780.413 (21S) 4.1 Selected Topics in Game Engineering focussing on Issues in Gender Studies: Mechanics of Identity
Überblick
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- Lehrende/r
- LV-Titel englisch Selected Topics in Game Engineering focussing on Issues in Gender Studies: Mechanics of Identity
- LV-Art Seminar (prüfungsimmanente LV )
- LV-Modell Onlinelehrveranstaltung
- Semesterstunde/n 2.0
- ECTS-Anrechnungspunkte 4.0
- Anmeldungen 17 (35 max.)
- Organisationseinheit
- Unterrichtssprache Englisch
- LV-Beginn 03.03.2021
- eLearning zum Moodle-Kurs
Zeit und Ort
LV-Beschreibung
Intendierte Lernergebnisse
Understand the importance and challenges of expressing and representing identities in game design. Learn what identity is by thoroughly questioning yourself and by discussing key works focusing on identity-layers such as gender, sexuality, and personal conviction. Critically examine up-to-date topics of political relevance to game design and game studies by focusing on issues of representation, hegemony, toxicity, and awareness. Explore ways of communicating identity via dialogue and narrative, mechanics and related attributes in the example of visual novel games. Hone your talents in designing identity-related narrative and game mechanics in videogames by practicing with the Ren’Py engine.
By the end of the semester, you will be able to understand and communicate facets of personal, human identity, be sensitive to concerns related to identity representation, and able to express your knowledge in well-founded, reflective game design choices.
Lehrmethodik inkl. Einsatz von eLearning-Tools
Synchronous analytical and discussion sessions, guided asynchronous learning sessions, synchronous design workshops.
Inhalt/e
The seminar situates students in a critically aware and theoretically founded frame-of-mind regarding issues of identity. It enhances interpersonal and communication abilities, as well as a knowledge of game mechanics that allow to convey complex identities in videogames in sensitive manner.
For that purpose, students are going to read relevant key texts, partake in moderated discussions of relevant sample games, and will eventually create their own student project.
Literatur
The seminar draws from various artistic and intellectual sources. Shorter texts, mostly in the shape of theoretical secondary reading, will be provided on Moodle.
Students are expected to buy or otherwise familiarise themselves with specific artworks relevant to their examination.
Foundational works for the seminar are:
- Woodward, Kathryn: Identity and Difference
- Cassell, Justine, and Henry Jenkins (eds.): From Barbie to Mortal Kombat
- Kafai, Yasmin B., et al. (eds.): Beyond Barbie & Mortal Kombat
- Connell, Raewyn: Masculinities
- Wysocki, Matthew, and Evan W. Lauteria (eds.): Rated M for Mature
As part of the seminar’s practical units, students are going to work with the Ren’Py engine (www.renpy.org), so they are recommended to familiarise themselves with the engine before the seminar.
Prüfungsinformationen
Prüfungsmethode/n
The seminar features four central pillars of assessment that together form the final grade. Students must
- take part in a multiple-choice test on basic theoretical literature (20%),
- contribute to online discussions of theoretical texts and Moodle tasks as instructed (20%),
- individually develop a short videogame focusing on identity using the Ren’Py engine (40%),
- and are expected to participate actively throughout the seminar (20%).
A negative assessment in any of the four pillars of assessment results in a negative overall grade.
Prüfungsinhalt/e
Multiple choice test (20% of the final grade): During the second seminar session, an online multiple-choice test (quiz) is going to be held. Questions revolve around an introductory text on identity, provided well in advance before the seminar. It assesses student knowledge regarding key terminology of theoretical identity discourse as explained in the reading material.
Participation in online discussions and Moodle activities (20% of the final grade): Students will be provided with theoretical chapters and articles dealing with questions of identity, gender, and sexuality as pertaining to videogames for guided self-study. Then they are expected to formulate one question per text to start a discussion and to participate actively in all discussions.
Game Development (40% of the final grade): Students will conclude the seminar with a prototype game project. This means that theoretical and practical seminar content must be adapted into an interactive artwork, executed in the Ren’Py engine as introduced during the seminar workshops. The final project must be accompanied by an analytical reflection paper of 2000 words, providing insights into the theoretical framework used and how it was applied to the design, the development process, and any additional research dedicated to the project’s specific approach to identity discourses. An example will be provided on Moodle.
Active Participation (20% of the final grade): Students are expected to participate in both synchronous and asynchronous sessions regularly and punctually, come prepared by having read and worked through the materials provided, participate actively and productively in discussions and debates, and engage with all theoretical and practical input critically and actively.
Beurteilungskriterien/-maßstäbe
Multiple-choice test:
- Correct understanding of key terminology
Online Discussions:
- Quality and quantity of contributions
- Mandatory responses to guiding questions
Game Project:
- General understanding of Ren’Py as a basis for game development
- Portrayed application of knowledge regarding key mechanics of identity
- Realisation of thought-provoking core idea
- Provision of a 2000-word reflection paper on the project:
- Reflection on theoretical framework and individual design process
- Insight into supplementary research material
- Correct citation of sources in CMoS17AD format
Participation:
- Regular, punctual attendance
- Properly announcing and excusing missed attendance
- Preparing provided materials for in-class work
- Consistent contributions to discussions, both in class and online
General remark on our code of conduct and plagiarism policy
Provide properly cited sources (CMoS17AD, i.e. Chicago Manual of Style, 17th edition, author/date) in all your assignments and contributions.
Have a look at the departmental policy regarding plagiarism: https://www.aau.at/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/anti-plagiarism-declaration_english-department.pdf
Students caught plagiarising will be removed from class immediately.
Read the Code of Conduct on our departmental homepage (https://www.aau.at/en/english/study/code-ofconduct/). Violation of this code will result in your immediate removal from class.
Beurteilungsschema
Note BenotungsschemaPosition im Curriculum
- Masterstudium Game Studies and Engineering
(SKZ: 992, Version: 17W.2)
-
Fach: Gebundenes Wahlfach (19W)
(Wahlfach)
-
4.1 Selected Topics in Game Engineering focussing on Issues in Gender Studies (
0.0h SE / 4.0 ECTS)
- 780.413 4.1 Selected Topics in Game Engineering focussing on Issues in Gender Studies: Mechanics of Identity (2.0h SE / 4.0 ECTS) Absolvierung im 1., 2., 3. Semester empfohlen
-
4.1 Selected Topics in Game Engineering focussing on Issues in Gender Studies (
0.0h SE / 4.0 ECTS)
-
Fach: Gebundenes Wahlfach (19W)
(Wahlfach)