This course introduces students to the history of games. It is organized chronologically as a global survey. We study games and the social, political, and economic conditions that support them, as well as the interface between the human player and the imagined world of the game. Taking as its premise that games are artifacts of culture, this course focuses on the visual and spatial practice of games in social context.
5
UnitsOptional
Grading1, 2, 3
PasstimeNone
Level LimitLetters and science
CollegeLecture
Sections
lectures were boring, but i found it helpful to go especially for the papers that weren't graded easily. part of the final is a group project, it wasn't hard, just tedious work. most of the tests were multiple choice and take home, but the final had some short answer responses. section for this class was unbearable, but mandatory.
He gives dull lectures but will sometimes have fun interactive in class activities. The readings are interesting, quizzes will have the most random things in the readings and the lectures, but I would just skim through the reading to find the keywords. 2 papers with interesting prompts that allows for creativity. Fun final game design project.
This class is a great GE. The content is super interesting even though the prof is a little boring. I watched the lecture videos but never did the reading (only skimmed it for the weekly quizzes). Finished with an A+. One major essay and two projects. The TAs are pretty lenient on grading. Highly recommend!
Prof White was a boring lecturer. The concept of the class seems kind of interesting but I found that this professor made the content boring. There are weekly open note quizzes based on the reading, online lectures, and in class lectures. It just seems like too much work for a 4 unit class, imo. There's also a paper and a group project.
Took this in Spring 2021. This class is suitable for anyone. Concepts about games are very basic. Untimed weekly quizzes based on lectures. 2 papers in total. TAs are generous in grading. A final group project is to make a board game. They are simple. He also gives a 5% extra credit with a super easy matching quiz. Getting A in GE is easy and fun.
Took this over the summer. Lots of readings of lectures and such, weekly quizzes for 40% of your grade. I pass/no passed the class and we had a single paper. Interesting content. Not completely about video games, more board games/table top.