Students in my humanities course learned ancient and modern games, played them in class, and made their own games. Attendees are invited to express their cultures of play in this interactive session.
Long Description:
In adapting the Introduction to Humanities survey to games-based pedagogy, I wanted to explore the idea that how we play defines who we are and what we value, and vice versa. In planning, I spent an MLA Humanities Innovation Grant to buy teaching copies of ancient and modern games from Mancala to The Quiet Year, with an eye out for games learnable within a class period without prior knowledge. For coursework, students wrote personal biographies of play, read brief histories and theories including Sutton-Smith’s seven rhetorics, played games every week, designed games mechanics (for movement, competition, interactivity, storytelling, and cooperation), and play-tested their games during finals week. The Hungry Hungry Hippos tournament was by far the most popular with my first round of students. I invite you to review the course with me and relive some of its fun.
Event Type:
TRD - Trade Day Events
Minimum Players:
4
Maximum Players:
60
Age Required:
Everyone (6+)
Experience Required:
None (You've never played before - rules will be taught)