[ecrea] Historical Representation in Games - PhD Course

The Linnaeus Centre for Research on Learning, Interaction and Mediated 
Communication in Contemporary Society (LinCS) http://www.lincs.gu.se/ 
invites PhD students to a course on the topic
Historical Representation in Games: Informal and formal learning about 
history through games

5 + 5 Higher Education Credits.

Given the massive commercial successes of the medium in recent years, 
digital historical games (i.e. games that utilise historical settings) 
have rapidly become one of the most widespread and successful forms of 
popular history. This, alongside their chosen historical content, makes 
them potentially highly influential histories that are generally 
experienced in informal settings. Similarly, the possibilities of a new 
form of history also raises interesting new questions for formal 
educational settings that must be answered. Despite, the widespread 
nature of games as cultural products, historical game studies (though 
benefitting from disciplinary diversity and featuring much good 
research) is still a somewhat scattered and incoherent field that can 
therefore be difficult for students to access. The Historical 
Representation in Games course pulls these strands together into a 
unified curriculum that provides a foundational basis for approaching 
historical games (both digital and non-digital) and exploring their 
possibilities and limitations as a form of history.

The course is open to all PhD-students with an interest in historical 
games but is especially aimed at those who are interested in analysing 
these games and exploring their usage as a historical form in informal 
or formal learning contexts.

All participation is free of charge. Costs for participation will be 
covered (this applies also to students from abroad) by LinCS-DSES. Thus 
travel costs to course venues (including hotel, second class train or 
budget air-fare etc.) will be covered. Reimbursement will follow upon 
completion and passing of the course.

Participants will engage in depth with selected writings from the 
historical game studies field. This literature will be both explored and 
contextualised, in lectures, seminars, and assignments suitable to an 
interest in historical games. The course will also provide insights in 
to how historical games are used by their players and the existing 
online community practices that have grown around the playing of these 
games. Similarly the course will also engage questions surrounding 
historical games design and participants will actively explore this issue.

The course will have an online introduction the 3rd of September 2014 
and 2 physical meetings in Gothenburg, Sweden. The first meeting is 1st 
–3rd of October 2014 the second is 12th-14th of November 2014.

The course gives 5 Higher Education Credits with an option to take 5 
more credits.

To pass the course students need to participate in all meetings and 
undertake 2 assignments. For the extra 5 credits they also hand in a paper.

The course will have 20 participants. If there are more applicants, a 
selection is made by judging the relevance of the student's research 
plan and qualifications in relation to the objectives of the course. The 
selection process is carried out by the course-leaders in collaboration 
with the leadership of the research school.

To apply and for further information please go to: 
http://www.lincs.gu.se/dses/courses/historical-representation-in-games/

Questions regarding participation, eligibility, application etc. should 
be directed at Sylvi Vigmo, Director of Studies (LinCS-DSES /at/ ped.gu.se)

Questions regarding reimbursement and travel costs should be directed at 
Doris Gustafson, LinCS administrator (doris.gustafson /at/ ped.gu.se)

Questions regarding the content of the course should be directed at Adam 
Chapman, Course Leader, (adam.chapman /at/ gu.se)

Kind regards
Adam Chapman

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