DIGITAL GAME DESIGN
Bachelor	TR-NQF-HE: Level 6	QF-EHEA: First Cycle	EQF-LLL: Level 6

Course Introduction and Application Information

Course Code	Course Name	Semester	Theoretical	Practical	Credit	ECTS
SOC2001	Urbanization	Spring	3	0	3	6

This catalog is for information purposes. Course status is determined by the relevant department at the beginning of semester.

Basic information

Language of instruction:	English
Type of course:	Non-Departmental Elective
Course Level:	Bachelor’s Degree (First Cycle)
Mode of Delivery:	Hybrid
Course Coordinator :	Assoc. Prof. ULAŞ SUNATA ÖZDEMİR
Course Lecturer(s):	Assoc. Prof. ULAŞ SUNATA ÖZDEMİR
Recommended Optional Program Components:	"."
Course Objectives:	This course aims to equip students with the analytical tools to critically engage with the urban environment they inhabit, using both theoretical frameworks and fieldwork in urban sociology. We will explore key themes in urban sociology and urban theory, tracing their development from the early 20th century to the present day. Our theoretical readings will address broad questions concerning the evolution and challenges of metropolitan life worldwide. While we engage with global urban theory, our empirical case studies will draw primarily from the work of American, French, German, and Turkish sociologists and geographers, with a particular focus on the city of Istanbul. Through this localized lens, we will examine how global urban dynamics manifest in a city that bridges continents, cultures, and historical epochs. Students are expected to complete two individual observation exercises in the city, applying the concepts and insights from weekly readings to real-world urban contexts. These exercises will help bridge theory and practice, fostering a deeper understanding of the urban spaces we navigate daily.

Learning Outcomes

The students who have succeeded in this course;
1. Identify Key Theories and Theorists: Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of major theories and key theorists in urban sociology, recognizing their contributions to the study of cities and urban life.

2. Appraisal of Case Studies in Urban Contexts: Critically analyze and evaluate case studies that apply urban sociological theories, with particular emphasis on the unique urban dynamics of Istanbul and other global cities.

3. Enhance Academic Reading and Critical Analysis: Develop strong academic reading and critical analysis skills by engaging with complex theoretical texts and empirical studies in urban sociology.

4. Conduct Urban Fieldwork: Complete small-scale non-participant and participant observation research projects in urban environments, applying sociological methods to gather and interpret data about urban spaces and social interactions.

5. Application of Sociological Imagination: Actively apply sociological imagination to the analysis of urban spaces, demonstrating the ability to connect individual experiences, spatial arrangements, and broader social forces shaping urban life.

6. Develop Critical and Analytical Skills: Enhance critical thinking, presentation abilities, and interactivity through active participation in class discussions, presentations, and collaborative learning, demonstrating a reflective understanding of course material.

Course Content

This course aims to equip students with the analytical tools to critically engage with the urban environment they inhabit, using both theoretical frameworks and fieldwork in urban sociology. We will explore key themes in urban sociology and urban theory, tracing their development from the early 20th century to the present day. Our theoretical readings will address broad questions concerning the evolution and challenges of metropolitan life worldwide.

While we engage with global urban theory, our empirical case studies will draw primarily from the work of American, French, German, and Turkish sociologists and geographers, with a particular focus on the city of Istanbul. Through this localized lens, we will examine how global urban dynamics manifest in a city that bridges continents, cultures, and historical epochs.

Students are expected to complete two individual observation exercises in the city, applying the concepts and insights from weekly readings to real-world urban contexts. These exercises will help bridge theory and practice, fostering a deeper understanding of the urban spaces we navigate daily.

