Course Schedule and Catalog

Long Title: RISE OF ESPORTS INFRASTRUCTURE/STATUS AND LEAGUE (DUNCAN)

Department: College Courses

Grade Mode: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory

Language of Instruction: Taught in English

Course Type: Seminar

Credit Hours: 1

Description: The Esports industry has quietly existed since the late 1990s. However, recently the wildly popular MOBA game known as League of Legends and its pro scene has brought the Esports industry to the forefront. With all the good and bad the game has done for the esports community, we must ask ourselves: To what extent has League of Legends accounted for the success of esports and the creation of a toxic subculture, and how will its role evolve? Students will be introduced to the mechanics of the game in order to adopt a player perspective during analysis of esports. Through class discussion, readings, and responses, they will trace the impact the game has had on the rise of esports infrastructure, viewership and the creation of toxic player interactions between themselves and towards the teams they support. After completing this course, students should walk away with a greater understanding of esports, an appreciation for how far esports has come, and, possibly, a desire to participate in the esports community as a positive influence.