The Power of the Page: Storytelling in the 21st Century

Course Description

How do we share our stories in the digital age? Why do people turn to art as a form of activism? Where do ideas come from, and where do they go? What mediums, technologies, and genres can we play with to create impactful narratives?

Together, we’ll explore how stories circulate in our contemporary moment through a daily blend of field trips, in-class workshops, group discussion, and mini lectures. We’ll spend each day not only learning from different examples of powerful and politically engaged storytelling, but by building both an independent and collaborative creative practice. Among other things, we will learn how spoken-word poetry and short films mirror ancient traditions like oral storytelling. We will look to technologies of the past like typesetting and letterpress printing to understand why today’s zines are such potent vessels for sharing niche information and historically marginalized stories.

In bringing us from the past to the present of knowledge production, our journey also invites us to engage in several hands-on activities throughout the week. You will come away from the course not only with ideas, but also original stories and print materials (posters, zines, etc) you’ve made yourself.

This course will move beyond the classroom. We’re going to make the most of Carleton’s and the surrounding area’s resources, with experiential learning activities in the Carleton University Book Arts Lab, local organizations, outdoors, and more.

All supplies will be provided. Plenty of class time will be set aside for any readings or projects that we do. Although you are strongly encouraged to attend all sessions to get the most out of this mini course, the first and final classes will be mandatory. Absolutely no experience in writing, art, or related activities is necessary to join. Just come with your curiosity and a willingness to experiment!

ACCESS: This course will involve a significant amount of hands-on work (writing, bookbinding, etc) as well as a few field trips that will require up to 15-20 minutes of walking (if you require a wheelchair, please inform the Mini Course Program coordinators upon registration). Many activities will be visual or auditory in nature. Yet others will ask us to work collaboratively. Alternate or adapted ways to participate will be made available to anyone who is unable to do a specific activity.

CARE WARNING: Some of the most powerful work we will encounter is created by Indigenous, Black feminist, disabled, and 2S/LGBTQIA+ storytellers. As such, some readings and discussions may touch on sensitive topics, including (but not limited to) settler colonialism, racism, ableism, climate crisis, and homophobia. However, we will focus our attention on stories of empowerment, agency, and hope.