Writing Performance Histories

Graduate / Professional

This graduate seminar investigates the possibility of writing a performance history of the internet with a focus on the cultural and technical foundations and aspirations of virtual reality and the metaverse. Topics include: speculative fiction, simulation and simulacra, plural ontologies, and queer futurity. A command of the basic literature in performance studies is expected, but no computational training is expected beyond familiarity with the Web and a willingness to explore digitally augmented reality. Enrollment llimited; permission of the instructor required. T 1:30pm-3:25pm