Video games, past and present

Duration

14h Th, 2h Pr, 110h AUTR

Number of credits

Lecturer

Björn-Olav Dozo

Language(s) of instruction

French language

Organisation and examination

Teaching in the second semester

Schedule

Schedule online

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit contents

The objective of this teaching unit is twofold. On the one hand, by approaching the stories of video games from different perspectives and points of view (industrial, amateur, specialized press, etc.), learners will receive solid encyclopedic knowledge. They will thus be able, at the end of the course, to list and define the great historical periods of the medium, its authors and canonical genres, its most recognized works or the game supports that have become the most famous. On the other hand, this knowledge and reference points in the field will be put at the service of a critical approach: it will not only be a question of integrating a history of the video game, but of understanding why and how stories are written, according to different points of view, interests (symbolic, economic, etc.) or positions. The teaching unit will begin with a critical review of the canonical histories of video games, showing how they are largely influenced by the major industrialists of the sector and why it is necessary to detach oneself from them. The continuation of the teaching activities will deepen two issues arising from the hegemony of the canonical history of video games. Firstly, a different reading of the history of the medium will be exposed by taking the specific point of view of the creation of fans and amateurs - generally absent from historiographic works. Next, local disparities in the deployment of computers and video games in different geographical and cultural areas will be discussed - again, this approach contradicts the dominant discourse, which adopts almost exclusively a Western point of view. The question of the patrimonialization of practice will then be studied, both from a theoretical and critical point of view (how to choose what is conserved? what are the stakes of these choices?) and from a practical point of view (how to build up a collection and archives that will be exploited in different cultural institutions). Finally, three particular areas will be explored in greater depth with regard to the history of video games. Firstly, the discourse on video games (from generalist media) and their evolution over time will be deconstructed. Secondly, learners will see how the practice of video game cultural criticism has evolved over time (and they will have to try this exercise themselves in order to develop their own practical skills). Thirdly, the links between literature and video games will in turn be questioned from a diachronic perspective.

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

The following competencies will be verified during the assessments (each assessment may cover one or more competencies):
- Understand a historical and historiographical discourse on video games - Mobilize concepts from the history of video games in his personal analysis and professional practice. - Apprehend video games as an evolving media according to historical, geographical and social axes. - Participate in discussions with peers and present his analyses to them. - Produce socio-cultural content integrating video games - Demonstrate general knowledge related to the history and present of video games - Demonstrate a reflexive and critical look at videogame historiography

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

Written and oral, active and passive mastery of French (learning language) as well as basic office computer functions (word processing, e-mail, slide show) is required of participants.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

1. Canonical stories of video games: a critical perspective - Trainer: Björn-Olav Dozo 2. Fan stories, amateur stories - Trainers: Fanny Barnabé and Pierre-Yves Hurel 3. A globalized industry? Local video game stories - Trainers: Pierre-Yves Houlmont and Colin Sidre (guest) 4. The legacy of video games - Trainers: Julie Delbouille and Pierre-Yves Hurel (in collaboration with the Digital Lab) 5. Video games in the media: studies of the evolution of discourse - Trainers: Julie Delbouille and Boris Krywicki 6. History and Practice of Video Game Criticism - Trainer: Boris Krywicki 7. Video game and literature - Trainers: Bruno Dupont and Björn-Olav Dozo

Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)

There will be three types of teaching modes: - Face-to-face instruction (which will include commented play time in the classroom) - subject to current regulations regarding the health crisis. - Hybrid classroom/online teaching (SPOC type, small online private course) - Project-based learning (dedicated sessions in class and at home).

Recommended or required readings

The slides, documents, devices and other repositories used by the trainers will be made available on the SPOC of the certificate, available at this address: https://online.jobsatskillscampus.be/courses/course-v1:ULiege+CS14+S1/course/

The evaluation will be based on participation in the following activities: - Attendance at course sessions ; - Follow-up of the OCCS and completion of the preparatory exercises detailed in the OCCS for each session ; - Writing the part of the logbook corresponding to this teaching unit (the instructions for writing the logbook will be presented during the first class session on January 8 and will be recalled on the SPOC).

Work placement(s)

Organisational remarks and main changes to the course

The program of the sessions is available at this address: https://www.facphl.uliege.be/upload/docs/application/pdf/2020-09/certificatjv_horaire_en_ligne.pdf?fbclid=IwAR0IeDxXiJw-ThDyF7Cg_dCUY6yyLFfpc9p7RF-5cnNPyd613mzW2A-Vk9o.

Contacts

Coordination and information

Academic Director

Björn-Olav Dozo, bo.dozo@uliege.be

Department of Media, Culture and Communication, Faculty of Philosophy and Letters - ULiege

 

Continuing Education Unit

formation.continue@uliege.be

+32 (0)4 366 91 07

 

Association of one or more MOOCs

The MOOC entitled 'Introduction à la culture vidéoludique (P2)' is associated with this course.