FYS-10100-08 Scot vs. Meeple: How Board Games Can Teach us About Ourselves
Dr. Adam Ewing
M/W/F 3:00-3:50pm
Scheide 204
Board games explore topics from military strategy to settling other planets to surviving a zombie outbreak and beyond. But while a gaming session might be primarily about having fun with a group of friends, games can also teach us a great deal about ourselves and our world. In this class, we will study the history, theory, and design of board games; examine the role of board games in our cultural and personal lives; talk with contemporary industry professionals; and, of course, play a variety of games ourselves. The seminar will culminate in students creating their own board games. In addition, students will connect with larger board game communities that exist on campus and begin to develop their own community of gamers.
Student Learning Goals:
- Students will be able to analyze complex texts, artifacts, events and/or ideas.
- Students will be able to demonstrate information literacy by finding, evaluating, and using complex texts, artifacts, events and/or ideas.
- Students will be able to communicate effectively in writing.
- Students will be able to reflect on their academic growth.
- Students will be able to apply multiple perspectives to a topic or issue (at the appropriate level for a first-semester, first-year student).