This page is where you will find sample syllabi, lesson plans, and activities I have used in my Composition II (a multi-modal class centered around the theme of “Game Studies”) and my upcoming Great Works (global premodern literature survey) courses at Baruch College. This page will be broken into three sections. The first two are dedicated to the courses mentioned above, respectively, and the third is for my upcoming independent study project in which I am creating a table-top roleplaying game for use in the classroom.

Composition II – “Games and Gaming”

When in my Practicum, I was told that Composition II at Baruch College usually centers around a theme. However, we were sternly warned that we were not allowed to make that them ‘literature’, as it would step on the toes of the literature department. So, I had to come up with an engaging and inviting theme that I also felt knowledgeable enough about.

During my first semesters of teaching, I noticed that students struggled to find points of entry in very basic themes (my first theme being “Living in NYC”). Throughout my career as a student and instructor, I’ve also noted the lack of joy in the classroom. So, I thought I would challenge traditional notions of what is ‘academic enough’ and centered my class around “Games and Gaming”. This does not just speak to video games. It also includes sports, board games, the figurative use of games, and more. The initial feedback I got on this topic was “What about students who aren’t gamers”? But I never said it was about video games–though that is a major topic. Everyone plays. So, why not study that?

Below is my syllabus for the Spring 2024 semester, though it will be updated heavily as I move toward teaching this again in Fall 2024.