Narratio Learning Community

1. NarratioLearning Community Narrative, story, telling, relating

2. NarratioIntroduction Stories. They are all around us, from fairy tales we heard as children to the books we read and the films we see as adults. We encounter narratives in family histories, on television, in the news, in political speeches—just about everywhere.

3. In Narratio, we study narrative—how narratives work, how they affect our lives, how we can employ them effectively and respond to them in a critically aware fashion. We learn about narratives in many forms, including literature, film, and a range of other media.

4. Why study narratives? Narratives have always played a central role in literary studies, history, film studies, journalism, communications, and many other fields.

5. In recent years, new fields have incorporated narrative studies. In business, “corporate storytelling” has emerged as an important concept in marketing and public relations. “Narrative medicine” has become a part of medical training, with doctors developing “the capacity to recognize, absorb, metabolize, interpret, and be moved by stories”as they diagnose their patients (Dr. Rita Charon, Columbia University Medical Center)

6. In Narratio, students will… • Develop skills to recognize and analyze the characteristics of narrative form • Discover how narrative both reflects and shapes the diverse experiences of people locally, globally and historically • Demonstrate an understanding of narrative through integration of key concepts in a variety of modes, including writing and visual media

7. Courses • Literature and Diversity (ENGL 113) • Media Literacy (MDIA)140 • Thinking and Writing Across the Curriculum (UCOR 101)

8. Literature and Diversity • We will examine ways that authors and filmmakers from a variety of ethnic backgrounds have employed narrative as a form of cultural and artistic expression. The course will survey modes of storytelling as expressed in a variety of media and across multiple cultural traditions. Fulfills the University Core Curriculum Global Diversity requirement.

9. Media Literacy • Media Literacy explores media industries, practices and issues. Regardless of their major or area of study, all college students should understand the grammars and methods that underpin media messages; they should know the identities and motives of those who create media messages and platforms; they should understand the relationship between media and politics, and how media framing subtly shapes political decision-making; they should have a thorough understanding of the personal and public implications of social media.

10. Thinking and Writing Across the Curriculum • UCOR 101 is designed to help prepare students for their collegiate and professional careers. To help advance this part of our agenda you will be expected to read and write, a lot, and often. With these twin goals of creating knowledge and preparation for a lifetime of writing in mind, our course will also give special consideration to topics dealing with narration, diversity, journeys, representations of the self, and experiences.

11. For More Information Contact Dr. Tom Kinnahan, English Department kinnahant@duq.edu