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
SOC4007	Contemporary Sociological Theories	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):	Assist. Prof. KAYA AKYILDIZ Assoc. Prof. ULAŞ SUNATA ÖZDEMİR Assist. Prof. AYŞEGÜL AKDEMİR Prof. Dr. AYŞE NİLÜFER NARLI Prof. Dr. İPEK ALTINBAŞAK FARİNA
Recommended Optional Program Components:	"."
Course Objectives:	The course is designed to familiarize students with recent theories, issues, and debates in the field of contemporary social and critical theory. It offers a critical review of key contemporary theoretical frameworks by examining major themes and intellectual movements. Special attention is given to foundational readings in what are often referred to as 'postmodern' and 'poststructuralist' theories, with a focus on their engagements with modernity, semiotics, the unconscious, feminism, and re-interpretations of Freud, Nietzsche and Marx. Additionally, the course explores the concepts of deconstruction, orientalism, and postcolonialism, investigating how these ideas challenge established paradigms and contribute to ongoing debates in critical theory. The course also introduces students to current discussions in the field of critical posthumanities, examining how questions of human subjectivity, ethics, and agency are being rethought in the context of technological advances, ecological crises, and the decentering of the human in contemporary theoretical discourses.

Learning Outcomes

The students who have succeeded in this course;
1. Familiarize with Key Theories: Develop a comprehensive understanding of major theoretical frameworks in contemporary social and critical theory, including postmodernism, poststructuralism, and critical posthumanities, and their relevance to current sociological debates;

2. Trace Intellectual Evolution: Gain the ability to trace the evolution of modern and postmodern thought, particularly in how concepts like semiotics, deconstruction, and the unconscious challenge traditional sociological paradigms.

3. Critically Engage with Feminist and Postcolonial Theories: Critically engage with feminist, decolonial, and postcolonial approaches, understanding how they interrogate concepts such as orientalism, power structures, and knowledge production.

4. Analyze Human Subjectivity in Context: Analyze contemporary reconceptualizations of human subjectivity, ethics, and agency within postmodern and posthumanist frameworks, particularly in relation to technological advancements, ecological crises, and the decentering of the human;

5. Scholarly Write on Contemporary Theory; Produce a well-researched, theoretically informed paper that critically discusses contemporary sociological theories, demonstrating an ability to synthesize different theoretical perspectives and apply them to relevant social phenomena;

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

The course is designed to familiarize students with recent theories, issues, and debates in the field of contemporary social and critical theory. It offers a critical review of key contemporary theoretical frameworks by examining major themes and intellectual movements. Special attention is given to foundational readings in what are often referred to as 'postmodern' and 'poststructuralist' theories, with a focus on their engagements with modernity, semiotics, the unconscious, feminism, and re-interpretations of Freud, Nietzsche and Marx. Additionally, the course explores the concepts of deconstruction, orientalism, and postcolonialism, investigating how these ideas challenge established paradigms and contribute to ongoing debates in critical theory.

The course also introduces students to current discussions in the field of critical posthumanities, examining how questions of human subjectivity, ethics, and agency are being rethought in the context of technological advances, ecological crises, and the decentering of the human in contemporary theoretical discourses.

