Course Description
History, culture, and social dynamics of the phenomenon of "virtual worlds" and their influence in turn on contemporary culture and society.
Though the "Age of Virtual Reality" is in its infancy, today's students already live in a virtual world. Through their video games, iPods, iPhones, online social networking, and movies, they are migrating precipitously toward "virtual space." It’s an imperative for them to understand this moment in history. Through provoked “discoveries,” engaging artistic journeys, and creative dialogues with the “language” of virtual reality, students explore both its pre-digital history and it is sobering—yet inspiring—future.
Course Credits: 3
Student Learning Outcomes
- Students will discover a new veracity, a new authenticity, and a new credibility for the virtual experience.
- They will learn to test, discern, and ground the "evidence" of their experience.
- They will discover where civilization is moving as a whole by confronting the “reality” of virtual reality, where it came from, and where it is going.
- They will engage the skills necessary to participate constructively and creatively in an increasingly "virtual" world—a world that demands their participation.