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The Data Mine - Analyzing Digital Gaming and Culture
This is an introduction to the field of game studies, and to games as narrative and cultural media. We will look at the stories games tell; the way their narrative elements or plot devices intersect with the culture around the games and gaming itself; and how all these things come together to affect game design, meaning, and play.
Along the way, we will discuss things like literature, gaming manuals, narrative theory, and more, in order to explore and critique analog and digital games. Obviously, you will be required to play games in this class. You do not have to be a “gamer,” of course, but you will need to be open to games of various kinds.
Additional information can be found at datamine.purdue.edu.
Eligibility
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Any undergraduate student with an interest in Data Studies and gaming as a source of cultural media
Residential Component
- Required. The location of learning community housing will be determined based on the incoming size and needs of the learning community.
- A signed housing contract is required to apply to this learning community. Once a housing contract is completed, you will indicate your learning community housing preference within the learning community application. Applications received by the priority deadline will be considered first.
- If you want to be placed with a preferred roommate and be admitted to a learning community with a required residential component, both you and your roommate must apply (and be accepted) to the same learning community. Students admitted to learning communities with a required residential component cannot be paired with students admitted to learning communities with an optional residential component.
- For specific question regarding learning communities, email learningcommunities@purdue.edu.
- Completing a housing contract is a separate process from applying to a learning community. If you have questions about housing, contact University Residences (https://www.housing.purdue.edu/) at housing@purdue.edu.
Duration
Full Academic Year
Associated Courses and Information
Fall
- ENGL 28000 (3 credits) Games, Narrative, Culture
- TDM 10100
Spring
- ENGL 20300 (3 credits) Introduction To Research For Professional Writers
- TDM 10200
Additional information can be found at datamine.purdue.edu/english.
Every fee eligible student involved with a learning community (LC) at Purdue will be assessed the $200 LC fee to their university account. These funds support activities and travel, signature LC events, housing assignments and/or course registration and instructor stipends.
Events and Activities Included:
- Weekly dinners with Data Mine LC participants
- Faculty and TA office hours in Hillenbrand
- Seminars by visiting speakers, including practicing data scientists
- Social gatherings with Data Mine LC members
- Meals with campus and community leaders
- Game / recreation nights
- Career and graduate school panels
- Hackathons / data competitions
- Professional development activities
- Tour of Purdue's computational facilities
Information above is subject to change. If you are placed in the LC, the associated courses will be on your schedule prior to you registering for the rest of your courses.
