COURSE CURRICULUM

The Master’s program in Critical Game Design (CGD) offers a structured yet flexible curriculum designed to balance theoretical knowledge, research skills, and hands-on design practice. In the first semester, students enroll in a combination of electives and core courses, beginning with a 4000- or 6000-level HASS elective and a 4000- or 6000-level free elective, each worth three credit hours, allowing students to integrate perspectives from humanities, arts, or social sciences with their design focus. Core courses include GSAS 6100, Game Studies Theory and Praxis, which provides a foundation in critical approaches to games and interactive media, and GSAS 6200, Topics in Game Research, which introduces contemporary issues and methods in game studies. Additionally, students begin their Master’s Project (GSAS 6980), a three-credit research or production-based endeavor supervised by a faculty advisor. The second semester continues this integration of theory, research, and practice with another HASS elective and free elective, alongside advanced coursework including a repeated offering of GSAS 6200 and GSAS 6300, Research Methods in Critical Game Design, which emphasizes rigorous methodologies for independent game research and development. Students also continue their Master’s Project, culminating in a portfolio-ready product, research documentation, and scholarly engagement, ensuring a comprehensive preparation for careers in game design, technology, and academic research.