GLBL302 A World of Stories: Global Storytelling in the Digital Age (Advanced)

Overview

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.

About this paper

Prerequisite

72 Points

Restriction

GLBL 202

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

Professor Paola Voci
Dr Peter Barton

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. It 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. Please contact the department.

Graduate Attributes Emphasised

Global perspective, Interdisciplinary perspective, Lifelong learning, Communication, Critical thinking, Cultural understanding, Information literacy, Research, Self-motivation.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate an understanding of fundamental concepts and principles of communication between people from different social and cultural backgrounds
2. Generate insights into social, cultural and historical dimensions of cultural and subcultural groups around the world
3. Reflect critically upon the influence of their own culture on how they view themselves and others
4. Compare communication behaviour, verbal and non-verbal, of different cultural groups, and interpret the behaviour through culture
5. Demonstrate an ability to acquire, organise, analyse and evaluate information both in writing and orally
6. Understand how stories can strengthen strategies for social change and to apply those skills to your specific interests and passions
7. Demonstrate creative teamwork abilities through group discussion, giving and responding to feedback, and collective brainstorming
8. 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
9. Demonstrate an advanced ability to acquire, organise, analyse and evaluate information both in writing and orally
10. Apply knowledge and skills to demonstrate autonomy, expert judgement, adaptability, and responsibility as an effective and ethical communicator across multiple cultural contexts

Timetable

Overview

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.

About this paper

Prerequisite

72 Points

Restriction

GLBL 202

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

Professor Paola Voci

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. It will also involve field-work, round-table discussions with the class and other participants, and a limited number of guest visits.

Textbooks

All reading material for this course is provided to students as e-readings via Blackboard.

Graduate Attributes Emphasised

Global perspective, Interdisciplinary perspective, Lifelong learning, Communication, Critical thinking, Cultural understanding, Information literacy, Research, Self-motivation.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate an understanding of fundamental concepts and principles of communication between people from different social and cultural backgrounds
2. Generate insights into social, cultural and historical dimensions of cultural and subcultural groups around the world
3. Reflect critically upon the influence of their own culture on how they view themselves and others
4. Compare communication behaviour, verbal and non-verbal, of different cultural groups, and interpret the behaviour through culture
5. Demonstrate an ability to acquire, organise, analyse and evaluate information both in writing and orally
6. Understand how stories can strengthen strategies for social change and to apply those skills to your specific interests and passions
7. Demonstrate creative teamwork abilities through group discussion, giving and responding to feedback, and collective brainstorming
8. 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
9. Demonstrate an advanced ability to acquire, organise, analyse and evaluate information both in writing and orally
10. Apply knowledge and skills to demonstrate autonomy, expert judgement, adaptability, and responsibility as an effective and ethical communicator across multiple cultural contexts

Timetable