Historical and Cultural Game Studies, Study Module

None for the whole module.

HISM-G511 Introduction to Game Studies and Analysis should be done or underway before a student can take the following courses of the module.

After completing the module in Game Studies the student will:

- be able to identify, define and analyze games and play in their various forms

- understand and be capable of critically using the concepts and theories that relate to the fundamental character of games and the phenomena around them

After the introductory course the three following courses will provide the students with:

- I. academic skills for professional game analysis and considerations for the use of games as a source for multidisciplinary research,

- II. perspectives and participatory insights for understanding gamer experiences and gamer cultures, as well as skills for implementing game media as edutainment,

- III. deeper understandings of game mechanics, narrative structures, and design practices through student game design projects.

The courses give the students tools and skill sets to work with game media as a research subject, a form of culture and communication, and a modern specialization alternative for future job experiences.

Target groups

Primary target group: The study module and course units are open to all students and exchange students of the Faculty of Humanities.

Secondary target group: Limited student participation within the continuous learning offerings and students from other study tracks and faculties.

In case of excessive applications, students intending to take the whole module will have priority to the contact courses. 

Term/teaching period when the module will be offered

Periods 1-4, yearly contact teaching

Recommended time or stage of studies for completion 

Recommended for students with at least one year of studies within their respective main subjects.

Expiry of studies

Normal standard (10 years)

Language of instruction

English. The contact courses and the presentations are in English, but any tasks and texts submitted only to the teacher can also be in Finnish or Swedish.

Study module level

Master's/EQF level 7. Also possible for level 6 (Bachelor) students.

More information

The course units will be usable for other programmes, like the Bachelor’s programme and Master’s Programme in History, and the Master's Programme in Linguistic Diversity and Digital Humanities, like the previous singular courses have been for several years.