Masterpieces of Digital Culture - The Last of Us Part II and Death Stranding 03-F-AKC

Course Objectives
The course "Masterpieces of Digital Culture – The Last of Us Part II and Death Stranding" offers an in-depth analysis of digital interactive experiences as advanced cultural texts of high artistic, narrative, and philosophical value. The course focuses on understanding complex narrative, sensory, and performative mechanisms and their role in creating emotional and intellectual experiences for the audience. Key objectives include:

Applying a proprietary model for analyzing interactive fiction, considering narrative, emotions, sensory elements, technology, and interactivity.
Exploring the cultural, philosophical, and social dimensions of these works, including themes such as loneliness, solidarity, and moral dilemmas.
Developing skills in analyzing and interpreting digital cultural texts with a focus on critical perspectives on interactive experiences as a contemporary art form.

Course Program
Introduction: Why Can Digital Interactive Experiences Be Considered Masterpieces?

Defining "masterpiece" in the context of digital cultural texts.
Multimedia, interactivity, and performativity as foundations of modern narratives.
Introduction to a proprietary model for analyzing interactive fiction.
The Last of Us Part II (14 hours)

Narrative and Plot: Multilayered storytelling, moral ambiguities, and character relationships.
Emotions: How digital interactive experiences evoke empathy and reflections on violence.
Sensory Stimuli: Analysis of visual and auditory aesthetics as narrative tools.
Mysteries and Discovery: Flashbacks, narrative surprises, and layered storytelling.
Technology and Interactivity: Naughty Dog's technical innovations as narrative tools.
Death Stranding (14 hours)

Narrative and Plot: The central theme of "connections" and a post-apocalyptic narrative structure.
Emotions: Loneliness, solidarity, and the metaphorical nature of player missions.
Sensory Stimuli: The role of landscapes, music, and silence in storytelling.
Mysteries and Discovery: Symbolism of objects and locations.

Module learning aims

(in Polish) Celem zajęć „Arcydzieła kultury cyfrowej – The Last of Us Part II i Death Stranding” jest zapoznanie studentów z wyjątkowymi przykładami cyfrowych doświadczeń interaktywnych (gier wideo), które przekraczają granice tradycyjnej rozrywki, stając się interaktywnymi tekstami kultury o wysokiej wartości artystycznej, narracyjnej i filozoficznej. Podczas kursu studenci będą mieli okazję przeanalizować te dzieła w kontekście ich wkładu w rozwój narracji interaktywnych oraz ich wpływu na współczesną kulturę cyfrową.

Major

(in Polish) Groznawstwo, Filmoznawstwo, Filologia polska

Methods of teaching for learning outcomes achievement

(in Polish) Dyskusja, metoda analizy przypadków, metoda badawcza (dociekania naukowego), metoda warsztatowa, praca w grupach.

Module type

elective

Pre-requisites in terms of knowledge, skills and social competences

(in Polish) bardzo dobra wiedza z zakresu analizy fikcji interaktywnych (m.in. storyworld i storytelling), dobra wiedza z zakresu narratologii transmedialnej, dostateczna wiedza ogólna o poetyce filmu.

Course coordinators

Mirosław Wobalis

Learning outcomes

Learning Outcomes
Upon completing the course, the student will:

Knowledge:

Understand the terminology of narratology and interactive fiction analysis.
Comprehend the narrative, emotional, and technological aspects of digital interactive experiences.
Contextualize the discussed works within cultural, philosophical, and societal frameworks.
Skills:

Apply a proprietary model for analyzing interactive fiction in research.
Critically analyze and interpret digital interactive experiences, focusing on their narrative, sensory, and technological aspects.
Work collaboratively on analytical and creative projects.
Social Competences:

Participate in critical discussions about contemporary cultural texts.
Develop an awareness of the impact of digital experiences on culture and society.

Additional information

Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system:

Description of 03-F-AKC in USOSweb