General provisions

The course is part of the Master's Programme in Game Design, 120 credits.

The course is a freestanding course.

Entry requirements

120 credits. Proficiency in English equivalent to the general entry requirements for first-cycle (Bachelor's level) studies.

Learning outcomes

The overall aim of the course is to develop practical and theoretical knowledge and skills on how men and masculinities are, and can be, represented in, and through, games.

On completion of the course, the student should be able to:

• Identify, explore and compare constructions of masculinities across different games,
• Identify and critically discuss central theories of men and masculinities orally as well as in writing,
• Demonstrate and incorporate knowledge of theories of men and masculinities in practice based assignments,
• Individually write a shorter academic text on men and masculinities in games,
• Demonstrate problem solving within specific time frames.

Content

The course focuses on men and masculinities in games and consists of practical and theoretical components. The course aims to give an advanced introduction to the research field of Masculinity Studies within Game Studies. The students are introduced to different perspectives on men and masculinities and how this is expressed in, and through, games. The students apply their theoretical knowledge in practice based creative assignments allowing them to materialize and reflect on the theory, their own work processes and results. The course centers on five themes: men and masculinities, friendship, fatherhood, militarized masculinities, gay and queer masculinities.

Instruction

The course includes workshops, lectures and seminars and involves a series of obligatory on-campus seminars and workshops. In addition, students are expected to work on assignments, individually or in groups.

The course is taught in English.

Assessment

The course is graded on the basis of "Pass with Distinction", "Pass", or "Fail". The basis for the assessment is on the final written assignment. The assessment is also based on the students' application of theoretical knowledge in practice based work, their oral performance in seminars such as participating in in-course playtesting and peer-critique sessions.

If there are special reasons for doing so, an examiner may make an exception from the method of assessment indicated and allow a student to be assessed by another method. An example of special reasons might be a certificate regarding special pedagogical support from the University's disability coordinator.

Uppsala University does not accept cheating or plagiarism. Suspected incidents of cheating or plagiarism are reported to the Vice-Chancellor, which may issue a formal warning to the student or suspend the student from studies for a certain period.

Other directives

This course cannot be used in a master's degree if the course is used in the Bachelor's degree.