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Media Theory and Media Analysis: Agency in Webcomics and Video Games [NDL3 K2, WP-NDL, WP-X, PK-Ersatz-BA_v01]
DozentIn: Kieron Brown, M.A.
Veranstaltungstyp: Seminar
Ort: 41/E09
Zeiten: Mi. 10:00 - 12:00 (wöchentlich)
Beschreibung: While agency, as the potential for “meaningful” choice or action, can be considered a defining feature of video games, this is less the case for comics, which have nevertheless begun to experiment with novel forms of interactivity. In this seminar, we will explore the topic of agency in both media, adopting a primarily narrative-oriented approach. By engaging with a range of digital comics, story-rich video games, as well as artefacts that combine comics and video game features, we will attempt to answer the following questions and more:
- How might the notion of meaningful choice be reconciled with the historically “static” medium of comics?
- What forms of agency exist beyond being able to impact the outcome of a story? How do these different kinds of agency nevertheless affect the storytelling capabilities of digital comics and video games?
- How can the provision of agency (or pointed limitations of agency) be used to self-reflexively comment on the natures of both media?
Please note that in-class discussions and preparatory readings for the weekly sessions will be in English. A weekly schedule that includes selected preparatory readings will be established in the first session. The final exam takes the form of a longer essay (a “Hausarbeit”).
