Course Calendar
Cultivating Transformational Communities: Course Schedule
- For detailed requirements for assignments, see the Schedule & Instructions link.
- All assignments are due the end class on the day assigned, i.e. Mondays at 11:59pm in your time zone. When possible, please post the night before to make sure your peers have time to comment upon your posts.
- Discussions and Journals marked as Optional for Pass are recommended to skip if you want to go for a Pass instead of a Pass with Distinction. You will still be required to examine the homework materials leading up to those assignments.
- On some days, students have the choice of either attending a synchronous ROCKET session on Zoom (highly recommended), or completing the written homework for that day.
Week 1 – Unit 1 & 2
Monday
Activities:
- Choose a playtest group based on times available under groups. You can choose the same group as last time or join a different one. Please organize in groups of 4.
- Post an introduction to your small group.
- Organize a playtest session with your group.
Homework:
- Watch Caro Murphy’s “Creating Transformative Communities” and Diana J. Leonard’s “Promoting Healthy Communities in Larp.”
- Read Lizzie Stark’s “Building Larp Communities: Social Engineering for Good” and Laura Wood’s “Why Larp Community Matters and How We Can Improve It.”
- Read Bowman’s “Interactional Dynamics in Role-Playing Games”
- Optional: Read Baird and Bowman’s “The Transformative Potential of Immersive Experiences Within Role-playing Communities.”
Wednesday
Activities:
- Complete Discussion 1: Leveling Up Role-playing Communities by 11:59pm in your time zone.
Homework:
- Watch (0:33:00 – 01:05:00) from Angie Bandhoesingh’s “Roleplaying with Kids: Creating Transformative Experiences for Children Under 12.”
- Watch Bowman’s “Safety in Role playing Games Part V: Cultivating Safer Communities.”
- Read Kim’s “Writing an Autobiographical Game.”
- If needed, review Bowman’s “Safety in Role playing Games Part I.”
Friday
Activities:
- Complete Reflection Journal 1: Safety, Autobiographical Games, and You by 11:59pm in your time zone.
Homework:
- In preparation for Playtest 1, familiarize yourself with the “Crisis Management Workshop from Living Games 2016.” Read Page 7 carefully before the session for best practices.
- Read Nilsen’s “High on Hell,” Pedersen’s “Tears and the New Norm,” Pedersen’s “Your Larp’s Only As Safe As its Safety Culture,” and Bowman’s “A Matter of Trust: Larp and Consent Culture.”
- Content advisory for “High on Hell”: This article includes mentions and descriptions of addiction, incarceration, violence, sexualized violence, dehumanization, verbal and physical abuse, and indoctrination. Please contact your instructor if you need any alternative assignment.
- Choose one (1) article to read from the Consent category.
Week 2 – Unit 2
Monday – Unit 2
Activities:
- Complete Discussion 2: Cultures of Hardcore, Consent, and Safety by 11:59pm in your time zone.
Homework:
- Read from the beginning of Bowman, Hugaas, and Sekulic’s “Chapter 5” to the end of section “5.3 Psychological risks in implementation” in Implementing (209-222).
- Optional: Read Bowman and Hugaas’ “Philosophies of Psychological Safety in Role-playing Games.”
Wednesday – Unit 2
Activities:
- Complete Playtest 1: Crisis Management Scenarios by 11:59pm in your time zone.
- Schedule Playtest 2: Autobiographical Games.
- Do not playtest your autobiographical game until after you have completed Major Assignment 1
Homework:
- Log into the ROCKET Studium shell.
- Read the Diversity and Conflict section.
- Read Vanek’s “Behind the Larp Census: 29.751 Larpers Can’t (All) Be Wrong.”
- Read Burton, Trammell, and Jones’ “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Role-playing Games.”
Friday – Unit 2
Activities:
- Log into the ROCKET Studium shell.
- Complete Reflection Journal A: Diversity, Conflict, and You by 11:59pm in your time zone.
- Read Instructions for Major Assignment 1: Autobiographical Game Design Document.
Homework:
- Choose three (3) items that you have not yet read for this course from three (3) of the following categories: Triggers, Activation, and Emotional Flooding; Bleed; Alibi; and Post-Game Emotional Reactions.
- Work on Major Assignment 1: Autobiographical Game Design Document.
Week 3 – Units 2, 3 & 4
Monday – Unit 2 & 3
Activities:
- Complete Discussion 3: Emotional Intensity and Role-playing Games.
Homework:
- Read Torner’s “Just (the Institution of Computer) Game Studies.”
- Choose one (1) item from different content creators (unless two are specified) to examine under the following categories for a total of two (2) items: Analog Role-playing Game Academics and Academia and Leisure Communities
- Work on Major Assignment 1: Autobiographical Game Design Document.
Wednesday – Unit 3
Activities:
- Optional for Pass: Complete Discussion 4: Analog Role-playing Game Studies by 11:59pm in your time zone.
Homework:
- Log into the ROCKET Studium shell.
- Watch Bowman’s “Introduction to Conflict Transformation.”
- Examine all sections of the Introduction to Conflict Transformation module.
