ClassInfo

DC 228 Ethics in Computer Games and Cinema

Travis Chandler

Winter 2016-2017
Class number: 21942
Section number: 801
W 5:45PM - 9:00PM
LEWIS 01509 Loop Campus

Summary

Syllabus: ETHICS IN COMP GAMES / CINEMA

DC / GAM / IT 228

Winter, 2017

Instructor: T. Chandler
Office Hours: Directly after class in the classroom, and by appointment
Contact Information: travischandler@mac.com


Course Description:

What do "right" and "wrong" mean anyway? Most of us are not aware of the underlying theories when arriving at ethical judgments about right and wrong. We will learn several philosophical frameworks for ethical reasoning including; Kant's First and Second Categorical Imperatives, Utilitarianism, Social Contract Theory and the Ethics of Virtue. How does entertainment media impact society? What special responsibilities do we have as designers and creators of entertainment media and how can we use these ethical theories in our daily practice? We will discuss a host of issues including the implications of the values and politics embedded in games and movies. The goal is for students to be able to address ethical dilemmas with reasoned arguments, grounded in a combination of the ethical theories we have covered. During this class we will alternate between lectures, in-class activities and presentations, screenings and discussions. Minimum expectations include reading the assigned material before class, preparing class presentations, writing self-assessments and participating in class discussions.


Learning Domain Description

DC/GAM/IT 228 ETHICS IN COMP GAMES/CINEMA is included in the Liberal Studies program as a course with credit in the Arts and Literature domain. Courses in the Arts and Literature domain ask students to extend their knowledge and experience of the arts by developing their critical and reflective abilities. In these courses, students interpret and analyze particular creative works, investigate the relations of form and meaning and through critical and/ or creative activity to come to experience art with greater openness, insight, and enjoyment. These courses focus on works of literature, art, theatre, or music as such, though the process of analysis may also include social and cultural issues. Students who take course in this domain choose three courses from such choices as literature, the visual arts, media arts, music, and theater. No more than two courses can be chosen from one department or program.



Learning Outcomes


1. Students will be able to explain, in well-written prose, what a work of art is about and/or how it was produced.

2. Students will be able to comment on the relationship between form and content in a work.

3. Students will be able to assess the formal aspects of their subject and put those qualities into words, using, when appropriate, specialized vocabulary employed in class and readings.

4. Students will be able to contextualize a work of art. They will be able to do so with respect to other works of art in terms of defining its place within a broader style or genre. They will also be able to contextualize a work of art in terms of contemporaneous aesthetic, social, or political concerns, discussing how these might shape the work?s reception and how that reception might differ amongst various peoples and historical periods.

How Learning Outcomes Will Be Met
1. Students will create and present a series of class presentations which analyze a piece of media (either cinema or computer game) in the context of the ethical principles introduced in a specific chapter of our book.


Writing Expectations
Students will be expected to complete a minimum of 5-7 pages of writing for this course.

How Writing Expectations Will Be Met
1. Students will complete a self-assessment at least one page in length for each class presentation performed. These assessments will include analysis of the media referenced in the presentation and a synopsis of the ethical principle which it is being paired with.

Textbooks and Printed Resources
The Elements of Moral Philosophy by James Rachels and Stuart Rachels, McGraw Hill
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-elements-of-moral-philosophy-james-rachels/ 1121343445?ean=9780078119064




Grading

Possible assignments and percentages include (subject to change):

Individual and Group presentations 50%

NOTE: Self-assessment of presentations are critical and MUST be turned in online to receive credit.

Short Essays on Games and Films relating to ethical concepts 20%

Final project: Creation of Personal Ethics in Gaming and Film document 20%

Class participation 10%

Changes to Syllabus:
This syllabus is subject to change as necessary during the quarter. If a change occurs, it will be thoroughly addressed during class, posted under Announcements in D2L and sent via email.



Texts

Textbooks and Printed Resources
The Elements of Moral Philosophy by James Rachels and Stuart Rachels, McGraw Hill
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-elements-of-moral-philosophy-james-rachels/ 1121343445?ean=9780078119064


Prerequisites

None


School policies:

Changes to Syllabus

This syllabus is subject to change as necessary during the quarter. If a change occurs, it will be thoroughly addressed during class, posted under Announcements in D2L and sent via email.

Online Course Evaluations

Evaluations are a way for students to provide valuable feedback regarding their instructor and the course. Detailed feedback will enable the instructor to continuously tailor teaching methods and course content to meet the learning goals of the course and the academic needs of the students. They are a requirement of the course and are key to continue to provide you with the highest quality of teaching. The evaluations are anonymous; the instructor and administration do not track who entered what responses. A program is used to check if the student completed the evaluations, but the evaluation is completely separate from the student’s identity. Since 100% participation is our goal, students are sent periodic reminders over three weeks. Students do not receive reminders once they complete the evaluation. Students complete the evaluation online in CampusConnect.

Academic Integrity and Plagiarism

This course will be subject to the university's academic integrity policy. More information can be found at http://academicintegrity.depaul.edu/ If you have any questions be sure to consult with your professor.

All students are expected to abide by the University's Academic Integrity Policy which prohibits cheating and other misconduct in student coursework. Publicly sharing or posting online any prior or current materials from this course (including exam questions or answers), is considered to be providing unauthorized assistance prohibited by the policy. Both students who share/post and students who access or use such materials are considered to be cheating under the Policy and will be subject to sanctions for violations of Academic Integrity.

Academic Policies

All students are required to manage their class schedules each term in accordance with the deadlines for enrolling and withdrawing as indicated in the University Academic Calendar. Information on enrollment, withdrawal, grading and incompletes can be found at http://www.cdm.depaul.edu/Current%20Students/Pages/PoliciesandProcedures.aspx.

Students with Disabilities

Students who feel they may need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact the instructor privately to discuss their specific needs. All discussions will remain confidential.
To ensure that you receive the most appropriate accommodation based on your needs, contact the instructor as early as possible in the quarter (preferably within the first week of class), and make sure that you have contacted the Center for Students with Disabilities (CSD) at:
Lewis Center 1420, 25 East Jackson Blvd.
Phone number: (312)362-8002
Fax: (312)362-6544
TTY: (773)325.7296