Course note
This course will begin running in fall 2026.
About this course
The gaming industry is booming with casual, serious, and social games from World of Warcraft and League of Legends to Fortnite, Minecraft, and Candy Crush. This course explores how we play games to relax and have fun, but also how they serve as spaces for community, education, and activism, sometimes even bullying or radicalization.
Drawing on communication theory and cultural studies, we will analyze game genres including arcade, first-person shooter, multiplayer role-playing, educational, and virtual world experiences. We will explore the Scandinavian gaming scene, one that is often challenging industry standards and cultural norms, and meet innovative companies such as Danish developer Serious Games Interactive, a European leader in games-based learning.
This course takes a non-technical approach, and no gaming experience is required, though you will of course also enjoy it if you are a gamer.
Syllabus
Fall 2026 (Draft)
Go to syllabusThis is a draft syllabus. The final syllabus will be available here a few days prior to the new course’s first start date.
Faculty
Coming Soon
FacultyThe faculty teaching this course will be listed here soon.