From Maya to the Matrix

Full Course Title:

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.

Course Details

Prefix:

UCO

Course Number:

1200

Section Number(s) and Day/Times Taught:

121: TR 8:00am-9:15am

125: TR 9:30am-10:45am

Term:

Fall 2024

Categories:

The Arts

Global Issues

Instructor(s)

Nicholas Rudisill

Nick Rudisill splits his time between teaching First Year Seminar and working as an Academic Advisor in University College. Born in South Carolina, he wanted to attend Appalachian ever since he realized there was a college so close to all of the skiing and camping he loved as a kid. He transferred to Appalachian State after almost failing out of the College of Charleston in the early 90's and earned a BA in English with a minor in History. After graduation, he moved to Oregon and travelled extensively throughout the Western United States, eventually returning to Boone and his home in the southern Appalachians. He earned his Master's Degree in English and taught writing courses and the original Freshman Seminar class for many years, before becoming an Academic Advisor and instructor in the new and improved First Year Seminar. He loves working with App State students and exposing them to challenging new ideas in his Maya to the Matrix class. When he's not teaching or advising, you can find him hiking, climbing, skiing, or camping in the mountains that have always been his home.