Shira Chess, who just published her second book, "Ready Player Two: Women Gamers and Designed Identity," is profiled by the University of Georgia (Photo: Dorothy Kozlowski)
Shira Chess: Focus on Faculty
Shira Chess, assistant professor of entertainment and media studies, focuses her research on what a lot of people enjoy in their spare time: video games and digital culture. In her Focus on Faculty interview, Chess talks about her research, teaching and her new book on the subject called “Ready Player Two: Women Gamers and Designed Identity.”
“I love to teach courses that mix theory and practice, particularly when those practices are creative,” Chess said in her profile. “For example, one of my favorite classes is “The Elements of Narrative,” where students learn narrative theory, but then get to play by constructing what I like to think of as storytelling experiments during class.”
Her course work with Turner Entertainment Networks is one of the highlights of her teaching at Grady College. “I have collaborated with Turner Entertainment Networks to create an annual class where students get to pitch projects and concepts to the TV network based on emerging innovations. It is so satisfying seeing students work on a single project over the course of the semester, and then get to show it off to TV executives.”
Tapping into student creativity is the main objective for Chess. “My goal for them is that they will learn to brainstorm and prototype ideas rapidly, and push the edges of their own creative abilities. I want them to go out into the world with the ability to tell amazing stories in complicated ways.”
How did you choose to major in public relations? Honestly, I didn’t really know what I was doing when I picked my major. I knew I was broadly interested in marketing and in getting people to pay attention to good products or services, whatever they may be. It’s frustrating to me to see something cool, […] learn more
Deputy general counsel for The New York Times to give the 41st McGill Lecture
The New York Times top newsroom lawyer, David McCraw, will address fake news at the University of Georgia Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication’s 41st McGill Lecture. McCraw will deliver “Fake, Fake News: The Press, The President and the Future of the First Amendment,” Nov. 13, 2019, at 4 p.m. in room 150 of […] learn more
The Red & Black receives prestigious Pacemaker Award
The University of Georgia’s student-run newspaper, The Red & Black, took home a Pacemaker Award at last weekend’s Fall National College Media Convention. The Pacemaker Award recognizes student publications for overall excellence throughout the school year. The Pacemaker is considered the Associated Collegiate Press’ “preeminent award,” according to Laura Widmer, the ACP’s executive director. There […] learn more
#GradyGrit: Meet Alexandra Rios
How did you choose to study Journalism? I wanted to be a journalist since day one, never wanted to do anything else. People, places and ideas fascinate me. I am curious about the world: how people think, why they think the way they do and meeting people where they are. Journalism has always been important […] learn more
Yan Jin named Kitty O. Locker Outstanding Researcher Award Recipient
Yan Jin, assistant department head of the Department of Advertising and Public Relations, has been named the recipient of the Kitty O. Locker Outstanding Researcher Award, presented at the annual international Association for Business Communication (ABC) conference October 25, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. Jin is also associate director of the Center for Health & Risk […] learn more
