Catalog Description:Through the critical study of games, play, and virtual worlds, this course examines the importance of geographical concepts to historical and current gaming contexts. Our media consumption practices are part of an increasingly ‘ludic’ culture centred on play, digital gaming, and interactive media. As video games become increasingly mainstream, how can we best contextualize the significance of play in relation geographical concepts like landscape, power, space and place, and environment and ecology? How can the geographical study of cities, architecture, worlding and identity – through games and play – help students understand more about their own digital experiences, and the centrality of geography to everyday digital life?
Units: 4.0
Prerequisites: None
Formats: Lecture, Discussion
Grading Basis: Default Letter Grade; P/NP Option
Final Exam Status: Written Exam