Short Analysis Assignment

For this assignment, you have the choice between two options. Both options require that you analyse one of the course games at a critical level. The main difference between the options is the medium you use to convey your critical analysis.

See Information for the policy on late assignments. Essentially, no assignment will be accepted after the deadline except for assignments on BioShock (which can be handed in no later than November 15) and Spore (which can be handed in no later than November 27). For these exceptions, late assignments will have a 2% penalty for each day late. Here is a list of the deadlines:

Robot Unicorn Attack	September 13, 5:00 p.m.
Portal and/or Portal 2	September 18, 5:00 p.m.
Thomas Was Alone	September 27, 5:00 p.m.
Plants vs Zombies	October 2, 5:00 p.m.
Anna’s Quest	October 16, 5:00 p.m.
World of Warcraft	October 25, 5:00 p.m.
Minecraft	November 6, 5:00 p.m.
BioShock	November 6, 5:00 p.m.
Spore	November 6, 5:00 p.m.

Option 1: Essay

Write a short argumentative essay, of three to four pages, that constitutes a critical analysis of one of the games from our course. Essays shorter than three full pages or longer than five pages will be returned unread or with a failing grade.

You are writing a critical analysis, not a review or a personal response. Your approach to the analysis should be based on one of the approaches discussed and/or demonstrated in class. For example, you are welcome to analyse the semiotics, the hypertextual aspects, the narrative structure, etc.; and you are welcome to combine various approaches. You are welcome to use any and all of the course readings to help your analysis, and you are welcome to use external sources. Document all sources (of ideas and of quotations), including all web sources (whether an author is identifiable or not). As always, plagiarism will not be tolerated.

As with most English Studies essays, value will be awarded based on the depth of the analysis, the complexity of the discussion, the solidity of the writing, and the thoroughness of the support to the thesis.

Essays should conform to MLA guidelines. Essays should have double-spaced lineation. Printed essays should use a 12-point, serif font (such as Times New Roman) and should not have a justified right margin. Please use one-inch margins on all sides. Please do not submit the essay in a binder or folder. I am not fond of title pages.

Option 2: Video

Create a short digital video that critically analyses one of the course games. While this option allows for more creativity, the product should still entail a critical analysis of the game, and not be a review or personal response (or a walkthrough or general guide to the game or game strategy).

The analytical approach to the game can be along the same lines as explained above for the essay option. One of the challenges for this option is trying to communicate a sufficient amount of analysis within the medium of the video. You are of course welcome to use any type of visuals you would like, including in-game play and images of your own talking head. Please do not violate any copyright laws.

The video should probably be between four and ten minutes long. Some example videos are listed below. Note that these are not all as analytical as this assignment requires you to be, but as examples meant to inspire you.

Videos should be submitted electronically. If you want to upload your video to YouTube or another web site, then a Web link is all that is needed for submission. You will probably be asked for permission to post a link to your project on the course web site, for your fellow students to enjoy (and you may refuse if you wish).

For this option only, you may work in groups of two. Both students in a team will receive the same grade for the assignment.

Example videos
The Machine is Us/ing Us (a video explaining Web 2.0 and related concepts)
We Think (a video response/summary of We Think by Charles Leadbeater)
CIS420-Video Project (a video response/summary of The Shallows)
Are kids different because of digital media? (a promotional video about some of the work of the MacArthur Foundation)
David Gauntlett: Media in the online age (an animated response/parody of another media studies video)
So you Want to Get a PhD in the Humanities (a funny animated video satirizing assumptions surrounding post-graduate academics)