Course Description
In Social Media and Games, we will examine games and simulations as systems designed for common use and collaboration, and the ways non-game social media interacts with and promotes digital entertainment. By the end of the semester, we will:
- Use social media to react to, challenge and recontextualize games
- Design and workshop elements of social games
- Analyze and critique existing social games
- Examine the social structures surrounding game spaces and their implications
- Participate in the debates surrounding “gamification” and “gamefulness”
All major projects in this class will be created in the social spaces of our class game, through participation and design of the class game. You are welcome to opt out of the online component if you would prefer your work to remain private: however, you will still be responsible for the same assignments.
Required Texts
- Anderson, M.T. Feed. Candlewick, 2004.
- Shirky, Clay. Cognitive Surplus: Creativity and Generosity in a Connected Age. New York:Penguin Press, 2010
Grading and Assignments
Social Game Space (50%)
We will be using a social game space for interaction both in and out of class. Every week there will be a mission to complete as well as several alternative and interlinking tasks and questions. You do not have to participate in every discussion, but half your grade is based on continual writing, design tasks, and analysis in response to these prompts.
Your participation in the game will be automatically monitored as you complete missions and interact with other students in discussion forums. Two stats will emerge from your gameplay: your rank, based on active participation, and your karma, based on the ratings other students give your course. However: points do NOT correspond directly to your grade. Both the amount of work and the quality of work will be considered. Progress will be formally evaluated at four checkpoints throughout the semester, and you will receive comments on your work and a current game grade.
Students with high rankings will be eligible for bonus perks throughout the semester, including first choice of meeting and presentation time slots and additional options on game missions.
Reading Quizzes (10%)
Readings are essential in this class, which is highly grounded in theory. There will be quick quizzes administered regularly through the class site.
Midterm Mission (15%)
A timed mission—a combination of analysis and design—will take place the week of the midterm. There will be no in person meeting, but collaboration and discussion on the game site is essential for progress. You will have special bonuses for the midterm depending on the rank you have achieved through your social game participation.
Final Project (25%)
Based on your site participation and your own interests, you can choose one of three challenges for your final project. Final projects must involve building, manipulating, evaluating, interpreting, playing and otherwise prodding at social media networks, games and tools. Individual contracts will be agreed upon between the professor and student for this project.
