UC Berkeley to Offer Class Centered Around Fighting Games
UC Berkeley has announced an exciting new class offering for the Spring 2024 semester: a course centered around the world of fighting games. The class is designed to teach students how to become better players while also exploring the impact that the genre has had on the world.
According to the UC Berkeley course description, the goal of the class is to “help bring beginners to a mid-level of play with guided assistance to offer the smoothest introduction to the world of fighting games.” The class is beginner-friendly and is specifically geared towards those with less than 100 hours of experience in the genre.
In addition to honing their skills in fighting games, students will also have the opportunity to explore the genre’s impact on Japanese culture. The course aims to be a “gateway to understanding modern Japanese culture,” providing students with a deeper understanding of the cultural significance of fighting games.
Unfortunately, the class is only open to admitted UC Berkeley students and will take place in person every Tuesday and Thursday from 5 PM to 6:30 PM. The deadline to apply for the class is January 24, and interested students can sign up by filling out the application form provided on the UC Berkeley website.
This innovative course offering comes at a time when gaming and esports are gaining increasing recognition as legitimate fields of study. With the rise of competitive gaming and the growing influence of gaming on popular culture, it is no surprise that universities are beginning to incorporate gaming-related classes into their curriculum.
Opinion:
The introduction of a class centered around fighting games at UC Berkeley is an exciting development for both gaming enthusiasts and academics. It not only provides students with the opportunity to improve their gaming skills but also offers a unique lens through which to explore the cultural impact of gaming. As gaming continues to gain mainstream recognition, it’s encouraging to see institutions of higher education embracing the medium and offering students the chance to study its cultural and societal significance.