This syllabus and schedule may be updated during the semester. Check here for the latest updates. ​ ​ ​ Game as Art | Online Syllabus F20 | p. 1 ​ CMMN-O202 | Game as Art | F20 ​ ​ Prof. Myers | Office: Monroe 308 [avl online only] | [email protected] ​ ​ COURSE DESCRIPTION [Loyola Catalog] ​ This course examines the aesthetics of media use, with special emphasis given to interactive experiences with digital media. Students examine classic and contemporary theories of media, cognition, and social behavior to better understand play and entertainment within a mass-mediated society. This is a Loyola Core course meeting the Creative Arts & Cultures (O) requirement. ​ ​ This class is online only. REQUIRED TEXT(S) None required for purchase. Readings listed in the class schedule are available online -- check the class Canvas site. COURSE GOALS (ACC & SCOE) Upon completion of this course, the student should be able to... ● Describe games as aesthetic objects using an appropriate vocabulary and associated concepts. [week 1] ● Summarize scholarly game analyses. [week 2] ● Compare and contrast scholarly game analyses. [week 2] ● Identify the interactive components of games. [week 3] ● Describe how game play is affected by the game medium. [week 3] ● Identify game genres. [week 4] ● Describe how genre analysis applies to the study of games. [week 4] ● Identify narrative structures in games.[weeks 5-6] ● Analyze the effects of interactive media on narrative structures in games. [weeks 5-6] ● Compare and contrast the aesthetic analysis of games with the social scientific study of game effects. [week 7] ● Critically analyze games as intentional, expressive, and representational forms. [week 8] EXPECTED STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOME (School of Mass Communication) ● Demonstrate the ability to think critically, creatively and independently [to be evaluated in short answer/essay assignments]. ASSIGNMENTS (see the class Canvas site for detailed instructions) ​ ● 40% | Three short answer/essay assignments, equally weighted. ● 60% | Weekly online assignments, including discussion board postings and replies. CALENDAR A detailed schedule of class readings and assignments is available in this document and online at the class Canvas site. This syllabus and schedule may be updated during the semester. Check here for the latest updates. ​ ​ ​ Game as Art | Online Syllabus F20 | p. 2 ​ BASIS/CRITERIA FOR ASSIGNING COURSE GRADE All major assignments will be given a letter grade. Percentage equivalents are below. A 92.5% and above A- 90%-92.5% B+ 87.5% - 90% B 82.5% - 87.5% B- 80%-82.5% C+ 77.5% - 80% C 72.5% - 77.5% C- 70%-72.5% D+ 67.5% - 70% D 60% - 67.5% F below 60% Important note: The scale above is an absolute scale. Final grades may be curved to reflect a more normal distribution. Discussion board posts will be graded on their timeliness, content, accuracy, and logic and clarity of expression (including grammar and style). Grading rubrics are provided on the class Canvas site. Short answer/essay assignments will be graded according to these same criteria and on how well the papers reflect, organize, and analyze class readings and discussions. More detailed grading rubrics can be found on the class Canvas site. Grades are posted on Canvas. Check your grades often. Let the professor know if you are missing grades for any completed assignment. GENERAL CLASS POLICIES ● I strongly discourage turning in assignments late -- except under the most extraordinary of circumstances. No assignment will be accepted if turned in more than one week after its original due date. Unexcused late assignments turned in less than one week after their original due date will receive no grade higher than a D. ● If you fail to complete more than 20% of the graded assignments, you may fail the course for that reason ​ alone. ​ ● Should mistakes be made in recording grades, corrections are made only upon notification regarding the ​ ​ graded assignment(s) in dispute. ● Correct spelling and deadline writing is a required component of writing courses in the SCD. ● Please be aware that any cheating on exams -- or plagiarism on assignments -- is strictly forbidden and will result in failure of that exam and/or assignment. ● You cannot use materials for projects and assignments that are copyrighted by others unless these are used ​ ​ according to Fair Use principles. ​ ​ ● In case of an official Loyola University evacuation, students must check either the instructor’s homepage or an online site to be designated within 48 hours of the beginning of the evacuation period. At that time, this class will continue to be conducted as an online offering either through the Canvas system or other suitable online site. ● All students are required to sign on and to keep up with course assignments