Exploring the Future through Stories in Literature and Film

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This course explores different ways in which stories in literature and film can help us re-shape our personal future and that of the world.

We can travel all over the world, we can travel into space, but we cannot travel in time... Or...can we? Mentally we can time travel. And the stories in literature and film are a great inspiration for a journey into the future. This course explores different ways to re-shape our personal future and that of the world through stories in literature and film.

In this course we employ recent research, novel narrative (psychological) theory, and practical exercises exploring how stories in literature and film can be great inspiration for our narrative imagination of the future. They can spark our imagination and help us understand other people, by introducing us to characters who have a different perspective on the world. When we make sense of the world around us and of what could happen in the years ahead, we often rely on narrative structures we have encountered in our culture and folklore. Similarly, books, films and series can shape our perceptions of our lives today and our expectations of what will happen in our future. We thus often engage (subconsciously) in mental time travel. By becoming aware of different pathways of narrative influence we can let go of the stories we are stuck in, and imagine new avenues for change. We can reflect on what it means to have a meaningful (working) life, and train our “moral muscle” – our capability for empathy, ethical awareness and moral decision-making.

This course combines the stories in literature and film, with theory and practical exercises to explore different futures and become aware of ways in which we can (re)shape the future. We will focus on people's personal futures (future self, career identity) as well as the type of world we want to envision, reflecting on values and morality. In the current turbulent global climate, stories can help us make sense of what is going on and offers us templates towards a future world we want to be a part of.

We will need a minimum number of participants for this course in order for the course to proceed. We will let you know as early as possible, at the latest one month in advance

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