Christian Thomas

Lecturer
cthomas@writing.ucsb.edu

Office Hours: 

Winter 2023 - please email for appointment

Office Location: 

South Hall 1401

Specialization: 

Christian Thomas is a lecturer in the Writing Program and the Associate Director of the Center for Digital Games Research. He teaches Rome: The Game (WRIT/ARTHI W6R), How Games Tell Stories (INT 36GS), Writing about Film (WRIT 109F), Multimedia Writing (WRIT 105M), Writing for Public Speaking (WRIT 105PS), Writing and the Research Process (WRIT 50), and Academic Writing (WRIT 2).

Research: 

Selected grants, publications, and conference presentations:

  • Innovative Learning Technology Initiative grant ($94,000) in support of development of Rome: The Game (co-PI, 2019)
  • "Creating an Online Course as a Narrative Game.” Presentation for the 2023 Arizona State University Composition Conference (February 2023)
  • Arts Special Issue, The Art of Adaptation in Film and Video Games (editor, July 2022)
  • "Writing for Emotional Impact in Film and Video Games: Lessons in Character Development, Realism, and Interactivity from the Alien Media Franchise" (author, Arts, March 2021)
  • "Interview: Acclaimed Game Designer Ryan Kaufman Discusses Telltale Games, Star Wars, Harry Potter, and How Video Games Can Transform Us" (interviewer, Arts, July 2021)
  • "Game Writing Meets Online Course Design" (presenter, University of California Writing Programs Conference, 2021)
  • "Teaching an Online Course as a Story-Based Game" (presenter, Engaging Teaching Symposium, 2020)
  • Mellon Engaging Humanities Faculty Fellowship (2019)
  • "VR Games for Learning" (presenter, The Wolf Museum of Exploration and Innovation, 2019)
  • "Gaming in the Writing Classroom" (presenter, Writing Program Professional Events, 2019)
  • "Character Development in Horror Fiction & Film" (presenter, College of Creative Studies, UCSB, 2019)
  • "Interactive Writing" (presenter, Technology in Writing Conference, 2018)
  • "Video Game Production" (presenter, UCSB Career Services, 2018)