What: FSEM 100E3, A Videogame Canon, a Fall 2009 Course at the University of Mary Washington
Where: Combs 348
When:
Section 1: 10:00 - 10:50 MWF
Section 2: 12:00 - 12:50 MWF
Web: http://vgc.zachwhalen.net
Instructor
Dr. Zach Whalen
E-mail: zwhalen [at] umw.edu
Office hours: 2:00 - 4:00, MWF (or by appointment)
Office: Combs 308
Phone: 540 654 2355
Web: www.zachwhalen.net
Objectives
This seminar will focus on accomplishing the following objectives:
- Examine the cultural role of canon formation
- Explore the history of early videogames
- Build an archive around a collaboratively-derived concept of canon
- Generate a proposal for the next 10 games to add to this list
The successful student will
- Engage in the collaborative production of knowledge in the classroom and online
- Make persuasive oral and written arguments
- Gain experience producing online discourse
The Games
 |
Spacewar! |  |
Star Raiders |
 |
Zork |  |
Tetris |
 |
SimCity |  |
Super Mario Bros. 3 |
 |
Civilization I/II |  |
Doom |
 |
Warcraft |  |
Sensible Soccer |
Requirements
- Egenfeldt-Nielson, Simon, Jonas Heide Smith, and Susana Pajares Tosca. Understanding Video Games: The Essential Introduction. 1st ed. Routledge, 2008.
Assignments
Blogging. You will maintain a weekly(ish) blog where your entries will graded based on their clarity and contribution to the course objectives. Occasionally, I will suggest or even assign blog topics, but mainly, the choice of what to write is up to you – as long as it contributes to the seminar in some way. Blog entries should be at least 250 words long and should also contain links, keyword tags and (when appropriate) images.
Quizzes/Homework. Quizzes will be short (about 10 questions) and may be multiple choice or fill-in-the-blank. The emphasis here is ensuring that we're all on the same page (pun intended) with the reading. Quizzes, which will be frequent, may not be made up in the event of an absence. Homework will vary.
Exhibit. This is a form of content on the website. Working with a group, you will become an expert on one of the games from the received canon. The group will publish a series of documents on the course website to share your knowledge with the rest of us. Due: 9/21
Proposal. You will propose a new game to be added to the canon. This proposal will occur in two stages: 1) an in-class presentation, and 2) an on-line document (or documents). First working alone, and then later in groups, you will attempt to convince your classmates that your game should be among the 10 selected for our final list. Due 10/26
Manifesto. Working in tandem with members of the other seminar section, you will contribute to a single, collaboratively-authored document that presents our case for including the 10 games we have decided on among the received canon. This manifesto will lay out data about the games themselves, but will also (more importantly) argue our agreed-upon criteria for evaluating and selecting which games to archive. Due 11/30
Final Exam. This will be a short essay test asking you to reflect on the process of canon construction as we have explored and conceived it within this class.
Grading
Distribution
| Participation | 15% |
| Quizzes / Homework | 10% |
| Blogging | 20% |
| Exhibit | 15% |
| Proposal | 15% |
| Manifesto | 10% |
| Final Exam | 20% |
Scale
Where it applies, the following letter-to-number equivalence will be
in effect:
| A | 94 - 100 |
| A- | 90 - 93.9 |
| B+ | 87 - 89.9 |
| B | 83 - 86.9 |
| B- | 80 - 82.9 |
| C+ | 77 - 79.9 |
| C | 73 - 76.9 |
| C- | 70 - 72.9 |
| D+ | 67 - 69.9 |
| D | 63 - 66.9 |
| F | 0 - 62.9 |
Policies and Expectations
Attendance
Because this class depends heavily on class discussion, you should be in class every day we meet, ready to contribute to the conversation. The work we do in class each day is a major part of how you demonstrate your learning in this course. Unless emergency arrangements have been made, missing more than five classes will thus result in a zero for participation, and any student who misses an excessive number of classes will automatically fail the course. There is no way to make up credit for quizzes. You must complete all major assignments to receive a passing grade for the term.
Use of Electronic Devices in Class
Students are allowed, even encouraged, to bring laptops or other electronic devices to class for the purpose of taking notes. However, activities such as surfing the web, reading e-mail, or text-messaging are not allowed. Also, turn off your cell phone ring, and -- unless there is an emergency -- please do not answer it if you forget and it rings . If you are browsing Facebook instead of participating in class, I will consider you absent for the day. Furthermore, if I determine that you are abusing this policy, I reserve the right to ban use of electronic devices either for you individually or for the class at large.
Academic Dishonesty
The UMW Honor System is in effect for our course. I may authorize specific exercises as collaborative work, but all other work must be your own, as per Article 1, Sections 1 and 2 of the University of Mary Washington Student Honor Code.
Late Work
Unless otherwise indicated, all assigned work is due at the beginning of class on the specified due date. Work that is submitted after this time will be considered late and will be subject to a significant grade penalty. Work that is later than four days after the due date will not be accepted under any circumstances.
Decorum
Students are expected to treat the instructor and fellow students with the appropriate degree of respect, both in class and in online discussions. Communication, either in person or through electronic media, that is deemed abusive, threatening, or harassing in nature will not be tolerated. Students who fail to abide by this policy will receive a participation grade of 0.
Unsatisfactory Mid-Semester Reports
Students with a grade average below 68% or with more than 3 unexcused absences will receive an unsatisfactory grade report at the mid-term.
Students with Disabilities
The Office of Disability Services has been designated by the University as the primary office to guide, counsel, and assist students with disabilities. If you already receive services through the Office of Disability Services and require accommodations for this class, get in touch with me as soon as possible to discuss your approved accommodation needs. Please bring your accommodation letter with you to the appointment. I will hold any information you share with me in the strictest confidence unless you give me permission to do otherwise. If you have not contacted the Office of Disability Services and need accommodations, (note taking assistance, extended time for tests, etc.), I will be happy to refer you. The office will require appropriate documentation of disability. Their phone number is 540-654-1266.
Schedule
The course schedule will be posted and maintained on the course website. It is in the nature of course schedules to be somewhat flexible, so you are responsible to check the posted schedule periodically and make sure you're aware of upcoming events, assignments, and due dates.
