Homo Ludens – Past and Present of Game and Play
Liddy Scheffknecht
Institute of Studies in Art and Art Education, Cultural Studies
2026S, scientific seminar (SEW), 2.0 ECTS, 1.0 semester hours, course number S05730
Scientific bachelor seminar for teacher education
Description
In the summer semester of 2026, we will focus on gravity. In the joint discussion, in the context of excursions, workshops and guest lectures, and through the individual research of the participants, we investigate in the seminar
– the state of dizziness and disorder caused by a playful approach to the world, which Roger Caillois describes as ilinx (vertigo), triggered, for example, by a rapid spinning or falling motion that pushes the human sense of balance to its limits.
– the historicity of the scientific understanding of gravity, delve into the history of knowledge and science, and ask which physical models are being discussed today.
– different ways to make knowledge from physics and individual experiences with gravity productive for game mechanics – both in analogue and digital spaces.
In general, we understand play as one of the elementary cultural techniques of mankind. No childhood was ever without games, no society is imaginable without them. We therefore
– define play as a contradictory and multidimensional cultural practice,
– critically question cultural-historical developments of individual games as processes of transcultural transformation and permanent exchange, and
– analyse play and its current extension to what has long been considered outside the magic circle in bourgeois culture.
The seminar will be held together with Florian Bettel.
Examination Modalities
- Attendance, reading, active participation & discussion
- Presentation
- Development of a game and written booklet (instructions and context incl. relevant references)
Dates
Mon, 09 March 2026, 10:00–13:00 Seminar Room 22
Mon, 23 March 2026, 10:00–13:00 Seminar Room 22
Mon, 20 April 2026, 10:00–13:00 Seminar Room 22
Mon, 27 April 2026, 10:00–13:00 Seminar Room 22
Mon, 04 May 2026, 10:00–13:00, "Excursion to the Prater, Vienna " (guest lecture: Werner Michael Schwarz, Susanne Winkler)
Mon, 11 May 2026, 10:00–13:00 Seminar Room 22 , "Workshop with game designer Guido Hoffmann" (guest lecture: Guido Hoffmann)
Mon, 18 May 2026, 10:00–13:00 (guest lecture: Lucie Strecker)
Mon, 01 June 2026, 10:00–13:00 Seminar Room 3
Mon, 08 June 2026, 10:00–13:00 Seminar Room 22
Course Enrolment
From 02 February 2026, 09:00
The online registration was already closed
Curriculum Allocation
Art Education: subject kkp (Bachelor): Wissenschaftliche Praxis: FOR: Lehrveranstaltungen nach Wahl aus Wissenschaftliche Praxis 067/003.80
Art Education: subject kkp (Bachelor): Wissenschaftliche Praxis: IT: Bachelorseminar Wissenschaftliche Praxis 067/003.85
Art Education: subject kkp (Master): Wissenschaftliche Praxis: Lehrveranstaltung nach Wahl aus wissenschaftlicher Praxis, SE 067/003.80
Art Education: subject kkp (Enhancements study): Wissenschaftliche Praxis: FOR: Seminar aus dem Bereich Kunst- und Kulturwissenschaften 067/003.25
Art Education: subject kkp (Enhancements study): Wissenschaftliche Praxis: FOR: Lehrveranstaltungen nach Wahl aus Wissenschaftliche Praxis 067/003.80
Art Education: subject tex (Master): Wissenschaftliche Praxis: Lehrveranstaltung nach Wahl aus wissenschaftlicher Praxis, SE 071/003.80
Art Education: subject dae (Master): Wissenschaftliche Praxis: Lehrveranstaltung nach Wahl aus wissenschaftlicher Praxis, SE 072/003.80
Art Education: subject dex (Bachelor): Wissenschaftliche Praxis: FOR: Lehrveranstaltungen nach Wahl aus Wissenschaftliche Praxis 074/003.80
Art Education: subject dex (Bachelor): Wissenschaftliche Praxis: IT: Bachelorseminar Wissenschaftliche Praxis 074/003.85
Art Education: subject dex (Master): Wissenschaftliche Praxis: Lehrveranstaltung nach Wahl aus wissenschaftlicher Praxis, SE 074/003.80
Art Education: subject dex (Enhancements study): Wissenschaftliche Praxis: FOR: Seminar aus dem Bereich Kunst- und Kulturwissenschaften 074/003.25
Art Education: subject dex (Enhancements study): Wissenschaftliche Praxis: FOR: Lehrveranstaltungen nach Wahl aus Wissenschaftliche Praxis 074/003.80
Transformation Studies. Art x Science (Bachelor): Focus! Transformation Areas: Cultural Transformation 162/040.40
TransArts - Transdisciplinary Arts (Bachelor): Theoretical foundations: Theoretical foundations 180/003.01
Experimental Game Cultures (Master): History and Theories of Games: History and Theory of Games 536/002.01
Expanded Museum Studies (Master): Electives: Cultural Studies 537/080.14
Stage Design (2. Section): Kunsttheorie und Kulturwissenschaften: Kulturwissenschaften 542/207.02
Media Arts: Specialisation in Transmedia Arts (2. Section): Wissenschaft, Theorie und Geschichte : Kulturwissenschaften 566/208.15
Media Arts: Specialisation in Digital Arts (2. Section): Wissenschaft, Theorie, Geschichte: Kulturwissenschaften 567/208.15
Kunst- und Kulturwissenschaften (Master): Electives Area 1: Cultural Studies 568/005.01
Kunst- und Kulturwissenschaften (Master): Electives Area 2: Cultural Studies 568/006.01
Design: Specialisation in Design and Narrative Media (2. Section): Methodological and Theoretical Fundamentals: Humanities 576/203.02
Design: Specialisation in Communication Design (2. Section): Methodological and Theoretical Basics: Humanities 577/203.02
Industrial Design (1. Section): Art and Cultural Studies - Basics: Cultural Studies 580/104.07
Fine Arts (2. Section): Scientific and Research Practice: Art Theory, Cultural Studies, Art History, Philosophy 605/202.01
Fine Arts (2. Section): Scientific and Research Practice: Free Electives out of Scientific and Research Practice 605/202.80
Design: Specialisation in Applied Photography and Time-based Media (2. Section): Methodological and Theoretical Basics: Humanities 626/203.02
Co-registration: possible
Attending individual courses: possible