HIST 1322-001

Spring 2025

TTh 9:30am–10:50 am in Hyer Hall 204 – Live and in the Flesh

Prof. Scott W. Palmer

Office: Dallas Hall 067

Office Hours TTh 11:00–12:00 pm (give or take…) and virtually by appointment

Required Institutional Statements and Policies:

MANDATED INFORMATION

“Student Learning Outcomes”

Students who successfully complete this course will:

1) identify and explain how the development of video and electronic games have inspired aesthetic visions in the arts, music, and literature and affected social, political, and economic transformations across time and place

2) develop an understanding of civic and social responsibility by studying the interrelationships between state agents, public organizations, private companies, and individuals in fostering, sustaining, and institutionalizing technological change

3) demonstrate awareness of the ethical dilemmas that accompany modernization through reference to the impact of gaming technologies in transforming the conduct of war, influencing international affairs, and the altering the socio-economic relationships of disparate national, ethnic, and social communities

4) enhance critical thinking skills by describing and analyzing the cultural, social, and political factors that have shaped the international development of gaming technologies, corporations, and associated groups 

5) develop an ability to communicate ideas clearly and concisely with appropriate organization and style through analytical narratives targeted to educated audiences 

Statement Regarding Intellectual Property:

Course materials (including all lectures and visual presentations) prepared by the instructor are the property of the instructor. This statement serves as notice that video and/or audio recording of all course lectures lectures and classroom meetings is strictly prohibited. Students entitled to video/audio recordings owing to an officially approved and documented ADA accommodation will be given timely access to requisite materials by the instructor.

Participation/Attendance:

While assigned readings, browsings, and viewings, contain a great deal of important information, most of the critical concepts and themes necessary to mastering the material will only be addressed during regular class meetings. As such, attendance is vital to one’s success during the semester.

Use of AI:

The use of any form of Generative AI (e.g., ChatGPT, iA Writer, DALL-E, etc.) is not permitted in this course.
The assignments in this course have been designed to ensure that you personally develop and demonstrate the knowledge and skills associated with the learning outcomes laid out in the syllabus without the use of Generative AI., While Generative AI can enhance learning in some contexts, its use is viewed as counter to the specific learning objectives of this course., Content in this course is private, sensitive, or copyrighted and should never be entered into a Generative AI tool.

To ensure that you can demonstrate ownership of the assignments you submit, you are encouraged to maintain clear evidence of your work (e.g., time-stamped drafts and notes; copies and links to source material). Any violation of these rules will result in a zero “0” for the assignment and be treated within the SMU Student Honor Code. If there is sufficient cause for concern, an incident report will be submitted for review by the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards.

Make-up Assignments and Exams:

Students will be granted an opportunity to make-up in-class exams and film quizzes missed for any reason during the course of the semester. Make-up exams/quizzes however, must be completed on the lone designated “Make-up Day” scheduled during the last week of semester. [The precise day/times will be announced and posted by the end of the third week of instruction.] Any missed exam/quiz not completed on “Make-up Day” will be recorded as a zero (“0”). No exceptions or accommodations will be made to this policy.

Institutional Policies:

https://www.smu.edu/oit/academictech/instructional-guidelines/syllabus/required-syllabus-statements

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Disclaimer:

As is true of all courses, “Scott W. Palmer’s History of Video Games” is a “work-in-progress.” Your instructor reserves the right to revise, alter, and/or supplement course content, assignments, and requirements as he deems necessary. This syllabus is a guide, not a contract.