cultural forces shape video games, and do games shape culture? Is there space for small, independent game studios? Do games relate to other arts? This course is writing intensive.