Syllabus

LEARNING OUTCOMES

On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

 

• Analyze, describe, and discuss games and their structures using various concepts and theories
• Understand a selection of research findings and scientific theories that can predict and explain player experience and behavior.

Credits: 5

Schedule: 13.12.2021 - 17.12.2021

Teacher in charge (valid for whole curriculum period):

Teacher in charge (applies in this implementation): Perttu Hämäläinen

Contact information for the course (applies in this implementation):

CEFR level (valid for whole curriculum period):

Language of instruction and studies (applies in this implementation):

Teaching language: English. Languages of study attainment: English

CONTENT, ASSESSMENT AND WORKLOAD

Content

• valid for whole curriculum period:

  The course aims to develop the students' understanding of games, their structure, and how games create experiences. The course also explores the boundary between art and the science in game design, improving the students' understanding of which design decisions and aspects of games can be informed by scientific theories and evidence, e.g., psychology of motivation and emotion.

Assessment Methods and Criteria

• valid for whole curriculum period:

  The assessment is based on the student's game analysis exercises/essay.

Workload

• valid for whole curriculum period:

  Lectures during workshop (40h), independent game analysis excercises/essay and reflection (105h)

DETAILS

Study Material

• valid for whole curriculum period:

  Will be announced in the beginning of the course; the contents are updated annually and lecture slides and notes are shared online. Some recommended but not mandatory books:

  Celia Hodent: The Gamer's Brain

  Zack Hiwiller: Players Making Decisions

  Daniel Kahneman: Thinking, fast and slow

  Richard A. Schmidt and Timothy D. Lee: Motor Learning and Performance

   

   

Substitutes for Courses

• valid for whole curriculum period:

  Substitutes for Courses

Prerequisites

• valid for whole curriculum period:

  Prerequisites

FURTHER INFORMATION

Further Information

• valid for whole curriculum period:

  Teaching Period:

  2020-2021 Autumn II

  2021-2022 Autumn II

  Course Homepage: https://mycourses.aalto.fi/course/search.php?search=DOM-E5083

  Registration for Courses: Sisu replaces Oodi on 9 August, 2021. Priority order to courses is according to the order of priority decided by the Academic committee for School of Arts, Design and Architecture: https://www.aalto.fi/en/services/registering-to-courses-and-the-order-of-priority-in-aalto-arts

  In Weboodi, at the latest one week before the course starts.

   

  The order of priority for admitting students to courses at Aalto ARTS 1.1.2018 onwards (approved by The Committee of Arts, Design and Architecture on 10.10.2017)

  The order of priority is as follows:

  1. students for whom the course is compulsory for their major/programme and who have scheduled it for the current academic year in their personal study plan (HOPS);
  2. exchange students for whom the course is a part of his/her officially approved learning agreement and scheduled to be taken during the current semester;
  3. students for whom the course is compulsory for their major/programme and who have not completed it yet;
  4. students, for whom the course is part of his/her major s or programme s alternative studies and has been scheduled in the student's PSP (HOPS) for the current academic year
  5. students, for whom the course is part of his/her major s or programme s alternative studies and who have not completed the requisite number of credits for alternative studies yet;
  6. students for whom the course is compulsory for their minor;
  7. students, for whom the course is part of his/her minor subject s alternative studies and who have not completed the requisite number of credits for alternative studies yet;
  8. students who have applied for the course through a student mobility scheme (internal mobility within Aalto University, flexible study right (JOO) studies etc.);
  9. other students.

   

  Courses that are intended to be multidisciplinary (e.g. UWAS courses) may apply an order of priority based on the learning outcomes of the course, while bearing in mind the university obligation of enabling students to complete their degrees within the normative duration of study set for the degree. The order of priority does not apply to courses organised by the Centre for General Studies or doctoral courses.

  This decision on the order of priority does not influence the right of the teacher to define prerequisites for the course.

   

Description