Weekly Detailed Course Contents

Week	Subject	Related Preparation
1)	Introduction to the Course: Going over the Syllabus
2)	Classical Sociological Theory	D. P. Johnson (2008) “Classical Stage European Sources of Sociological Theory”, ch 1, in D. P. Johnson Contemporary Sociological Theory: An Integrated Multi-level Approach New York: Springer. (23-51)
3)	An Introduction to Postmodern Social Theory	G. Ritzer (1997) “Postmodern Social Theory, Sociology and Sociological Theory”, ch 1, in G. Ritzer Postmodern Social Theory Toronto: McGraw-Hill. (1-17) G. Ritzer (1997) “The Development of Postmodern Sociology”, ch 2, in G. Ritzer Postmodern Social Theory Toronto: McGraw-Hill. (18-36)
4)	Ferdinand Saussure: Semiotics and Structuralism	Ferdinand Saussure, Selection from Course in General Linguistics (8-17, 65-9, 110-9) John E. Joseph “The Linguistic Sign”, Cambridge Companions Online, Cambridge University Press. (59-75)
5)	Frankfurt School	Erich Fromm “The Method and Function of an Analytic Social Psychology”, in A. Arato and E. Gebhardt, eds., The Essential Frankfurt School Reader. (477-96) Wilhelm Reich “The Authoritarian Ideology and the Family in the Mass Psychology of Fascism”, The Mass Psychology of Fascism. (34-74) Max Horkheimer “Authoritarianism and the Family”, in R. N. Anshen, ed., The Family: Its Function and Destiny (359-74)
6)	Psychoanalysis and Jaques Lacan	Kaja Silverman “The Subject”, The Subject of Semiotics. (127-193)
7)	The Postmodern Condition	Thedor W. Adorno (1968) “Late Capitalism or Industrial Society?” (1-11) Fredric Jameson (1991) “Postmodernism or, The Cultural Logic of Late Capitalism” in F. Jameson Postmodernism or, The Cultural Logic of Late Capitalism Verso. (1-14) Jean-Francois Lyotard (1979) “The Postmodern Condition: A Report on Knowledge” in J.F. Lyotard The Postmodern Condition: A report on Knowledge, Manchester: Manchester University Press. (1-14) Bary Smart “The Postmodern Paradox”, Modern Conditions and Postmodern Controversies. (141-82)
8)	Jacques Derrida and Deconstruction	Elizabeth Gross “Derrida and the Limits of Philosophy” (26-42) Jonathan Culler “Deconstruction”, On Deconstruction: Theory and Criticism After Structuralism. (85-110, 165-91)
9)	Michel Foucault: Panopticism, Discipline, Surveillance, Discourse, Body, Population (1)	G. Ritzer (1997) “Michel Foucault Part1: Archaeology of Knowledge, Genealogy of Power” in G. Ritzer Postmodern Social Theory Toronto: McGraw-Hill. (37-62)
10)	Michel Foucault: Panopticism, Discipline, Surveillance, Discourse, Body, Population (2)	G. Ritzer (1997) “Michel Foucault Part2: Sexuality, Power, and Self” in G. Ritzer Postmodern Social Theory Toronto: McGraw-Hill. (63-75)
11)	Feminist Theory	Elizabeth Gross (1986) “What is Feminist Theory?”, in C. Pateman and E. Gross, eds., Feminist Challenges: Social and Political Theory Boston: Northeastern University Press. (190-204) “Feminist Theory”, in James Farganis, ed., Readings in Social Theory: The Classic Tradition to Post-Modernism (Dorothy Smith: Women’s Experience as a Radical Critique of Sociology). (376-87) Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak “Feminism and Critical Theory” In Other Worlds: Essays in Cultural Politics. (77-92)
12)	Orientalism and Post-Colonial Theory (1)	Leela Gandhi “Edward Said and his Critics” Postcolonial Theory: A Critical Introduction. (64-80)
13)	Orientalism and Post-Colonial Theory (2)	Leela Gandhi “Postcolonalism and Feminism” Postcolonial Theory: A Critical Introduction. (81-101)
14)	Globalization and Post-Nationalism	Leela Gandhi “Imagining Community: The Question of Nationalism” Postcolonial Theory: A Critical Introduction. (102-21) Leela Gandhi “One World: The Vision of Postnationalism” Postcolonial Theory: A Critical Introduction. (122-40)

Sources

Course Notes / Textbooks:

Special course reader

References:

