First-Year Seminars 110DZ - Math and Dragons

Tabletop role-playing games (TTRPGs) are narrative driven games, where players take on the role of a character to collaboratively tell a story. In many TTRPGs, the success of a player's action is determined by the outcome of a random process such as a dice roll. In this course, we will explore the mathematics and story-telling that goes into the TTRPG Dungeons and Dragons. On the math side, we will investigate probability, combinatorics, and geometry. On the story-telling side, we will practice creative writing and collaborative discussion. We will also examine Dungeons and Dragons as an ever-evolving cultural phenomenon.
Taught by T. Day Tuesdays and Thursdays 9:00-10:15am

Mount Holyoke first-year students only, by placement.