The advent of internet technology and social networking tools have given humans myriad opportunities to connect and interact with each other in increasingly alternate and virtual worlds. Many of our students are well-versed in the use of these tools and may even be aware of the backlash decrying the use of these technologies as detached from 'reality' and, therefore, somehow detached from humanity. However, what many students don't know is that the very notion of reality as a universal, shared experience is itself a concept that has been questioned and debated (and even refuted) by human beings for centuries. This course is designed to explore how human beings have approached the question of reality across cultures and throughout history and to encourage our students to critically examine their own notions regarding reality and how it is perceived and constructed in their own life and experiences. This course is designed to explore how human beings have approached the question of reality across cultures and throughout history and to encourage our students to critically examine their own notions regarding reality and how it is perceived and constructed in their own life and experience.
