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Stories are how we think. They provide schema scripts, cognitive maps, mental models, and social metaphors. From pre-print oral storytelling, into fairytales and folklore, through to modern social media, this course will explore the psychology of storytelling and encourage participants to reflect on their own life narratives through story. Sessions will cover the human brain and narrative processing, exploring why stories are a fundamental part of being human. If you are interested in stories, society, or developing your own storytelling, this course will inspire, enlighten, and encourage exploration.
This short course is suitable for anyone interested in stories, narratives, social history, creative writing or psychology. You will be encouraged to begin on your own storytelling journey. No previous knowledge or experience is required for participation in this course.
The sessions will be an immersive journey, drawing upon and critiquing Bruno Bettelheim, Carl Jung, Jack Zipes and Angela Carter, amongst others. The course will cover how stories and storytelling shape our understanding of the world, reflect our deepest desires and fears, and serve as powerful tools for personal and societal transformation.
By the end of this course you will:
· Understand the universality of fairytales and folklore, explore common themes and characters, and consider the rhythm and structure of stories for children. Understand why humans need and love stories!
· Learn how stories engage the right-brain, triggering creativity and imagination and developing empathy.
· Consider how stories can be a remedy for social disconnection and political polarisation, identifying universal truths and encouraging collective cohesion
· Identify emotional resonance and participatory experiences in stories as the journey moves towards ‘storying’ your own world
The course will provide you with a deeper understanding of narrative psychology, enhancing your ability to craft your own story. You will gain confidence as a storyteller, offering a unique springboard for further study in a range of areas.
The teaching sessions are designed to be interactive. There will be some engaging lecture/PowerPoint input, with plenty of encouragement for interaction and questioning. Learning will also involve multimedia content, such as videos, podcasts and discussion boards. Activities such as brainstorming, peer discussions, quizzes, polls, and creative group tasks will ensure that participants remain engaged and actively involved at their own pace. Participants will also be given the opportunity to develop their own stories/storytelling, which they may wish to share with others. Each session will allow time for question and answers and will clearly summarise the main points. Participants will be facilitated to check their own understanding against learning outcomes of the session. Self-assessment activities will be used to monitor progress and provide constructive comments for future development.
Learners will need to bring pen and paper to each session, or a tablet/laptop if preferred. Reading material will be provided via the learning platform. Participants will be encouraged to extend their learning and prepare for the next session through links to articles, podcasts and YouTube.
The course will allow participants to explore the psychological, social, cultural, and technical dimensions of storytelling This could lead to further study of psychology, sociology, education, or creative writing, including undergraduate or postgraduate courses that you might wish to consider in the future.
See how long it will take you to get to college. Please select the campus of the course you wish to study.