Information Package / Course Catalogue
Play and Performance Culture
Course Code: İLT339
Course Type: Non Departmental Elective
Couse Group: First Cycle (Bachelor's Degree)
Education Language: Turkish
Work Placement: N/A
Theory: 3
Prt.: 0
Credit: 3
Lab: 0
ECTS: 5
Objectives of the Course

The aim of this course is to examine visual culture, play and performance theories within a historical, sociological, and aesthetic framework. It aims to enable students to theoretically analyze traditional, modern, and digital game aesthetics, representations of social identity, and cultural rituals.

Course Content

Concepts of play and performance, the culture-performance relationship, game theories, aesthetics in traditional and digital games, the performative construction of identity and gender, ritual, space and performance culture, and the future political orientations of games.

Name of Lecturer(s)
Learning Outcomes
1.Explains the origins, theoretical foundations and historical development of the concepts of play, ritual and performance; comprehends the relationship between entertainment and play.
2.It analyses elements of play and performance in the performing arts, cinema and digital media within the context of social life.
3.Critically evaluates the interaction between everyday life practices and technology-play (digital games, social media) in accordance with visual literacy principles and universal visual culture symbols.
4.Synthesizes theoretical knowledge (ritual, theatre, cinema, digital media) with creative thinking to design an original project and portfolio for a virtual or physical performance space/concept.
5.Communicates theoretical and applied knowledge related to play and performance culture effectively through oral, visual and written means.
Recommended or Required Reading
1.Huizinga, J. (1949). Homo Ludens: A Study of the Play-Element in Culture. London: Routledge & Kegan Paul.
2.Carlson, M. (1996). Performance: A Critical Introduction. New York: Routledge.
3.Fink, E. (1968). The Oasis of Happiness: Thoughts Towards an Ontology of Play. Yale French Studies, 41, 19–30.
Weekly Detailed Course Contents
Week 1 - Theoretical
Introduction to the Concepts of Play and Performance
Week 2 - Theoretical
The Relationship between Culture and Performance
Week 3 - Theoretical
Game Theories
Week 4 - Theoretical
Traditional and Modern Plays
Week 5 - Theoretical
Performance and Identity
Week 6 - Theoretical
Play and Gender
Week 7 - Theoretical
Digital Game and Performance
Week 8 - Theoretical
Theoretical Exam / Digital Performance Analysis
Week 9 - Theoretical
Ritual and Performance
Week 10 - Theoretical
Game and Education
Week 11 - Theoretical
Performance and Space
Week 12 - Theoretical
Political and Social Orientations
Week 13 - Theoretical
General Evaluation
Week 14 - Practice
Theoretical Exam and Portfolio Submission
Assessment Methods and Criteria
Type of AssessmentCountPercent
Attending Lectures5%5
Assignment1%15
Midterm Examination1%20
Final Examination1%60
Workload Calculation
ActivitiesCountPreparationTimeTotal Work Load (hours)
Lecture - Theory141356
Assignment135439
Midterm Examination113215
Final Examination113215
TOTAL WORKLOAD (hours)125
Contribution of Learning Outcomes to Programme Outcomes
PÇ-1
PÇ-2
PÇ-3
PÇ-4
PÇ-5
PÇ-6
PÇ-7
PÇ-8
PÇ-9
PÇ-10
PÇ-11
PÇ-12
PÇ-13
PÇ-14
PÇ-15
OÇ-1
3
3
3
2
4
4
2
4
2
2
2
4
2
2
3
OÇ-2
3
3
4
2
4
4
2
4
2
3
4
4
3
2
4
OÇ-3
3
3
4
3
4
5
3
5
2
3
4
4
3
2
4
OÇ-4
4
4
5
3
4
4
2
4
4
4
4
4
4
3
4
OÇ-5
3
3
4
2
3
3
2
4
3
3
3
3
3
3
5
Adnan Menderes University - Information Package / Course Catalogue
2026