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Kursusnavn (dansk):	Foundations of Play and Games
Kursusnavn (engelsk):	Foundations of Play and Games
Semester:	Efterår 2014
Udbydes under:	cand.it., spil (games)
Omfang i ECTS:	15,00
Kursussprog:	Engelsk
Kursushjemmeside:	https://learnit.itu.dk
Min. antal deltagere:	12
Forventet antal deltagere:	50
Maks. antal deltagere:	60
Formelle forudsætninger:	There are no formal prerequisites, but a broad familiarity with games (both digital and analogue) will be useful. It is suggested to spend the summer brushing up on game knowledge, eg, the following genres and classics (Game titles here). The course is theoretical in nature so an interest in theoretical and analytical issues will help. You are expected to activiely participate in the lectures, which are dialogic in form, with ample room for discussion.
Læringsmål:	After successful completion of the course the student is expected to be able to: Discuss games and play from various theoretical, cultural and critical perspectives Recognize common cultural biases towards play and games. Problematise game definitions and categorizations, and formulate models that expose the problematic distinctions between work and play, and between games and “the real world”. Analyse games and identify game genres, using a variety of analysis methods. Apply new theories and evaluate them critically. Assess and discuss game concepts and the use of games in various contexts.
Fagligt indhold:	Games and Play are fundamental phenomena found in every society throughout history. They are forms of entertainment, and also part of many cultural discourses, as well as modes of behaviour and communication. Lately they have evolved, through computer technology, into the most prominent form of digital culture and expression. This course offers a broad overview of the fundamental theories and approaches to games and play, through a selection of the main critical and research approaches to these topics. The relation between games and narratives will receive particular attention. The works of major critics and theorists such as Wittgenstein, Gadamer, Bateson, Caillois, Huizinga, Sutton-Smith and others will be presented and discussed. The main topics of the course are as follows: Game and play history Game Ontology Games and representation Games, play and fiction Game addiction Games and Violence Games, ethics and ideology Games as art, art as play Games and stories Narrative theory applied to games
Læringsaktiviteter:	14 ugers undervisning bestående af forelæsninger og øvelser 14 weeks of teaching consisting of lectures and exercises The course will include lectures, discussions, group-work, exercises, game-lab sessions and a written project.
Obligatoriske aktivititer:	Compulsory Exercise 1: Developing and presenting your typology Deadline: Monday, September 22, 12:00 Compulsory Exercise 2: Writing an Abstract and research plan. Deadline: Friday, October 10, 12:00 Compulsory Exercise 3: Narrative analysis of games Deadline: Friday, November 14, 12:00
Eksamensform og -beskrivelse:	X. experimental examination form (7-scale; external exam), 7-trins-skala, Ekstern prøve .
Litteratur udover forskningsartikler:	TBA