Overview
(Weeks 3-5)
This unit will provide you with an introduction into narrative and storytelling as a basis for effective and just communication, and demonstrate how that translates to climate change communication. Together we will examine multiple worldview perspectives on storytelling as a relational knowledge-sharing and world-making process, as well as attend to the ethics of storytelling both in practice (eg., when and how to do it ethically, what stories can and cannot be shared in particular spaces), and in community (eg., how to account for and promote multiple viewpoints).
We will start with the theme of story as ontology as a way to understand the power of story. What even is a story? What do stories do? Why is story such a powerful way to understand climate communication? From there we will examine the relationship between communication and trust. This is about audiences and collaborators, and connection. How do we all get on board with the story? Is this necessary, and if so why? What do we do when trust is challenged by disinformation as it so often is in these divided times? In the final week of this unit we will look at trust and dialogue through the lens of accessibility as a key concern for climate communicators. How do we make sure everyone is included in the conversations about the climate crisis so that everyone can participate justly in climate action?
As you continue through this course, your Tiny Ecology project will be ongoing. As such, I encourage you to draw on it to deeply engage the role of place-based and locally-oriented storytelling as a powerful connection tool for impacting people’s response to climate change information and action. Maybe you notice something interesting about a plant developing, or see a particular bird visiting a nearby tree on a regular schedule. Maybe you notice a change in weather patterns and the effect that change is having on the ecology you are with. How and what you communicate will be informed not just by what you understand intellectually through reading, but through the experiences you share with land and the myriad inhabitants of the land.
Activities & Assessment Overview
- Complete Unit 2 readings.
- Unit 2 Activity 1: Complete Week 3 readings.
- Unit 2 Activity 2: Zoom session to discuss Assignment 2.
- Unit 2 Activity 3: Select content for Assignment 2 and post in Moodle forum.
- Unit 2 Activity 4: Complete Week 4 readings.
- Complete Assignment 2.
- Unit 2 Activity 5: Complete Week 5 readings.
- Unit 2 Activity 6: Zoom session to discuss Assignment 3 and Week 5 readings.
- Complete mid-course survey. A link will be provided for you.
Unit 2 Activity 1
Complete the readings for Week 3. Look in your email for the weekly update, which will provide more context, prompts, and questions for you to consider as you work through this material.
Unit 2 Activity 2
This week we will have a Zoom session to discuss Assignment 2 and the week’s readings. Any questions you have about the assignment, or tips or strategies for completing it will be discussed. The session will begin by running through the details of the assignment and provide the opportunity for open questions about its details. Since a number of assignments in the course build on each other, you can also use this opportunity to discuss and think towards the next iteration of your work.
Unit 2 Activity 3
In the third week, you will need to select content for Assignment 2 not later than end of day Saturday.
Unit 2 Activity 4
Complete the readings for Week 4. Look in your email for the weekly update, which will provide more context, prompts, and questions for you to consider as you work through this material.
Unit 2 Activity 5
Complete the readings for Week 5. Look in your email for the weekly update, which will provide more context, prompts, and questions for you to consider as you work through this material.
Unit 2 Activity 6
This week we will have an optional Zoom session to discuss Assignment 3. Any questions you have about the assignment, or tips or strategies for completing it will be discussed. The session will begin by running through the details of the assignment and provide the opportunity for open questions about its details.