Over the last few decades, the video game industry has become more profitable than most other forms of media, like film and literature, combined. But with popularity and global success, for both large studios and independent developers, comes the question of privilege – who gets to participate in this massively lucrative business? Which structures of power can prevent marginalised individuals from being included? What role to players/consumers have? And why are most main characters cis, straight, white, able-bodied men?In this course, students will become familiar with the study and academic analysis of video games through a critical Queer/Gender Studies lens, both through theoretical input and practical examples, highlighting previously overlooked perspectives.

short lecture inputsclass discussions of assigned textsstudent presentations

Topics we will discuss include but are not limited to:agency (and how it affects representational aspects)hegemony/oppressive societal and political structures (e.g. heteronormativity)The importance of intersectionality/Intersectional Feminismthe video game industryhow to use theoretical tools to analyse a video game in an academic setting

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Students who are enrolled in the Gender Studies extension programme or whose curriculum includes the respective course as a mandatory subject will be given preferential admission.ATTENTION: For a preferential admission, it is imperative that you register for the course using the study programme Gender Studies Extension or the respective degree programme for which the course is mandatory. Otherwise, preferential admission cannot be considered.

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30% Active Participation30% Presentation40% Final Paper Failing one pillar of assessment results in failing the entire class!

assigned reading materialsfoundational concepts within Game Studies, Queer/Gender Studies and Queer Game Studies (e.g. intersectionality, agency)students can choose the topics of their presentations and papers freely (within the framework of the class)

quality and quantity of secondary sourcesquality and structure of argumentdepth of game analysisThe use of AI (e.g. ChatGPT) for completing assignments is strictly forbidden and will lead to a negative grade, removal from the class as well as a report to university leadership. There is the possibility of an individual, oral follow-up defence in order to check whether this rule is respected.