Degrees in Video Game Design "Kidnap American Education," Prof. Ted Rueter Declares

December 2, 2005

December 2, 2005, Greencastle, Ind. - "Video game design as a college major? It's yet another sign of the coming of the apocalypse," declares Ted Rueter in today's edition of Indiana's Bloomington Herald-Times. "Schools of higher learning are simply cashing in on a fad that is destructive to society," adds Rueter, assistant professor of political science at DePauw University, which does not offer such a degree, although "such august institutions as the University of Southern California, Georgia Tech, Carnegie Mellon, the New School, and the University of Central Florida are now offering undergraduate and master's degrees in joysticks and video predators."

The professor notes, "Electronic Arts, the nation's largest game maker, has led the way in encouraging ivy-stained institutions to teach the design of such games as Grand Theft Auto, World of Warcraft, Doom, Wolfenstein 3D, and Mortal Kombat. Last year, the company contributed millions of dollars to establish a three-year master of fine arts program in 'interactive entertainment' at USC."

Research shows boys play video games an average of 13 hours a week, and girls 5. "Studies indicate that the amount of time spent playing video games is associated with lower grades," Dr. Rueter states, adding, "The central problem with video games is their violence... Fifty years of research have established the negative consequences of watching violent television and movies. However, violent video games may have even stronger effects on children's aggression, because (1) the games are highly engaging and interactive; (2) the games reward violent behavior; and (3) children repeat these behaviors over and over as they play."

Rueter's column continues, "In addition, the content of video games may influence children's atititudes toward gender roles. In Nintendo games, women are often depicted as victims. The covers of Nintendo games show males striking a dominant pose. Many games are based upon a scenario in which a woman is kidnapped or has to be rescued."

In conclusion, he argues, "Offering degrees in video game design is to kidnap American education. Higher education needs to be rescued from such destructive nonsense."

Read the complete essay by clicking here.

Learn about Ted Rueter's other recent op-ed columns here, here, here, here, here, and here.

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