Who We Are:
ALLOTOTEM: “An Alternative Reference Point for a Brighter Future”
Allo·totem: (n.) /AH-Lo-TO-Tuhm/ [<Ancient Greek, állos, meaning “other”> + <Algonquian Ojibwe, (o)doodem(an), meaning “clan symbol”.>]
1. lit. From the Greek root Allo-, “other,” synonymized as “alternative,” and the Anglicized Algonquian noun -totem, “clan symbol,” synonymized as “cultural reference point,” something that produces collective meaning through skepticism and critique of the world as it stands:
An alternative cultural reference point.
But what does this mean?
Everything starts as an idea. Not too long ago, ALLOTOTEM was just that: an idea.
As of right now, it’s probably easiest to think of ALLOTOTEM as an “abstraction:”
ALLOTOTEM is the idea driving the real-world product that’s probably the reason you’re even reading this: The De-A.I. Curriculum and Crash Course.
That could change in the future. Hopefully it becomes something more! And hopefully you can join us on the journey.
But that’s only one part of “Who We Are.” Aren’t you here to learn about your instructor too?
A multi-disciplinary course framed as a response to major technological shift requires nothing less than a “generalist dynamo:”
A multi-subject tutor with experience working through and across multiple disciplines, often in the same day!
ENTER:
Your humble Instructor and guide through the De-A.I. Curriculum: Nick St. Clair, B.A., Global Studies
Hi! Thanks for checking in.
I am a 2021 graduate of Arizona State University's School of Politics and Global Studies, where I graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Global Studies. I am extremely knowledgeable about governance, politics and history and will do everything I can to help students of all ages succeed in their coursework in a variety of subjects! My background in international political science helps to give me a unique interpretation of history and I am an excellent rhetorical writer in an exceedingly wide variety of fields.
My degree in Global Studies is essentially a degree in Political Science with a heavier emphasis on international relations and international politics, along with global culture and global humanitarian issues. I have a large breadth of experience writing around 100 academic papers, and have assisted with hundreds more. I am capable of simplifying complex topics in a way that anyone can understand.
I have tutored humanities and social sciences courses for students of all ages, from middle school history and language arts… Into high school/secondary school courses and admissions essay writing (AP and IB courses including AP English III and IV, AP US History and AP Human Geography)… As well as various undergraduate and graduate courses in the social sciences at levels ranging from community college to the Ivy League (international relations, political science, and sociology), as well as adult learners.
“This will be my sons 2nd year working with Nicholas. Last year it was APUSH my son scored a 4 on his AP test. This year he is working with my son on AP Economics and AP Gov. My son loves working with Nicholas. Nicholas has balanced lessons with the topics and current news and how it might pertain to the class. It’s never boring. He is an excellent tutor and we feel lucky to have found him.”
Subjects I’ve Taught in the past 24 months:
Middle School:
Social Studies
World History
Academic Writing
High School/Secondary:
Humanities, Art History
AP U.S. History
AP World History
AP Human Geography
AP Psychology
AP Microeconomics and AP Macroeconomics
AP Environmental Science
English Literature
Research Writing, Creative Writing
Undergraduate:
Biology
Political Science
Political Economy
International Relations
Communications and Communications Theory
Contemporary Issues
Conflict, Violence, and Human Rights
Social Science Research
Advanced Research Writing
History of The Industrial Revolution
Post-Graduate:
Moral Philosophy and Metaethics
Media Psychology
History of Warfare
History of Economics
One thing’s for certain…
There aren’t many people out there who can teach a course balancing:
media literacy … epistemology … research methods … pedagogy … academic writing … narrative writing … educational psychology … linguistics … communications psychology … technological history … cultural anthropology … and so much more…
And bring it all together in one succinct, directed crash course that tackles a timely issue:
The fact that Generative A.I. is making us all dumber!
Reviews for Nick’s Multi-Subject Tutoring Work…
“Our son has been working with Nicholas for a while now, and I highly recommend him. Last school year he worked with our son through the his APUSH class and our son did very well in both the class and on the test thanks to Nicholas’ help. His support was a key role in our son’s success and we are so grateful to him. Nicholas is now helping our son work on his college essays, and will again be working with our son as he plans to take AP Gov this upcoming year.”
“Tutor was instrumental in enabling me to achieve an A in an intensive research paper for my university. He was extremely accommodating since I was on a tight schedule. Will definitely use him again to assist on future papers.”
“Very helpful and terrific teacher. Has helped my daughter to achieve her goals in the humanities classes and improve her grades, highly recommended”