FAQ

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About this Course

You can find more information on the learning objectives, content, logistics, and deadlines in the Course
Syllabus [https://class.coursera.org/uvg-001/wiki/syllabus].

What is the level of this course?

UVG is a third-level university course. No previous experience with video games is necessary, although
familiarity with the topic will help. This course explores the social and cultural impact of video games and
provides a framework for interpreting this challenging media form. Topics include play and game, emergent
and progressive gameplay, game mechanics, story and games, interpreting games, gaming cultures,
violence and games, sex and games, race and games, and serious games. So, even if you have loved
video games since you were a child, you will almost certainly learn something new from this course! Our
goal is that by the end of the course, you will be able to ask better questions of the games you play.
Students at the University of Alberta who wish to take UVG for credit as STS 350 or STS 351 should
consult with their academic advisor to see how these courses fit into their degree program.

What resources do I need to succeed at UVG?

In addition to the video lectures and discussion forums, readings and lesson resources are provided. The
lesson resources include information about the learning objectives for each lesson, and links to blog posts,
additional videos, and other resources. Material in the lesson resources and the required readings will
appear on the exams. Specific material from the recommended additional material will not appear in the
exams. We encourage all of you to seek out and share interesting readings and videos in the discussion
forums!

Do I earn University of Alberta credits upon completion of UVG?

No, certificates of completion do not confer formal credits from the University of Alberta. You must be a
registered University of Alberta student in order to enroll in, and receive credit for, STS 350 and STS 351.

What are the deadlines for this course?

UVG has an unusual format compared to many other MOOCs. All of our lessons are available immediately
at the beginning of the semester, and there is only one deadline for the quizzes at the end of the semester.
Some students complete one lesson per week, and others do the entire course within a few days! However
you choose to take Dino 101, all of the quizzes must be submitted by 17 December 2014 if you would like
to receive a certificate (see Grading and Logistics for more information). All certificates are released later,
regardless of when you personally complete the course.

University of Alberta students should consult the course syllabus and information on eClass for information
about exam dates and other important deadlines for STS 350 and STS 351. University of Alberta students
must be able to physically come to the University of Alberta north campus to take the proctored exams.

What time zone are the deadlines set within?

Deadlines for UVG are set in PST, Pacific Standard Time (UTC -8:00). Most provinces in Canada observe
Daylight Savings Time, which results in a one hour shift forwards in the spring, and one hour backwards in
the fall. The University of Alberta is located in Edmonton, Alberta in the Mountain Standard Time zone
(UTC 7:00), and all of our teaching staff live in this time zone.

Can I discuss the quizzes?

You are welcome to ask questions about the quizzes in general, but please do not reveal the answers to
the quizzes in the discussion forums.

Why has a thread been locked?

A thread might be locked or closed if the discussion violated the course's code of conduct.

Will UVG be available after the deadline?

UVG will remain available in archive form after the course end date for a little while.

Will this course run again in another session?

We plan to run UVG again in September 2015.

Created Sat 30 Aug 2014 12:02 PM PET

Last Modified Wed 3 Sep 2014 9:20 AM PET