1. Social Issues in Gaming and Interactive Media D-Term 2005

2. Course Objectives: 1) To develop critical thinking skills through analysis and problem solving. 2) to express opinions in writing and through aural debate. 3) to gain historical perspective on the cyclic nature of social and cultural issues.

3. Course Topics: MMOs massively multiplayer games Video Games and Aggressive Behavior Violence Sensorship Affective computing On-line communities Technology and human responsibility Biology as technology Gender Addiction Artificial Intelligence

4. Class Structure: 1) Assigned reading for each topic 2) Class Discussion of topic lead by student group 3) Written report of the topic/discussion by the student group

5. Class Example: Topic- Gender, Gaming and Interactive Media 1) Assigned reading: “ Gender Inequality on the Internet” “IT: The Industry Without Women” “Where the Girls Aren't” “STRATEGIES OF INCLUSION: GENDER AND THE INFORMATION SOCIETY”

6. 2) Class Discussion of topic lead by student group Social: Does it serve community? How does it affect our perception of our needs? What are its effects on relationships? Does it undermine traditional forms of community? How does it affect our way of seeing and experiencing the world? Does it foster a diversity of forms of knowledge? Ethical: How complicated is it? What does it allow us to ignore? To what extent does it distance agent from effect? Can we assume personal, or communal responsibility for its effects? Can its effects be directly apprehended? What ancillary technologies does it require? What behavior might it make possible in the future? What other technologies might it make possible? Does it alter our sense of time and relationships

7. 3) Written report of the topic/discussion by the student group A final report detailing the outcome of the discussion. A position statement and discussion 5- 10 pages long bibliography references written in a style appropriate for publication

8. Course Grading: 1) One group-written paper 2) Participation in discussions 3) Midterm and Final Exam Based on information from the topic articles Based on information from class discussion