ZURb1406 Specialized journalism: Game journalism

Faculty of Social Studies
Autumn 2021
Extent and Intensity
1/1/0. 2 credit(s). Type of Completion: z (credit).
Teacher(s)
Mgr. Jan Miškov (lecturer)
Bc. Petr Barták (assistant)
Guaranteed by
doc. Mgr. Lenka Waschková Císařová, Ph.D.
Department of Media Studies and Journalism – Faculty of Social Studies
Contact Person: Ing. Bc. Pavlína Brabcová
Supplier department: Department of Media Studies and Journalism – Faculty of Social Studies
Timetable
Wed 15. 9. 16:00–19:40 Střižna 531, Wed 29. 9. 16:00–19:40 Střižna 531, Wed 13. 10. 16:00–19:40 Střižna 531, Wed 27. 10. 16:00–19:40 Střižna 531, Wed 10. 11. 16:00–19:40 Střižna 531, Wed 24. 11. 16:00–19:40 Střižna 531, Wed 8. 12. 16:00–19:40 Střižna 531
Prerequisites (in Czech)
ZURb1101 Journalism
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is only offered to the students of the study fields the course is directly associated with.

The capacity limit for the course is 8 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 0/8, only registered: 0/8
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
there are 32 fields of study the course is directly associated with, display
Course objectives
Game journalism, whether in the form of print magazines, websites or TV shows, is a permanent part of the progressively growing digital game industry, which has competed with the traditional media for drawing audiences' attention since the eighties. Students work together within the editorial team to contribute to a practice in an online medium. In a simulated context they practically learn to search and validate information for news and thematic articles or interviews, to know how to write, analyze, comment, to edit their own texts in an editorial system, and to be able to choose for themselves the topic of the post and the genre. In addition, they improve in handling recording technology (like dictaphones and cameras) and in capturing pictorial material (image composition, video capture, editing and postproduction). They are involved in the preparation of columns for the established web of practical medium associated with specific genres of game journalism (e.g. reviews, interviews and reports). They not only have the ability to create new content intended for publication but also gain feedback from colleagues and teamwork experience.
Learning outcomes
Students are able to control graphic, post-production and editing applications after completing the course. They will also be able to design, prepare and implement their own projects and products representing specific genres of practical game journalism, which they will be able to publish in an editorial system of practice online medium. In addition, they will acquire the skills to organize and manage the work of the team or to play a part in the editorial team.
Syllabus
  • The course consists of thematic areas that focus on game journalism from different perspectives, such as historical, regional, socio-cultural or ethical, and also on individual genres of game journalism, with which aspiring game journalists meet in practice. Course Schedule: the history of game journalism; regional variations of game journalism / Czech game journalism; ethics of the game journalist; I. genre of game journalism - news, (video) reportage; II. genre of game journalism - interview, preview; III. genres of game journalism - (video) reviews, analysis/polemics; IV. genres of game journalism - commentary, thematic article (research and preparation); evaluation of projects / guest lecture (editor / producer of the selected magazine, show or web).
Literature
    required literature
  • ZAGAL, José P. (2012). „Characterizing and Understanding Game Reviews.“ Academia.edu. http://www.academia.edu/667782/Characterizing_and_understanding_game_reviews
  • KONZACK, Lars (2002). „Computer Game Criticism: A Method for Computer Game Analysis.“ http://www.digra.org/wp-content/uploads/digital-library/05164.32231.pdf
  • PARKIN, Simon (2008). „Meet the Editors: The State of Game Journalism.“ Gamesetwatch. http://www.gamesetwatch.com/2008/08/in_depth_meet_the_editors_the.php
  • STUART, Keith (2005). „Ten Unmissable Examples of New Games Journalism.“ The Guardian. http://www.theguardian.com/technology/gamesblog/2005/mar/03/tenunmissable
  • HOFFMANOVÁ, Jana. 1998. Pařani a gamesy (Pokus o charakteristiku diskurzu počítačových her) in Naše řeč, r. 81, č. 2-3, s. 100-111.
  • TUČEK, Mikoláš (2013). „Historie herní žurnalistiky.“ Mediální gramotnost. http://medialnigramotnost.fsv.cuni.cz/zobraz/clanek/historie-herni-zurnalistiky
  • JOHNSON, Neilie (2011). „The History of Video Game Journalism.“ Cheat Code Central. http://www.cheatcc.com/extra/videogamejournalismhistory2.html
  • FERKO, Miloš (2009). „Ako písať recenzie.“ Fandom.sk. http://www.fandom.sk/clanok/akopisat-recenzie
  • ZENKE, Michael (2006). „Game Journalists on Game Journalism.“ The Escapist. http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/issues/issue_71/409-Game-Journalists-on-Game-Journalism
  • HALL, Justin (2003). „Ethics in Video Game Journalism.“ Online Journalism Review. http://www.ojr.org/ojr/ethics/1049994303.php
  • GILLEN, Kieron (2004). „The New Game Journalism.“ Kieron Gillen's Workblog. http://gillen.cream.org/wordpress_html/assorted-essays/the-new-games-journalism/
  • THOMAS, David - Orland, Kyle - Steinberg, Scott (2007). The videogame style guide and reference manual. Coldstream: Powerplay Publishing. 105 s. Dostupné online z: http://www.gamestyleguide.com/VideoGameStyleGuideeBook.pdf
  • RIGNALL, Jaz (2014). „A Brief History of Games Journalism.“ US Gamer. http://www.usgamer.net/articles/a-brief-history-of-games-journalism
    recommended literature
  • ČUŘÍK, Jaroslav. Nové trendy v médiích I : Online a tištěná média (New Trends in Media I : online media and the press). 1. vyd. Brno: Masarykova univerzita, 2012, 240 pp. ISBN 978-80-210-5825-5. URL info
Teaching methods
The theoretical exposition is supplemented by examples and ongoing tasks related to individual genres or practices of game journalism; editing and publishing articles in an editorial system; feedback through editorial boards and discussions. Seminars simulate a real editorial environment, while active student engagement is the goal of effective simulation. Simulations and role-playing games require from students to see the world from new perspectives, in the roles they play within a work team. Learning simulations create opportunities to build a strong synergy between learning to think about relevant theoretical frameworks and learning how to deal with the complexity of real situations in practice.
Assessment methods
Requirement for credit acquisition is an active approach and preparation of at least three practical tasks, regular attendance at seminars and cooperation in the editorial team of the practice medium.
Language of instruction
Czech
Further Comments
Study Materials
The course is taught annually.
The course is also listed under the following terms Spring 2020.
  • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
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