Governance of Virtual Worlds
SLN #: 26479Course Prefix: LAW-791
Course Section: 019
Credit Hours: 3
Instructor(s): Mableson;Holst
Course Books: View List of Books
Course Description:
Virtual worlds, including massively multiplayer online games (MMOs), used by tens of millions of people worldwide, have given rise to new forms of social, economic and political organization, and present unique challenges in their interaction with current legal, political, economic and cultural institutions. This course will use cross-disciplinary methods to examine community self-governance within virtual worlds, as well as regulation of virtual worlds by businesses and governments worldwide.
The workload and intellectual demands for this course will be substantial. We will usually meet three hours a week in a seminar setting, but may substitute sessions within a virtual environment for some or all of any week’s course time.
While no previous familiarity with virtual worlds or MMOs is required, students must be comfortable with software tools and online discussion.
A significant portion of this course will involve a hands-on experiment in virtual worlds governance. Active participation in the project, or an equivalent, will be essential to success in the course.
Graduate students in many fields (including CSPO students, political science, education, engineering and graphic arts), and exceptional undergraduates are welcome. Enrollment will be capped at 20 law students and 20 students from other fields.
Additional Information:
Credit Hours: 3
Grading Option: Numeric Grade and ONE-Time Pass Option is Available, or Letter Grade Only
Written Assignment: Yes
Graduation Writing Requirement: No
Flexible/Upper-Level Writing Requirement: No
Skills Requirement: No
Simulation Course: No
Experiential Learning: No
Seminar: No
Special Withdrawal Course: No
Final Exam Given: No
Paper Or In-Class Presentation: Yes
Participation Points: Yes
Attendance Policy: Per Statement Of Student Policies
* The law school has a policy that is used to calculate credit hours. Please see the Statement of Student Policies.