CCHE 640 Interdisciplinary College Chess Course Design
CCHE 640 Course Outline offered an opportunity to thoroughly design an interdisciplinary, inclusive, multimodal humanities course centered on chess.
Nick Mueller
CCHE 640 – Course Outline Assignment
Arizona State University
COURSE OUTLINE PROPOSAL
Submitted To: Bisbee Community College Curriculum Committee
Date: October 29, 2023
Prepared By: Nick Mueller
Course Origin:
Describe: Original course.
Department: Liberal Arts
Subject Area: Humanities
Course Number: HUM 436
Course Title: Chess Beyond the Board: An Interdisciplinary Overview
Credit Hours: 3 credit-hours
Course Format: 14 week
Catalog/Course Description:
“Chess Beyond the Board" delves into the multifaceted world of chess, uncovering its historical, cultural, philosophical, and literary dimensions. Rooted in the idea that chess is not merely a game but a reflection of society, strategy, and the human psyche, this course presents an interdisciplinary exploration into the profound influence of chess on various aspects of human civilization.
Course Target Audience:
Students who have completed the 100-level prerequisites and are preparing to transfer to a four-year institution. Chess-curious folks and existing players. Anyone who’s watched the Queen’s Gambit or otherwise participated — actively or passively — in the recent chess boom.
Prerequisites: Completion of a 100-level humanities course. Completion of a 100-level first-year writing course.
Co-requisites: Not applicable
Curricular Emphasis: (Briefly describe)
Transferable General Education Requirement: lower-division HU requirement for Arizona Universities
Discipline Specific/Major Area of Study (related to a degree program that may or may not be transferrable): transfers to all four-year institutions in Arizona offering a liberal arts bachelor’s degree.
Occupational or Certificate: Not applicable.
Lecture/Lab Hour Breakdown: All 3-hours are lecture-oriented. There is no lab component.
Semesters to be Offered: Fall, Spring, and Summer.
Grading Options: Letter grading for credit, pass-fail for students who are auditing.
Required Textbook: The Immortal Game: A History of Chess by David Shenk (2007). Otherwise, all information needed to engage in the course is included within the Canvas course shell.
Instructional Method:
Content will be delivered online. Content is scaffolded as follows in the next sections. Students will use the Canvas course shell, YouTube videos, and the free chess platform lichess.org (n.d.) to engage with the content.
Course Goals:
Understand the historical evolution of chess, from its origins to its present-day status.
Analyze the philosophical underpinnings of the game and its relation to concepts of fate, determinism, free will, and strategy.
Explore the portrayal of chess in literature and film, identifying its symbolic and thematic representations.
Engage critically with various cultural and sociological perspectives on chess, including its role in global politics, education, and gender dynamics.
Develop and articulate research and arguments, both written and oral, that elucidate the interdisciplinary nature of chess.
Course Outcomes:
1. Historical Contextualization: Students will be able to trace the chronological development of chess, understanding its transformation across different cultures and historical epochs, particularly highlighting its journey through the Silk Road and its adaptations across diverse societies.
2. Philosophical Application: By the end of the course, students will demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the philosophical dimensions of chess. They will be equipped to discuss and debate topics such as determinism vs. free will, the ethics of strategy, and the existential themes woven into the fabric of the game.
3. Literary and Cinematic Analysis: Students will have developed the skills to critically analyze and interpret the representation of chess in literature and film. They will recognize thematic motifs, allegorical references, and the sociopolitical implications present in chess-centric narratives.
4. Cultural and Sociological Insight: Graduates of the course will exhibit a nuanced understanding of the societal impact of chess. They will be aware of its role in shaping education paradigms, influencing global politics, and challenging or perpetuating gender and cultural norms. Additionally, students will recognize the power of chess as a tool for socio-cultural bridging and dialogue.
5. Futuristic Perspective: As a culmination of their learning journey, students will be proficient in discussing the modern and future trajectory of chess, especially in the digital age. They will appreciate the implications of artificial intelligence in the realm of chess and will be able to speculate on the game's evolving role in a rapidly advancing technological society.
Course Content/Topics:
Each course module lasts approximately 2.5 weeks.
Module 1: Shenk text: The Opening: Prologue through Chapter 3: The early history of chess: the author’s, instructor’s, origin in Middle East, associated symbols, arrival of chess in the west. Present-day algebraic chess notation. Start lichess.org account and play two games, one as white and one as black. Content quiz in Canvas. Share lichess account name when submitting content quiz.
