Undergraduate

Module Content

Led by practising artist, EJ Major, this module explores both in theory and in practice the art of storytelling.

Why do we tell stories? What stories are left to tell? How do we tell them? What are the tools? Why are the tools never adequate? How will I use them? This is an exploratory unit that uses the frame of a one module course to open students up to multiple narrative possibilities through a practical exploration of narrating a personal story. The first half of the course we will look together at narrative and its forms. We will look at books, photographs, film and performance as examples of forms that may be employed and as possible ways of telling stories. At the same time we will be exploring what each student’s story might be in terms of finding a form that fits. The aim here is to open up possibilities not to tie students down with commitments to particular strategies. The second part of the course will be more self directed with students working towards their individual projects (without excluding collaboration). Final projects will be in the form students –under guidance – elect. In the first section we work with the whole group present – using lecture based presentations showing a range of different narrative material - followed by group discussions. Alongside this analytic work, we will challenge each student to develop a personal story and then to consider the implications of telling it in different forms and formats.

Learning Outcomes

As a result of the course:

students will be introduced to a wide variety of art forms and practices and gain an understanding of the history of art in relation to narratives of the self
	students will gain insight into the validity and implications of adopting different narrative forms
	have developed understanding of what relevance a story /their story might have to the wider world,
	have developed skills in sourcing answers to technical problems according to their own needs (the level of skill dependent upon stage of study).
	The course encourages awareness of, and sensitivity to, human diversity, an appreciation of its scope and complexity, and recognition of the richness of experience and potential that it provides, through the exploration of the diverse stories that the group finds and tells.
	The course encourages independent learning and research in developing ones own voice
	the course enables students to critically read and interpret a selected range of texts aimed to develop a critical understanding of different art forms and practices
 

Delivery Method

One 2 hour lecture and one 1 hour seminar per week.

Additional Information

This module has a strong practice based focus, using artistic research methods. At the undergraduate level, it is therefore suitable for students with some prior training in the arts.

Postgraduate

Module Content

Why do we tell stories? What stories are left to tell? How do we tell them? What are the tools? Why are the tools never adequate? How will I use them? This is an exploratory unit that uses the frame of a one module course to open students up to multiple narrative possibilities through a practical exploration of narrating a personal story. The first half of the course we will look together at narrative and its forms. We will look at books, photographs, film and performance as examples of forms that may be employed and as possible ways of telling stories. At the same time we will be exploring what each student’s story might be in terms of finding a form that fits. The aim here is to open up possibilities not to tie students down with commitments to particular strategies. The second part of the course will be more self-directed with students working towards their individual projects (without excluding collaboration). Final projects will be in the form students –under guidance – elect. In the first section we work with the whole group present – using lecture based presentations showing a range of different narrative material - followed by group discussions. Alongside this analytic work, we will challenge each student to develop a personal story and then to consider the implications of telling it in different forms and formats.

Learning Outcomes

As a result of the course:

students will be familiar with and have preliminary insight into the validity and implications of adopting different narrative forms and will have begun to develop an informed understanding of why we tell stories,
	have developed understanding of what relevance a story /their story might have to the wider world,
	have developed skills in sourcing answers to technical problems according to their own needs (the level of skill dependent upon stage of study).
	The course encourages awareness of, and sensitivity to, human diversity, an appreciation of its scope and complexity, and recognition of the richness of experience and potential that it provides, through the exploration of the diverse stories that the group finds and tells.
	The course enables self-reflection regarding both the nature of our knowledge of social context and of the role of the researcher/storyteller in the collection and presentation of data.
	the course enables students to critically read and interpret a selected range of texts (including print, oral, film and multimedia) within their historical, social and theoretical contexts and acknowledge practical awareness of the strengths and limitations of particular ways of engaging with the social world.
	It also enables students to develop analytic skills and begin to recognise the politics of language, indirect forms of communication and theoretical statements, forms of power and claims of authority embodied in different sorts of texts.
 

Delivery Method

One 2 hour seminar per week.

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