The Culture of Gaming in Japan

3 credits · Undergraduate

(3 hrs Lecture) Japan's contributions to the world of gaming are long and profound, from Nintendo and Sudoku to even collectible cards. This course applies the Japanese concept of asobi or "play" as a backdrop to understand how Japan's culture of gaming continues to remain central to both Japan and global societies. We examine traditional games like Hyakunin isshu (a visual and poetic card game) and Shogi (a board game much like chess), wordplay in classical texts, and of course the ongoing evolution of video games. Experimental Course - This course is offered on a trial basis to gauge interest in the topic. Students who successfully complete this course receive credit as indicated.