Module 2: Shenk text: The Middlegame: Chapter 4 through Chapter 8: Chess during the Renaissance: math implications, religious-philosophical associations; Napoleon, then Enlightenment era thought: Ben Franklin, Voltaire, Rousseau, early western masters such as Philidor; Romanticism (literature and arts): Romantic era players, like Morphy and their shorter more notable games. Content quiz in Canvas.
Module 3: Shenk text: The Endgame? Chapter 9 through Coda: Modern scientists, modern authors and chess (Duchamp and Beckett, Borges, Wittgenstein, Feynman, Calvino); modern-hypermodern school of openings. 2001: A Space Odyssey clip (prepares AI discussion later).Play 2 games on lichess: one as white, one as black. Upload games when taking content quiz in Canvas.
Module 4: Ambrose Bierce short story: “Moxon’s Master” (1899) — students write reflection essay on how they see this story’s themes connecting with at least two themes from Shenk text, 750 words, APA, 3 sources. Movie: Bobby Fischer Against The World (2011, 90 minutes).
Module 5: Movie: Brooklyn Castle (2012, 90 minutes) and community-building. Content quiz on both movies. Brainstorming for second reflection essay — students upload topic and thesis statement while completing content quiz, must explore different themes from previous reflection essay.
Module 6: Cochise Chess and community building; AI ascendant from Kasparov v. Deep Blue to “Do humans even have a clue?” Second reflection essay due, 1250 words, APA 5 sources.
Rationale for Course
In our rapidly globalizing world, there is an increasing need for academic curricula that shed the silos of traditional disciplines and offer students a multifaceted perspective on familiar subjects. The proposal for "Chess: Beyond the Board - An Interdisciplinary Exploration" arises from this necessity and offers an enriching course that transcends the confines of a mere game to explore its profound interdisciplinary implications.
Chess, often termed the "Royal Game", has been an integral part of human history for over a millennium. While its strategic and competitive facets are well-known, its potential as an educational, cultural, and philosophical tool remains largely untapped in post-secondary environments. This course, designed for community college students, aims to fill that void.
1. Historical Relevance: Understanding the historical themes of chess provides students with a microcosm of global history itself. From its origins in India to its travels through Persia, its adoption in the Islamic Caliphate, its journey along the Silk Road, and its subsequent European evolution, the game's path mirrors the ebbs and flows of human civilization. By studying the historical roots of chess, students gain insight into trade, warfare, cultural exchange, and the myriad ways societies have interconnected over the centuries.
2. Philosophical Inquiry: Chess serves as a profound metaphorical platform. Concepts of fate versus free will, strategy versus spontaneity, and the very nature of conflict can be drawn from the 64 squares of the chessboard, 16 pieces, and 16 pawns. Engaging with these philosophical ideas allows students to grapple with deeper existential questions and fosters critical thinking skills.
3. Cultural Insights: In today's world, where cross-cultural understanding is more critical than ever, examining chess's role across different societies can offer invaluable insights. The game has been a tool for both diplomacy and confrontation, a means of empowerment, and at times, a reflection of societal norms and biases. By delving into these aspects, students will be better equipped to navigate our diverse global landscape.
4. Literary and Media Analysis Skills: Chess' frequent appearances in literature and film make it a compelling subject for media analysis. By dissecting its portrayal in various narratives, students enhance their analytical skills, understanding thematic motifs and allegories that are transferable to broader literary and media studies.
5. Relevance in the Digital Age: As we transition further into the digital era, understanding chess’ evolution, especially its interface with artificial intelligence, provides a case study in technology's broader societal implications and where humanity is headed.
Summary/Conclusion
"Chess: Beyond the Board" is not merely a course about a game. It's an exploration of human history, philosophy, culture, and humanity. Given its interdisciplinary nature, it stands to offer community college students a rich, holistic education, bridging traditional academic divides and preparing them for a complex, interconnected world.
References
Bierce, A. (1899). Moxon’s Master (Digital) [Digital]. San Francisco Examiner. http://www.eastoftheweb.com/short-stories/UBooks/MoxoMast.shtml
Bobby Fischer Against the World. (2011). [Video]. YouTube.com. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ucGbMQBstRY
Brooklyn Castle. (2012). [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPb4bKpO4zc
Shenk, D. (2007). The Immortal Game: A History of Chess (Reprint Edition) [Print]. Anchor.
The best free, adless chess server. (n.d.). lichess.org. https://lichess.org/
