Overview
(Weeks 6 – 7)
With story understood to be an ontological endeavour as outlined in the previous unit, Unit 3 deepens the examination of story as method by considering it from a scientific and cognitive perspective. Here we examine not just how story works in terms of effects on personal and social psychology, for example, but also the studied outcomes of what storytelling and stories offer for persuasion and dialogue. The science of story also includes understanding the basics of how to tell a story in terms of structure and the actual creation of narratives that engage people, whether that be in the form of fiction, visual essays, or videos. In short, this means both learning about the science of why story works and the mechanics of how story works.
Activities and Assessment Overview
- Unit 3 Activity 1: Complete Week 6 readings.
- Unit 3 Activity 2 (Week 6): Complete proposal for Assignment 3.
- Unit 3 Activity 3 (Week 6): Zoom session for discussion of readings.
- Unit 3 Activity 4: Complete Week 7 readings.
- Unit 3 Activity 5 (Week 7): Peer review of assigned proposal.
- Unit 3 Activity 6 (Week 7): Zoom session to discuss Assignment 4.
Unit 3 Activity 1
Complete the readings for Week 6. 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 3 Activity 2
Complete your proposal for Assignment 3 (exact date TBD, but it will be at the beginning of Week 6) and upload to the Moodle forum. Proposal details are outlined in the page for Assignment 3. It is important to upload your proposal by the assigned date in order to receive peer review in a timely manner. I strongly encourage you to read your peers’ proposals (even the ones you aren’t assigned), as well as their peer review comments. You are surrounded by brilliant people and you can all learn deeply from each other’s insights.
Unit 3 Activity 3
This week we will have a Zoom session to discuss Assignment 4. 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 3 Activity 4
Complete the readings for Week 7. 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 3 Activity 5
Provide peer review of assigned proposal on Moodle by the end of Week 6, paying particular focus on the nature of the feedback the proposal asks for. Your feedback will be public on the forum so that all your peers can learn from it and each other. At minimum this should be about 250 words in length, and no more than 500. Be concise and encouraging. It is helpful to indicate what you like, but also what you find confusing or would like to know more about, where detail is lacking. Pay particular focus to the feedback the writer of the proposal asks for with respect to their learning goals.
Unit 3 Activity 6
Weekly Zoom session to discuss readings.