Students are required to complete several assignments during the term:

Reading and Discussion Assignments:

Each week one or two students will present the weekly readings with questions and comments and also will lead the class discussion. Student(s) who present each week are expected to submit their in-class handout (1-page) assignment, including key arguments and ideas of readings, as well as 3–5 questions.

All other students are expected to have done the readings for the class and to actively participate in the discussion (with their opinions about major arguments, topics as well as questions).

Short Essay Assignments:

There are two short essay paper assignments during the term. Two short essay papers (3-4 pages, double-spaced, Times New Roman, 12pt) are due no later than noon (12:00 pm) on Fridays at Week 6 and Week 11.

• First Assignment (due Week 6): A question based on one of the readings from the first five weeks of the course will be answered with a short essay (3–4 pages, double-spaced, Times New Roman, 12pt).

• Second Assignment (due Week 11): Video Game Review (Assassin’s Creed: Mirage); a short essay (3–4 pages, double-spaced, Times New Roman, 12pt) will be written based on the guest lecture, your personal and group examination of the game at the Computer and Video Game Archive (CVGA) visit, weekly readings, and in-class discussions.

In-Class Group Play & Review Workshop:

Students will work in groups of two or three, play one of the games (the Hajj Trail, Digital Munya 2.0, or the Córdoba Journey), and write a 500-word (2 pages, double-spaced, Times New Roman, 12pt) review. They will write about your experience by providing some examples during your play with your group mate: what you think is interesting, what else you can add to the game, how this game enhances a gamer’s historical knowledge and learning about medieval Islamic art, archaeology, and visual culture or etc. Each group will post their experience and review on our course webpage.

Final Research Presentation Proposal and Bibliography:

Students will visit the Kelsey Museum of Archaeology (KMA) and the University of Michigan Museum of Art (UMMA) in their own time in order to prepare their final research presentation. Students will choose 3–5 objects, and learn about their histories including their meanings, uses, and geographical context. Please see the course references page to become familiar with some collections in both museums.

They will propose how to design a historical video game to teach about these objects and their broad histories to a general audience of gamers. Students are required to make an appointment with the instructor at any time to discuss their ongoing research. Their proposal and bibliography (300 words with 4–5 sources; double-spaced, Times New Roman; 12pt) are due no later than noon (12:00 pm) on Friday in Week 8.

Final Research Presentation:

Students are expected to make a final research presentation of 10 to 12 minutes. Their presentation will be about the video game design idea that they have been working on since they submitted their proposal. They will be presenting the objects and their histories that they chose from the Kelsey Museum of Archaeology (KMA) and/or the University of Michigan Museum of Art (UMMA). They will be presenting their ideas on how to use these objects in regard to their meanings and uses if they are a consultant to design a historical video game of the Middle Ages.

Students are required to prepare PowerPoint slides for their final research presentations. Students are also required to schedule a meeting with the instructor to discuss preliminary ideas, their working bibliography, and questions about their final research paper.