People at Play

Catalog description

What is the social and cultural significance of play, games and toys? How is playfulness embedded into media, design and art--and more importantly, why? This course centers these questions and more by exploring the multiple dimensions of play in its many forms. Topics include: how age and other issues relate to identity shape play, games and toys; the many genres of games, including board games, video games, role-playing games and so on; the design of games and toys and how they reflect various cultural values; the role of play in education, industry and everyday life. Students can expect to read and write about, play with and create games using both analog and digital technologies. No experience in game play or design needed. Curiosity required.