2024-2025 Academic Catalog 
    
    Sep 30, 2024  
2024-2025 Academic Catalog

IMED 3275 - Embodying Virtual Avatars


In this course, we explore the psychological, social, and emotional aspects of embodiment through persona development and presentation. We will investigate and discuss the historical, technical, and cultural timeline of relevant art, expression, and media including child’s play, historic theater and performance around the world, fine-art puppetry, electronic game avatars, and modern-day v-streaming. We will also review research regarding the emotional and neurological responses to avatars and embodiment (including the Proteus effect and ego integration). Further, this course was developed to provide a space to apply and synthesize our readings, media investigations, and discussions of theory by covering methods and techniques of crafting and developing a virtual persona, visual avatar, and v-stream performances with exploration into physical representation. It is a critical element of this course to not only research, witness, and critically discuss embodiment, but to personally embody an avatar.

Anticipated Terms Offered: Annually