Curriculum Information

The module invites students to question and debate a range of issues raised by their practical and theoretical engagement with games. It requires students to conduct research, engage in sophisticated debate and communicate intellectual ideas within the context of games design and game studies.

In addition, it consolidates the students’ ability to undertake further academic and intellectual enquiry. Central to the module is the recognition that research skills are enhanced through peer support and critical debate. Students will therefore be expected to summarise their proposals for further study and justify the intellectual rationale of their work.

Throughout the module students are introduced to the range of research practices within Game Studies and the specific research interests and strengths of staff who can advise them about further independent research.

This module is organised around thematic ‘case studies’, each of which touches on ideas that have been subject to critical debate and discussion. The intention is not to teach a dogmatic account of a ‘correct’ way to approach the study of artefacts but to show a range and variety of possible approaches.

Initially lectures introduce key issues and debates that inform the students’ own research, but the main work of intellectual discovery will be undertaken in seminars where discussion of the relevant debates and critical positions is conducted in detail. This will be supported by guided reading, and workshops covering matters of procedure and practice when engaged in academic research.