Storytelling for Social Change: Skills a

The person who tells the story can shape the narrative and wield power. Politicians have traditionally practiced narrative-building — by telling stories that draw people in, sharing examples from lived experiences, and using emotive language — as a way to control or manage their image, message, and the events that created their personal history. They use story and narrative to create public policy and to establish political agendas around healthcare, housing, crime, education, and more. And it's not just politicians who depend on storytelling. Activist organizations, such as the Movement 4 Black Lives, the me too. Movement, and the American Civil Liberties Union increased visibility for their messages by participating in interviews, publishing op-eds, and proposing legislative policy to galvanize the public in support of social justice. Their efforts led to a reexamination of the concept of systemic racism and the need for expanded gender equality and justice, inside and outside of academic circles, to create more realistic understandings of the U.S.’s imbalanced economic, educational, and healthcare systems. Within pop culture and the discussion around gun control, the debate over mental health has forced some to consider the topic for the first time.   
Storytelling is a communicative, educational, and entertaining device that is required in most fields, such as policy making, NGO and non-profit work, broadcast and print journalism, theater and film, books and podcasts, litigations, and court cases, and much more. This course will explore various social movements and the different modes of storytelling that have created successful narrative change to give students the skills needed to excel in any industry.