Seminar

Topics in information management and systems and related fields. Specific topics vary from year to year. May be repeated for credit, with change of content. May be offered as a two semester sequence.

This course takes a critical approach to the study of games, game design, and gaming culture. Throughout history, humans have learned and expressed themselves through play. Thus, it is in our interest to better understand the socio-technical aspects of games and their role in our societies. The scope of this course includes principles and theories from social psychology, behavioral economics, information science, user interface design, as well as the art and science of game design. The course will explore questions such as: What makes a game? What are the mechanics and rules of compelling games? What is the social role of gaming in society? Why do people play? How are games used as part of storytelling? How do games build (or hinder) the development of community? How is game design different in virtual reality (VR) versus flat-screen environments? How do issues of gender, race and sexuality play out in gaming culture? What can games teach us about learning? What makes a successful, serious game? What makes a game immersive? Can games be considered art?

The rise of misinformation and disinformation is challenging enough in a human-only world. Add new generative AI capabilities, large language models, synthetic media, and the splintering of even less moderated social media, and the problem seems almost insurmountable. In this class, we will survey the challenges in policy, technology, and research and then develop proposals for addressing these challenges.