The power of storytelling from a cross-cultural perspective: fantasy, fairy tales and digital narratives and how they interpret and change our world.
Digital storytelling is on the rise: everyone has a story to tell. But who is listening and why? How are stories told in different languages and in different cultures around the world?
In this paper we examine the power of stories by looking at how they originate in particular cultural contexts and by examining the ways in which stories both interpret and transform our world. We will examine how different communities use particular types of stories and media (videos, blogs, fiction, documentary, folk tales, oral tales, theatrical performances, songs, animation, visual art) and how stories can give a voice to those who are disempowered. You will learn old and new forms of storytelling from multicultural and cross-cultural perspectives (with case studies from Aotearoa, the Pacific, Asia, Latin America, Europe, Africa), and you will craft your own "global" story.
| Paper title | A World of Stories: Global Storytelling in the Digital Age |
|---|---|
| Paper code | GLBL202 |
| Subject | Global Studies |
| EFTS | 0.15 |
| Points | 18 points |
| Teaching period | Semester 1 (On campus) |
| Domestic Tuition Fees (NZD) | $955.05 |
| International Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website. |
- Prerequisite
- 36 points
- Restriction
- GLBL 302
- Schedule C
- Arts and Music
- Eligibility
- Suitable for students of all disciplines who seek to develop the ability to communicate effectively and appropriately in intercultural situations, be it at home or in international settings.
- Contact
- languages@otago.ac.nz
- Teaching staff
- Paper Structure
This project-driven paper is organised into one- or two-week modules. The modules are linked by three key concepts - identity, history and social change - which provide the basis for understanding the effectiveness of stories told at different magnitudes (by individuals, groups, nations or even broader transnational communities).
Coursework is directed towards the completion of a storytelling project, supported by a series of focused readings and the analysis of a number of case studies.
- Teaching Arrangements
The paper is delivered through two 1-hour lectures per week and a weekly workshop or tutorial.
The course will also involve field-work, round-table discussions with the class and other participants, and a limited number of guest visits.
- Textbooks
- To be advised.
- Graduate Attributes Emphasised
- Global perspective, Interdisciplinary perspective, Lifelong learning, Communication,
Critical thinking, Cultural understanding, Information literacy, Research, Self-motivation,
Teamwork.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes. - Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate an understanding of fundamental concepts and principles of communication between people from different social and cultural backgrounds
- Generate insights into social, cultural and historical dimensions of cultural and subcultural groups around the world
- Reflect critically upon the influence of their own culture on how they view themselves and others
- Compare communication behaviour, verbal and non-verbal, of different cultural groups, and interpret the behaviour through culture
- Demonstrate an ability to acquire, organise, analyse and evaluate information both in writing and orally
- Understand how stories can strengthen strategies for social change and to apply those skills to your specific interests and passions
- Demonstrate creative teamwork abilities through group discussion, giving and responding to feedback, and collective brainstorming
- Develop a stronger awareness of how different narrative frames are being increasingly used in many academic and practical areas, including Psychology, Science, Education, Marketing, and Sociology
