DM 110: Foundations of Storytelling

Overview

Little about humanity has changed since Aristotle and other philosophers first asked, “How should a human being lead his life?” The answer, almost universally, lies in the stories we tell. Whether delivered through aural histories, books, music, film, television, or the Internet, stories teach us things we do not know, transmit experiences otherwise inaccessible, provide insights to life we could not otherwise unearth. Stories help us see ourselves through the lives of others, help foster sustainable cultures by providing universal reference points for values, moral behavior, and personal conduct that such cultures hold dear. They comprise the wellspring of human existence: how we learn, reason, communicate, and seek answers to the unknown. Storytelling, in a nutshell, provides instructions for living. This class explores the vital foundations that guide the work of master storytellers, and teaches you how to apply such principles in your own communication endeavors.

Learning Outcomes

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

• Incorporate storytelling techniques when disseminating information via digital media.
• Distinguish between fact-based reporting and information using timeline reporting.
• Identify and portray strong central characters engaged in the pursuit of goals along a timeline that moves from beginning, through middle, to a strong, definitive ending.
• Recognize and apply universal qualities of human experience in the storytelling arts using digital media.
• Self-assess your work and help coach others.

Required Texts
DM 110 texts are available from the JIU/MBS bookstore