First-Year Writing Seminar (101-8-3)

Topic

Storytelling

Instructors

Katherine Elizabeth Hoffman
847/491-4565
1810 Hinman Ave., Room #206, EV Campus

Meeting Info

Locy Hall 305: Mon, Wed 12:30PM - 1:50PM

Overview of class

Stories can communicate information or entertain, but they also connect, persuade, and mobilize people. This seminar explores storytelling as communicative practice, individual creation, and anthropological subject. We will look at diverse oral traditions in the US and abroad, personal narratives, and digital media. Just as importantly, we will study how organizations and activists use stories to raise awareness, inspire action, and shape public opinion. Along the way, we'll ask how stories are shaped by power and resistance to it and what stories reveal about identity and community. Students will experiment with crafting their own personal narratives, analyzing those of others, and discovering how narrative connects people across time and space.

Evaluation Method

Evaluation will be based on thoughtful and on-topic discussion of course readings and short lectures, participation in small group exercises, class discussion moderation, short assignments related to the final paper, class presentation, and a 8-10 page final paper on a topic of the student's choice reflecting course themes. Student work is distributed throughout the quarter so that there is no sprint at the end.

Class Materials (Required)

All readings will be provided by the instructor in digital or paper format.

Class Attributes

WCAS Writing Seminar

Enrollment Requirements

Enrollment Requirements: Weinberg First Year Seminars are only available to first-year students.