Course Title: Computer Games

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Computer Games

Credit Points: 12.00

Terms

Course Code	Campus	Career	School	Learning Mode	Teaching Period(s)
COSC2352	City Campus	Undergraduate	345H Media and Communication	Face-to-Face or Internet	Sem 2 2006, Sem 1 2007, Sem 2 2007
COSC2352	City Campus	Undergraduate	345H Media and Communication	Internet	Sem 1 2008, Sem 2 2008, Sem 1 2009, Sem 2 2009, Sem 1 2010, Sem 1 2011, Sem 2 2011, Sem 1 2012, Sem 2 2012, Sem 1 2013, Sem 2 2013, Sem 1 2014, Sem 2 2014

Course Coordinator: Rebecca Young

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 4502

Course Coordinator Email: rebecca.young@rmit.edu.au

Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

None.

This course assumes the following knowledge and capabilities:

• basic IT skills including web browsing, email, Windows and/or Mac based program usage, and the ability to use a word-processor for report writing
• fundamental writing skills to a graduate high-school standard

Course Description

This course will provide you with a broad understanding of the computer game medium. In this course you will play single and multi-player games across a range of platforms and devices in order to analyse and describe your experiences. You will study the aesthetic and narrative design of games, the evolution of their genres, and their choices and challenges (game mechanics). You will learn how to position and market a successful game title and how to communicate your research and development to scholars, designers and players. Ultimately you will apply your knowledge to the creation of an original game proposal.

Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

In this course you will develop the following capabilities:

• visual and written communication skills, with a particular emphasis on game journalism, game scholarship and game pre-production
• capacity for reflective practice, achieved by critically applying theories of narrative design, game genre, and game mechanics to your work

At the conclusion of this course you will be able to:

• identify and apply relevant work practices and methodology in the fulfillment of computer game pre-production and design tasks within a professional context
• explain the technical concepts and theories that underpin computer game technologies
• provide critical analysis of computer games in relation to design theory and social contexts
• participate in single and multi-user computer gameplay across a range of genres and platforms
• apply design and game theory in solving computer game design problems
• research the genres and genus of computer games in determining their social and historical context

Overview of Learning Activities

During the course you will be challenged with new ideas arising from the theories presented in readings and lectures. You will also have the opportunity each week to practice computer game design and criticism, and to receive feedback from your peers. You will engage in brainstorming activities, planning and problem-solving activities that encourage self-reflection on your creative processes.

You will take part in the following planned learning activities:

• Reading lecture notes and support material including book and journal excerpts, magazines and newspaper articles, and other online material
• Undertaking research based activities that will encourage and develop your critical thinking, information literacy and resource evaluation skills
• Experiencing and analysing console, PC, mobile and online games
• Completing course assignments that combine the skills you have developed through the learning activities with the theoretical insights you have gained through reading and research to create your own unique creative responses

Overview of Learning Resources

RMIT will provide you with resources and tools for learning in this course through our online systems. You will be expected to utilise library and electronic resources (as well as any other appropriate resources) to engage in professional reading of relevant literature about computer games. You will need a computer (Mac or PC), access to the internet, and software that can produce files in Word and PDF format. Throughout the course you will be required to download files that are sometimes quite large, so a fast internet connection is recommended.

Overview of Assessment

You will be assessed on how well you meet the course’s learning outcomes and on your development against the program capabilities. Assessment may include assignments, projects, and examinations.

Feedback will be given on all assessment tasks.

If you have a long term medical condition and/or disability it may be possible to negotiate to vary aspects of the learning or assessment methods. You can contact the program coordinator or the Disability Liaison Unit if you would like to find out more.

An assessment charter (http://mams.rmit.edu.au/kh6a3ly2wi2h1.pdf) summarises your responsibilities as an RMIT student as well as those of your teachers.

Your course assessment conforms to RMIT assessment principles, regulations, policies and procedures which are described and referenced in a single document: Assessment policies and procedures manual (http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=ln1kd66y87rc).