Critical Approaches to Videogaming and Esports Studies

Course Description

This course analyzes video gaming and esports cultures and values, as well as how they interact with society in general. This course teaches students the history, methodology, and theoretical approaches to videogaming and esports from various fields and disciplines.

Syllabus

Student Learning Outcomes, Goals, Objectives:

Students successfully completing this course will be able to:

  • Analyze, interpret, and evaluate gaming and esports cultures and values.
  • Recognize and articulate the visual, verbal, audio, and procedural conventions through which images, words, and sounds make meaning in gaming and esports.
  • Determine what information is needed for a research question and effectively apply this information in scholarly projects.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the professional, technical, and formal choices that realize or challenge existing practices in video gaming and esports.
  • Evaluate popular claims of video gaming and esports social, political, and individual effects.

Course Grading Information:

Activity/Performance Measure Percentage/Points
Unit 1 Project 17%
Unit 2 Project 17%
Unit 3 Project 17%
Final Project 19%
Gaming Journal 10%
Exit Tickets 10%
Class Discussions/Participation 10%

Grading Scale

Percentage Letter Grade
90% and aboveA
80-89%B
70-79%C
60-69%D
59% and belowF

Attendance/Participation:

Regular attendance is expected and contributes to your success in this course. Students are responsible for all material covered in class, whether present or absent. If you miss a class, it is your responsibility to obtain notes, complete any missed work, and stay current with course requirements.

Course Materials Purchased by the Students:

No course materials are required.

Scholarly Perspectives

This course engages diverse scholarly perspectives to develop critical thinking, analysis, and debate and inclusion of a reading does not imply endorsement.