CMAC-660S
GAMES, PLAY, AND SELFHOOD
Not in Fall 2026
Term
Overview
Feedback is mostly positive. The strongest signal is that the readings, films, or examples carry real weight. Best for students who will engage with the materials instead of skimming everything. The sample is still thin, so treat this as directional rather than definitive.
DepartmentCMAC
Terms offeredSpring
Typical enrollment12–12
Semesters of data1
5
Responses
12
Enrollment
42%
Response Rate
Evaluation Scores
Overall quality
Teaching, content, and experience combined.
3.8
Intellectually stimulating
Challenges students to think deeply.
3.8
Instructor effectiveness
Explains concepts and facilitates learning.
4.6
Difficulty
Higher means harder.
3.4
Feedback Analysis
Feedback Analysislow
Analysis based on student evaluations
Based on 8 comments across 1 sections
Feedback is mostly positive. The strongest signal is that the readings, films, or examples carry real weight. Best for students who will engage with the materials instead of skimming everything. The sample is still thin, so treat this as directional rather than definitive.
Student Reports
How hard is the A?
A is doable but not automatic
The signal here is more do-the-work-and-you-should-be-fine than easy-A chatter. Students do not describe the A as automatic, but the evidence also does not paint grading as punishing.
Homework Load
Moderate homework load
Homework load looks moderate. The recurring signal is steady weekly work, but not a course that turns every assignment into a grind.
Lecture Load
Lighter lecture burden
Student comments describe this as more discussion-, seminar-, or workshop-driven than lecture-dependent. The lecture burden itself does not sound like the main source of friction.
Student Responses
material play, agency, and some film theory
Spring 2025 · Ginsburg, Shai
I learned to analyze games, digital play, and interactive films through various theoretical approaches, including new materialism, agency, and affect theory.
Spring 2025 · Ginsburg, Shai
In this course, I developed several valuable ways of thinking and analysis. First, I was introduced to foundational game theories that helped me understand how systems of rules, play, and interaction can be used to critique and reimagine social dynamics. Second, I strengthened my analytical mindset by learning to draw connections between diverse readings, case studies, and media, bringing together theory and practice in meaningful ways during discussion. Finally, I began to see technology not just as a tool but as a medium that shapes how we understand identity and selfhood, especially through immersive experiences like games, virtual realities, and interactive media.
Spring 2025 · Ginsburg, Shai
Rating History
Rating history
Error bars show \u00B11 std dev
| Term | Instructor | Overall | Difficulty | Hrs/wk | Enrolled |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring 2025 | Ginsburg, Shai 3.4Rate My ProfessorsQuality3.4Difficulty2.7Would retake25%Based on 7 ratingsClick to view on RMP → | 3.8 | 3.4 | — | 12 |
Instructor
Ginsburg, ShaiAMES
Also teaches
AMES-188FS GAMES AND CULTURE3.8AMES-541S JEWS AND THE END OF THEORY4.8