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
NMD4101	Critical Media Analysis	Spring	3	0	3	5

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 :	Dr. Öğr. Üyesi SİNAN AŞÇI
Recommended Optional Program Components:	None
Course Objectives:	This course is designed to provide students with necessary analytical tools to critically analyze media organizations, media texts and their larger social contexts.

Learning Outcomes

The students who have succeeded in this course;
- will be able to develop critical analytical skills to understand, criticize and evaluate media texts in relation to their social contexts,
- will be able develop high levels of media literacy skills,
- will be able to develop a critical understanding of the media's role in the construction of social reality,
- will be able to understand the significance of media in relation to meaning-making processes in people’s ordinary lives,
- will be able to develop media awareness,
- will be able to understand, discuss and evaluate research methods in the critical media analysis,
- will be able to understand how people conceptualize the world by way of various media,
- will be able to evaluate media texts as a struggle over power and in relation to knowledge and ideology,
- will be able to discuss power and domination always with resistance.

Course Content

The theoretical framework of this course is based on critical theory and social constructivism. In the first half of the course, we analyze the role of media in relation to the concept of power. In the second half, we try to understand the media's role in the construction of reality. We follow the idea that reality is socially constructed and based on the mutual understanding between sides in the communication process.

Weekly Detailed Course Contents

Week	Subject	Related Preparation
1)	Introduction to the course
2)	What is “critical” in media analysis?
3)	Marxism I
4)	Marxism II
5)	Other critical theories
6)	Structuralism
7)	Semiotics
8)	Midterm
9)	Feminism and research
10)	Narrative, Genre, Autuer, Star Analysis
11)	Pyschoanalysis
12)	Postmodernism and Postcolonialism
13)	Debates and Controversies in Communication
14)	Evaluation of the term before final

Sources

Course Notes / Textbooks:	Stocchetti, Matteo and Kukkonen, Karin (2011) Critical Media Analysis: An Introduction for Media Professionals. Frankfurt: Peter Lang Beck, Andrew, Bennett, Peter and Wall, Peter (2004) Communication Studies: The Essential Resource. London: Routledge Stokes, Jane (2003) How to do Media and Cultural Studies. London: Sage.
References:

Evaluation System

Semester Requirements	Number of Activities	Level of Contribution
Midterms	1	% 50
Final	1	% 50
Total		% 100
PERCENTAGE OF SEMESTER WORK		% 50
PERCENTAGE OF FINAL WORK		% 50
Total		% 100

ECTS / Workload Table

Activities	Number of Activities	Duration (Hours)	Workload
Course Hours	13	3	39
Study Hours Out of Class	14	5	70
Midterms	1	2	2
Final	1	2	2
Total Workload			113

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.