DD101 VS - Critical Play (Fall 2026)

Faculty/Academic Area: Faculty of Human & Social Sciences Department: N/A Campus: Other Employee Group: WLUFA Requisition ID: 11036 Position Title: DD101 VS – Critical Play (Fall 2026) Term: Fall 2026 (September 1 – December 31, 2026) Days/Times: Tuesday and Thursday 4:00pm to 5:20pm Hours per week/Hours Total: 3 per week/36 total Mode of Delivery: Virtual Synchronous Type of Instruction: Lecture Anticipated Class Size: 120 Additional Course Requirements: None Posted on: May 22, 2026 Posting ends: June 6, 2026 Position Summary: This course introduces students to the concept of critical play. To play a game critically means deconstructing the ideas, beliefs, and values a game conveys through its mechanics (i.e. actions within the game), dynamics (i.e. interactions within the game), and aesthetics (i.e. the look and feel of the game). Students will play various analog and digital games, read theory and criticism of games as a communicative art form, and write critical commentary on games. This introduction to critical play will provide a foundation for subsequent courses in critical game design. Qualifications – Required Academic Degree: Master’s degree or PhD in Literature, Communication, Media Studies, Game Studies, Cultural Studies or related topics. Qualifications – Required Discipline: N/A Qualifications – Required Areas of Specialization: Game studies Qualifications – Required Professional Designation: N/A Qualifications – Other: Writing in a professional capacity. Salary: $10,212.40 Application Deadline: June 6, 2026 Submit with Application: Required for All Applicants CV (Maximum of 10 pages, with 12-point font and 2.54 cm margins. Pages which exceed this limit will not be considered in the committee’s evaluation of the application) Candidate Application Form (CAF) On the CAF, applicants must clearly outline only those qualifications which are relevant for each course for which they have applied and articulate how their work and academic experience enhances their ability to teach each course. Required for External Applicants Names and Contact Information for Referees Evidence of Good Teaching Verification of highest degree Optional Cover Letter Sample Course Outline Teaching Dossier and/or relevant supplementary documentation (Maximum of 25 pages in total, with 12-point font and 2.54 cm margins. Pages which exceed this limit will not be considered in the committee’s evaluation of the application). Note: A Cover Letter is not expected (unless noted as required) as the CAF will include information that is typically included in a Cover Letter. Applications may be addressed to: Dr. Charles Wells, Chair Professor and Program Coordinator Game Design and Development Faculty of Human and Social Sciences c/o Angela Jadric To Apply: Please click the gold “Apply Now” button located on the top right hand side of the page. You will be asked to sign in if you have already created an account. If you are not a registered user you may create an account to apply to career opportunities. Once an account is created you will be able to sign in to apply for the position. This appointment is in accordance with the Contract Teaching Faculty and Part-time Librarians Collective Agreement, for which the Wilfrid Laurier Faculty Association (WLUFA) is the exclusive bargaining agent. All applicants are assessed using both the “Appendix H: Assessment of CTF Candidates under 13.6.1” in the collective agreement and the program specific rubric. Candidates should review these documents and ensure the information required is easily accessible in the application. Please Note: Assessment of your application will be based primarily on the Candidate Application Form (CAF). The Part-time Appointment Committee is only required to review the CAF, Curriculum Vitae, and any specifically referenced pages in a supplemental document(s) to ensure fair assessment of each candidate. Candidate Application form (CAF) is used to apply to an individual posting and must be submitted with each application. The completed form is to be uploaded with all other application materials by the deadline listed in the course posting. Refer to Appendix I of the Contract Teaching Faculty Collective Agreement for further guidance about completing the CAF and Appendix H for details on how this form will be scored. For Supplementary Remuneration for marking and grading allowance, see Article 28.2, and coordination of large classes or multi-section courses, see Article 28.3 Pursuant to Article 13.5 of the Collective Agreement for Contract Teaching Faculty (CTF) and Part-time Librarians, all applicants shall apply electronically. Applications must be received by 23:59 local time of the date on the posting. Wilfrid Laurier University endeavors to fill positions with qualified candidates who have a combination of education, experience, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position while demonstrating Laurier's Employee Success Factors. Diversity and creating a culture of inclusion is a key pillar of Wilfrid Laurier University’s Strategic Academic Plan and is one of Laurier’s core values. Laurier is committed to increasing the diversity of faculty and staff and welcomes applications from qualified members of the equity-deserving groups. Indigenous candidates who would like to learn more about equity and inclusive programming at Laurier are welcome to contact the Office of Indigenous Initiatives at [email protected]. Candidates from other equity-deserving groups who would like to learn more about equity and inclusive programming at Laurier are welcome to contract Equity and Accessibility at [email protected]. We have strived to make our application process accessible, however if you require any assistance applying for a position or would like this job posted in an alternative format, please contact Faculty Relations at [email protected]. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, as per Canadian immigration laws, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. Members of the equity-deserving groups must self-identify to the appropriate Dean(s) to be considered for employment equity. All course offerings will be contingent on adequate student registration and subject to budgetary funding. Members of the Contract Teaching Faculty bargaining unit: Should you be interested in learning more about this opportunity, please visit www.wlu.ca/careers for additional information and the online application system. All applications must be submitted online. All applications shall be reviewed and considered under a set of criteria established by the part-time hiring committee. Only those applicants recommended for a position will be contacted. Apply To This Job