This course examines visual storytelling as an art form in video games. The study of visual storytelling in historic and contemporary art raises questions of social, cultural and political contexts as well as their impact on player experience. Through reading and analysis of art and video games, students will be exposed to different design techniques that visually express social concepts through mechanics, content and aesthetics. The course offers hands on experience with game engine software to create artistic game prototypes that incorporate theoretical approaches to cultural context. Topics may include the relationship of cultural context and environmental storytelling, the critical interpretation and application of visual techniques in fine art, the critical analysis of cultural and artistic themes in video games, creating meaningful worlds through visual and aural design, identity and representation in character design, and the impact of cultural context on the design of interactive and emergent narratives Students will use these concepts to create innovative game prototypes as meaningful cultural and artistic experiences.

Independent Study - Graduate

Allows examination of a special problem or topic area in the theatre, dance, music, visual arts, and other performing and fine arts. Topics and specific content and methods vary from term to term. Each term’s offering, however, features an introduction to a historical period, movement, phenomenon, practitioner(s), or other subfield of study within performing arts and/or visual culture. In so doing, students develop theoretical and experiential knowledge of an artistic period, movement, phenomenon, practitioner(s) or other subfield of study within performing arts and/or visual culture.