- Make an appointment at the Language Workshop if you need extra assistance with your writing.
- Work on Major Assignment 1: Autobiographical Game Design Document.
Friday – Unit 3 & 4
Activities:
- Log into the ROCKET Studium shell.
- Complete Discussion A: Introduce Yourself and Connect by 11:59pm in your time zone.
Homework:
- Choose one (1) of the following:
- Watch Diakolambrianou and Bowman’s “Groups: Processes, Dynamics, Facilitation and Creativity” or
- Review section “3.8: Theories of Interaction” from Chapter 3 by Diakolambrianou et al. of Transformative Role-playing Game Design.
- Optional: Read Leonard and Arango’s “The Dynamic Life Cycle of Live Action Role-play Communities.”
- Work on Major Assignment 1: Autobiographical Game Design Document.
Week 4 – Unit 4
Monday – Unit 4
Activities:
- Complete Discussion 5: Group Work, Listening, and Feedback by 11:59pm in your time zone.
Homework:
- Read from the beginning of Bowman, Hugaas, and Sekulic’s “Chapter 5” section “5.6 Pre-game communication and workshops” to the end of section “5.8 After the game” in Implementing (228-236).
- Make an appointment at the Language Workshop if you need extra assistance with your writing.
- Work on Major Assignment 1: Autobiographical Game Design Document.
Wednesday – Unit 4
Activities:
- Complete appointment with the Language Workshop (if needed).
Homework:
- Work on Major Assignment 1: Autobiographical Game Design Document.
Friday – Unit 4
Activities:
- Submit Major Assignment 1: Autobiographical Game Design Document by 11:59pm in your time zone.
- Read Instructions for Major Assignment 2: Cultivating Transformational Communities.
Homework:
- Log into the ROCKET Studium shell.
- Examine all sections from the Positions, Interests, Feelings, and Needs module.
- Examine all sections from the Nonviolent Communication and “I” Statements modules.
- Read Toft and Harrer’s “Design Bleed: A Standpoint Methodology for Game Design.”
Week 5 – Units 4, 5 & 6
Monday – Units 4 & 5
Activities:
- Log into the ROCKET Studium shell.
- Complete Discussion B: Positions, Interests, Feelings, and Needs by 11:59pm in your time zone.
Homework:
- Watch Ane Marie Anderson and Martin Nielsen’s “Pillars and Parasites.”
- Read Rafael Boccamazzo’s “Lessons Learned from Both Sides of Games” and Teos Abadía’s “The Community Rises at the D&D Creator Summit.”
Content Advisory for Boccamazzo: Discussion of harassment, threats, and mental health challenges. Let the instructor know if you need an alternative assignment
- Review Bowman’s “Social Conflict in Role-playing Communities: An Exploratory Qualitative Study.”
- Work on Major Assignment 2: Cultivating Transformational Communities.
Wednesday – Unit 5
Activities:
- Choose one (1) of the following:
- Attend ROCKET Session 1 on Zoom from 11:30 am–1:30 pm CEST, Zoom link under Modules, or
- Complete Reflection Journal 2: Community Toxicity, Dysfunction, and You by 11:59pm in your time zone.
Homework:
- Read until the end of Bowman, Hugaas, and Sekulic’s “Chapter 5” starting with section “5.10 Conflicts and implementing RPGs” (241-245).
- Optional: Watch Ford’s “Mind the Gap: Barriers to Larping for People from Backgrounds of Structural Poverty.”
- Work on Major Assignment 2: Cultivating Transformational Communities.
Friday – Units 5 & 6
Activities:
- Complete Playtest 2: Autobiographical Games.
- Schedule Playtest 3: Autobiographical Games (if needed).
- Schedule appointment with the Language Workshop (if needed).
Homework:
- Choose three (3) items to examine from different content creators in the following categories under Recommended Materials for a total of three (3) articles: Social Status/Appearance; Race/Ethnicity; and Gender/Sexuality.
- Optional: Read Williams, Kirschner, Mizer, and Deterding’s “12. Sociology and Role-playing Games.”
- Work on Major Assignment 2: Cultivating Transformational Communities.
Week 6 – Unit 6
Monday – Unit 6
Activities:
- Complete Discussion 6: Social Identities and Conflicts in RPG Communities by 11:59pm in your time zone.
Homework:
- Work on Major Assignment 2: Cultivating Transformational Communities.
Wednesday – Unit 6
Activities:
- Complete appointment with the Language Workshop (if needed).
Homework:
- Work on Major Assignment 2: Cultivating Transformational Communities.
Friday – Unit 6
Activities:
- Complete Playtest 3: Autobiographical Games (if needed).
Homework:
- Work on Major Assignment 2: Cultivating Transformational Communities.
Week 7 – Unit 6 & 7
Monday – Unit 6
Activities:
- Submit First Draft of Major Assignment 2: Cultivating Transformational Communities by 11:59pm in your time zone.
- Read Peer Review Instructions for Major Assignment 2.
- Send First Complete Draft of Major Assignment 2 to your peers in your group by 11:59pm in your time zone.
