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
SOC4060	New Communication Technology and Society	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:	Face to face
Course Coordinator :	Prof. Dr. AYŞE NİLÜFER NARLI
Recommended Optional Program Components:	-
Course Objectives:	This course explores the past, present and future of communication technologies and their impact on the society and media. It covers analytical perspectives, concepts and theories to understand communication technologies historically and conceptually and to examine radical changes in organization of society, labor and politics, brought about by the recent development in communication technologies and diffusion of digital technologies. It provides various perspectives on the co-construction of society and communication technology, with a recognition that communication technology represents a complex set of practices, norms, and values that both reflect and shape our convictions about personhood, identity, time, class, gender, space, labor, and politics. It also covers the social dynamics and the use of communication technologies.

Learning Outcomes

The students who have succeeded in this course;
(1) Demonstrate the knowledge of the history of communication technologies
(2) Understand the general relationship between technology, communication, society, and culture
(3)Demonstrate the knowledge of the major conceptual and research issues related to communication technology
(4)Analyze and discuss contemporary key social issues (identity, politics, human rights) related communication technology
(5)Understand the internal and external dynamics that affect the use of communication technology
(6) Demonstrate the ability to understand virtual space and society
(7) Analyze communication technology in the Turkish context
(8) Develop a research proposal and design research project to study communication technology and society

Course Content

This course provides a comprehensive analysis of the evolution of communication technologies and their profound influence on societal structures. It begins by addressing foundational concepts such as digital literacy and the digital divide, before tracing the historical trajectory of key innovations from the optical telegraph to contemporary mobile technologies. The course critically examines the role of technology in driving social change, utilizing theoretical frameworks like the network society and global village to understand the social construction of technology. The course also addresses pressing issues including media, political action, and the digital divide, as well as the socio-cultural dynamics of virtual life and online gaming. Through presentations and research projects, students will engage in a critical exploration of the interplay between communication technologies and society.

Weekly Detailed Course Contents

Week	Subject	Related Preparation
1)	Orientation	Course Schedule Review Orientation Discuss digital literacy, digital divide
2)	Early History of Communication Technologies	The Optical Telegraph”, Daniel Headrick, “Time, Space and the Telegraph” by James W.Carey, in Communication in history: Technology, culture, society. Routledge. Crowley, D., & Heyer, P. (2015).
3)	Mass Communication Technologies and Social Construction of Technology	Robert S. Fortner and Darya Yanitskaya,, (2014) “Theoretical Perspectives on the Social Construction of Technology “ in the Handbook of Media and Mass Communication Technology, John Wiley&Sons
4)	Advent of Communication Technologies	Documentary film : Lo and Behold : Reveries of the Connected World by Werner Herzog
5)	The Mobile Phone and...Smartphone, identity, democracy	Sherry Turkle, “Always-On/Always-On-You: The Tethered Self” in Handbook of Mobile Communication Studies 2008
6)	Political actions and Media	Howard Rheingold, “Mobile Media and Political Collective Action” in Handbook of Mobile Communication Studies 2008
7)	Midterm	Exam
8)	Oral presentation of the research proposal and feedback in the classroom (10 minutes for each student).	Presentation I
9)	Communication Technology, Innovation, Social Change and Future	Ingeborg Astrid Kleppe and James Hosea, “Connecting local food to global consumers via the Internet” in Information and Communication Technologies in Rural Society. Being Rural in a Digital Age. Marsaili Macleod, “Revitalising rural Europe’s indigenous languages” in Information and Communication Technologies in Rural Society. Being Rural in a Digital Age.
10)	Theories of Communication Technologies: Network Society and Global Village	Castells, M. (2007). Communication, power and counter-power in the network society. International journal of communication, 1(1), 29. Mcluhan, M.(1964) Understanding Media, the extensions of man, Newyork: McGraw-Hill
11)	Communication Technology and Digital Divide	Antonelli, C. (2003). The digital divide: understanding the economics of new information and communication technology in the global economy. Information Economics and Policy, 15(2), 173-199.. Viviana Rojas, Joseph Straubhaar, Debasmita Roychowdhury, and Ozlem Okur (2004)“Communities, Cultural Capital, and the Digital Divide” in Media Access. Social and Psychological Dimensions of New Technology Use Additional Readings: Linda A. Jackson Gretchen Barbatsis Frank A. Biocca Alexander von Eye Yong Zhao Hiram E. Fitzgerald ,(2004) “Home Internet Use in Low-Income Families: Is Access Enough to Eliminate the Digital Divide? In in Media Access. Social and Psychological Dimensions of New Technology Use
12)	Living a Virtual Life and Games	Kolo, C., & Baur, T. (2004). Living a virtual life: Social dynamics of online gaming. Game studies, 4(1), 1-31. Additional Reading: T.L. Taylor(2006) , Play between Worlds. Exploring Online Game Culture, the MIT Press Terms and Conditions May Apply- Netflix documentary
13)	Final Project Presentations	Oral presentation of the research project in the classroom and debate.
14)	Final Project Presentations	Oral presentation of the research project in the classroom and debate.

Sources

Course Notes / Textbooks:	Ders notları Its-learning kütüphanesinde sağlanmaktadır. Course notes are provided on Its-learning library
References:	Diğer gerekli okumalar, öğrencilere Itslearning üzerinden yüklenecektir. Herhangi bir materyale erişemiyorsanız, lütfen dersin öğretim görevlisi ile iletişime geçin. Other required readings will be uploaded to students via Itslearning. If you cannot access any material, please contact the instructor of the course.

Evaluation System

Semester Requirements	Number of Activities	Level of Contribution
Attendance	14	% 10
Homework Assignments	1	% 15
Presentation	1	% 20
Midterms	1	% 25
Final	1	% 30
Total		% 100
PERCENTAGE OF SEMESTER WORK		% 70
PERCENTAGE OF FINAL WORK		% 30
Total		% 100

ECTS / Workload Table

Activities	Number of Activities	Duration (Hours)	Workload
Course Hours	14	3	42
Study Hours Out of Class	13	1	13
Presentations / Seminar	2	10	20
Project	1	15	15
Homework Assignments	2	10	20
Paper Submission	1	5	5
Final	1	10	10
Total Workload			125

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.