Handbook home
The Ethics of Gaming (PHIL90041)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5Not available in 2020
For information about the University’s phased return to campus and in-person activity in Winter and Semester 2, please refer to the on-campus subjects page.
Please refer to the LMS for up-to-date subject information, including assessment and participation requirements, for subjects being offered in 2020.
Overview
Fees | Look up fees |
---|
Within the context of video games, is it appropriate to judge a legitimate action or even a more sustained gaming strategy as morally good or bad? Should virtual enactments within video games be something to warrant moral interest? If so, should there be a limit to what can be enacted or represented within these games, and how do we arrive at this limit? If not, why not? In short, why might the indignant cry of “It’s just a game” not be sufficient to stave off those who would insist on the enactment of virtual taboos being the subject of moral scrutiny?
Students will be afforded an opportunity to cast a critical eye over the applicability of traditional and more contemporary theories of morality to the enactment of taboos within gamespace (inter alia Hume, Kant, Virtue Theory). Can these approaches be used to guide the selective prohibition of video game content by informing us about what should be permitted and what (if anything) should not within these playful arenas?
In addition, rather than endorsing the idea that video game content and enactments are either morally good or bad per se, as an alternative, students will be encouraged to evaluate psychological (and other) research / theory relating to what individuals are able to cope with when engaged in simulations of taboo activities. Might such research / theory provide the basis for a more informed metric of permissibility?
Students will tackle questions such as:
- A priori, what justification is there for the selective prohibition of gaming content?
- A posteriori, what justification is there for the selective prohibition of gaming content?
- How important is player motivation for determining the morality of enacting virtual taboos, or the narrative and what it appears to be endorsing?
- Should the virtual enactment of taboos be used to (i) identify those with a predilection for certain types of taboos (e.g., paedophilia) and (b) their treatment?
As noted above, students will encounter a variety of philosophical theories of morality, as well as interdisciplinary empirical research (e.g., psychology, media studies, sociology)
Intended learning outcomes
Students who successfully complete this subject will:
- be able to evaluate the applicability of traditional and contemporary moral theories to the debate over the permissibility of 'violent' or otherwise 'taboo' video game content;
- be able to reflect critically on empirical, methodological and epistemological issues that have arisen within research on video game content;
- have developed a critical understanding of the role of socio-cultural values, as well as the gamer as an ethical agent, in shaping attitudes towards video game content;
- be able to engage with the ongoing debate over the permissibility of certain video game content in a coherent and informed manner.
Generic skills
Students who successfully complete this subject should be able to:
- Select and analyse evidence and argument
- Critique existing evidence and argument effectively
- Present a reasoned argument (e.g., provide a clear, coherent and persuasive argument as a written presentation; effectively defend and challenge argument within group discussions)
- Communicate effectively at different levels (e.g., specialists; peers and non-specialists)
- Work independently
- Manage time effectively
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Recommended background knowledge
Some knowledge of video games would be useful but not essential.
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Assessment
Due to the impact of COVID-19, assessment may differ from that published in the Handbook. Students are reminded to check the subject assessment requirements published in the subject outline on the LMS
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
A critical review of a journal article. Students will select from a range of journal articles provided (independently sourced article could be agreed with tutor)
| Week 6 | 30% |
An essay. Students will select an essay title from a list provided (or negotiate their own title with the tutor)
| During the examination period | 70% |
Hurdle requirement: Students are required to attend a minimum of 80% of classes in order to pass this subject and regular class participation is expected. | Throughout the teaching period | N/A |
Additional details
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Dates & times
Not available in 2020
Time commitment details
170 hours
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
Young, G. (2014). Ethics in the virtual world: The morality and psychology of gaming. Routledge
- Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.
Last updated: 3 November 2022