The first lecture

Theory

- theoretical approaches towards psychology of games and play

- definitions and conceptions (historical and present)

- function of play and games

Seminar and discussion

- is game purposeless or functional

- play vs. work

- virtual vs. real world

- digital games vs. traditional games

The second lecture

Theory

- play styles

- player types and motivation

- classification of games and play

- rhetorics of play

Seminar and discussion

- why do we play games

- "gamification" and professionalization

- player subculture

The third lecture:

- game structure (rules)

- game dynamics (strategies)

- game esthetics (experience and emotions)

- flow experience and immersion

Seminar and discussion

- how do we experience games

- how do we strategize

- impacts of games and play in the context of everyday life