NOTE: This course has been cancelled due to low enrollment
This course introduces students to the world of modern board games. In recent years, board games have become something of a pop-culture phenomenon. This is, in part, because in our current “digital age” people are increasingly being drawn back to media that allow them to connect with others in person, rather than through a screen. Beyond promoting more positive face-to-face social interactions, board games have also been linked to potential health benefits, such as improved prevention of cognitive decline.
Classes will be divided into instructional sessions and full gaming sessions. Instructional sessions introduce students to a genre of modern board games, providing both historical background and cultural context, as well as teaching the rules of the games. Some of the genres we explore over the course include “Negotiation” games (Catan); “Co-operative” games (Pandemic); “Route-building” games (Ticket to Ride); “Drafting” games (Azul); “Roll & Write” games; and “Tile Placement” games (Carcassonne).
****NOTE**** There will be an extra fee of $55 for each participant to help purchase the games. This will be payable in cash to the instructor on the first day. At the end of each class, we will give away three copies of each game. Each student will take home (at least) one game over the course of the term.
Instructor: Dr. Jared McGeough
Jared McGeough (PhD Western) has taught a variety of courses in Canadian, Romantic, Victorian and Edwardian literature at Concordia (Montreal), the University of Regina, and ELLA. Current projects include editing digital editions of 19th-century author William Godwin’s educational books for children, and writing a biography of his father, former NHL referee Mick McGeough. In his spare time, Jared enjoys board games, as well as writing, recording and performing music.
