IT-Universitetet i København
 
  Tilbage Kursusoversigt
Kursusbeskrivelse
Kursusnavn (dansk):Spil og journalistik 
Kursusnavn (engelsk):Games and Journalism 
Semester:Forår 2010 
Udbydes under:cand.it., medieteknologi og spil (mtg) 
Omfang i ECTS:7,50 
Kursussprog:Engelsk 
Kursushjemmeside:https://blog.itu.dk/MSOJ-F2010/ 
Min. antal deltagere:0 
Forventet antal deltagere:15 
Maks. antal deltagere:20 
Formelle forudsætninger:A general knowledge of games and game journalism is encouraged, though there are no formal prerequisites for this course. 
Læringsmål:After the course the student should be able to:

  • Explain the main principles of Journalism in relation to the Games Industry - as observed in both the mainstream press and more fanbased /hardcore media.
  • Analyse and reflect on the different journalistic practices in relation to target media of the Game Journalist - what are the main differences between writing for a newspaper compared to a magazine or website?

  • Write articles that fits into the basic journalistic disciplines such as news, interviews, features, reviews, previews and blogs - and prove how to target them to a specific media/target audience.

  • Describe how the gaming press works and why - and thereby be able to dissect the game industry as seen through the eyes of both a game developer, a game journalist or educator.

  • Reflect on the ethics (or lack of same) inherent in (Game) Journalism.
 
Fagligt indhold:“What! You're getting paid to play games? Must be the best job in the world!”


Fortunately yes, but also extremely challenging since more than often the jobtitle "videogame journalist" comes under scrutiny for being somewhat of an oxymoron.
Mainly because the journalistic practice is often underestimated and still mostly conducted by underpaid, young freelance writers with no journalistic education in tackling this multimillion dollar game industry.


That fact has giving growth to the dark side of Game Journalism: bought review scores, lush expensive press-trips and too personal relations between game journalists and game developers / distributors.


This course will tackle the inner workings, ethics and the fundamental journalistic principles inherent in Game Journalism today.
As an example the course will analyse the typically core "reveal - preview - review"-cycle of Game Journalism and reflect upon its effect on the Game Industry as a whole.
We will also discuss the inherent power struggles between the game developers and gaming press.


In order to make the course as realistic and relevant as possible, we will often invite prominent professionals from the game industry - game developers, PR managers, professional game journalists, scientists etc. - in as external guest teachers.
Only in that way the course will give a unique firsthand insight into how the Game Industry works in relation to journalist - and vice versa - since the journalists are an important gatekeeper between a game developer and the public/consumer.


Furthermore the students will be tasked with “real” Game Journalism through a cooperation with DADIU (Det Danske Akademi for Digital, Interaktiv Underholdning - see www.dadiu.dk). During the semester the students will be asked to write interviews, news, reviews and previews of the new games from the academy. These articles will afterwards be published through the websites of DADIU and DR (Danmarks Radio) to a wider audience.


The course will also put PR and Marketing for Games and Gaming Consoles into perspective and analyse how this is conducted on an international scale. What is good marketing, and how could the press be handled? What is the difference between good PR from bad PR in the Games industry?


In that regard the course will also provide Game Developers a better understanding on how the Gaming Press works: how do I talk to the press, how do I get their attention and how do I best get my game across to the public?


The target audience for the course is (future) developers, journalists, educators, critics and librarians.


There´s no doubt that computer games a extremely important cultural phenomenon that require full attention and a truly professional critical journalistic coverage. The question is how, and in which directions Game Journalism should evolve in this field of ever widening cultural importance.
 
Læringsaktiviteter:12 forelæsningsgange

Each lecture will be accompanied by an short oral or written exercise that illustrates the issues addressed on the lecture. Students are expected to attend and participate in both the lectures and the exercises.

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Se hvordan undervisningen er tilrettelagt her:
link til skemaoplysninger
Skemaoplysningerne vil være tilgængelige fra kort før semesterstart.

See the schedule here:
link to the time table
The schedule will be available shortly before the beginning of the term.
 

Eksamensform og -beskrivelse:X. experimental examination form (7-scale; external exam), 7-trins-skala, Ekstern censur

 

Litteratur udover forskningsartikler:Stuart, Keith: “Ten unmissable examples of New Games Journalism”. Blog published on The Guardians online-games blog March 3th 2005. See http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/games/archives/game_culture/2005/03/ten_unmissable_examples_of_new_games_journalism.html

Thomas, David: “The State of Criticism”. Blog on Buzzcut.com + responses on http://www.buzzcut.com/forum/viewtopic.php?forum=2&showtopic=54

Gillen, Keiron: ”Editorial: New Games Journalism”. 2004. See http://gillen.cream.org/wordpress_html/?page_id=3

Gillen, Keiron: “The New Games Journalism - Or How Not To Herd Cats”. 2005. See http://gillen.cream.org/wordpress_html/?page_id=6

Gillen, Kieron: Review of “Deus Ex”. Originally in PC Gamer, issue 87, 2000.
See: http://gillen.cream.org/wordpress_html/?page_id=16

Kücklich, Julian: “The Road Less Traveled – The Case for Computer Game Philology”. Unknown year of publishing. See http://www.playability.de/en/txt/cgpabs.html

Shanahan, Ian: “Bow, Nigger”. See http://www.alwaysblack.com/blackbox/bownigger.html

Shanahan, Ian Shanahan: “Possesing Barbie” See http://www.alwaysblack.com/blackbox/possessingbarbie.html

 
 
Afholdelse (tid og sted)
Kurset afholdes på følgende tid og sted:
UgedagTidspunktForelæsning/ØvelserStedLokale
Torsdag 13.45-15.45 Forelæsning ITU 4A20
Torsdag 16.00-18.00 Øvelser ITU 4A20

Eksamen afholdes på følgende tid og sted:
EksamensdatoTidspunktEksamenstypeStedLokale
2010-05-18 Før kl. 15 Skriftlige arbejder ITU Eksamenskontoret (2E)
2010-06-21 Kontakt kursusansvarlig for individuelt tidspunkt Mundtlig eksamen ITU 4A20
2010-08-20 Mulig dag for reeksamen /Possible date for re-exam Mundtlig eksamen ITU Eksamensform kan blive ændret / Examination form may be altered
2010-08-23 Mulig dag for reeksamen /Possible date for re-exam Mundtlig eksamen ITU Eksamensform kan blive ændret / Examination form may be altered
2010-08-25 Mulig dag for reeksamen /Possible date for re-exam Mundtlig eksamen ITU Eksamensform kan blive ændret / Examination form may be altered