Gaming for Girls – feminist game history and making your own game

Instructor: Claire Graman

Dates and times: July 20, 21, 22, 23, & 24, 2020, 2:15 p.m.-3:15 p.m.

For ages 13-17

Platform: Computer with Zoom

Supplies/requirements: Writing materials and access to a computer with Zoom.

Video games have taken over our entertainment landscape with billions of fans worldwide. Yet sexism still persists in its production and culture. Gaming for Girls will educate girls on the rich history of women in video game history and teach girls to program their own video game via Scratch, MIT’s educational software.

Course Outline:

1. Introduction

A brief history and overview of the video game industry.

2. Representation of Women in Video Games

How are women and girls represented in video games?

3. The Women Who Make Video Games

Who are the female programmers of yesterday and today? What are their contributions?

4. Perspective: Critiquing Video Games

We’ll look at feminist analysts like Anita Sarkeesian, reporters, and YouTubers, and introduce Scratch, the MIT-developed video-game software.

5. Programming

Girls make their own game with Scratch.