Teaching Videogames
by James Newman and Barney Oram
In the past 40 years, videogames have become one of the most economically, socially and culturally significant form of popular media. As any player knows, videogames are rich, diverse experiences characterised by interactivity and immersiveness. However, they are often discussed only in terms of their potentially harmful effects. Teaching Videogames challenges common prejudices and outlines recent developments in the study of videogames. The guide considers methods for analysing the structures, asthetics, forms and modes of engagement, and issues of audience, creativity and sociality. Contents include:
- Introduction: Assessment contexts; What is a videogame?; Why study videogames? Approaches to teaching; Schemes of work
- Background : Timeline; The industry; Videogame genres; Videogames as games; Videogame spaces; Interactivity and structure; Narrative and characters
- Case studies: Violent videogames; Women and videogames; Playing with videogames; The representation of conflict and competition
About the Authors
James Newman is Senior Lecturer in Media Communications and Cultural Studies at Bath Spa University. He teaches, researches and writes about videogames and digital media.
Barney Oram is a teacher at Long Road Sixth Form College, Cambridge. He is an Assistant Examiner of A level Media Studies for one of the English awarding bodies. He is also an extremely keen, if somewhat limited, videogames player.
Review
This is a brilliant text, and as close as educational books can get to being a 'page turner'. The aforementioned scholarly expertise of Newman is beautifully complemented by Barney Oram's wealth of 'hands on' experience on pioneering, reflexive teaching at Long Road College. If ever a teaching resource has managed to 'translate' the dense prose of 'the academe' into practical strategies whilst retaining the 'facilitation' model, this is it.
Julian McDougall Programme Leader, Newman College of HE, Birmingham, published in the MEA Newsletter, December 2006
Ordering Information
Cat.No. BR151 £24.95
Buy online from the BFI Filmstore or phone Palgrave Macmillan Orders on 01256 302866.
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This guide is supported by student worksheets and additional notes, please view a free samle worksheet (PDF).
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