Videojuegos para el Cambio Social: Comunicación y Diseño Crítico

Course Description

"Videojuegos para el Cambio Social: Comunicación y Diseño Crítico" is an innovative online course that explores the powerful medium of video games as a tool for social change and effective communication. This course offers a unique cultural perspective on video games, analyzing their nature and demonstrating how they can be used to address and highlight social issues. By combining elements of communication studies, social sciences, and digital design, this course provides a comprehensive understanding of how video games can be leveraged to create meaningful impact and engage players in critical thinking about societal problems.

What Students Will Learn

  • The characteristics of video games as a communication medium
  • The history of critical video games and notable cases in recent years
  • Formal elements of video games, their persuasive approach, and communication skills
  • Methodology for designing critical video games
  • Creation of a design document for communication in video games
  • The importance of communication in video games and its effects on players
  • How game creators can use effective communication in their designs and development processes

Prerequisites

No technical knowledge is required for this course. The only prerequisites are a desire for a better world and the motivation to use video games as a means to achieve it. This course is accessible to anyone with an interest in exploring the potential of digital media for social mobilization.

Course Content

  • Cultural perspective of video games as a communication medium
  • Analysis of video game nature and its potential for addressing social issues
  • Principles of critical video game design
  • Case studies of video games that effectively communicate social problems
  • Interactive analysis of various video games from different perspectives
  • Effective communication strategies in video game design
  • The intersection of communication, social sciences, and digital design in video games

Who This Course Is For

This online course is ideal for academics and professionals in the fields of communication, social sciences, and digital design. It is particularly valuable for:

  • Game creators looking to incorporate effective messaging in their designs
  • Communication professionals interested in exploring new media for social impact
  • Social scientists studying the effects of interactive media on society
  • Digital designers seeking to create meaningful and impactful experiences
  • Anyone interested in the potential of digital media for social mobilization and change

Real-World Applications

The skills acquired in this course have numerous real-world applications:

  • Game developers can create more impactful and socially conscious games
  • Communication professionals can leverage video games for campaigns and awareness initiatives
  • Social scientists can better understand and utilize interactive media for research and outreach
  • Digital designers can create more engaging and meaningful user experiences
  • Activists and social change advocates can harness the power of video games to promote their causes
  • Educators can incorporate game-based learning to address social issues in their curriculum
  • Policy makers can gain insights into using interactive media for public engagement and policy communication

Note

This course focuses on conceptual and design aspects and does not cover programming or the use of any specific software, making it accessible to a wide range of learners interested in the communicative power of video games for social change.