CP5430 - Computer Games - Characteristics and Culture

Credit points:	03
Year:	2009
Student Contribution Band:	Band 2
Administered by:	Discipline of Information Technology (pre 2009)

Available to Computer Science postgraduate students.

Introduces characteristics and cultures associated with modern electronic (computer) games.

Learning Outcomes

• To develop a critical understanding of how games reflect and construct individuals and groups, including the role of play in human culture, the world wide gaming culture, on online groups and communities, representation, ideology and rhetoric as they relate to computer games, psychological issues of games and their effects on individuals and groups;
• To develop a critical vocabulary for articulating the aesthetics of games, including the distinctive features unique to games compared to other media and cultures, analysis of game play in relation to literature, film, television and interactive arts, the history of computers and electronic games, critique of significant and influential games;
• To develop a critical perspective of current influential and/or popular games at a postgraduate level, including elements such as demographics, game cultures, and experience of play.

Graduate Qualities

• The ability to think critically, to analyse and evaluate claims, evidence and arguments;
• The ability to speak and write logically, clearly and creatively;
• The ability to access and employ online technologies effectively;
• The ability to use a variety of media and methods to retrieve, analyse, evaluate, organise and present information;
• The ability to learn independently and in a self-directed manner.

Inadmissible Subject Combinations:

CP2430

Availabilities
Cairns, Internal, Study Period 1
Census Date 27-Mar-2009
Coord/Lect:	jc153934.
Contact hours:	26 hours lectures 26 hours practicals 13 hours workshops/Seminars 26 hours - Self directed lab based investigation
Assessment:	end of semester exam (52%); assignments (28%); workshops (20%).

Note: Minor variations might occur due to the continuous Subject quality improvement process, and in case of minor variation(s) in assessment details, the Subject Outline represents the latest official information.