2024-2025 / COMU2149-1

History and analysis of the use of video games*

Duration

30h Th

Number of credits

 Bachelor in ancient and modern languages and literatures5 crédits 
 Bachelor in ancient languages and literatures : classics5 crédits 
 Bachelor in information and communication5 crédits 
 Bachelor in modern languages and literatures : German, Dutch and English5 crédits 
 Bachelor in history of art and archaeology : general5 crédits 
 Bachelor in history5 crédits 
 Bachelor in modern languages and literatures : general5 crédits 
 Bachelor in history of art and archaeology : musicology5 crédits 
 Bachelor in ancient languages and literatures : Oriental studies (Registrations are closed)5 crédits 
 Bachelor in philosophy5 crédits 
 Bachelor in French and Romance languages and literatures : general5 crédits 
 Master in performing arts, professional focus (Master international)5 crédits 

Lecturer

Björn-Olav Dozo

Language(s) of instruction

French language

Organisation and examination

Teaching in the second semester

Schedule

Schedule online

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit contents

The course aims to provide an introduction to the field of game studies as well as an overview of different cultural approaches to video games. After a presentation of the main game theories and the different ways of defining this object (what is a game? what is playing? what is the place of this activity among other cultural practices?), the course addresses several themes related to the cultural dimension of the medium.

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

Learning how to constitute video game as an object of study and research with different disciplinary approaches. Approaching research and scientific writing, through a conclusive work of review value respecting scientific standards.

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

Some of the course sessions are divided into two parts: a theoretical part (presenting research in game science on a defined topic) and a practical part of game commentary in class.

Directed by Björn-Olav Dozo, the course is given collegially by a teaching team.


External speakers are also invited each year.

 

 

Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)

Face-to-face course


Additional information:

Face-to-face course

Course materials and recommended or required readings

Platform(s) used for course materials:
- eCampus


Further information:

A reading portfolio accompanies the course sessions. The chapters in this portfolio are not necessarily discussed during the sessions, and may require additional reading on the part of the students. The portfolio is available on eCampus and on request from the teaching team.

The portfolio should be seen as a complement AND an extension of the course content. It can be used as a support for references explicitly covered in class or as recommended complementary references.

Students are required to cite at least two texts from the reading portfolio in their examination papers.

A class session dedicated to certain texts in the reading portfolio can be organized at students' request.

Two books are recommended to accompany the course:
- Liège Game Lab, Culture vidéoludique ! 2019, Liège;
- Sébastien Genvo and Thibaut Philippette (eds.) Introduction aux théories des jeux vidéo. 2023, Liège, PULG.
PowerPoint presentations will be made available on eCampus.

Written work / report


Further information:

Course assessment will take the form of a written assignment due during the session.

Further explanation:



Students must submit a 3000-word paper (excluding bibliography and footnotes) on a subject of their choice related to the course.

An office is available throughout the term to help students write their assignments. Appointments must be made in advance (alexis.messina@uliege.be). No appointments will be made during the week prior to the deadline.

The assignment must be submitted in digital format (PDF) on eCampus.

The following criteria will be used to evaluate the assignment:

  • Mobilization and understanding of game sciences in the work
  • Writing according to academic conventions
  • Use of relevant and properly referenced sources (footnotes and bibliography). The work must contain at least two explicit references to texts in the reading portfolio, as well as one external reference.
One session of the course will be dedicated to research and writing methods, as well as an explanation of assessment criteria.

Work placement(s)

Organisational remarks and main changes to the course

The course takes place in the second semester, every Friday from 1:00 to 3:00 pm.


Depending on the equipment of the room, the sessions will be recorded and made available as podcasts on MyULiège.

Contacts

Teacher in charge: Björn-Olav Dozo

Contact by email : alexis.messina@uliege.be

More info: https://www.liegegamelab.uliege.be/

Association of one or more MOOCs

The MOOC entitled 'Il était une fois la littérature jeunesse (P1)' is associated with this course.
The MOOC entitled 'Introduction à la culture vidéoludique (P2)' is associated with this course.