within 48 hours of evacuation and routinely check for announcements and course materials associated with each class. This syllabus and schedule may be updated during the semester. Check here for the latest updates. ​ ​ ​ Game as Art | Online Syllabus F20 | p. 3 ​ EMERGENCY PROCEDURES ● Students should be familiar with their responsibilities during emergencies, including pre-evacuation and post-evacuation for hurricanes. This information is available on the Academic Affairs website. ​ ​ ​ ● At times, ordinary university operations are interrupted as a result of tropical storms, hurricanes, or other emergencies that require evacuation or suspension of on-campus activities. To prepare for such emergencies, all students will do the following during the first week of classes: 1. Practice signing on for each course through Canvas. 2. Provide regular and alternative email address and phone contact information to each instructor. ● In the event of an interruption to our course due to the result of an emergency requiring an evacuation or suspension of campus activities, students will: 3. Pack textbooks, assignments, syllabi and any other needed materials for each course ad bring during an evacuation/suspension 4. Keep up with course work during the evacuation/suspension as specified on course syllabi and within online courses. 5. Complete any reading and/or writing assignments given by professors before the emergency began. ● Assuming a power source is available.... 6. Log on to the Loyola University Web site within 48 hours of an evacuation/suspension. 7. Monitor the main university site (www.loyno.edu) for general information. ​ ​ 8. Log on to each course through Canvas or other suitable system within 48 hours of an evacuation/suspension to receive further information regarding contacting course instructors for assignments, etc. 9. Complete Canvas and/or other online assignments posted by professors (students are required to turn in assignments on time during the evacuation/suspension period and once the university campus has reopened.) 10. Contact professors during an evacuation/suspension (or as soon as classes resume on campus) to explain any emergency circumstances that may have prevented them from completing expected work. ● Further information about student responsibilities in emergencies is available on the Academic Affairs web site: http://academicaffairs.loyno.edu/students-emergency-responsibilities ​ This syllabus and schedule may be updated during the semester. Check here for the latest updates. ​ ​ ​ Game as Art | Online Syllabus F20 | p. 4 ​ DISABILITY STATEMENT Please note that before any accommodations can be implemented, you must obtain an official Course Accommodation Record from Disability Services. Students needing academic accommodations for a disability must first be registered with the Office of Disability Services (ODS) to verify the disability and to establish eligibility for accommodations. If you perceive disability-related barriers in a course, please let the ODS know immediately. ODS welcomes your feedback that will assist in improving the usability and experience for all students. Loyola is committed to offering classes that are inclusive in their design. ODS contact information is as follows: Marquette Hall, Room 112 504-865-2990 (front office) [email protected] OTHER STUDENT RESOURCES In addition to this syllabus and the specific resources provided for this class, you may also find these more general guides helpful. ● For Students Using Canvas: Help ● University Policies & Assistance for Students This syllabus and schedule may be updated during the semester. Check here for the latest updates. ​ ​ ​ Game as Art | Online Syllabus F20 | p. 5 ​ Game as Art | weekly readings and assignments >>> check online class site for all final and updated online class formats and requirements <<< Week 1 | DEFINITIONS: Game & Art | Rules, goals, oppositions, references, lusory attitude ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Introductory post [Student Lounge] Are games art? Why? What’s a specific example? [150 words or less] Discussion Board: 4 points total | 2 points for original post, 1 point per reply | see rubric ​ After reading Juul (2003) Myers (2017), and Suits (1967), select a familiar game and give an example of the rules, goals, oppositions (i. e., conflicts), and references within that game. Do not use the same game example as someone else! Readings | Juul, J. 2003. The game, the player, the world: Looking for a heart of gameness. DIGRA. ​ ​ ​ ​ Myers, D. 2017. Chapter 6. Games are not. ​ ​ Adajian, T. 2018. The definition of art. Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. ​ ​ ​ Suits, B. 1967. What is a game? Philosophy of Science. ​ ​ ​ ​ Playings/Watchings What is a game? Week 2 | Competitive games & sports | Is chess