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CAS 201 800: Osw3go ARG Islamophobia

CRN 16110
Quarter 4: March 19 - May 4, 2012
Wednesdays, 6:10 - 7:30 pm
Instructors: Lisa Glidden (Politics) and Ulises Mejias (Communication Studies and Integrated Media)

Introduction:

Osw3go.net is a parallel universe to Oswego, New York. Specifically, it is an alternate reality game (ARG). But the participants in Osw3go do not inhabit a virtual world where they control anonymous avatars. Rather, they play themselves in the game, interacting with other real members of the Oswego community. ARGs are open-ended narratives that are collectively played by participants in real-time using a variety of social media. The ARG creatively uses media to involve various members of the community in analyzing a real-life problem, collectively articulating a multitude of realistic and possible responses to it, and examining the question of what form action should take after the game.

Course Description:

This year, Osw3go.net will consider the issue of Islamophobia on campus and in our community. Join this Alternate Reality Game to participate in academic, artistic and civic engagement activities, both online and on campus. The course will incorporate participation in activities like concerts, film screenings, a book club (The Reluctant Fundamentalist), a media competition, a teach-in, civic engagement projects, etc. -- all tied to the game.

How you will be graded:

Your final grade will be assigned according to your level of achievement in the game. Below is a list of the different levels of participation. Participation at Level 1 would constitute a C-, while participation at Level 5 would constitute an A+.

Level 1 – Participate: play the online ARG.

Level 2 – Invite: Get another person to participate in the game.

Level 3 – Attend: show up for an offline activity (teach-in, book club, screening, etc.).

Level 4 – Educate: organize an offline activity (teach-in, book club, screening, etc.).

Level 5 – Act: organize a civic engagement project related to the issues raised in the ARG (volunteer work, fundraiser, educational campaign, etc.)

 

 

Watch a video about last year's Osw3go.net ARG:

(video by Jeff Felix)