Research Seminar for Literature Majors (397-0-20)
Topic
Cultures of Play
Instructors
Vivasvan Soni
Meeting Info
University Hall 418: Mon, Wed 12:30PM - 1:50PM
Overview of class
From video games and board games to game shows and sports, games saturate our culture and shape who we are. Some scholars have even argued that games are replacing novels and film as the dominant form of cultural expression. Others view games as a frivolous and unproductive activity, not worthy of serious study. In this seminar, we will explore some of the fundamental questions about the relationship between games and human culture. Why do people play games? What kinds of meanings, cultural values and political agendas do games encode? Do games function differently than other cultural objects, such as films, novels or works of art? What might it mean to think of all culture and works of art as arising from a "play impulse"? And if this is the case, why do we trivialize game-playing? Is the ubiquity of games in our lives a specifically modern phenomenon? Is the advent of the digital age producing a gamification of everyday life? To investigate these questions, we will read a wide range of critical writing about the importance of play and games in human culture, by philosophers, novelists, literary critics, social scientists, historians and game designers. The class will give you an opportunity to develop a 12-15 page research paper that studies one particular game or aspect of game culture in-depth. In the process, you will learn how to frame a significant research question; articulate a research proposal; navigate scholarly databases and archives; evaluate sources; and, produce an annotated bibliography.
Teaching Method
Seminar, discussion, workshop.
Evaluation Method
Topic Statement: 5%
One paragraph proposal: 5%
List of 15 sources developed in consultation with Charlotte Cubbage: 5%
First five annotations: 5%
Second five annotations: 5%
State of the field analysis: 10%
Paper abstract and outline: 10%
6 page draft and presentation: 15%
Final research paper 12-15pp.: 30%
Participation, peer review etc.: 10%
Class Materials (Required)
Booth et al., Craft of Research (ISBN-10: 022623973X; ISBN-13: 978-0226239736)
Texts will be available at: Norris University Bookstore
Class Attributes
Advanced Expression
Literature and Arts Foundational Discipline
Literature & Fine Arts Distro Area
Department Majors Only
Enrollment Requirements
Enrollment Requirements: Pre-registration -- Reserved for English students.
Department Majors Only. No Freshmen/First Years.