Culture, History and Heritage: Ludologist perspectives

HISM-G511 Introduction to Game Studies and Analysis should be done or underway before a student can take this course.

After the course the student

- has a proficient grasp of games as cultural, historical and ethical representations of their environments,

- is proficient in understanding and using concepts of ludology, heritage studies, archaeogaming, collective memory, and counterfactual thinking in professional game studies,

- can do research on game design purposes and the mediatization of ideas and values in gamifications,

- is fully able to analyze games from several multidisciplinary viewpoints and angles, considering issues like the uses of the past and included value sets,

- has the critical tools to continue into advanced Game Studies regarding historical and cultural content and adaptations in game-related sources.

- Stewart Woods, Eurogames: The Design, Culture and Play of Modern European Board Games, 2012
- Esther Wright, Rockstar Games and American History: promotional materials and the Construction of Authenticity, 2022
- By special agreement some other volume of the Routledge Advances in Game Studies-series (vol. 1-7) or of the de Gruyter’s Video Games and the Humanities-series (vol. 1-16) can be chosen

Contact teaching, compulsory attendance minimum 75%.

Alternative methods (like independent studies) of completion may be agreed upon with the academic coordinator of the programme. The course can not be taken as an Examinarium test.

The assessment is based on the learning outcomes of the course. More detailed assessment criteria and methods will be available before or at the start of the course.

Learning is supported by using a wide range of methods that contribute to understanding Game Studies as a discipline. Students are also encouraged to actively reflect, to acquire information independently and to develop their own reasoning skills. In addition, special attention is paid to interactive communication with students.

The course includes a final compulsory essay reflecting upon the course and the whole topic of Game Studies. Deadline for this is after the lessons have finished.

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 course.

Period 2, yearly

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

Part of Historical and Cultural Game studies HISM-G510. An optional course for taking the 15 cr module.

Normal rules (10 years)

Language of instruction is English. Language of learning is English but also Swedish and Finnish if taken as independent studies. Swedish and Finnish are possible for any tasks submitted only to the teacher.

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