Homework:
- Log into the ROCKET Studium shell.
- Examine all sections from the Conflict Styles module.
- Take the Elements Conflict Styles Assessment, reviewing the scores for your own reference.
- Work on Peer reviews.
Wednesday – Unit 6 & 7
Activities:
- Choose one (1) of the following:
- Attend ROCKET Session 2 on Zoom from 11:30 am–1:30 pm CEST, or Zoom link under Modules, or
- Log into the ROCKET Studium shell.
- Complete Discussion C: Conflict Styles by 11:59pm in your time zone.
Activities:
- Work on Peer Reviews for Major Assignment 2, sending your feedback as soon as it’s ready.
Homework:
- Read James Mendez Hodes’ “Representation Tier List.”
- Review: Diana J. Leonard, Jovo Janjetovic, and Maximilian Usman’s “Playing to Experience Marginalization: Benefits and Drawbacks of ‘Dark Tourism’ in Larp.”
- Optional: Choose one (1) item to examine from different content creators in the following categories for a total of two (2) items: Accessibility and Neurodiversity.
- Optional: Read Axiel Cazeneuve’s “The Paradox of Inclusivity.”
- Revise Major Assignment 2 according to peer and instructor feedback when available.
Friday – Unit 7
Activities:
- Complete Reflection Journal 3: Representation, Inclusion, and You by 11:59pm in your time zone.
Homework:
- Choose one (1) item to examine from different content creators from the following three (3) categories for a total of three (3) items: Safety Teams, Anti-Harassment Movements, and Organizer Safety.
- Work on Peer Reviews for Major Assignment 2, sending your feedback as soon as it’s ready.
- Revise Major Assignment 2 based on peer and instructor feedback when available.
Week 8 – Unit 8
Monday – Unit 8
Activities:
- Complete Discussion 7: Safety Teams, Anti-Harassment Movements, and Organizer Safety.
Homework:
- Read +Bowman, Hugaas, and Sekulic’s “Chapter 5” section “5.5 Safer play” (222-228) and section “5.9 Safer community container setting (236-241).
- Work on Peer Reviews for Major Assignment 2, sending your feedback as soon as it’s ready.
- Revise Major Assignment 2 based on peer and instructor feedback when available.
Wednesday – Unit 8
Activities:
- Send 1-3 Peer Reviews: Major Assignment 2 to your peers if you have not already.
- Also upload your reviews under the assignment link in Studium for grading
Homework:
- Revise Major Assignment 2 based on peer and instructor feedback when available.
Friday – Unit 8
Activities:
- Optional for Pass: Complete Discussion D: Worldview, Cognitive Dissonance, and Perception Checking by 11:59pm in your time zone.
Homework:
- Read the Living Games Conference 2018’s “Code of Conduct and Guidelines for Encouraged Behavior” and “Internal Procedures.”
- Revise Major Assignment 2 based on peer and instructor feedback when available.
Week 9 – Units 8, 9 & 10
Monday – Unit 8
Activities:
- Complete Reflection Journal 4: Codes of Conduct, Encouraged Behavior, and Internal Procedures by 11:59pm in your time zone.
Homework:
- Log into the ROCKET shell in Studium.
- Examine all materials under the Worldview, Cognitive Dissonance, and Perception Checking module.
- Optional: Choose one (1) item to examine under Cultures of Care.
- Optional: Watch John Stavropoulos’ “Innovating for Growth: Designing a Culture of Safety in Games.
- Revise Major Assignment 2 based on peer and instructor feedback.
Wednesday – Units 8 & 9
Activities:
- Optional (but recommended):
- Attend ROCKET Session 3 on Zoom from 11:30 am–12:30 pm CEST.
- Complete appointment with the Language Workshop (if needed).
Homework:
- Choose one (1) item to examine from three (3) of the following cultures for a total of three (3) items: Russia and Belarus; Spain; Greece; North America; Switzerland and France; Singapore; the Arab World; and China.
- Revise Major Assignment 2 based on peer and instructor feedback when available.
Friday – Units 9 & 10
Activities:
- Complete Discussion 8: RPG Communities Around the World by 11:59pm in your time zone.
Homework:
- Make an appointment at the Language Workshop if you need extra assistance with your writing.
- Revise Major Assignment 2 based on peer and instructor feedback.
Week 10 – Unit 10
Monday – Unit 10
Activities:
- Complete Reflection Journal 5: Transformational Communities and You by 11:59pm in your time zone.
Homework:
- Optional: Choose one (1) podcast from the Backstory Podcast from the Recommended Materials list to examine.
- Revise Major Assignment 2 based on peer and instructor feedback.
Wednesday – Unit 10
Activities:
- Complete appointment with the Language Workshop (if needed).
Homework:
- Revise Major Assignment 2 based on peer and instructor feedback when available.
Friday – Unit 10
Activities:
- Submit Final Draft of Major Assignment 2: Cultivating Transformational Communities by 11:59pm in your time zone.
Course schedule is subject to change at the discretion of the instructor(s). Please note that schedule changes may occur during the semester.