Williams and Smith
Introduction (1-15)
What can you tell about how the audience of this book differs from the audience for Koster's book? How is that difference likely to affect the content? What reading strategies have you developed to improve your interactions with this kind of text?
Update, 04 Jan: Smith was kind enough to send me a near-final copy of the introduction, which I have posted on GriffinGate under "Handouts." If your textbook hasn't arrived, the e-text will buy you a little more time.
http://blogs.setonhill.edu/CodyNaylor/2010/01/bad_news_sells.html
http://blogs.setonhill.edu/JeremyBarrick/2010/01/el_250_williams_and_smith.html
Cody and Jeremy have both commented on the knee-jerk anti-games attitude that is often found in traditional media coverage of gamer culture.
Of course, not everyone uses the internet to connect and build, and gaming isn't the only pop culture community that leverages the connective power of the internet. The glowing success stories (people like Susan's sister) are probably at least as common as the freakish loners.
Since this is the first academic document we've looked at so far, I'm very eager to hear your thoughtful responses to my questions about comparing it to Koster's book, and your strategies for addressing academic material.
http://blogs.setonhill.edu/KeithCampbell/2010/01/williams_and_smith.html
http://blogs.setonhill.edu/JeremyBarrick/2010/01/el_250_williams_and_smith_1.html
http://blogs.setonhill.edu/SusanCarmichael/2010/01/the_williams_and_smith_realm.html
http://blogs.setonhill.edu/MattTakacs/2010/01/williams_and_smith_and_koster.html
http://blogs.setonhill.edu/ElizabethSwartzwelder/2010/01/taking_the_blame.html
http://blogs.setonhill.edu/JessicaKrehlik/2010/01/warning_interaction_required.html