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2025-2026 / COMU2149-1

History and analysis of the use of video games*

Duration

30h Th

Number of credits

 Bachelor in ancient and modern languages and literatures5 crédits 
 Bachelor in ancient languages and literatures : classics5 crédits 
 Bachelor in information and communication5 crédits 
 Bachelor in modern languages and literatures : German, Dutch and English5 crédits 
 Bachelor in history of art and archaeology : general5 crédits 
 Bachelor in history5 crédits 
 Bachelor in modern languages and literatures : general5 crédits 
 Bachelor in history of art and archaeology : musicology5 crédits 
 Bachelor in ancient languages and literatures : Oriental studies (Registrations are closed)5 crédits 
 Bachelor in philosophy5 crédits 
 Bachelor in French and Romance languages and literatures : general5 crédits 
 Master in performing arts, professional focus (Master international)5 crédits 

Lecturer

Björn-Olav Dozo, Alexis Messina

Language(s) of instruction

French language

Organisation and examination

Teaching in the second semester

Schedule

Schedule online

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit contents

The course aims to provide an introduction to the field of game studies as well as an overview of different cultural approaches to video games. After a presentation of the main game theories and the different ways of defining this object (what is a game? what is playing? what is the place of this activity among other cultural practices?), the course addresses several themes related to the cultural dimension of the medium.

 

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

Learning to conceptualize video games as an object of study and research, through the application of multiple disciplinary approaches.

 

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

Nihil.

 

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

Some of the course sessions are divided into two parts: a theoretical part (presenting research in game science on a defined topic) and a practical part of game commentary in class.

Led by Björn-Olav Dozo and Alexis Messina, the course is delivered collegially by a teaching team.

External speakers are also invited each year.

 

Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)

Face-to-face course

Course materials and recommended or required readings

Platform(s) used for course materials:
- eCampus


Further information:

Two books are recommended to accompany the course:
- Liège Game Lab, Culture vidéoludique ! 2019, Liège;
- Sébastien Genvo and Thibaut Philippette (eds.) Introduction aux théories des jeux vidéo. 2023, Liège, PULG.

PowerPoint presentations and ressources (texts, videos) will be made available on eCampus.

 

Exam(s) in session

Any session

- In-person

written exam ( multiple-choice questionnaire, open-ended questions )


Further information:

Course assessment will include a two-part written examination to evaluate the acquisition of core knowledge and to assess the ability to mobilize knowledge and engage in critical analysis.

 

Work placement(s)

Nihil.

Organisational remarks and main changes to the course

The course takes place in the second semester, every Friday from 1:00 to 3:00 pm.

Depending on the equipment of the room, the sessions will be recorded and made available as podcasts on MyULiège.

 

Contacts

Appointments can only be made by email: alexis.messina@uliege.be

 

Association of one or more MOOCs

The MOOC entitled 'Il était une fois la littérature jeunesse (P1)' is associated with this course.
The MOOC entitled 'Introduction à la culture vidéoludique (P2)' is associated with this course.