This study module examines the foundational theories of either games and play or internet, the philosophy of definitions and defining, and the impact of different theoretical conceptualizations on the research, knowledge, and understanding of games or internet.
Learning outcomes
After completing the study module, student is able to: - explain the history of central terms - recognize and use theories and concepts originating in multiple research traditions - self-reflexively explain how they employ key concepts, and why they have chosen such conceptualization - understand the impact of definitions as tools – and their limitations - follow and assess the argumentation in research publications
Contents
Game Studies: The histroy of conceptualizing play and game; the biological foundations of play; the play of humans and other animals; functions of play and games; the significance of defining on scientific knowledge; special issues relating to digital play and games; neighbouring terms of play and games.
Internet Studies: The concept of information in different traditions: the relationship of media studies and studies of new media; the ontological and epistemic questions of different academic traditions; the defining of key terms and object of study in internet studies; construction of theory on a multidisciplinary field.
Teaching methods
Teaching method
Contact
Online
Lectures
Group work
Independent work
Teaching language
English
Modes of study
Option
1
Available for:
Degree Programme Students
Other Students
Open University Students
Doctoral Students
Exchange Students
Participation in course work
In
English
Evaluation
Numeric 1-5.
Study materials
Literature:
Games: - Suits (1978): The Grasshopper: Games, Life and Utopia - Tavinor (2009): The Art of Videogames - A selection of articles
Internet: - Fuchs (2008): Internet and Society - Social Theory in the Information Age - Kitchin & Dodge (2014): Code/Space: Software and Everyday Life - A selection of articles