Play

Your first paper, due on Wednesday 9 September, is a 2-3 page paper in which you explain what the idea of “play” is to you. How would you define play? What are some specific characteristics or traits that make up your notion of what play is? Does your definition contrast with the ideas laid forth in any of the readings or videos so far? Does your definition have similarities?

Some general things to think about :

• What’s the difference between getting dressed up to pretend (like on Halloween), and engaging in a formal game?
• When we talk about play, we often say that it is fun. What’s fun? How can you describe the notion of fun in relationship to play?
• Does play have any intrinsic value in your definition?

These are just some suggestions on various ways to approach the topic. Feel free to engage the ideas in the manner you see best.

We’ll use this as a central repository for supplemental readings and items that come up in class.