Proceduralizing Privilege: Designing Shakespeare in Virtual Reality and the Problem with the Canon

Authors

David M. Frisch, Florida International UniversityFollow

Document Type

Thesis

Degree

Master of Arts (MA)

Major/Program

English

First Advisor's Name

James Sutton

First Advisor's Committee Title

Committee Chair

Second Advisor's Name

Andrew Strycharski

Second Advisor's Committee Title

Committee Member

Third Advisor's Name

Heather Blatt

Third Advisor's Committee Title

Committee Member

Fourth Advisor's Name

Rhona Trauvitch

Fourth Advisor's Committee Title

Committee Member

Keywords

Digital, ICAVE, Shakespeare, Canon, Privilege, theory, education

Date of Defense

3-25-2016

Abstract

This thesis focuses on the development of the first project for FIU’s ICAVE, The Globe Experience, presented as part of the “First Folio! The Book That Gave Us Shakespeare” exhibit during February, 2016. The thesis is divided into two parts. The first part is the project itself: a virtual reality recreation of going to The Globe Theater to see a play by William Shakespeare. The second part examines the digital project and outlines how Walter Benjamin and postcolonial theorists influenced the design of The Globe Experience, resulting in, what I call, a “temporally and spatially disjointed London.” From this examination, the thesis goes on to question the role of canonical literature in the humanities. I go on to make the argument that the design decisions made in recreating The Globe reveals the ways in which canonical literature can reinforce and support hierarchical ideologies which can impede student learning.

Identifier

FIDC000231

Recommended Citation

Frisch, David M., "Proceduralizing Privilege: Designing Shakespeare in Virtual Reality and the Problem with the Canon" (2016). FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 2491.
https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/etd/2491