Course Schedule and Catalog

Department: College Courses

Meeting: 7:00PM - 7:50PM M (24-AUG-2026 - 4-DEC-2026) 

Part of Term: Full Term - No WL Purge

Grade Mode: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory

Course Type: Seminar

Language of Instruction: Taught in English

Method of Instruction: Face to Face

Credit Hours: 1

 

Section Max Enrollment: 19

Section Enrolled: 15

Waitlisted: 0 (Max 99) 

Current members of the waitlist have priority for available seats.

Enrollment data as of: 26-APR-2026 9:16AM

 

 

Final Exam: No Final Exam

 

Description: Does chess make you smarter? Why has gambling endured across human history? Can every game, in theory, be solved? Games are older than written language, algebra, and all Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Understanding games means understanding ourselves: why we play, what skills and behaviors games cultivate, and how those behaviors translate into real life after the game has ended. Each class centers on a “game of the day.” We will begin class with 15 minutes playing it, followed by a structured analysis of its historical origins, psychological demands, and neurological effects. We will discuss the historical conditions in which the game was invented, identify behaviors required to succeed in that environment, and evaluate how the game reinforces those behaviors. Drawing on research in neuroscience and psychology, we investigate how gameplay alters condition, decision-making, and social interaction. Students will engage in debates on game theory, analyze historical controversies, and consider whether certain games should not be played at all. Short exit tickets will reinforce important insights. For the final project, student teams will design and present an original game with a clearly defined behavioral or educational purpose, supported by historical precedent and scientific reasoning.