Storytelling Magic: The Power and Practice of Narrative

Description du cours

Why do stories matter? What does a podcast have in common with a poem or a painting? Where do ideas come from? How can we play with different mediums and technologies to create impactful and exciting narratives?

In this course, we'll explore the power of storytelling through a daily blend of in-class creative practice, on-campus field trips, group discussion, and mini lectures. Our journey will take us from more traditional narrative and book arts (like oral storytelling, structured poetry, and typesetting) to more modern ones (like roleplaying games, narrated art videos, fanfiction, and zines).

We'll spend each day not only learning from diverse examples of powerful storytelling, but by building both an independent and collaborative creative practice. This course will also move beyond the classroom. We’re going to make the most of Carleton's resources, with experiential learning activities in the Carleton University Art Gallery, the Creation Suites, the Book Arts Lab, and outdoors.

All necessary supplies will be provided. Plenty of class time will be set aside for any readings or projects that we do. Although you are strongly encouraged to attend all sessions to get the most out of this mini course, the first and final classes will be mandatory. Absolutely no experience in writing or other art forms is necessary to join. Just come with your curiosity and a willingness to experiment!

ACCESS: Some activities will require us to work with our hands. Others will be visual or auditory in nature. Yet others will ask us to work collaboratively. Alternate or adapted ways to participate will be made available to anyone who is unable to do a specific activity.

CARE WARNING: Although we will not be dealing with any narratives of an explicit nature, we can’t have a class about the power of storytelling without exploring any activist narratives! Some of the most powerful work we will encounter is created by Indigenous, Black feminist, disabled, and 2S/LGBTQIA+ storytellers. As such, some readings and class discussions may touch on sensitive topics, including (but not limited to) settler colonialism, racism, ableism, and homophobia. However, we will focus our attention on stories of empowerment, agency, and hope.