Ever present in cultures around the world, games and play are integral parts of life. Yet outside industry and academia, there is little thoughtful attention paid to games and their play. This course will provide students with an opportunity to think about the histories, theories, criticisms, and aesthetics of games as a cultural form. Each week, we will discuss a particular theme through a set of readings and gameplay assignments. In addition to weekly discussions, students will pick a topic around which to write a paper as an opportunity to think through games and play.