Weekly Detailed Course Contents

Week	Subject	Related Preparation
1)	Introduction to the course	Mumford, "What is a City?" (1938)
2)	The Industrial City	Engels, "The condition of the working class in England - selection" (1845)
3)	Observing the City	De Certeau, “Walking in the city”(1984) & Scarboro on "Everyday life encounters in Istanbul" (2011)
4)	The first urban sociologists	Simmel “The Metropolis and Mental Life” (1903)
5)	Recent urban theorists	Henri Lefebvre “The right to the city” (1968)
6)	Center and Periphery / Public and Private spaces	Aysegul Baykana and Tali Hatukab: "Politics and culture in the making of public space: Taksim Square, 1 May 1977, Istanbul" (2010)
7)	Project discussions
8)	Course review
9)	Embodied Spaces / Gender in the city	Tonkiss: "Embodied Spaces: Gender, Sexuality and the City" (2005) & Dağtaş: "Bodily transgression" (2009)
10)	Disabilities in the city	Gleeson "Geographies of Disability" (1999)
11)	The city and culture / The Economy of culture	Zukin: "Whose culture? Whose city?" (1995)
12)	Urban Culture in Istanbul	Ozgur "Arabesk Music in Turkey in the 1990s and Changes in National Demography, Politics, and Identity" (2006)
13)	Minorities & Inequalities in the city: Representation and Difference	Mills: "Boundaries of the nation in the space of the urban: landscape and social memory in Istanbul" (2006) & Ayata: "Migrants and Changing Urban Periphery" (2008)
14)	The city and its natural environment	Bezmez: "The politics of urban Waterfront Regeneration: The case of Haliç Istanbul" (2009)

Sources

Course Notes / Textbooks:

Special course reader as well as visual materials

References:

Mumford: "What is a City?" (1938)
Engels: "The condition of the working class in England - selection" (1845)
De Certeau: “Walking in the city”(1984) & Scarboro on "Everyday life encounters in Istanbul" (2011)
Simmel: “The Metropolis and Mental Life” (1903)
Henri Lefebvre: “The right to the city” (1968)
Aysegul Baykana and Tali Hatukab: "Politics and culture in the making of public space: Taksim Square, 1 May 1977, Istanbul" (2010)
Tonkiss: "Embodied Spaces: Gender, Sexuality and the City" (2005) & Dağtaş: "Bodily transgression" (2009)
Gleeson: "Geographies of Disability" (1999)
Zukin: "Whose culture? Whose city?" (1995)
Ozgur: "Arabesk Music in Turkey in the 1990s and Changes in National Demography, Politics, and Identity" (2006)
Mills: "Boundaries of the nation in the space of the urban: landscape and social memory in Istanbul" (2006) & Ayata: "Migrants and Changing Urban Periphry" (2008)
Bezmez: "The politics of urban Waterfront Regeneration: The case of Haliç Istanbul" (2009)
Richard Sennett
Marshall Berman

Evaluation System

Semester Requirements	Number of Activities	Level of Contribution
Attendance	14	% 15
Field Work	1	% 15
Homework Assignments	1	% 10
Presentation	1	% 20
Final	1	% 40
Total		% 100
PERCENTAGE OF SEMESTER WORK		% 60
PERCENTAGE OF FINAL WORK		% 40
Total		% 100

ECTS / Workload Table

Activities	Number of Activities	Duration (Hours)	Workload
Course Hours	14	3	42
Field Work	1	20	20
Study Hours Out of Class	14	2	28
Homework Assignments	1	10	10
Paper Submission	1	40	40
Total Workload			140

Contribution of Learning Outcomes to Programme Outcomes

No Effect	1 Lowest	2 Low	3 Average	4 High	5 Highest

	Program Outcomes	Level of Contribution
1)	Comprehend the conceptual importance of the game in the field of communication, ability to implement the player centered application to provide design.
2)	Analyze, synthesize, and evaluate information and ideas from various perspectives.
3)	Analyze the key elements that make up specific game genres, forms of interactions, mode of narratives and understand how they are employed effectively to create a successful game.
4)	Understand game design theories and methods as well as implement them during game development; to make enjoyable, attractive, instructional and immersive according to the target audience.
5)	Understand the technology and computational principles involved in developing games and master the use of game engines.
6)	Understand the process of creation and use of 2D and 3D assets and animation for video games.
7)	Understand and master the theories and methodologies of understanding and measuring player experience and utilize them during game development process.
8)	Comprehend and master how ideas, concepts and topics are conveyed via games followed by the utilization of these aspects during the development process.
9)	Manage the game design and development process employing complete documentation; following the full game production pipeline via documentation.
10)	Understand and employ the structure and work modes of game development teams; comprehend the responsibilities of team members and collaborations between them while utilizing this knowledge in practice.
11)	Understand the process of game publishing within industry standards besides development and utilize this knowledge practice.
12)	Pitching a video game to developers, publishers, and players; mastering the art of effectively communicating and marketing the features and commercial potential of new ideas, concepts or games.