Storytelling for Social Justice

Well-told, new narratives can change the world. Living in a time of rising movements such as Black Lives Matter, MeToo, DACA/refugee and immigrant rights, LGBTQ rights and more, students are encouraged to uncover stories that are not included in our history textbooks. Through workshops, students gain access to pathways to explore personal history, family narratives and stories amidst their communities. Students read and produce compelling creative nonfiction—memoir, essays, literary journalism, blogging, audio/video recording, live performance and more—to share with larger audiences. Integral to the creation of new work is revision, peer feedback and literary work that serves as models. By the end of the course, students have begun a narrative in a format of their choice that they develop into a completed project in order to share with the larger community.