D. P. Johnson (2008) “Classical Stage European Sources of Sociological Theory”, ch 1, in D. P. Johnson Contemporary Sociological Theory: An Integrated Multi-level Approach New York: Springer. (23-51)
G. Ritzer (1997) “Postmodern Social Theory, Sociology and Sociological Theory”, ch 1, in G. Ritzer Postmodern Social Theory Toronto: McGraw-Hill. (1-17)
G. Ritzer (1997) “The Development of Postmodern Sociology”, ch 2, in G. Ritzer Postmodern Social Theory Toronto: McGraw-Hill. (18-36)
Ferdinand Saussure, Selection from Course in General Linguistics (8-17, 65-9, 110-9)
John E. Joseph “The Linguistic Sign”, Cambridge Companions Online, Cambridge University Press. (59-75)
Erich Fromm “The Method and Function of an Analytic Social Psychology”, in A. Arato and E. Gebhardt, eds., The Essential Frankfurt School Reader. (477-96)
Wilhelm Reich “The Authoritarian Ideology and the Family in the Mass Psychology of Fascism”, The Mass Psychology of Fascism. (34-74)
Max Horkheimer “Authoritarianism and the Family”, in R. N. Anshen, ed., The Family: Its Function and Destiny (359-74)
Kaja Silverman “The Subject”, The Subject of Semiotics. (127-193)
Thedor W. Adorno (1968) “Late Capitalism or Industrial Society?” (1-11)
Fredric Jameson (1991) “Postmodernism or, The Cultural Logic of Late Capitalism” in F. Jameson Postmodernism or, The Cultural Logic of Late Capitalism Verso. (1-14)
Jean-Francois Lyotard (1979) “The Postmodern Condition: A Report on Knowledge” in J.F. Lyotard The Postmodern Condition: A report on Knowledge, Manchester: Manchester University Press. (1-14)
Bary Smart “The Postmodern Paradox”, Modern Conditions and Postmodern Controversies. (141-82)
Elizabeth Gross “Derrida and the Limits of Philosophy” (26-42)
Jonathan Culler “Deconstruction”, On Deconstruction: Theory and Criticism After Structuralism. (85-110, 165-91)
Ronald Bogue “Anti-Oedipus: Nietzschean Desiring Production and the History of Representation”, Deleuze and Guattari. (83-106)
Ronald Bogue “The Grand Proliferation: Regimes of Signs and Abstract Machines in Thousand Plateaus”, Deleuze and Guattari. (124-49)
G. Ritzer (1997) “Michel Foucault Part1: Archaeology of Knowledge, Genealogy of Power” in G. Ritzer Postmodern Social Theory Toronto: McGraw-Hill. (37-62)
G. Ritzer (1997) “Michel Foucault Part2: Sexuality, Power, and Self” in G. Ritzer Postmodern Social Theory Toronto: McGraw-Hill. (63-75)
Elizabeth Gross (1986) “What is Feminist Theory?”, in C. Pateman and E. Gross, eds., Feminist Challenges: Social and Political Theory Boston: Northeastern University Press. (190-204)
“Feminist Theory”, in James Farganis, ed., Readings in Social Theory: The Classic Tradition to Post-Modernism (Dorothy Smith: Women’s Experience as a Radical Critique of Sociology). (376-87)
Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak “Feminism and Critical Theory” In Other Worlds: Essays in Cultural Politics. (77-92)
Leela Gandhi “Edward Said and his Critics” Postcolonial Theory: A Critical Introduction. (64-80)
Leela Gandhi “Postcolonalism and Feminism” Postcolonial Theory: A Critical Introduction. (81-101)
Leela Gandhi “Imagining Community: The Question of Nationalism” Postcolonial Theory: A Critical Introduction. (102-21)
Leela Gandhi “One World: The Vision of Postnationalism” Postcolonial Theory: A Critical Introduction. (122-40)
Badiou. Ethics.
Ronald Bogue “Deleuze’s Nietzsche: Thought, will to power, and the eternal return”, Deleuze and Guattari. (15-34)
Friedrich Nietzsche: The Will to Power. (104-7)

Evaluation System

Semester Requirements	Number of Activities	Level of Contribution
Attendance	14	% 15
Homework Assignments	10	% 30
Presentation	1	% 15
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
Study Hours Out of Class	14	2	28
Presentations / Seminar	1	12	12
Homework Assignments	10	3	30
Paper Submission	1	40	40
Total Workload			152

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.