Games are a lot of fun. Designing games is fun too, and may be a deeper subject than you expect, as it provides a portal into ways of thinking about the world as interwoven systems.
In this course students will gain a hands-on introduction to both tabletop game design and systems thinking. These paired concepts reinforce each other. Students will play and analyze board games as part of understanding the fundamentals of game design, and will examine how games are themselves systems. Through readings, lecture, and activities they will also explore a deeper understanding of systems all around us in the natural world, in our relationships, and in society. With this knowledge, students will then design, develop, play, and refine their own tabletop games as a way of creating their own systems. As part of this, they will investigate the meaning of interactivity and engagement, and learn how every player and game are themselves part of larger co-created systems.
The result of this course is that students will come away with a deeper understanding of games and game design, and of how systems operate within and all around us. Along the way they'll have a lot of fun, make new friends, and get to know IU and Bloomington better.
This course is for anyone who is fascinated by the idea of making a game, or for anyone who wonders why water is wet or how a tornado is like a table (we'll talk about these, honest). Women and those with different life experiences and perspectives are particularly encouraged to join this course: the more different voices and perspectives we have, the more creative we will be. Even if you never take another game design course at IU, this is an opportunity for you to gain a deeper understanding of systems thinking, and to have fun playing, analyzing, and creating tabletop games at the same time.
GenEd Information: Approved for the Arts & Humanities requirement of the IU Bloomington General Education program.
Catalog Information: COLL-S 103 FRESHMAN SEMINAR IN A&H